First Glance - Call of Duty: Black Ops Tournament

Last Tuesday at First Glance, 29 brave souls entered our arena in a bid to claim a mighty prize. Only one would emerge from mortal combat, beaten and bloodied, with the Holy Grail of our generation. Of course, I'm talking about our Call of Duty: Black Ops Tournament.

Ages ranged from 12 to 19. Some were complete noobs and others were hardened veterans. All were hungry to get their hands on a copy of the game that had just come out that morning.

Anticipation and anxiety ran equally high. It's one thing to sit at home, beat your little brother, and then brag to your buddies about how good you are at the game. Here, your words would be put to the test and all would be laid bare for the world to see.

In Kenmore at 5:30 PM, a reckoning began in earnest.

No one had  played the game before so all were on equal footing. The only thing a warrior could rely on was his raw skill (yes, "his skill". Do you really think any girls showed up?). New maps, new weapons, and new killstreaks for everyone to learn.

However, as they made their way through the rounds, a line became clear of who were the pwn'ers and who were the pwn'ees. The smack talk that started the event was replaced by humble silence as those who thought beating their little brother brought them skill found out it brought shame. True warriors began to make their way to the top of heap, with hundreds of chumps lying in their wake!

Then we took a break for pizza. Delicious!

Going into Round 5, we had four men who had gone undefeated. At Round 6, that number had been reduced to two. And if we've learned anything from Highlander, there can  be only ONE. 

These two battered and worn soldiers stepped out onto the summit, knowing that only one would be walking down the mountain, while the other would fall to his demise.  Their names? They had to use the nicknames Rheno and MJS, as their real names are only whispered in fear.

The stage was Nuke Town. With their controller sensitivities set to 10, they were ready for the battle of their lives. The lesser warriors fell silent as the action began . . .

The battle was even the whole time. One would gain a slight lead, only to have it eroded right back down. Guns were fired, grenades were tossed, sweat poured down their faces and onto their controllers. Back and forth they went, like a tennis match, except with M16's and frag grenades.

For a moment, it looked as though it might end with a tie, with neither being able to completely pull away from the other. But things are never as they seem. And Lady Luck would have her say. . .

MJS approached Rheno and threw a flash bang grenade. However, the throw was off and he ended up flashing Rheno and himself in the process. Both of them, dazed and unable to see, fired wildly in each others direction hoping for a hit. Lady Luck would choose MJS, as he landed a kill onto Rheno.

At this point there was less than a minute left in the round. Rheno rushed in, hoping to even the score and push it into another tie breaker. However, his haste made for waste, as MJS was able to land another kill.

The clock hit zero, with MJS the Victor!!!! His fellow warriors applauded him for a fight well fought. Rheno was a good warrior, but MJS was great.

MJS stepped forward and claimed what he was after - a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops. A glorious prize for a glorious warrior!

The other warriors left, all having fought hard and given their all. But fret not, defeated warriors! For soon, a new trophy will arrive to tempt you to the battlefield once more! Its name, you ask? Well Modern Warfare 3, of course . . .