This past weekend was the Copenhagen Games, which hosted the ROCCAT BenQ League of Legends tournament. This was the first LAN event for our League of Legends squad, and after recent success in minor offline tournaments, it would be the biggest stage to showcase their abilities thus far.

The League of Legends tournament boasted a €7000 prize pool, with €4000 to 1st place. With such a mouth-watering prize up for grabs, and the invaluable offline tournament experience to boot, teams such as Fnatic.Beta, eSuba Intel, Place4.Pro ROCCAT and Reason Gaming, to name but a few, were also in attendance. The competition was fierce, and raged on over the course of two days.

RoughNeX CM Storm were seeded into Group A, alongside eSuba Intel, Obliterate Gaming and Aarhus Natorz. Despite being grouped with eSuba, and the potentially volatile situation of Best of 1 matches, RoughNeX took the momentum of previous offline tournament victories in the ROCCAT BenQ LoL Challenge, Go4LoL Cup #132 and the RNX Cup #2 into this competition. Starting with Aarhus Natorz, RNX began in storming fashion, by forcing the surrender at 20 minutes. They picked up where they left off against Obliterate Gaming - again forcing the surrender at 20. The final group game was against eSuba.Intel, one of the tournament favourites, however RoughNeX played the perfect game, amassing a 20k gold lead to take the game home with ease.

After the strong group stage performance, topping Group A with a 3-0 record, RNX were to face Reason Gaming in the first round of knock-out games. The first game of the series was a close affair, as both teams made mistakes to gift their opposition a way back into the game. RNX found the ace after Reason had stolen the Baron, and this led to a inhibitor pick up. However, RNX suffered from over-confidence, and while pushing the bottom inhibitor tower, they were caught while split and were brutally picked apart. Reason had just enough time to rush to the RNX base and end the game. In game 2, RNX focused their efforts on successfully shutting down the enemy AD Carry, as Phact, BerryNice and Devo showcased their skills. This allowed RNX to push forward to a 10k gold lead and gain enough map control to see out the game, and bring the series to 1-1. In the deciding game, RNX made a great start to the game, getting kills in both the top and bot lanes. However nerves began to show, as some mistakes crept into their play, leading to Reason's Nicker picking up 4 kills by the 14 minute mark. With that foothold back in the game, Reason put together very strong teamfights, with the use of Renekton, Nasus and Lulu Ultimates, to dive and eliminate the carries of RNX. A defining fight at Baron, where RNX managed to eliminate Nicker's Diana immediately, gave RoughNeX an opening to regain control of the game. From there they maintained their momentum into a favourable fight in the top lane, giving them an inhibitor. Coming up to the 40 minute mark, another teamfight broke out in Reason's jungle, and after another tight battle, RNX came out on top to take the series.

Into the Winner Bracket Semi-Finals, RoughNeX met Fnatic.Beta, the favourites to win the tournament. Fnatic's early game had feint signs of LCS play about it, as they initiated lane swaps and early jungle invades to provide advantages for their whole team. However, after a great fight for RNX outside of the Baron pit at 23 mins, RNX were able to take the inner turret of the mid lane, providing much needed map control. A few minutes later, RNX used this to fast push the top lane taking both the outer and inner turrets to gain the gold lead. This meant the RoughNeX AoE team composition took them to a 1-0 lead in the series. Fnatic's response in game 2 was to make unusual champions picks, with Lee Sin top and Ziggs in the mid lane. Due to this, RNX played a little too reactively, seemingly unsure of what Fnatic's team can do. Ultimately, the delay in RoughNeX's aggression gave Rekkles the chance to farm his Vayne to terror status, resulting in him hard carrying the game. The final game of the series was an understandably tense game, with both teams respecting their opponents that little bit more after the previous two battles. The game ultimately was not that action packed, however stripping it down to it's bare bones, it was an incredibly well executed game. With a typically strong teamfighting composition from RoughNeX, any large scale skirmish generally fell into their favour. Once a lead had been established, a fantastic display of map control was deployed. BerryNice picked up Oracle after Oracle to sweep out Fnatic's vision, and deny them any opportunity to make any play at all. This was a perfectly executed game from RoughNeX, and against a team such as Fnatic.Beta, that is a performance that is packed full of positives.

Following the massive high of not only reaching the Winner Bracket Final, but beating the tournament favourites to do so, RoughNeX were humbled on day 2. It would be a repeat of the group stage match, as RoughNeX faced eSuba.Intel, and much like the group stage game, eSuba ran a Rumble in the jungle. which provided some surprisingly strong early ganks. The game was relatively even, with RoughNeX seemingly with the upper hand when they picked up some kills in the mid lane, and turned for Baron. However they were unable to complete it before eSuba returned and forced them away, taking it themselves. eSuba's Jayce poked out the RNX team forcing them away from objectives, allowing eSuba to take the first game. In game 2, eSuba's Gornagal continued his trend of unconventional junglers with a Sejuani pick, and used her to put constant pressure onto the RoughNeX bot lane. eSuba came into this series with a set game plan and executed it well to really restrict RoughNeX's ability to gain any foothold in which to base attacks from. Despite the kill score being relatively close in the mid game, eSuba were up 10k gold due to their control of the lane pressure, earning them the tower global gold, and also dragon control. RoughNeX conceded the game and series 0-2, dropping into the Loser Bracket final, where they would again face Fnatic.Beta.

Once again facing the tournament favourites, this time in a Best-of-1, it would be the deciding game for one of these teams, as a loss grants 3rd place, and the winner going on to the Grand Final vs eSuba.Intel. Much like Game 3 of the previous meeting between these two teams, RoughNeX followed an impressive game plan to eek out advantages and make them stick. Fnatic did not have an answer to the superior team composition that they had once again left open to RoughNeX. It's a great testament to the RoughNeX team to have beaten Fnatic.Beta twice in this tournament, to really make their mark on their first LAN event appearance.

Going into the Grand Final, RoughNeX CM Storm faced eSuba.Intel once again, in another Best of 3, however eSuba began with a 1-0 lead due to qualifying from the Winner's Bracket. This meant RNX needed to win two games, while eSuba only required the one. True to form, eSuba picked up their unconventional jungler in Sejuani, and with their previously dominating Jayce banned out, they opted for Nidalee to perform an identical role for the team. On RoughNeX's side, they managed to pick almost their strongest line-up, with typical AoE power. However, Nidalee's poke derailed the RNX train, just as Jayce had done previously. Unfortunately RoughNeX struggled with the persistent poke and were forced off of several key objectives. From this, eSuba built an insurmountable advantage, and took home the game with ease, taking with it the series and 1st place in the tournament. RoughNeX claimed 2nd, with Fnatic.Beta in 3rd.

This weekend sees the return of Holland's biggest fighting event, in it's second edition, held in Amsterdam. Along with our very own RNX Popi, other huge names of the scene attending include; Nin, DM.MCZ.Xian, BT|Dieminion and AGE|NYChrisG. With such world-wide talent congregating for the event, it is sure to be a fantastic competition! Check out the awesome trailer!

Red Fight District will be holding numerous tournaments for the fighting community, with hundreds of participants involved. You will find them battling it out on:

To watch the action LIVE this weekend, tune in to Armshouse TV - you can find the schedule for the event over at the RFD Homepage (You can find it at the very bottom of the page).

Be sure to tune in during the Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition event to catch RNX Popi in action, as he carries the RoughNeX banner through a tournament consisting of over 200 fellow competitors, all joining him on the quest for the top spot. Alongside SSF4AE, RNX Popi will also participate in the Holland vs The World Street Fighter x Tekken tournament on Team World, and the SSF4AE 5v5 Team Battle tournament, as Team EU2.

Here at RoughNeX, we're pumped for this event to get underway, and we wish Popi all the best in his matches - and we hope to see you all either at the event, or in the stream chat, cheering him on!

This past weekend saw the return of RoughNeX's League of Legends EU West Cup, in it's second outing. With 47 teams battling it out for a grand prize of €20 RP cards + Triumphant Ryze skin (per player), $50 in cash and 5x CM Storm Speed-RX Large Gaming Mousepads, the RoughNeX EUW Cup #2 provided a fantastic day of action, with our very own team participating too!

The EUW Cup #2, held on the 17th March 2013, followed a single elimination format, in Best-of-1 games, branching into Best-of-3 for the Semi-Finals and Grand Final. With 47 teams competing, this meant 6 rounds of play would be needed to determine a winner. The competition was streamed on our RaidCall group (Group ID: 2442799) - with a casting team of Xae, Keyori and Luneth. We would like to thank everyone that was in the RaidCall group, watching and chatting about the games with us!

Along with hosting the competition, RoughNeX also had our own League of Legends team, RoughNeX CM Storm, participating to defend their home territory. Throwing themselves into this competition means it is their third tournament with the current line-up, and after placing 1st in their previous two, hopes were high for the home team.

Beginning in Round 1, they faced 4elements - knowing that Best-of-1 meetings require concentration right from the get go. With this in mind, RoughNeX CM Storm began their campaign with a strong performance, to set the tone for the rest of the days activities, as they picked up wins against; honor guard, Have u met team jonte and GamersLeague in the following rounds to qualify for the Semi-Finals. This being the minimum expectation of the team, as the strength they have shown in previous tournaments indicates that they would be strong favourites for this cup.

Now into the Semi-Finals, where the tournament shifts into a Best-of-3 format, and the competition certainly heats up. RoughNex CM Storm found themselves up against Team Refuse EU - who they had previously faced in the recent Go4LoL Cup #132, on that occasion RNX picked up the win, and showed no signs of dropping that momentum in their home cup; picking up 2 convincing games to take the series, and earn their spot in the Grand Finals. Awaiting them there were another recently played opponent, this time from the ROCCAT Benq LoL Challenge Cup. It would be Team ephix that had battled their way through the other side of the bracket, to make up this Grand Final. A solid performance gave RNX the 1-0 lead in the ensuing series, but a grueling second game would follow as RNX struggled to close out the game, despite a sizable gold lead for the majority of the game. Finally after over an hour of play, RNX found the teamfight victory they had long been seeking and closed out the series, and the tournament.

After 6 rounds of competition, RoughNeX CM Storm emerged victorious without dropping a single game - despite the shaky finish. This cup victory means the team has now participated, with the current line-up, in three tournaments, and has yet to lose.

Following the close of the competition, Jimmy 'Betrayed' Barendt (RNX General Manager) had this to say:

We shall be hosting more EUW Cups in the near future, as providing a competitive foundation for the community is a strong focus for us here at RoughNeX, and following such a successful tournament, our desire has only grown stronger. We hope that you have enjoyed this tournament as much as we have - be sure to catch the announcement for EUW Cup #3!

Finally, sincere shout-outs to all participating teams for contributing to a great day; CM Storm and RaidCall for their support of the tournament; Xae, Keyori and Luneth for the excellent casting of the tournament and of course RNX Epenance for his work behind the scenes to run the competition - a very fine job indeed.

Our League of Legends team participated in the weekly ESL EU West Go4LoL Cup #132 this past weekend, as one of the 256 teams competing. ESL's Go4LoL cups are hotly contested tournaments, with Cup #132's victorious team earning themselves €300 + RP rewards. The tournament is held in a knockout bracket using a best-of-1 format. A straight do or die situation in every single game.

Following their recent win in the ROCCAT LoL Challenge Cup, this would be RoughNeX CM Storm's second tournament with their new line-up. Beginning in the Round of 256, RoughNeX CM Storm set about asserting their dominance in the competition, by claiming fairly comfortable wins over military ninjas, Team Älgahäng, Ebulliophobia, eSeR SmarT Gaming and Team Refuse. The RoughNeX team showed their class against these opponents, and while always aware of a fellow competitors ambition to win, they certainly put them to the sword to advance on to the Quarter-Finals as one of the 8 remaining teams from the original 256.

In the business end of the tournament, RoughNeX CM Storm took down iCEA How2Play in under 25 minutes with a strong team composition, to earn their spot in the Semi-Finals. There they faced ONE FOR ONE, who ran a Vladimir, Karthus and Hecarim composition to great effect in the early game exchanges. However, once RNX had enough itemization against that onslaught, they were able to come out on top of the later game teamfights, ensuring them valuable objectives and eventually the game.

Upon reaching the Grand Final of Go4LoL #132, RoughNeX CM Storm faced Beasts Multigaming. It proved to be quite a back and forth game, as despite Phact's Urgot picking up 2 early kills, RNX found themselves aced at 10 minutes into the game. A sloppy mid-game caused problems for RoughNeX, but a superior team composition - again - was to be their saving grace, as Beasts Multigaming just did not have the damage to win an even fight in the late game. Despite the imperfections, RoughNeX CM Storm never fell too far behind their opponents, and used the strength of their teamplay to maintain map pressure and choke a win out the game, claiming 1st prize in the tournament.

Following the 1st Place finish, Rick 'RNX Phact' van Bree said:

"It was good to play another tournament as a team, in the Go4LoL. After the line-up change, we have to practice a lot to get our synergy as a team, and playing in these cups is good training - especially when you manage to win it!"

The team emerge from this weekends Go4LoL understandably happy with the results, but also more experienced as a 5 man squad - and with the Copenhagen Games right around the corner, the anticipation is growing following the very encouraging performances shown recently.

We would like to thank ESL for continuing to host the Go4LoL Cups, providing a fantastic source of competition within League of Legends. Also, a huge thanks to CM Storm for their support of RoughNeX and our League of Legends team.

Our League of Legends team will be attending their first LAN event in the coming month, as we all eagerly await the Copenhagen Games. In the mean time, we have news on a roster change to RoughNeX CM Storm.

Firstly, we would like to thank VisionN for his contribution to RoughNeX CM Storm, as he has had to leave the team due to work commitments. He had been an important figure in the evolution of the squad, and on behalf of everyone involved with RoughNeX, we wish you all the best in the future.

Due to this, the team set out to find a 5th member, however they struggled to find a support capable of filling VisionN's shoes. In the end, BerryNice opted to switch into the Support role, vacating his previous Top lane position. This opened up the chance to acquire Doris, a highly experienced solo queue player; and since his arrival, the team have quickly settled down into a solid unit, claiming Ranked 5's wins over the likes of Dragonborns, eSuba.Intel and Team Acer.

Between the dates 27-31st March, Copenhagen Games will be held in Øksnehallen, Copenhagen. This being the first event, not only with Doris, but the first LAN for RoughNeX CM Storm as a complete team. We are extremely excited to jump into the deep end of competitive play and battle it out in the LAN environment.

As preparation for the Copenhagen Games, the team entered the ROCCAT LoL Challenge, which offered a prize of 5 tickets to the Copenhagen Games. This 10 team tournament, hosted by www.slap.dk, would serve as a perfect warm-up scenario for the upcoming LAN.

RoughNeX CM Storm put in solid performances against both Aarhus Natorz and Team ephix, defeating both teams 2-0 en route to the winners bracket final, where they faced Reason Gaming. After taking Game 1 in the best-of-three, RoughNeX CM Storm suffered connection issues with Doris, resulting in an unfortunate forfeit of Game 2. With that drop in momentum, Reason Gaming took advantage and claimed victory in Game 3. Despite being knocked into the losers bracket final, resulting in a long drawn out game versus w4sp, RNX pulled together some wonderful late game teamfights to book themselves a rematch with Reason Gaming in the Grand Final. The series started with Reason leading 1-0 due to qualifying via the winners bracket, however this did not deter RNX, who built a sizeable lead in the mid game of the first match and systematically closed it out to tie the series. With Reason on the ropes, the final game of the tournament saw RoughNeX CM Storm out-pick and out-play their opponents to close with a very convincing victory.

Ultimately, RoughNeX CM Storm took control of this tournament from start to finish, only dropping a single game, showing their strength in tournament play. The final bracket results can be found here.

Following this tournament victory, and the impressive displays shown during it, RoughNeX CM Storm look ahead to the Copenhagen Games with great anticipation. The ROCCAT BenQ League of Legends tournament boasts a combined prize pool of €7 000, with €4 000 going to the victorious team. With a number of high calibre teams all vying for that title, such as Reason Gaming and eSuba.Intel, RoughNeX CM Storm hope to emerge as the top team and make a true statement of intent for the future.

For more information regarding the Copenhagen Games, you can visit their website at: http://www.copenhagengames.com/.

If you are attending the event, be sure to visit the Cooler Master booth, as they will be showcasing their products, allowing you to test and also win some of their gear at the event! Also, if you happen to bump into any of the RoughNeX crew that are attending, be sure to let them know you're there to support them!