Cyber Decider to Settle Trans-Tasman Rivalry

News Release

Cyber Decider to Settle Trans-Tasman Rivalry
INTEL SPONSORED KIWI GAMER “UP FOR IT”

With the Bledisloe Cup won and the Netball world cup safely locked up in the trophy cabinet, Kiwis may feel that they have the wood on their next-door neighbour. But, as Australians are quick to point out, they beat us to the hosting rights and they won the league. So it comes down to the decider: and where better to happen than in cyberspace.

And, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Mark it down: on 31 August Kiwi champion gamer, Nicholas McCabe – who competes under the name eVeNfLoW – will take on the might of Australian gaming in a one-off match to close out the World Cyber Games Australia. He will play in a demonstration match promoting ‘Unreal Tournament 2003’ – an action packed game, depicting elite warriors in combat, which requires intense and prolonged concentration, rapid reaction skills and fast twitch reflexes.

New Zealand born McCabe may not yet be as well known as Irene van Dyck, Joe Rokocoko or other sporting Kiwis, but to his peers, especially those in the US, Europe and parts of Asia, he’s a star.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the match with the Australian winner of Unreal Tournament 2003,” says McCabe. “It’ll be great competition practice as I prepare for end of the year gaming tournaments. And, well if I beat and Aussie along the way, that’s just icing on the cake, isn’t it?!”

In June, it was announced that Nicholas, one of New Zealand’s leading gamers, had secured a sponsorship from Intel, the world’s largest computer chip maker. As part of the sponsorship Nicholas trains and competes on the latest PC equipment - Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.2GHz – utilising Hyper-Threading† technology.

“Sponsoring Nicholas was a natural fit for Intel,” said Abigail Samuels, Intel Consumer Marketing Manger – Australia and New Zealand. “Gamers, by definition, require the best performance a PC has to offer. Intel Pentium 4 Processor-based PCs with Hyper Threading Technology will deliver the impact and performance that gamers expect.”

Most recently, Nicholas competed at the prestigious ES World Cup, France, in July. Prior to this, Nicholas finished 1st at Equinox in January – the newest and biggest LAN-based gaming event in New Zealand – and also achieved a third placing at the World Cyber Games Korea last year, beating, along the way, the current world champion of Unreal Tournament. Nicholas was also the only competitor from the southern hemisphere to win a medal at WCG Korea ’02.

WCG Australia will run over two days, starting Saturday 30 August (10am), and will end Sunday 31 August (5pm). It will be held at the Sydney Convention & Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour.

ENDS

Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

† Look for systems with the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology logo. Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor supporting HT Technology and a Hyper-Threading Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support Hyper-Threading Technology.

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