We know this is suppose to be a *weekly* update, but sometimes you just have nothing to report, so we missed out a few weeks!

In the meantime 2013 has arrived and we're slowely starting again at fixing and improving stuff around the community. Holidays are over, new jobs are started, so we're all set and ready again to provide you with another year of SpA gaming experiences!

Nowfor the news:

Community:
We've recruited a bunch new members! In no particular order these are;

• Pizzaman194
• Macavity
• Haladir
• sniper0zero1
• bubbajim3

We also welcome back 2 members who have been gone for a while;

_9mmNL_ and Dunken, welcome back!

Starting this month we have a new TF2 manager and general recruiter, [SpA]JuncoPartner! You may all now suck up to him ;)

General:

• Cleaned up leftovers from CS:GO

Killing floor:

• Fixed Killingfloor servers not properly updating

L4D2:

• Updated server

TF2:

• Fixed issue with medic ubercharge plugin and the MvM servers (thanks hako for reporting)
• Removed test CVAR that made the server cycle through maps
• Fixed pl_goldrush escape for quickplay traffic
• Removed servers "warserver, nocritz and all Halloween servers
• Removed all advertisements
• Updated gScramble plugin

TF2 Funserver:

• Removed password
• Updated (1.4.0) & fixed Saxton hale mod
• Fixed mod's not working
• Added proper mapcycle and settings
• Installed Wario ware mod Wario ware-mod enabled maps
• Added new maps for Saxton Hale mod;

vsh_2fortdesk_v8
vsh_courtyard
vsh_farm_feud
vsh_manncohq_v14
vsh_aperture_b3

• Fixed a bunch incorrect settings in the Dodgeball plugin
• Added new funmode "Freezetag", this is enabled on the maps cp_gravelpit, cp_granary and cp_badlands

KaM:

• Added an extra server to test development releases on. The main server is now a "stable" server.

Upcoming friday the 30th we shall be hosting a freebuild funday!
There will be 16 hours of fun for the whole family with fun and games!

Starting at 1pm GMT this event has tried to be planned in a way where all people can get on and participate in an event at one point or another.
(See the timezone conversions Below)

Funday Timetable (Times are in hours from the time that the funday starts :p)

Spleef Hour! @ 0.5, 3.5, 6.5, 9.5, 12.5, 15.5
Building Contests (2.5 Hours long) @ 1, 5, 9, 13
Maze Contest @ TIMES TBA
Treasure Hunt @ TIMES TBA


Along with all these fun events there will be a whole day long build competition with NO THEME!!

Read more about the event here.

Join us in game today!

So... What we've been up too this week? Nothing much really!

See you next week :)

NS2:

• Appointed new gamemanagers, [SpA]Howard and [SpA]ha11elujaz0rz

KaM:

• Updated server to latest beta release r4179
• Updated the server a second time, now to r4185 to fix a connection bug introduced in version r4179 (server sided update only)
• Moved server from MrWhite to MrBlonde

TF2:

• End of Halloween event, reverted Tavish back to normal server

A day earlier than normal due to a small holiday, this weeks news!

VMware:

• Tweaked some settings to fix a few lag issues on MrWhite

TF2:

• Converted one of the koth_lakeside_event only servers to a "Halloween Mix" server
• Fixed reserved slots not working (using different extention/plugin)
• Added new CVAR "mp_mapcycle_empty_timeout_seconds" which will make the server cycle through the maps when it sits empty
• Updated TF2 servers to version 1.2.3.7 (fixed lag issue at Linux servers)

Forums:

• Changed registration "captcha" on the forums to battle the influx of spambots hitting our forums. We now use Google's "re-captcha" system
• Cleaned up 2 more forums which were left over after moving BF3 into "other games"
• Added NS2 forum

NS2:

• Added new server

MC:

• Halloween changes

Our minecraft team has applied some changes to the SMP server in spirit of Halloween.

Here are the update notes;

• Towny is gone for now - the only protection you have is LWC

• A Halloween plugin has been installed. Day and night cycle are altered, the world is filled with spooky sounds and pumpkins and other mobs will appear out of nowhere as you mine.

• Swarms of mobs will be released at random making you fight for your life but reaping the rewards of survival.

• Hidden items and rooms have been placed around the map - find the treasures they contain and you can take them across to the permanent map!

Play for fun - don;t worry about builds and money and ownership of land. Just enjoy yourself!

Yesterday Natural Selection 2 was officially released on steam.

NS2 is the long awaited followup on the highly populair Half-life 1 modification "Natural Selection".

Natural Selection 2 is an immersive, multiplayer shooter that pits aliens against humans in a strategic and action-packed struggle for survival. It seamlessly combines shooter and RTS/strategy gameplay.

• Two Unique Sides:
  Whether you play as one of the elite marine Frontiersmen or the vicious alien Kharaa, you must use unique strategies and your abilities to win. Marines form persistent squads to find and destroy alien hives. Aliens can choose a wall-running Skulk, pudgy Gorge, flying Lerk, murderous Fade or gigantic Onos that can smash through doors.
• Real-time Strategy:
  Commanders play from overhead to lead their team to victory. Build structures anywhere, collect resources and research upgrades. Marines buy weapons at an Armory or build sentry turrets and siege cannons to assault the enemy. Aliens build upgrade chambers, evolve special abilities and plant traps.
• Dynamic Environments:
  Use a flamethrower to clear the spreading alien infestation. Aliens destroy power nodes knock out the lights and power down marine structures. Random start locations mean you must scout your enemy and before committing to a build. Every game is different.
• Unlimited Variations:
  WYSIWYG graphical tools and powerful scripting allow you to create new weapons, scenarios or entirely new games. You’ll get all our tools (level editor, cinematic tool and more) as well as the full Lua source code to Natural Selection 2. Version 1.0 is just the beginning – ongoing automatic updates keep the game fresh by adding new maps, weapons and abilities. Steam Workshop support and auto-downloading makes playing and distributing mods automatic - and gameplay always fresh.

Of course we've launched a NS2 server of ourselves, with a second one coming shortly! You can find the server by searching through your server browser and look for "SpecialAttack NS2 Server".

Currently the server is running at 18 slots and the second server, most likely running the Combat Mod, will be the same size.

Another week, another update!

It has been a bit hectic this weekend with TF2 updates breaking *everything*, but we managed to get things running!

Website:

• Fixed issue with live server view on the frontpage (removed some dirty CSGO code)

Forums:

• Deleted the seperate forums for Battlefield 3, DayZ and CS:GO. All posts merged into 'other games'

KF:

• Updated Killingfloor servers & fixed it because the update was half broken

TF2:

• Updated servers to version 1.2.3.5
• Changed Tavish to temporary Halloween only server
• Changed dustbowl server to temporary Halloween only server
• Changed No crits server to temporary Halloween only server
• Changed private MvM server to temporary Halloween only server
• Fixed metamod:source crashing after update
• Fixed sourcemod crashing after update
• Applied optional update to fix MvM crashing

Note: Reserved slots are currently broken due to incompatibility with last TF2 update, will be fixed a.s.a.p.

Almost too late, but still on time, the weekly community update!

With this week a few updates, bug fixes and a Android SpecialAttack forum app!

Website:

• Updated website stats tracking software (Piwik) to version 1.9

TF2:

• Updated TF2 to version 1.2.3.4
• Fixed reserved slots not working for SpA members
• Fixed bball servers not booting after a TF2 update was applied automatically

Knights and Merchants:

• Updated server to testrelease r4125

Community:

• Android SpA forum app released by community player frankwj1

This weeks community update does not only bring you gaming news about our servers and community, but also a book release from one of our community leaders and video review on a game called "Mists of Pandaria".

TF2:

• Removed the plugin responsible for showing the top 3 players in the losing team as the plugin was made redundant due to the arena style round end panel showing the top players on both teams
• Updated server to version 1.2.3.3

The Keepers of the Key:

Our very own Howard has written and published a novel called "The keepers of the Key". The book is available for order on both Amazon and SmashWords for on your favorite e-reader. Below is a partial review written by annarck.

"A mix between fiction, religion and fantasy, the layout and continuity of the story keeps you interested throughout. It really is a book you cannot put down, especially when you begin the adventures with Jonathan and Dowd. But the adventure doesn't stop there, you also follow the adventures of the Keepers of the Key from the beginning keeping you focused all the way through passing through the ages from past to present. You get a great sense of recognition in all of the characters from the way that they are described and you even learn to love the bad characters too."

Mists of Pandaria:

One of our community players has made his own video review on a game called "Mists of Pandaria". You can view the review by following the link on our forums or you can see it directly through youtube.

Last week has been a bit of a slow week for us. Most of management was occupied by real life stuff (blegh), new jobs, job's getting more busy etc.

Nevertheless, we still have some news to report!

Community:

• Recruited a new member! Welcome [SpA]OliveOyl
• Increased monthly donations counter due to new tax regulations in the Netherlands

TF2:

• Fixed another classlimiter issue on bball servers
• Fixed reserved slots not working
• Gave the mapcycle a revamp

Knights and Merchants:

• Updated server to R4001, the fifth release of the multiplayer beta

NS2:

• We had a first go at setting up a Natural Selection 2 server, more info soon!

MC:

• Updated the freebuild server software (fcraft) to fix an issue with the server not being visible on the master list
• Lowered the freebuild max. player count
• Lot's of new textures and skins designed for the upcoming DayZ mod