Team Pandemic - News - FIFA sweeps WCG Regionals, National Finals next

Every year thousands of gamers compete against one another with the hopes of becoming the presitigious World Cyber Games champion, taking the gold medal home for their country in gaming's Olympics. The road to the WCG finals, however, is no easy path. Countries host a series of qualifiers divide by region; in the United States, gamers from the North, South, East, and West qualify for their local regional online. Then, they battle it out at their regional tournament where the top two players will advance to a final LAN battle to determine who will finally represent the USA by donning the stars and stripes at the WCG world final.

Last weekend, after an impressive undefeated online win streak, Pandemic's own Nicholas "peekay" DePalmer traveled to Howie's Game Shack in Mission Viejo, California to face strong competition on the road to WCG qualification. Barmoa, professional FIFA player of the Dallas Venom, a Championship Gaming Series franchise, was among a talented field of foes looking to make their mark.

DePalmer was able to defeat Barmoa a total of four times throughout the tournament to earn a spot in the WCG USA Finals.

"The WCG Pacific regional at Howie's Game Shack was fun - it was good to play and catch up with my friends. I'm relieved that I held up my end of the bargain for both my teammates and Pandemic and am proud to have a chance to represent the USA over in Germany."

What's more impressive was that DePalmer managed to squeeze in practice time just before the qualifier between his busy work schedule and some other things - he recently moved from Maine to San Diego to pursue a job with Pandemic's newest partner, Razer. Without being fully settled in, Razer was able to provide him with the gaming gear he needed to prepare for and win the event. You can check out Razer's top of the line products on their website.

Nicholas will be joining his Pandemic teammates, Michael "michs09" Labelle and Isidro "novusnaim" Sifuentes, who also qualified at their own local qualifier in Texas. The group will be competing together this October at the World Cyber Games USA Finals held at this year's E 4 All for their chance to represent the USA at the World Cyber Games Final this November.