X3O Gaming Center is proud to release updated information regarding the X3O Winter Classic 2008. Many of you have been anxiously awaiting the tournament seeds, format and additional rules. The wait is now over. All players participating in this event MUST read the following post in its entirety. If you should have any questions about the tournament format, rules, or general questions then please don't hesitate to contact X3O via our online contact form.

The following is the assigned seeding for the tournament. This will only affect Step 1 (Day 1 - Group Play).

Updated 01/16/09 @ 4:52PM EST - Check back EVERY day as this may be updated again.

High Seeds	Medium Seeds	Low Seeds
X3O Gravitas Gaming Frag Dominant eMazing Gaming ATP Dynasty Gaming	Initial Look enhanced (makeSHIFT) cpd hypnosis Gordon Bombay TFM backdraft BOPC Southern Aggression drift iDemise (Sure Shot)	SEP deadendtheory Pancakes Are Yummy PMS.Divas AGENT goonies (Varsity)

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Broadcast Coverage Partner
X3O has partnered with TGBF.tv to prvoide live streaming broadcast and center coverage from the X3O Winter Classic 2008. This is the first time that we have fully moved to live streaming video coverage, and we are very excited about providing the best spectator experience as possible. Viewers will be able to watch live in-game streaming footage with commentated by some of the best broadcasters in the industry, in addition to viewing live HLTV and HLTV demo downloads. A complete broadcast schedule will be posted this week.

The country's best Counter-Strike 1.6 commentator, Jeff "smeagol" Dickinson will be working with the crew of TGBF.tv this weekend. Jeff has casted some of the best e-Sports events including WEG and more recently the WCG 2008 USA Finals.

Media Coverage Partner
GotFrag.com will again be providing quality media coverage support throughout this event. They will be hosting all of our live HLTV streams, HLTV Demo Downloads, and additional match scores, brackets and coverage.

Official Event Server Sponsor
NextGenServers.com, the leading provide for premium game servers, is putting up their high quality game servers as prizes for the tournament winners. Next-Generation Game Servers has been serving the community for over 4 1/2 years. We have been providing a high performance and low ping network. We have chosen over 6 different networks with the best hardware. Our support has never been better with response times usually within minutes. You can also use coupon code "x3o" to get 26% OFF EVERY MONTH on a new game server of your choice. Use what Team X3O uses, play on a NextGenServer today.

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ATTENTION ALL PLAYERS! BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT YOU AGREE TO ALL RULES & REGULATIONS POSTED ON THIS PAGE AND ON OUR OFFICIAL RULES PAGE. YOU CAN READ THE COMPLETE RULES HERE.

Updated 01/19/09 @ 8:07AM EST - Check back EVERY day as this may be updated again.

General Rules & Regulations

• No outside food or drink will be allowed in the gaming center at any time. This applies to ALL players, teams, staff and managers. Tournament officials are instructed to immediately throw away any food or beverages that were not purchased from the gaming center.
• All players must bring their own keyboard, mouse, headset and mousepad to the tournament. There will be no equipment available for rent or to borrow. Some equipment may be available for purchase at the X3O Pro Shop.
• Rosters need to be updated and finalized by Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 9:00PM EST. Team's with incomplete rosters MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE EVENT. If your team is dropped because of an incomplete roster, you will not be refunded.
• Additional general event information including the REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE can be found here.
• If any weapons, drugs or alcohol is brought to or consumed on X3O property, the police will be notified and you will be BANNED from all 2009 events hosted by X3O. If your team does not have 5 players because of a BAN, you may find a replacement 5th that is not participating in the tournament, or your entire team will be disqualified and no refund will be given.
• All players will be required to use their own SteamID and the X3O GUI at all times.
• As stated in the rules no one will be allowed to spectate matches in the center on January 24th, 2009. If your team is not currently competing, you will not be allowed inside the center during group play.
• The gaming center will be open for business on Friday, January 23rd, 2009. All gaming stations are available on a first come/first served basis. All normal rates apply.

Day 1 - Group Play Rules & Regulations

• You MUST be able to play in ANY group at ANY time on Saturday, January 24th, 2009. There will be no group requests for timeslots.
• Group start times are the time that your team must physically be present at the center. Group start times will be as follows:
  
  Group A - 9:00AM EST
  Group B - 11:00AM EST
  Group C - 1:00PM EST
  Group D - 3:00PM EST
  Group E - 5:00PM EST
  Group F - 7:00PM EST.
  
  Any team that does not have at least 4 players present and confirmed at the center by 10 minutes after their scheduled start time will forfeit their first match. If a team does not have 4 players present by the start of their second match they will be disqualified from the tournament.
• You will have 30 minutes to set-up and warm-up before your first match. The tournament will NOT be stopped or delayed if you are unable to configure your peripherals within the first 30 minutes. Be prepared with a back-up solution if you feel that this is going to be a problem.

Day 2 - Double Elimination Rules & Regulations

• Your match will either start at 9:00AM or 10:00AM EST. It is your responsibility to check the website after tournament play finishes on Day 1 to find out what time your team is required to be here at the center. If your team is not present within 10 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, you will forfeit your first match.