Today, X3O Professional Gaming is officially announcing the addition of a new player to our Counter-Strike 1.6 division. While we have enjoyed great success since November of 2008 including finishing 2nd at the ESL Extreme Masters III Continental Finals America, 1st at the X3O Winter Classic 2008 and most recently 2nd at the KODE 5 USA Finals, it is time for us to make the adjustments necessary to continue to grow. At this time, Dan "mehLer" Mehler has been released from his contract with X3O.

Dan has had a long history with X3O. He has played for us twice, most recently winning the WCG 2008 USA National Finals before moving over to Gravitas Gaming. Dan is an extremely talented player that just did not fit in well with the rest of the team. He has been released from his contract and has since joined the team WinOut.

We are very excited today to announce the addition of a new rising star in professional gaming. Please welcome Derek "dboorN" Boorn to Team X3O. Derek has played on a myriad of teams leading up to X3O and has shown great potential. While he is new to the highest levels of professional gaming, Derek has great aim and the drive that it takes to be on a championship team.

Managing Director of X3O Professional Gaming, Nick Fitzsimmons said this about the roster changes:

"I am very excited to be making this announcement today. While it deeply saddens me to see a long time player and friend step down from X3O, I have a lot of confidence in where we will be going this year. Dan Mehler is a good friend of mine and I wish him the best of luck in the future. I believe Derek will make a positive contribution to the team and will help bring the new motivation we need to continue to grow."

Team captain Andrew "Irukandji" Timmerman had his own views about the roster change:

"We’re really excited to have Derek on the team. He is easily one of the top aimers in the United States and will best fit the ‘play style’ that we’ve been trying to create since joining X3O over six months ago. Our current goal is to work hard and prove that we can compete with European teams. Being the best in the USA just doesn’t cut it anymore. We will not be living up to the expectations of our management, fans and most importantly ourselves, until we show that we have the ability to play with the best in the world. Derek will help us accomplish this. Dan is a great player and his release is in no way, shape or form an insult to his skill or an assignment of blame for our recent losses. If anyone is to blame for our sub-par performances in Germany and Dallas, it’s me."

The X3O Professional Gaming Counter-Strike 1.6 team is now:

- Andrew "Irukandji" Timmerman
- Jeff "hero" Mettetal
- Ryan "NineSpot" Bell
- David "savi0r" Park
- Derek "dboorN" Boorn

The team is currently ranked #1 in both CEVO-Professional and ESEA-Invite and is preparing for the WCG 2009 USA Invitational in New York City. X3O has respectfully declined the invitation to attend the ESWC Masters of Asia event.

X3O would like to thank all of our sponsors, community and fans for their continued support here in 2009. It’s going to be a great year!