CHRISTMAS IN AMBROSIA

[Rawrplus]

Hello guys and girls. Since it's Christmas time, we've prepared a little surprise for you.. and you're up for a treat! We appreciate all the support you guys give us and this is our little way of saying "Thanks". Now that we have our forums dressed up in a pretty christmas outfit, we decided not to share the christmas spirit only visually but in a bit more sympathic way - We'll be giving out games completely for free and anybody who is part of Ambrosia has chance to win!

And what games are we talking about? We've read your wishlist carefully and selected 4 games that we feel like will please any gamer and we've seen a lot of members were asking for them, so maybe your wish will be granted. And you know what is the best part? They come absolutely for free! Naturally it would feel unfair for you guys if we just decided to hand out the games to randomly selected people. We want to reward people who truly like Ambrosia. We also thought about the fact, some may enjoy playing on one of our servers more than another, therefore we have selected 4 different disciplines, in which everybody has equal chances to win since they all require different abilities, that means if you're not a counter-strike demigod, you're not chanceless to win (like last year cough cough, we learn from mistakes and listen to your feedback ). But either way, enough of talking, let's show off what we've all been waiting for - THE GAMES:

Payday 2 is a fun multiplayer-based game. You work with other 3 colleagues in order to achieve the greatest heist of all time. This fun and addicting game is best played with friends and can make up for countless hours of fun. It contains strong roleplaying elements as well, so you might find yourself enjoying this game even that much more if you are more of hardcore gamer. You also have chance to customize your character, to make yourself live into the game even further. I have to praise the somewhat realistic simulation of an actual robbery.  Unlike GTA, this game isn't focusing on free roam, but the actual robbery (which I always felt like was missing in the Grand Theft Auto games). This factor especially makes this game that much more interesting. Me (and also others from staff team) think this game is definitely worth giving a shot!

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive expands upon the team-based action gameplay that it pioneered with Half-Life: Counter-Strike. CS: GO features new maps, characters, and weapons, and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content. In addition, CS: GO introduces new gameplay modes, matchmaking, leader boards, and more.

The game developers of Valve have decided to stick with old-n-working formula and after rather disappointing release of CS:Condition Zero they returned to the more nostalgic style of counterstrike that will remind you of days of CS:Source or even CS 1.6 Counterstrike Global Offensive is definitely a succesful addition to the franchise. While it may not be cause a video-game crash like Half-Life and Counter-strike did, it definitely doesn't mean you can't be having fun it. Especially if you love the franchise - which is very likely since you're reading our forums, you should love CS:GO as well!

Wondering what the requirements are?          OS: Windows 7/Vista/XP          Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom X3 8750 processor or better          Memory: 1GB XP / 2GB Vista          Hard Disk Space: At least 7.6GB of Space          Video Card: Video card must be 256 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with Pixel Shader 3.0

Please note those are minimal requirements. Also, a question a lot of players are facing is: Is the game still like old good Counterstrike? Yes and no. The game has been made a bit more casual and easy-to-learn. You also can collect various weapon-skins of all kind - simularly as in Team Fortress 2, however instead of actual weapons, you collect skins for weapons. Does it handle completely the same way as old Counterstrike? No. Does it still feel good? Yes!

Although we wish you a peaceful christmas without zombies, you may want to compensate for the lack of violence and we got a solution for you.

This co-operative action horror FPS game, takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns. You'll play as one of four new survivors armed with a wide and devastating array of classic and upgraded weapons. In addition to firearms, you’ll also get a chance to take out some aggression on infected with a variety of carnage-creating melee weapons, from chainsaws to axes and even the deadly frying pan. You'll be putting these weapons to the test against (or playing as in Versus) horrific and formidable Infected Zombies !

We all dig zombies, don't we?  And we all dig co-op games, don't we? Well you're lucky then because this games takes those two and combine them into one fun game. This game can be a reason of some good laughs or potentially even scares with your friends. Playing it at midnight with all lights down can be quite a busy evening. Although it may not be haunting from the likes of the games on Oculus rift and the gameplay is a lot more action based, we think that both, action-monkeys and horror-fans will enjoy this piece of cake.

Last but not least, enjoy endless fun in this cute project called Garry's Mod. It has sandbox, it has gamemodes, it has co-op.. It has everything you'd ask for. And best thing is, it has active and dedicated modding base. There's literally new content coming out every day. It's one of those games, where you can be having fun of your life, but if you're brave enough, you can be hiding under your bed from how scared you will be. It's good in both ends.

Minimum Requirements         OS: Windows® Vista/XP/2000         Processor: 1.7 GHz Processor         Memory: 512MB RAM         Graphics: DirectX® 8.1 level Graphics Card (Requires support for SSE)         Hard Drive: 150 MB         Other Requirements: Internet Connection         Recommended         Processor: Pentium 4 processor (3.0GHz, or better)         Memory: 1GB RAM         Graphics: DirectX® 9 level Graphics Card

The show goes on, this applies also to the successful Bioshock franchise, where Bioshock Infitie folows up on its 2 previous sucessful predecessors. The game is taken in a much more optimisic and lighter mood, which also is easily spottable on the eye-pleasing visuals. The world of Bioshock is no longer under curse of Big Daddy and looks like a post-apocalyptic world. Now you're in prospering city in the skies. Sadly, as by all other cities, this one holds a lot of mysteries and corruption as well. Bioshock is definitely a game worthy of it's praises with great combat system, engaging and charismatic characters to interesting story in a city where there's much to explore. It does not feel like the two previous Bioshock games, but isn't supposed to feel like it anyways and definitely feels fresh. One of games we strongly recommend on picking up. Here's how amazingly the game looks - note this is not a trailor shot but actual ingame screenshot!

Some prefer white wine, some prefer red wine. Some prefer Left 4 dead, some prefer Dead Island. To bring you more variety under already rich Christmas tree, we'll be adding Dead Island to the collection. Dead Island is a  zombie survival game (with optional co-op). Unlike Dead Island, it focuses rather on story and missions than massive multiplayer play and can be definitely a lot of fun. Only one thing we feel like pointing out, so you don't end up with games you can't run, game has issue running on low-end PCs so if your PC isn't from year 2005 or higher than you might have some issues. To give you further details these are the requirements. Oh and, entire game plays out in tropical paradise, great way to heat up in cold winter days

Recommended System Requirements         OS: Windows 7         Processor: Core2Duo 2.66 GHz         Memory: 4 GB RAM         Graphics: GeForce 9600 (1GB)         DirectX®: DirectX 9.0C         Hard Drive: 7 GB available hard drive space                 Please note these are recommended settings, you may be able to run         the game on much weaker specs

All of us tried to be explorers once, untill we took an arrow to the knee.. But in all seriousness, you probably have heard of this game before.. and if not, What the hell have you been doing for past 2 years? One of greatest MMORPG, rated game of the year and a fan-favourite (alongside Morrowmind - older game from same studio). Skyrim helps you relive your fantasies when you were once were a child and dreamed of living in an ancient land where there were fights between kingdoms, where mythical creatures lived, from trolls or giants to the almighty dragons! Elder Scrolls has it all. From an editor's note, I personally can only praise this game. I've had time of my life playing this one. Game has very nice story that keeps you interested untill the very end and now listen closely - GAME GIVES YOU ABSOLUTE FREEDOM. What do I mean? That apart from first mission and 10-12 mission important for branching story everything you do is completely optional. The way you play the game is entirely up to you. Heck, even the way you play it. If you allow me to spoil a little, not only you're facing the return of dragons into the world, but the the side-plot behind this is the war between Nord and South (just like in Game of Thrones - though less plot twists)  and you are to determine. World of Skyrim is full of exploring to do and it would take you over a year to explore each and every part of the land. Game is just full of content, not to mention, there are DLCs and even user content handed out on regular basis. Had issues with gaming addition? Well bad luck, coz this game will suck you in even more, for it's awesome RPG, Story and complete freedom. So much to see, so much to do!

Most noticable ingame features         - RPG at it's finest. You are what you chose to be         - Huge customization. From character looks & tribes to hundreds           of weapons, items, spells to choose from         - Huge world to explore, you always find something new in this world         - Community support - a lot of mods to spice things up         - Great storytelling and the way you finish is entirely up to you         - Since you only do the quests you want and can go anywhere           you want means the game has huge replayability         - Magic, Crafting, Poisions, Guilds, Spying, Warewolves, Vampires         - Did I mention the game has anything gamer's fantasies wish for?

How would look GTA on Drugs? Well.. this is probably as close as it can get. This sheer crazyness has the main quest in something along these lines: Believe it or not, you're the president of United States fighting the aliens.. I'm dead serious.. I'm not making this up... This game makes fun of everything. Oldies show, older games, GTA itself? We got you covered. Oh, funnily enough, somehow they managed to make this into a superhero as well. To everybody's surprise, it somehow turned out to be one of best superhero games ever made. Not that the games from the likes of spider-man cashins, Thor: God of war, Aquaman or Superman 64 setted standarts too high for this genre, but frankly, this game manages to handle like a proper superhero game should while having the GTA feeling and while being pure crazyness and fun. Great game to play when you want to lose contact with reality and have a laugh.

With the strong lacking of the zombie games in this giveaway, we give you chance to get your hands on one more of these trendy-themed games. State of Decay is a game probably not many of you heard of. But sometimes the most obsecure gems are hidden. You're left in a dynamic world in a zombie apocalypse. You and few scattered survivors are supposed to survive and rebuild in this wasteland. The difference between State of Decay and other generic zombie survival games is: You choose where to make your stand, designing and fortifying your home base, performing daring raids for food and ammunition, and rescuing other playable survivors with unique talents.

Recommended System Requirements:         OS: Windows 7         Processor: Intel Core i5 series or equivalent         Memory: 2 GB RAM         Graphics: Radeon HD 4750 / GeForce GT 240 / Intel HD 4000         DirectX: Version 9.0c         Hard Drive: 3 GB available space         Please note these are the optimal system requirements. You will find         yourself being able to run the game on lower-end PCs

So as mentioned, we'll be running numerous competitions so everybody has a chance to get their hands on these wonderful games. These  competitions will be held in various disciplines. Here's the actual list of the events we'll be running through:

I.    Counterstrike 1.6 Tournament II.   SA:MP Christmas present search III.  Fan-Submissions IV.  Christmas Lottery

I. Counterstrike Tournament
People who have applied for 1v1 Tournament will face each other in a merciless deagle tournament to death. The winnter takes the game of his liking alongside a forum award to show off his or hers strong showing Winter 2013. The tournament will be held by Raven and DonTodo. Further information about the tournament will be given out in individual topic for the event, which is coming out soon.

SA:MP Christmas Present search
We have asked one anonymus guy (who won't be mentioned so nobody will try to cheat by asking him) to place a Christmas gift - a simple typical christmas gift package near a certain location. Your objective will be to search for it. Once you find it, send a screenshot (through PM) to Rawrplus. First one to find it with legitimate proof will get to choose the game of his liking. Troubles finding it? Since it's christmas and we have cheerful mood, here's  a little advice: Look closely around latest topics in Ambrosia, you might find something helpful that we've hidden
Note: You won't find anything until the actual launch of the event, for now the area is left without change.

Fan Submissions
After 2 gaming-related objectives, we'll give a shot to a people with creativity as well. We do not feel like limiting your imagination therefore we leave this subject wide open. Submit your Fan-Art / (Christmas) Stories / Fan-Fiction /  Pictures on this topic (not out yet, will be posted once the event is launched). The best one will get to chose game of his / her liking. Only condition is, your submission must be related to Ambrosia.
If you're shy, you can also PM Rawrplus and he will re-post it in a board visible only for the contest judges and nobody else.

Christmas Lottery
And the last way of getting your hands on one of these games. Shortly before Christmas we will draw lucky winners. His or her windfall includes one of the games and also an award (once we update the forums - coming next year). The lottery will be proccessed through randomizer.org (with screenshot taken, so you can be assured there was no manipulation of the results)


Last but not least, we have upgraded forums in a style and quality no other rival community did before. We want to spoil you a little with all the good things we can provide, so we can once for all deserve te "Best community around" status. We hope you like the extra features.

But after all.. no matter what has happened or what will happen, we most importantly wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year. May you be healthy so your family members and friends. Have best of luck in school / work / relationships.  No matter what religion, race or age we are, we're all gamers and we share the same passion and we hope we can provide a good background for you to have as much fun as possible. We, staff in Ambrosia you have enjoyed this year in Ambrosia. Sometimes we had issues and u sticked with us, sometimes we may not have reacted adequately but we all improve from prior failrues and that reflects on our growth as well. May Ambrosia be even stronger and better next year, all we need for this accomplishment is your support Well.. what can we say, Merry Christmas and Happy new Year from each and every of us from Highstaff Team, see you next year!

[Rawrplus]

A huge shoutout goes to our 4 Santas as well, Casper, DonTodo, Header & Mr.Grey for sponsoring the event.

We all from highstaff team wish you peaceful, awesome and unforgettable Christmas 2013!

[Chris]

Lots of events,very nice

[Rawrplus]

Also we apologize forums aren't as awesome as promised but we ran into serious resolution issues forcing us not to include certain parts of the planned changes. We'll take a closer look at it tomorrow.

[DonTodo #]

Lets get it going HO HO HO!!!

[Ray]

Thanks Casper, Dontodo, Header, Sami, And specially Rawrplus for these events

Also we apologize forums aren't as awesome as promised but we ran into serious resolution issues forcing us not to include certain parts of the planned changes. We'll take a closer look at it tomorrow.

It's great ... just the jingles are a bit annoying me XD
But it's awesome. Well done.

[P o p a y]

I like everything you have done guys, and what is more I have never regret about being part of this great community..

I use this occasion to also wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!

Ambrosia never let's its members down, so let's prove that we (members) won't let Ambrosia down, and support it in any way!!!

Enjoy all those events fellas <3

Regards,
Popay

[Pim]

Nice gj guys

[Ed]

Thanks Rawrplus for the great topic and work same as others who worked hard to provide us the best looking forum out there!


I wish everyone good luck on making your wish come true. Good luck all.
Christmas is just a step away

['PL']

Oh that's nice, been 4 years since I have seen a decent giveaway/tournament with actual prizes in a counter strike community.
Good luck to the competition in these categories.

[Blubb]

This is just amazing!
Love it

Thank you Rawr, Raven, DonTodo, Mr. Grey and all others who helped.

[Yuva]

Good work guys, the Xmas theme on forums is amazing and special thanks to staff members organizing the event.

Long Live Ambrosia!

[BloodyPro]

Good job guys
nice forum

[sagNN]

Good job guys

[.-Fe[L]iX~onFir[E]:3]

good job guys

[==>Don$N(+)P3R==> NinjaWaft#]

Thx alot guys its really awesome <3

[Fisu]

Thanks Casp, Rawr and rest.

Forum looks wesome. I like it like this.

A nice December to all

[Lester The Molester]

Good job everyone...Long live Ambrosia!

[Sickz]

Merry Christmas for everyone! Special thanks for all that made this topic and forum design ideas.

[Rawrplus]

Oh that's nice, been 4 years since I have seen a decent giveaway/tournament with actual prizes in a counter strike community.
Good luck to the competition in these categories.

About time