Kiwi Gamers Rule Supreme!

Top New Zealand online gaming team, Online Gaming Addicts (OGA), has won a major trans-Tasman tournament – the Telstra BigPond Game Arena Battlefield 2 10 v 10 Ladder Competition.

The Microsoft-sponsored Kiwis defeated Australian team, Anarchy Krew ^ (Team aK) with a final score of 27-21.

Last night’s grand final is described as the biggest upset in the history of the Game Arena Battlefield 2 ladder. OGA’s smashing win ensured their number one ranking in the ladder against 75 teams registered in the competition.

”We’re stoked with the win,” says OGA co-founder Russell Goulter. “We went into the match as underdogs and defeated Team Anarchy Krew, who were on a 13-0 winning streak and had never lost a round, let alone a match.

”It was the ultimate trans-Tasman showdown with a New Zealand vs Australia final. All of the Kiwi gaming teams were supporting OGA for the upset – and we delivered!”

Online Gaming Addicts are sponsored by Microsoft New Zealand and were chosen for their proven track record in Australia and New Zealand. The team includes members from across the country.

Danica Aitken, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware New Zealand, says, “We are thrilled with the result – OGA has done us proud.

“It’s great to see a Kiwi team defeating our cousins across the ditch – this result also helps put the NZ competitive gaming community on the map as a force to be reckoned with.”

The joint venture will see OGA utilise Microsoft’s high-end gaming gear such as the Habu mouse and Reclusa keyboard, and represent Microsoft at premier gaming events such as xLan 2007, the largest gaming tournament in New Zealand which attracts upwards of 700 competitors.

Together, Microsoft and OGA hope to promote competitive online gaming in New Zealand and help support and develop Kiwi gaming’s profile on the world stage.

Congrats to OGA from everyone here at NZGamer! It's always nice to stick it to the Aussies. ;)