The day has finally come! Odamex 0.6 has officially been released, and that means we've been able to put up the IDL servers we will be using next season. There are currently 4 IDL servers (A-D) for regular season play, and one Private CTF server. These servers are not hidden and should show up with whatever launcher you are using. If there are any issues with these servers, please let me know and I will fix them. I don't know about you guys, but I'm really excited to priv!!!!

:: [IDL] Chicago :: International Doom League A - 74.91.122.209:14000
:: [IDL] Chicago :: International Doom League B - 74.91.122.209:14001
:: [IDL] Chicago :: International Doom League C - 74.91.122.209:14002
:: [IDL] Chicago :: International Doom League D - 74.91.122.209:14003
:: [IDL] Chicago :: IDL2012 Private CTF - 74.91.122.209:14004

The password to all these servers is seasontwelve.

Change is a simple word with a simple meaning. Change is a phrase often thrown around without much consequence. Change - a word easy to chant with no definite promise of action. For the International Doom League, the time for action is now. The need for change is obvious.

The International Doom League has enjoyed a healthy and lengthy history; eleven complete seasons over five years is the easiest way to quantify the league's unrivaled success. Over 125 individuals have entered free agency during this run, compiling well over 500 recorded contests. More importantly, the International Doom League has helped bring together many individuals who shared no common connection with each other prior to the league's existence. Even with such an astounding record, a dark cloud has loomed over the league's head since its inception.

When the International Doom League was founded in 2006, it was necessary to operate privately due to existing disagreements between league administration and the ZDaemon development team. Against all odds, the IDL built a strong following without any "official" support from ZDaemon and found ways to bring in enough new players to expand the total number of roster spots from 24 to 48 from the first season to the second. As the league continued to grow, the ZDaemon administration continued to attempt to cut IDL recruitment off, going so far as to ban the mere mention of the league on their official forums. Other ridiculous acts, likely aimed at negatively affecting the IDL, include releasing the new ZDaemon 1.09 server binaries to a select group of hand picked server hosts.

Unfortunately, the IDL had very little options when it came to viable alternatives for many years. The two "competitors" to ZDaemon, Skulltag and Odamex, both had their own set of issues that made migration difficult and unwise. Skulltag offered a solid set of new ZDoom features but lacked many of the necessary physical quirks that league players had become accustomed to. A migration to Skulltag likely would've caused a serious alienation of players who had been groomed for many years on ZDaemon. Odamex, while promising, had been in a serious developmental lull in 2009 and 2010.

In 2011, the potential viability of Odamex experienced a serious positive spark thanks to a rejuvinated development team and a willingness to listen. The backlash against a closed, and quite frankly, lackluster ZDaemon 1.09 also had a hand in expediting the need for the IDL to seriously consider what direction was best for its future. The Odamex team spent much of the last year leading up to their 0.6 release attempting to provide a number of existing leagues such as the IDL the necessary tools and features to make migration possible. Hundreds upon hundreds of man hours spent testing by some of our very own top players coupled with a serious attention to detail by the Odamex development team has ensured that the IDL has a future home where the league won't be required to operate in the shadows of the "community". Odamex now has everything the IDL needs to operate in the open while still ensuring the most high quality contests possible.

Beginning with the Summer 2012 season, the International Doom League will operate exclusively on Odamex for the foreseeable future.

I invite any player who hasn't had an opportunity to play Odamex 0.6 to join our organized games through #idl and #odamex, both on irc.quakenet.org. There will be plenty of time to become accustomed to the differences between ZDaemon 1.08 and Odamex. I anticipate most players should find the move considerably easy and painless. If you don't believe me, just ask around to some of the league's top players for their own testimony.

The International Doom League plans on being in operation for many years to come. This move will help ensure this plan comes to fruition. The time for change is now and we are excited to have you take part in writing the next chapter of the IDL's history.

Moon Dolphins vs Gotcha! City Goofballs: Sunday @ 6pm
Chaingun Rangers vs Boxers and Dooming: Sunday @ 6:30

GCG vs BAD from Week 2 will also be played this week, most likely on Sunday.

Moon Dolphins vs Chaingun Rangers: Sunday @ 7pm
Gotcha! City Goofballs vs Boxers and Dooming: Sunday @ 8pm

Let me say a few things about standings and stats, etc. At the moment there is no option for Spring/Fall seasons on the website, and although I'm hoping for those somewhat soon I don't think it is that big of a deal. I do plan on getting stats for these games at some point, I'm just not sure when that will be. Until then, I'm improvising a little bit (since I figured getting this season off was more important).

For a list of each team, who is on it, and their record, you can visit the thread "IDL-R Spring 2012 Standings".

For a score recap of each game that happens, you can visit the thread "Spring 2012 Schedule".

I'd also like to encourage all players in the IDL-R to upload their demos somewhere and post them in the discussion and results thread each week. There were not going to be demo penalties issued during this season, but for historical purposes demos are always great. Consider this a temporary solution, but at least we all know what is happening. If anyone has a more organized way of maybe combining the standings with game recaps, that'd be great. For now, just hold tight! I've got my slave Ladna on it.

Week 1 of the IDL-R kicks off this week, and we've got two exciting games coming up. I'd like to extend a special thank you to all of our captains for making this happen, it's a really great opportunity for the league. Let's get to when you can catch the action then, shall we?

Gotcha! City Goofballs vs Chaingun Rangers: Thursday @ 10pm
Moon Dolphins vs Boxers and Dooming: Sunday @ 7pm

Congratulations to Hatred, Stallion, BloodStrike, and Killforce of the Super Shotgun Spurs for winning the MasterBowl against BBC earlier tonight! SGS had a great season, finishing an astonishing 8-0-1.

A special thanks to all the players who participated this season, you made it a great one. We hope to see you all in the Summer! GG's.

In case you haven't heard, there is a new 4 week IDL-R season that will kick off on Friday, starting with a draft. There are two threads with information you'll need.

The IDL-R Spring 2012 Season

IDL-R Invite List/Signup Thread

If you think you are eligible to play, check those threads out!

That's right folks! It's the biggest game of the season, where the Conference Champions SGS and BBC face off for the 11th MasterBowl ring. Interestingly enough, this is the second season in a row that Prime, Mantis, and Stallion have been to the final round. This year, however, they are not on the same team. So, which of the former teammates will come out on top? I guess you'll have to wait for the gametime to see! Post your predictions in this thread!