Revision of Challenge 3 Results

One of my biggest fears running this gameshow is the possibility of it breaking chat. Last night, it seemed that was likely. Discussions turned to fistacuffs after I proposed a debate among different chat members as to how they would personally handle the situation. 

It turned out Lewis had missed the challenge due to network connectivity issues that were outside of his control. The previous precedent set in the past two challenges was that if contestants did not show up past between twenty to thirty minutes, they would not be able to compete in the challenge and they would be Bottom 2. However, we had never had to face this reality before, as contestants at risk of this always barely escaped the punishment.

If you remember from my previous post, I had not finalized the decision to outright eliminate Lewis. I had also postponed the thought process behind it until the elimination post. I regret that I had actually taken out a key wording that I thought I kept in the post the entirety of the discussion, which was discussed among Cam and I. The decision to eliminate Lewis outright was if he was gone under non-emergency circumstances, which it was determined he was in an out of control situation. Had Lewis decided to just skip the challenge, I would have stood by all three decisions in the previous post. This is, like the many others, a mistake on my part in this week's structure.

The upside to the discussion was that contestants went from purely hostile to understanding of each other's predicaments. Haxball's second match was unbalanced, but what were the two teams supposed to do given the circumstances? Both felt that each was due a win, but the apprehension to go with the truly fair options held back an impartial discussion. Through these fights, we were able to agree on what seemed like a fair way to deal with the situation, mainly thanks to Zach.

The contestants involved in the second match, also known as the 2 v 1, competed in a 2 v 2 final match that would decide the idol winner and the contestant who would face Lewis in a Bottom 2 match. Both teams fought hard in what should have just been the second match from the start. Instead of going in-depth about rounds, I will just say the scores for each game.

GAME 1: Andre scored 1 point, Lewis scored 0 points, Zach scored 2 points, Andy scored 3 points.

GAME 2: Andre scored 0 points, Lewis scored 8 points, Zach scored 2 points, Andy scored 2 points.

GAME 3: Andre scored 7 points, Lewis scored 0 points, Zach scored 0 points, Andy scored 0 points.

GAME 4: Andre scored 1 point, Lewis scored 0 points, Zach scored 1 point, Andy scored 2 points.

GAME 5: Andre scored 0 points, Lewis scored 2 points, Zach scored 0 points, Andy scored 6 points.

The final result of this being that the Mafia scored an additional 17 points for their team, while the Cops added on 19 points. The condition of this rematch was that these points would be added just to the first match and the total points would determine the team that wins the idol. This means a new three conditions:

1) The Cops have secured themselves an idol due to their 48 points in the first and third match, while the Mafia lost the idol due to their 25 point run.

2) Sand is now the winner of the idol due to achieving 29 solo goals.

3) Damon is now in the Bottom 2 with Lewis because he only scored 4 points in the first match. Zach was only one goal away from being tied for Bottom 2.

The elimination challenge this week will be Territory War Online. I have created two accounts for the Bottom 2 to use. If you guys are unsure how to play, please ask me. The games will be best of three, so feel free to practice as much as possible. I will need to know a date and time you would like to compete. 

The link to the website is http://www.xgenstudios.com/play/two. You will play the map Island II with 5 players each.

It's been a crazy week, but it's not over yet! I will be doing an interview with Andre and that will most likely be up after the elimination post. For now, I hope you guys have a great day and I will see you soon.

-Matt

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Challenge 3 Results

No story for this challenge post. I will save it for the elimination post.

Every gameshow has its memorable challenges and events. Today, I believe we added another event to the memories we will look back upon years from now. Two matches were played to decide a final victor. One was a standard four player match, while the other... was inspiring, to say the least.

MATCH 1: Damon and Penny vs. Bumble and Sand
The first match of the game went smoothly overall, but not for the Mafia. Interesting plays were made, but in the end, it is goal count that matters. I will be posting a highlight reel tonight, but for now, I will discuss performance and score per game.

GAME 1: This game was a very strong start for the Cops. Bumble began playing her role as goalie, which she kept the entirety of the match. Damon and Penny both played offensively, moving around the field and synchronizing movement. This meant that Sand had to fight for every single point individually, similar to what Andre had to experience in his match. However, Sand ended up proving her skill in the game by scoring 7 points against the 2 points scored evenly by Damon and Penny.

GAME 2: Following the precedent set in Game 1, Sand managed to fight against the duo and win herself 5 points, while Damon got his fair share of 2 points.

GAME 3: For the rest of the match, it seemed Sand was the breadwinner for the Cops. Another 7 points were scored by the redhead this game, while Penny set her personal record of 3 points solo.

GAME 4: Sand scored 6 points while only facing defeat against Penny's single point.

GAME 5: To end the match, Sand went on a 4 score streak while the Mafia ended up not being able to score a single goal.

Regardless of the final score of this match, I still feel both teams did very well. I have plenty of moments where I was amazed by the skill of all players. Tricks were used to get goals and there was even a goal where a ball was fired off like a cannon because two players rubbed against each other. Sadly, Match 1 ended up being a slaughterfest by Sand's hand, as the Mafia only scored 8 goals. The Cops strategy of using a goalie turned out perfect, as Sand scored 29 goals solo.

MATCH 2: Zach and Andy vs. Andre
The determining match of the challenge ended up being a memorable event. After being given 20 minutes to play, Lewis failed to show up. As a result, Andre was forced to compete by himself against the Mafia, who needed 21 points to even catch up in the case that Andre did not get a single goal.

However, Andre fought.

It was brutal and exciting to watch live, even motivating. Faced against an insurmountable challenge, Andre realized his duty to his team and struggled to add just one, just two, just another point into his team's count. Whether it worked out for him or not was soon to be discovered.

GAME 1: After facing the reality that he would have to play without a partner, Andre jumped in and took on his opponents. Without anyone defending his goal except himself, Andre was able to get 2 points. Zach got his record for the entire match with 6 points, while Andy had his worst game of the five with 5 points.

GAME 2: This was the most significant match of the game, in my opinion. Four more matches were awaiting Andre, and the pressure to do well for his entire team alone overtook him. 3 minutes and 33 seconds into the game, Andre paused. The thoughts that ran through his head, I'd like to get to understand in an interview, but it seemed as though this was going to be it for the Cop. Surprisingly, though, this pause motivated Andre. It must have filled him with adrenaline. He was only able to score 2 goals in this game, but his best gameplay was ahead. Zach scored 4 points while Andy still failed to reach his record with 10 points.

GAME 3: One may think that Andre's spirit would be completely crushed after Zach scored 6 points and Andy scored 9 points without Andre getting a single point. However, one would be wrong. With less than a minute left in the game, Andre won 3 points in an amazing comeback.

GAME 4: As much as Andre was amazing me with his solo run, Andy was someone in particular who I felt played the game of Haxball smart this challenge. When I had to go through the footage and count each score one by one, I was amazed by some of Andy's shots this game specifically. He seemed very proficient at tricking his opponent, even if the odds were in his favor. Andy scored 10 points this round, while Zach won 2 points and Andre also won 2 points.

GAME 5: This was it. The match that would decide a winner. Testing the entirety of his will to go on, Andre decided to finish with a bang. Points were exchanged evenly throughout this challenge, but due to the two to one ratio, Andre was not able to keep up with the goal possibilities of his opponents. Andre fought for his record of 6 points this game. Andy also gained his record of 12 points, exactly double Andre's. Zach added an additional 5 points to his team's total score.

----

Now that the games have been described, I would like to take time to discuss the challenge and the gameshow as a whole. I know that some people will skip over this, but I feel that even if it reaches some people, it will make a difference.

Skool of Salem has tested everyone involved. We have had to completely recreate a challenge, split challenges into two to help with schedules, and experience our first no-show of the season. These have really tested us as a community, but you know what they all have in common?

We make it through and we do what we have to do.

I am thankful that you guys have communicated with us when you have issues or events. Dedication has truly been shown not by being on the most, but by using the time you can spare to participate. As we all get older, our spare time gets smaller and smaller, but I can't believe we are still able to pull off a gameshow like the old days.

Andre had to face an incredible feat today that I feel should not be looked back on with disgust but rather with pure awe. I cannot predict what the legacy of this gameshow will be, but I wish for all of you guys to realize the big picture here. We are all workers hired to build an incredible experience through this gameshow, and today, we had a storm. However, storms come and go. What matters is whether the workers are willing to uphold the beauty of the building by working through tough times, or if they abandon it to face the fury of nature.

I do not want this season to decay. I want us to build a skyscraper.

To continue on with this construction analogy I created for some reason, some workers have to be laid off. Two contestants have already left us, and tonight, a third will leave us.

Andy and Zach were able to score 68 goals, while Andre fought for 15 points. As a result, the team totals ended up being 76 points for the Mafia and 44 points for the Cops.

I will go into further detail about the process we went through for this elimination in the elimination post, along with photos. However, for now, I would like to confirm three things.

The Mafia have won the challenge.

Andy has won the idol with a total score of 46 points scored.

We have decided to eliminate Lewis from Skool of Salem.

I would like to go into further detail about this situation in the elimination post. For now, please read the post if you just skipped down here to find the results.
-Matt

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Challenge 3: HAT TRICK

This is no case of petty right or wrong that politicians or philosophers can judge.

Il Liberatore motioned for the emotionless Bumble to head to her seat. "Sometimes, amore mio," he explained. "Sacrifices that may seem horrid in the short term are what save you in the future."

"...What information do you have?"

"Ah, professional. Attenda prego! Let's look over my part of the deal."

Liberatore's desk was covered in layers of documents and novels that seemed to add to the confusion Bumble felt. Had Shanerys been correct in saying that the police had fallen lower than the Mafia? Maybe not... like Liberatore said, sacrifices are necessary. Nagasaki and Hiroshima were nuked and there was an insurmountable body count as a result, but what about the millions of American lives that were at stake? Plus, how can one compare a single death to the entire city of Salem?

Bumble was comfortable knowing she was making a difference.

"You a big fan of that soccer crap?" Liberatore asked as he crossed his legs and placed them on his cluttered desk.

"Not really, but I'll sometimes watch it for kicks."

"See? That's a smile! C'mon, what did that Mafia ever do for yah besides bring more pain? Anyway, a little bird told me that those reds will be at the soccer game this weekend. Although, no one really cares about the game these days... it's all about the green."

"Green and red...vomit."

"Also Christmas! And there will be plenty of gifts for the Old Bosses to get their hands on with this event. It appears they are rigging the event in their favor to rig some profits in their pockets."

"So what do you want us to do?"

"I wantchatah sabotage their team's players. Your type know howta stage "accidents"... make 'em happen."

"I would consider the legality of this, but then I forget I'm working for a Mafia member to fight Mafia."

"Hey, it's mutual! Now, go out there and smell the grass. And the corruption. Buh-bye!"

Liberatore waved for the guards to escort Bumble out as he lowered his hat to cover his eyes. It was about time for shut-eye.

----

Another week, another challenge. Let's get pumped! For once, we don't need to use Skype. This week, we will be on the field fighting for the highest goals in a free online game called Haxball. The best team will be able to pull off a "Hat Trick".

HOW IT WORKS

Watch this video to get an idea of how the game works:

Due to scheduling issues made clear last week, we will need to add some modifications to our original plan for this challenge. Each team will need to create mini-teams of two that are able to be on at the same time with another team's mini-teams on challenge day. That way, if some people can't be online at night, another team can play at that time and vice versa.

HOW TO WIN

These mini-teams will be competing in a series of timed matches which add goals to their team's total goal count. At the end of these matches, we will count up the total goals and use this number to determine a final victor.

IN THE EVENT OF A TIE
If there is a tie, each team will have to decide which mini-team they would like to represent their team and these two mini-teams will play in a final series of matches that are winner takes all.

IDOL/BOTTOM 2
Since each team is small enough for each individual player to matter, the idol will be given to the player with the highest amount of goals scored, while the Bottom 2 will consist of the players on the losing team who scored the least amount of goals, regardless of mini-team.

Remember that idols can be redeemed at any time, but they will only be redeemed after the Sunday that follows the time they are redeemed. For example, if an idol is redeemed on Saturday, June 20th, its effects will take effect on Monday, June 22nd. Only one idol can be redeemed a week.

TIME
Mini-teams will decide the time that different matches will occur, so please communicate with us what time will work for you on Friday, June 19, 2015.

Please let us know if you are unable to be here at that time, or if you are available that day.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, and I hope to see you there on game day.

-Matt

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Elimination 2

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw.

It was pouring like cats and dogs the night a single officer walked up to the doors of an unmarked hideout. In any other scenario, Bumble would have been considered completely insane trusting the word of a random caller to rendezvous under their terms. Who would even dream of meeting someone they met over anonymous means under the false belief of knowing them? However, these were dark times for the city of Salem, and anything was better than nothing to complete the job.

Hough scanned the surrounding area before knocking on the door. Like every other criminal hideout, the door had an eye-level opening for the guard inside to ask for a password. Whether it's trolls or bulking security personnel, the world sometimes never changes. "Ay, Billy! We gotz us one of them female heat! Ya want 'ah or should I geddin on---"

"I made a deal to come here," Bumble interjected, hand on her pistol. "Don't make me regret it."

The door guard paused for a moment and then gazed at Bumble with a look of admiration. "I like 'em feisty! Forbidden fruit, we use to call 'em in Italia..." All of the guard's buddies started to laugh hysterically at the remark as he opened the door.

"Cahman, bay BEE!" he yelled, walking over to Bumble with open arms.

Bumble glared at him and gave him a warning to back away. After his lack of acknowledgement, she managed to do a double flip from the street to where the guard stood, grabbing his head on the way down from the final one. The guard let out a grunt as she pulled him down to the ground and kicked him in the face while spinning back into standing position.

"Che paccato..."

Everyone went silent as a single figure in a white Mafia outfit gracefully strolled from a backroom to the street smoking a cigar. Bumble felt the temptation to fight this one, but curiosity took priority.

"I apologize, amore mio. Sometimes these jamooks put their mouth in front of their brains and end up eating the dirt."

"May I ask who you are?"

The man checked around and glanced back at Bumble. "These men call me Il Liberatore, but you may know me...as GHOST. Let us discuss more in my office."

"Gladly," Bumble responded, kicking the door guard below the belt on her way inside.

The office of Il Liberatore had to be about the size of a classroom. Angel statues decorated the freshly painted walls holding watering cans that poured into sumptuous fountains. Carpets adorned with art of the Basilica of Santa Croce, and other religious structures, amazed Bumble on her way over to the closest seat.

"Benvenuta, officer. I am pleased to see you agreed to my terms and came alone."

"Who was the guard at the door?"

"Oh, Bolly? He's a weird one...didn't think he'd tryta pick a fight when he could tell by the way ya look ya could beatim up! I'll have him killed later."

Bumble shuffled a little in her seat uncomfortably. "Why did you decide to work with us?"

"I feel our organizations can have ahselves a wonderful relationship. We share a common goal...eliminate the Old Bosses."

"Are you not a part of the Mafia yourself?"

"We are Mafia, but to the Old Bosses, we are nothing but trash. A new generation of organized crime is on the horizon, amore mio, but one where our people and yar people can act separately without the need for violence. The Old Bosses caused the death of yah partner, Wimi. How can you say there will not be anymore unnecessary death under the regime of these old fools?"

"I see...where is the information you promised us, then?"

"Yes, the information...where did I put that..." Liberatore shuffled for a document among the mess on his desk. "Ah, here it is!" He reached for a buzzer on his desk and looked back at Bumble with a smile. "Guards?"

Two massive security guards blocked the entrance of the office and glared at their boss. "Thank you."

Bumble stood up in disgust and pulled out her pistol. "YOU SET ME UP, YOU BASTARD!"

"Put the gun away, Hough. We do not want to be violent. At least, not yet."

One of the guards grabbed Bumble's pistol, picked her up, and put her back into her seat. "Now, you know as well as me that we cannot entirely trust each other to keep our arrangement from going public. I needed to find a way to prove that you really do wish to work with the Liberatori."

"By doing what?"

"Antonio?"

The last sound Bumble heard was a tranquilizer going off.

~~~~

When Bumble awoke, an unconscious man fell down next to her. She looked up and saw a group of Liberatori surrounding a prisoner whose face was covered by a burlap sack. The prisoner growled at their captors and started to unleash a rage-induced fury of fists and kicks that resulted in all of the men being knocked out in under a minute.

Bumble looked at her side and saw a note that appeared to be from Liberatore. 

"If you wish to work for our people, you must kill for our people."

Suddenly, the prisoner noticed the sound of Bumble picking up the note and raced over in her direction. With no weapons in sight, it appeared a fistacuffs was about to ensue.

Bumble curled up into a ball and then kicked the prisoner down once they ran over. As the prisoner recovered from the fall, Hough grabbed for the sack on their face and ripped it off, revealing who it was.

----

This week, the Mafia experienced their first loss, meaning that their Bottom 2 consisted of Shannon and Damon. Similar to last week's elimination challenge, these fierce competitors had to face each other in a word competition called "Cornucopia". After about 20 minutes of coming up with as many words as possible in 20 second sections, a victor was decided.

With a total of 56 words thought up under pressure, Damon was able to beat Shannon's 30 word run and become the safe Mafia this week. It chokes me up just thinking of what is next.

----

It took Shanerys a moment to take in her surroundings after hours of being in "Maskland". While walking home, she had been grabbed by a group of criminals and thrown into a van. Now, she was in a white and blue room forced to fight to the death against anyone they threw against her. They didn't call her the Mafia Queen for nothing.

Bumble spaced herself from Shanerys and started to hold up her fists.

"You were that one who fired at us at the parking lot..."

"You are criminal scum and deserved it."

"We just want money, we didn't want trouble."

Bumble lunged at Shanerys and started to repeatedly punch her in the face. Shanerys grabbed onto Bumble's hair and used it to whip her off. 

"The Mafia will fall, blondie."

"At what cost? You have fallen lower than us."

Bumble tackled Shanerys and started to wrap her hands around her neck. She normally didn't feel this much rage, but this was her career, her entire objective being attacked here. 

"SKOOL IS THE SAVIOR OF SALEM!"

"IS IT?!?"

Shanerys could not fight Bumble's strong grip and stopped resisting. Within a few seconds, the Queen had lost consciousness. One cop was dead, and with them a Mafia.

Il Liberatore opened the door to the room and smiled.

"Ya really were serious. Let's get down to business."

----

Thank you, Shannon, for being a part of Skool of Salem. You have always been a strong competitor as shown by your previous victories in CP College and Xerxes Apprentice. Sadly, you were not able to make your reign as champion in this gameshow. 

I hope that you continue to follow along and remember the fun times you had being a contestant of the gameshow. We'll need you one day, possibly.

The Challenge 3 post will be up tonight at midnight PST. Until then, I hope you all have a great rest of the weekend and I'll see you soon. Thank you for helping us ensure another week of Skool of Salem went smoothly.

-Matt

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