So the first really big CPL Counter-Strike event is happening right now. (Coverage on ShackES) and the question of if Counter-Strike is an equal or better spectator friendly game is hopefully being answered. I havent decided yet myself. I do think the whole suspense building up to key moments is interesting, and having the game broken down into rounds is a good thing though. There needs to be more visual feedback for spectators when players get killed and when one team wins a round but that can be done pretty easily. I think the round system and the great significance of player deaths etc after watching things works pretty well. It's certainly slower paced than Q3 tourneys from a spectator standpoint but if we're trying to get people outside of the hardcore gaming community to try and follow this stuff that is probably a good thing.

The Valve spectator software has proven to be quite a hit and even my fiancee who doesnt watch this stuff much has said that she finds it much easier to follow now. She thought Aztec was ugly though. hehe.