Inception

Formed in the summer of 1998 by 2 Quake2 newbies and a pair of old school Quake1 aces, Hong Kong Action was a far cry from the fraternity that it represents today. The founding members, Grand Chan (Beef Ramen), Ladd Dunwoody (Heatmiser), Jason Casteel (blackstaff), and Ernie Espinosa (Spine), came together as a team with a simple goal; to join a game ladder so they could play in an organized setting.

Ironically, HKA first gained attention not due to fantastic team play or shining individual talent (they possessed neither), but rather, by utilizing a fresh approach to marketing their image. With outrageous news articles based on true happenings within the clan's group of friends, HKA began to successfully generate their own hype and portrayed a team that cared more about when the next party was going to be as opposed to what time the next match was.

HKA strives to make its members feel they are part of something important. Clan outings and excursions are frequent, and members are encouraged to attend events with the belief that team integrity is based more on real friendship than internet acquaintances. The founding members made a point to retain the good natured attitude within its ranks, and decided that any and all future recruits would be accepted based on personality first, skill second. Surprisingly, it was this attitude that began drawing the attention of good players, and before they knew it, HKA had befriended and recruited some of the strongest Q2 players in the community.

The Quake 2 Years

The late 90's saw the first big explosion of online gaming and it was Quake 2 that led the way. It was during those years that HKA first began making waves in the competitive arena. Interest in ctf was dwindling and HKA was focusing on the new game in town, Rocket Arena 2. They climbed the ranks rapidly on the premiere online gaming ladder of the time, the OGL, and a few months later attained the #1 position on the Open Team RA2 ladder. HKA had officially solidified themselves as a top Q2 RA2 clan during what was arguably the most competitive era of the Quake2 timeframe. But HKA was making noise elsewhere. During their climb up the rocket arena ladder, a few of HKA's members joined the open team DM ladder to provide a break from the constant RA2 play. Much to their surprise and the surprise of others, the team was very successful in their new environment. Shortly after clinching the 1st place rung of the RA2 ladder, HKA found themselves sitting atop the Team DM ladder as well, making them the only clan at the time to have held the #1 position on both the open Team DM and the open Team RA2 ladders simultaneously. HKA successfully defended their #1 position for several months until finally being dethroned by the talented up and coming NGN squad.

Quake 3 Takes Hold

With a pool of already talented Quake2 players, including Hindu, Ironcat, Playboy, Madlemming, Ride, KaptnKickass Superfly, Leeno, PUTO, and others, HKA shifted their focus away from RA2 and began ramping up for the release of Quake3Arena. Knowing that Q3 was going to have fierce competition with a multitude of veteran Quake1 and Quake2 players HKA began honing their skills on the roughest servers they could find. The hard work paid off and early and impressive scrims against some of the nation's elite Quake3 teams earned HKA a slot in the most prestigious online tournament around, the QIL. Over the next several weeks, HKA proved their staying power with impressive victories over some of top seeded Q3 clans due much in part to their newest recruit ermac. They achieved their primary goal of reaching the playoffs, but fell short of the finals, getting knocked out of the running by a loss decided by 1 frag. HKA had stepped into the TDM world of Quake 3 and suprised a lot of people that regarded the rocket arena phenoms as "all aim". HKA attended several CPL events during that timeframe and had some stunning individual accomplishments in the Q3 1 vs 1 scene, including a regional qualifier win by Matador which led to an 8th place finish at the CPL later that year. But Team DM wasn't HKA's true calling and the clan was eagerly anticipating the completion of RA3.

When RA3 was finally released, HKA was ready. Their goal to take the RA3 community by storm was realized early on by securing and holding the #1 slots for the XTGL, OGL, and Rocket Arena.org. HKA spent several months defending their slots on all three ladders from some of the best the RA3 community had to offer. But the triple crown of the RA3 world meant an unprecedented amount of commitment from a clan known for their non-professional approach to the game and after more than 50 RA3 matches on 3 ladders, burnout was inevitable. With interest in the game declining and their goals accomplished, HKA eventually dropped out of the scene once again.

Dark horses of Soldier of Fortune II

Two years later, after much lounging and partying, HKA found themselves immersed in unfamiliar territory. Gone was the fast paced rocket propelled world of quake and in its place was the pseudo realistic CS style shooter: Soldier of Fortune II. HKA's re-emergence into the gaming scene found them as the unknown underdogs. Few people in SOF II were familiar with the clan but that changed rapidly as HKA's reputation grew on public servers frequented by top SOF II clans. Their growing recognition led to an invite to the SOF II CAL-invite tournament. Over the next 2 CAL-i seasons HKA made the semi's and the finals respectively, losing in close matches to the top 2 SOF II clans of the time, zfz and SMF. Shortly thereafter, HKA faded off into obscurity once more.

Looking Forward

Going on their ninth year together, HKA has proven their longevity and continues to flourish in a community where clan hopping and disbanding is all too common. The clan agrees that one of their greatest accomplishments was being so successful over such a long timeframe with its core members intact. Unlike other clans that formed with good players, disbanded when they lost, and reformed with other ringers to create the next big clan, HKA adapted and maintained an uncommon level of team cohesion over the years.

As HKA continues to evolve, serious competition has taken a back seat to the clans roots, and you can find the team members playing together in any number of games from Crackdown, to texas holdem, and even some Quake3 from time to time. While there are no plans to make a serious bid in the Quake community again, the inevitable release of the “next big thing” will surely be an arena to watch for their return.