Counterstrike for a Cause: Cloudforce LAN Party Unites Teammates (and Monitors!) Across the Map

Fridays at Cloudforce are already a good time —book clubs, board games, and complimentary lunches are part of our regular rhythm —but on June 27, things got a little more…locked and loaded.

In a showdown fueled by pizza, strategy, and a shared love of Counterstrike, we hosted the first-ever Cloudforce x Counterstrike LAN Party, with over 20 employees and friends joining both in person and virtually. My teammate Jake Stapleton and I had a blast hosting what turned into a fast-paced evening of friendly fire and fierce camaraderie.

The event came together by popular demand after a team poll, and the timing couldn’t have been better. We had just celebrated our second consecutive Best Workplace win, and this felt like the perfect way to wind down and celebrate together. We believe that team-building activities like these are essential for enhancing communication, boosting morale, and encouraging creativity among our staff. By stepping away from our usual work routines and engaging in friendly competition, we were able to forge stronger relationships and gain fresh perspectives.

For those who couldn’t join us in person, our virtual setup ensured that everyone could participate and feel included. One teammate, Noah—our newest hire—hadn’t even finished moving to the area yet, but still shipped his monitor across states just to join in. That’s the kind of energy we love to see!

But what truly elevated the event was the reason behind it. For every participant — whether they logged in or showed up in person — our CEO, Husein Sharaf, pledged a $25 donation to the Bike MS fundraising campaign for Team Microsoft, resulting in a total of $550 raised in just one evening!

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a resounding success. We look forward to more adventures and shared experiences in the future —and if you see someone walking into HQ with a full desktop tower under their arm, you’ll know what time it is.

Check out scenes from the first-ever Cloudforce x Counterstrike LAN Party below!👇

 

Yasmine Kuttab
Author

Before joining Cloudforce, Yasmine worked at a telecommunications company, and prior to that, she was employed at a software development firm. Yasmine have been in DC for over 12 years and during her time here, she has developed a deep affection for her weekly sunrise walks on the National Mall. Yasmine also enjoys people-watching during walks at the Wharf, engaging in beach volleyball, and indulging in salsa dancing. She now supports the Cloudforce team as a Senior Project Manager.

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