Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL), has announced the development of Severity, a new multiplayer first person shooter designed for PC and consoles. However, CPL hasn't specified which consoles the game will be on.

Severity's focus would be on two gameplay modes: team-vs-team and one-on-one. It's built by developer id Software and features tournament support, spectator modes, and statistics covering both players and tournaments. It also offers support for gamers worldwide playing in online and live tourneys.

According to Tom Mustaine, Director of Game Development, "Severity will be the first videogame conceived from the ground up to ensure the growth and appeal of multiplayer game competitions worldwide."

The league plans to have the new game up for beta testing by the end of next year.

CPL, based in Dallas, TX, was founded by Angel Munoz in 1997 as a professional sports tournament for electronic games.

Videogames and drugs? As more gamers try to become cyberathletes for fun and profit, some may be influenced to enhance their performance by using illegal substances. Apparently, that's one nuance of pro-gaming the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) is trying to stop.

Starting next year, player contracts for the CPL will include a clause that requires gamers to submit to a drug test if asked to by CPL officials. This is to prevent players not only from using contraband, but to keep games fair.

According to Angel Munoz, the League's president, "It should concern anybody in eSports, because as the stakes get larger, as in any sport, people will look for an edge." The testing will be random, so not everyone will be required to give samples, but the caution the CPL is taking should lessen the instances of drugs popping up in gaming tourneys. 

Of the drugs the CPL will be looking out for in 2007, Ritalin and crystal meth are supposed to be most prevalent. The two reportedly increase concentration, sharpen reflexes, and strengthen mental stamina, three things definitely needed by professional gamers.

Luckily, they won't be banning caffeine from tournaments, so you can stock up on Red Bull. Just be careful not to get a heart attack from so much caffeine.