Earn That Content

With Call of Duty, the more and more I play it, the more and more I realize how brilliant of a game it is. I'm level 52 right now. And I am playing it to play the game and experience it. Achievements have infiltrated every game that I own, so I've resorted to one of the games where they don't matter. Well, challenges give you silencers, ACOG scopes and red dot sights. And leveling up gives you new weapons. So what am I talking about?

Call of Duty 4 is a prime example of having to earn your content. I'm actually still on the fence on whether I like it or not. Earning your content, I mean. I know for sure that I like Call of duty 4. How would the game change if everyone had every gun at the beginning of the multiplayer game? Cod4 is not nearly as time consuming as WoW in terms of earning your content. Anyone who spends any time playing it gets the guns fast enough. You decide what guns you advance and what guns you leave alone. I really do applaud Infinity Ward for their balance of all the guns. From what I think of now, most guns are viable killing machines. No gun is extremely over-powered, but I do think some are under-powered. Although, if the player is good, usually he can do well with any gun.

Speaking of earning content, I'm plugging along in WoW. I finished all the quests in Howling Fjord, but now I'm not really looking forward Borean Tundra. I've heard from numerous people that the Fjord is better. But I'll stop talking about WoW. That's why I have a WoW blog, right?

LAN. December 13th-14th. I plan to have a good time and not have a seizure. Unlike last LAN. I plan to play Team Fortress 2, Call of Duty 4, Left 4 Dead, Trackmania Nations and Warcraft 3. I would be totally down to play some Company of Heroes. But we will see how the cards fall.

Today I also updated and patched Worms, so now I can play it online. Talk about a game with no achievements and only playing it for the fun of the game. I wish they made it for mac, because for whatever reason, Worms seems to belong on a laptop. I'm not sure why I feel that way. Wow, just think of it, playing Worms during class. I'd really get nothing done.

Left 4 Dead and other stuff

So I have not written in here for a while. Let's rectify that, shall we? Left 4 Dead came out and the game does not disappoint. It has the most incredible blend of shooter with co-operative game play. Playing it over and over with only the same chapters does not seem to matter. The levels are so well designed that playing them over and over doesn't get boring. The key to it is that each level is randomized. The witch is not always in the same place and you don't always get a tank when you go into a certain room. The director decides what enemies get thrown at you and when. And even if you die within the same chapter, every time it is different. This helps the game maintain its freshness. Another key thing that L4D does right is that it is designed around co-op and team play. If a survivor runs off by them self, they will die. There is no way that they can survive all the hunters and smokers that are continuously thrown at the party. Survivors are not the only team that needs team work. When playing as the infected, you need to coordinate your attacks. Just going one at a time will not work. This intense team work will satisfy most of the gamers out there. Gamers that like to lone wolf it will not find L4D as enjoyable as Call of Duty 4.

Wrath of the Lick King also came out recently. I have not been playing it as intensely as I have been playing L4D. But Wrath is good. The quests are very similar to what they were in classic and Burning Crusade, but if something's not broke, don't fix it. The quests are better than they were however. A lot of them are more compelling and have things to do that are more fun. I've been taking it slow, doing a couple quests at a time then logging off. I'll get to 80 eventually, but right now I'm taking the time to smell the roses. I think that this will lead to a more highly enjoyable experience. I'll probably raid over either winter break or over summer break. I won't have time to do it while in school.

Playlist:

1. Left 4 Dead
2. World of Warcraft
3. Call of Duty 4
4. Company of Heroes
   

The coolest song in Audiosurf

So, in celebration of one thing or another, Steam decided to put Audiosurf for $3. Audiosurf is this game that generates a track, based on a song you choose and you ride the track, collecting points. I chose on old favorite, "Lip Gloss and Black" by Atreyu. And oh mi gawd. That song is amazing. Both by itself and as an Audiosurf track. It generates tunnels when things are intense in the song and when Atreyu is yelling "Live. Love. Burn. Die", tunnels appear. And it's just a cool feeling.Other than Audiosurf, I've basically been playing WoW, Geometry Wars, World of Goo and Call of Duty 4. I decided to play COD4 again on a whim and I really enjoyed it. It's not so much a shocker on why the game is so popular, because it is intense and unforgiving.
Playlist:

1. Wow
2. Geometry Wars
3. World of Goo
4. Audiosurf
5. Call of Duty 4
   

Geometry Wars

The need for my 360 has finally been quenched. I was able to procure Geometry Wars for the computer. This is also really gives validation to my purchase of the 360 controller receiver for my computer. I am using my controller more than ever. That game is basically an intense acid trip were you fly around and kill shapes. It's a trip.

I have also been playing a lot of Call of Duty 4 recently as well. I am currently level 48 and counting. I have all the guns to look foward to: the P90 and the M14. Well, I'm still waiting on the Barret .50 Cal Sniper rifle, but that's not as anticipated for. So now, I'm just going for M14 headshots. I am almost convinced that I like the red dot scope more than the ACOG. But, I'm going to play more and then we will see. I think it's because I can see more when I'm scoped with the red dot. I hated the iron sights for the M14. It drove me insane. When I hit level 55, I think I might just vagugly attempt to get all the achievments, you know, unlock all skins for all weapons and do all the challenges. But, not activly and not just for that. Otherwise, it would be boring. I have a couple hated maps: Bog, Overgrown and Downpour. I dislike Bloc and Wetwork, but there is not hatred there.
Playlist:

The Real Modern Warfare

Is battling for time to really play Call of Duty 4. It's my recent addiction. Getting good is nice. I think that you really get into the game when you can have some influence on the game. Seeing your name at the top of the kill list is extremly satisfying. I'm level 39 (I think) and really feeling good about the game. I know that a silencer in theroy reduces your range, but if you are any good, you can easily extend your range by crouching and shooting in bursts. Speaking of not being good at games, Marc cheats. If he can't get the achievments then he makes a LAN game and kills mike. What the fuck. really. Hardcore is the best, for it is the most real feeling experience. It is a war when all you have is your sight and your gun in front of you. And, I turned the graphics up and it looks amazing and I am still getting 70 FPS.

In WoW I am level 66, putting in hours here and there. I recently starting playing Warcraft 3 again and I don't know why I never really got into it. It is a great game with a lot of different factions and with the RPG elements with the hero. And I really can't wait for Sins of a Solar Empire. It is Civ 4 in space. Huge planets that have distinct traits, and large intergalactic battles. I can not wait. It is like 45% done I hope.

Playlist:

1. COD 4
2. Warcraft 3
3. WoW

When a man loves a women

They defineatly do not play WoW. Thats probably why I am playing so much lately. I'm level 65 with my Paladin Akoris. I'm on the march to 70! I'm done with Zangermarsh. 
Finished! I already miss Terrokar Forest. I shouldn't though. Anyway, My dwarf hunter, my side
protoge is 15, just slowly creeping, I've reserved his play time for morning before school. A little, here, a little there, its's workin for me. I'm liking My boar that I tamed, with the charge and all. Witht he three people that read this, they are not hunters, so There are not any suggestions for any other good pets to tame. But, I'm looking towards some sort of DPS animal. I also set up a bank account. 200g bought me 11 neather weave bags and all teh slots in the bank. His name is Labanque and he is a half naked gnome warrior in Ironforge. 
I simply send all my want to be autcioned stuff to him, and he runs and does it. Saves time for having to go to major cities. Just saying. My goal is to be 70 and decently geared to go on the 
Tram (cross my fingers) to northrend. Dual screen really promotes Thottbot and Wowwiki searches.

I've been playing Call of Duty 4 multiplayer a bit too. I'm really liking the level ups, but it is not as big of a goal for as level 70 is. But, Just some time into it, makes the difference. I like the MP5 but nothing is as overpowered as the M4 Carbine.

Big TF2 news, however, huge new DL content coming out. Hopefully it comes out after I hit 70, because then I will be able to experience it with 
everyone else. But, the link the the new updates are here Here. I think that they might be taking cues from COD4, with the unlockable weapons. Also, i'm playing Track mania every so often and I'm sorta getting excited about Sins of the Solar Empire. Looks, interesting.

Playlist:

1. WoW
   
2. COD4
3. Team Fortres 2
4. TrackMania Nations

WoW

I'm playing WoW alot. I started a Horde on server kaegclos. It's a hunter. I have to say, I am really enjoying the pet thing again. I liked the lock who has a pet, but I got bored of it. In retro spect, I
probably get bored of this too. But anyways. I am playing that and Call of Duty 4. It's really addicting, the whole level and ranking up system. I enjoy just having to get that next level. I also like unlocking some new guns and new addons. Track mania also is taking up some time, just playing and stuff.

Playlist:

1. Wow
   
2. Call of Duty 4

[S]ummer[s]LAN

[S]ummer[s]LAN is a LAN party that is suppose to be like 150 people and 28 hours in San Fransisco. I recently attended this event and I really enjoyed it. For like 26 hours, we sat and played games. The sad part is that we typically didn't play one game. I am going to suggest that we have some sort of agenda were we put out what game we are going to play. Like include it into the package they give you in the beginning. Just a thought.
Link: http://www.ascendancygaming.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Well, as most LAN parties entail, I got a lot of games. I managed to get: Battlefield 2, Unreal Tournament 2004, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Caesar 4, Call of Duty 2, and Star Wars: Empire at War. I also got some movies: Grandma's Boy, Spider Man 3 and Beerfest. There were millions, but I really didn't want any others. Battlefield is awesome, as also UT2004 is. HP disappointed me, so I trashed it and am waiting for the torrent to finish. COD...idk about that yet. Star Wars is good, but EPIC!!!. I am just waiting for SupCom to eventually make space battle.

They also had a nice large raffle and practically every one won something. I won a Computer Case, A Zboard Fang Gamepad, 2 USB powered lights, a case fan and UV cable raps. That Case was definably a good thing, because I'm building a new computer and a case is like $100+. That is some good money saved on purchase cost, taxes and shipping. I am gonna put in an e6600, a nvidia 8600 GTS, 2GB of Ram and 400GB hard drive. Its kinda pricey, but you get what you pay for. I am still wondering if I should get a laptop for college. If I hold out for before I go, I should find some good deals. But I am just looking for a simple, not too good laptop for word, excel, powerpoint and FREE CELL!!!!!

Playlist:

1. WoW
2. Battlefield 2
3. Freecell
4. Solitaire
5. Counterstrike Source

Days till Halo 3
1 month and 25 days

I can Never think of a good title

I have started playing WoW again. Amazingly, its a really fun game. A good computer really helps it out, but playing is not a job, but fun. I think that the key there is if you cant always play it, it becomes a gift when you find time to. I'm playing my Paladin Akoris, of the server Kul Tiras. He is pretty good. I'm debating whether to keep him a twink, or to play him. I'm leaning towards the latter because I don't have any high level characters, so No time like the present to change that.

I have also just finished torrenting Civ 4 and it's expansion. It's a good game. Unfortunately, it's a pretty hard game to just pick up and play. There is no tutorial, unfortunately, and you just have to start playing. I have figured some stuff out. It's not like a RTS, because if you set up a line of guys, the enemy can just run right through you. It's difficult and takes some getting use to.

Xbox 360 is really shaping up to be the console to have this holiday season. With so many games coming out, it will be ridiculous. Madden 08, Halo 3, and GTA IV are expected to take up 1/3 of all games sales. Also the games Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Viva Pinata Party Animals, Rock Band, Guitar Hero 3, Splinter Cell Conviction, Bio Shock, Call of Duty 4, PGR4, Blue Dragon and many more are all coming out this holiday season. That's a lot of games.

Playlist:

1. World of Warcraft
2. Civilization 4: Warlords
3. Shadow Run
4. Solitare

Days till Halo 3:
2 Months 9 days

Gamerscore:
2450