Presentation

I gave a sweet presentation today on Team Fortress 2. I didn't explain it a lot because I didn't want to lose the class's attention. Radon marked me down for it. But anyway, I keep playing TF2 it continues to be fun. I'm not sure if it will keep being as fun. Im pretty sure that solider is my good class.

Playlist:

1. Team Fortress 2
2. Grand Theft Auto 4

Drinking for the Well of TF2

How did I even get title? I guess it just came to me. Anyway, to address the prompt. I started playing Team Fortress 2 again and again, wow. That's all I can really say. That game is just so good. I mean you can just play for hours and hours and hours. Every map has a much different feel to it that changing maps is almost like changing games. It's a true testament to the design of Valve. Every class plays so differently and yet so well. And every class works with every map.

Anyway, to the point of this whole blog. I read an article by Super Intern Norman Chan that I really agreed with. He puts forward that one thing that makes TF2 and UT3 and even Halo 3 so attractive is the lack of difference between the best players and the epic N00bZ. Norman Chan's rocket from the soldier does as much damage as someone who has started 5 minutes. The only advantage he has is that he knows where to shoot them. This is in contrast to a game like Call of Duty 4 or Battlefield 2, where the more experienced players are rewarded with better guns. This might encourage play to get those guns, but after you obtain them, where do you go? The game stops being fun. In Team Fortress's case, you have played for 100+ hours because you love the game. With the new achievements and unlockables coming out, I'm not sure that initial fun will stay.

First, it will the night of 1000 medics. Everyone's going to want to get their Uber-saw and we won't have anyone to heal or Uber. Second, we reward the talented medics by giving them better things to heal with? If anything, we should give the bad players an advantage, for they clearly need it more. This can be seen in true form in Super Smash Brother's Brawl. If someone is doing bad enough, they get a sympathy smash ball. This allows them to attempt to alleviate their losses. Third, after you get those achievements, will anyone want to continue to be medic?

My proposition is that you simply give the weapons to everyone. If people must work for them, it discourages new people from joining the game. If the weapons are initially unlockables, but then just given, there runs the risk of offending your loyal player base. The achievements are a fun enough meta-game to stand by them selves. No reward for achievements. When I was on my stint with my 360, I wanted to play to get the Achievement Points. I sat through Prey to get the 500+ points. Games stopped being fun, only something to be done to get those points. At one point, I had even asked myself, "Why would someone play any games on any other systems where there are no achievement points?". It wasn't a good thing, to say the least.
Playlist:

1. Team Fortress 2

And a year later

It's not all I have been doing, but I find it ironic that I'm still playing Oblivion. Granted, this time its for the best system out there, PC, but its still a two year old game. And it still holds up. With graphics ramped all the way up, I get 60 FPS and it looks gorgeous. Now, I'm gonna describe my character, because I'm lame. I'm a mage/theif. I have recently run into the problem of not being able to to get through any gates, for my unlock spell just goes right through them. And even with a large area spell, it doesn't unlock them. It's bullshit.

And Super Smash Bros Brawl is still a favorite. I have a feeling that it will be for many many years to come. My characters are (in order from best with to not): Pikachu, Toon Link, Captain Falcon, Kirby, Ice Climbers.

Playlist:

1. Oblivion
   
2. Super Smash Brothers Brawl
3. Guitar Hero

It makes me want to fight my freinds

Childhood conjures lots of pleasent memories: fresh cookies, Tag on the playground, naivity. But none of these are as current as Super Smash Brothers. You would sit down and have a good romp with your friends with your favorite nintendo and other cartoon characters. Then Melee came out, which was a fast departure from Original, adding lots more characters and a much faster pace. Now, Super Smash Brothers Brawl is upon us and it does not dissapoint. MY character is Picachu. He was joke that I played for one of the stages in story mode and I was good with him. Its ridiculous. Words can not describe the awesomeness of this game.

Playlist:

1. Super Smash Brothers Brawl
   
2. Geometry Wars

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:

Nerdorgy

Whenever you talk or play about Sins of a Solar Empire, make there are no attractive, normal females around. Because, the quantity of the Nerdergy will be catastroophic. It is seriously that bad. But, if you can be nerdy, you can play this game. And what a game it is. Scalewise, everyhting is completly epic. I today just finished a five hour game that I have been playing for about 3 days. Yesterday, I stayed up untill midnight playing. I want to sleep now. I'll post later about it. To say something about it, its cool. Ships fly around and you blow up other ships. Economies are neccasary
but I feel that military teching does not produce a lot of benefit.
Playlist:

1. Sins of a Solar Empire (further to be referenced as SOASE)
   
2. WoW

How epic can one game be?

Sins of a Solar Empire is my latest addiction. Already it has sucked almost as much time as the entire single player campaign of COD4. It is too much fun and epic on a scale that it can only be compared with The Lord of the Rings and Jesus himself.
Playlist: Sins

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

Dual Moniter Support

I set up Dual monitors for my computer. It's so sick. I play WoW in Windowed mode, maximized,
so I can instantly go to thottbot and WoWpro.

O, and I added Daniel and Marc to be authors to this blog, so it will be pretty more full, but probably not.
Playlist:

1. WoW
   

WoW: Blizzard Finally Showing a Firm Hand?

So I've been playing World of Warcraft for awhile now. Blizzard has always been a touch-and-go type of administration. They don't ever really seem to show any resolve or whatever. However, I was shocked to discover that Blizzard is going to implement an additional system to reporting afk players-deductions. Once a player is confirmed afk, if he or she does not show they are participating in the game, they will lose anything from honor removal, loss of marks of honor, or even destruction of currently held honor items/ compiled honor. Blizzard states that it is
wrong to have people take advantage of other players, and that hundreds of thousands of accounts or being monitored. In addition to the above, Blizzard will issue a one time Ultimatum warning: Once a player is reported afk multiple times, or finds a way to exploit this new system, tht player will be suspened for a period of one week, or banned from the game. Yikes, Blizzard's ugly side...

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

What I like in Video Games

The major thing I am liking in video games right now is innovation and fun design. It really doesn't matter to me how great the game looks, as long as it is fun to play and keeps me interested. For instance, I really disliked Crysis, no matter how amazing it looked, it was a bad game. At the same time, Super Mario Galaxy was amazing because of the fun way it is played. Thats just my two cents on the way video games should be made.

Playlist:
1. TF2
2. WoW
3. Mario Kart 64
4. Guitar Hero 3

Guess what I have been playing

What the heck? My margins screw up, but then I erase everything and It goes back to normal? Intersting. Anyway, I have been playing Track Mania, World of Lolcraft and Team Frotress. They are the only good games that I see fit to play. Well, that and an occsional song or two on Guitar Hero 3. Speaking of which, on computer, Guitar hero is a crying shame. Well, maybe not, but it sucks. So, Latley, I have not been too interested in games. I have been more interested in like the computer programmig side. Like, for instance, got Linux to run on a virtual machine on this computer. There go my margins. what the heck? Well, wait, after saving as a draft and reopening, they work again. But I might just write in OpenOffice and publish from there. Continuing on my computer science rant, I enjoy just the part of discovering what I can do with the computer. I want to but my C++,Java programming to use, maybe build a good program that I can show off to companies that MAY want to hire me. But, I'm at a loss of what to build. No one said computer science required imagination.

Well, I installed UBUNTU, and don't know what to do with it. Probably build something.

Playlist:

1. World of Warcraft
   
2. Team Fortress 2
3. Track Mania Nation

Short Post

I have found my two games. They are all I play.
Playlist:

1. World of Warcraft
   
2. Team Fortress 2.

Writing

I have not been really inspired to write lately. I am not even sure why. Well, here it goes. I have been a lot more video games than usual lately. I should really start picking up running again. This conflicts because I really want to gain some weight, although running increases apetite. Well, with the added time, I have started playing WoW again. Pathetic? I am not sure. All I know is that when played occosionally, WoW is a lot more fun. Just playing it can be very boring and can even lead to hatred. I don't know what to write. Is that last statement too informal?  Lul. Lol has now become an adjective. I actually described Pirates of the Caribean as "lol". It's interesting to me at least.

I have had two LAN's that I have not talked about. The Vets LAN was a great success. 8 people for most of it. Mike was a goof and left early. But, after that we played mostly either TF2 or Supcom. We played a remarkably small amount of WiC, which is wierd. I suspect that at Winter Wonder LAN it will be epically epic! The ThanksLANgiving was not as big. I had 4 people for most of it, since Daniel couldn't come. Nick, wanted to sleep, Tyler was visiting his mom in the hospital and I didn't invite TJ, for Logan was there, so TJ couldn't play the good game of SupCom. But, it was allright, with us clocking 9 hours of Supreme Commander Forged Alliance.

Well, now to move on to what normally appears here: Video game talk. I played BioShock all game. And all Thanksgiving Day. Good game. Twist was also good. Mr. Radon said it was a epic twist but not untill he explianed all of his reasoning did I see his point. I have been playing Crysis, but its frustratingly difficult. The excellent phyisics sometimes betray you, like you punch something random and you die. What gives? Anyway, Rock Band, or Cock Band as Cory calls it, is also freaking awesome.The joy of having four friends all together playing in front a screen is 
something unmatched up to this point. And now, the margins expanding. 
This is really wierd. Length of the post? I'm not sure. 
What was I talking about? O Cock band. Ya, its fun. 

I am thinking of applying for the internship at PC Gamer. 
Unfortunatly, I am a little too far away and busy to do it, but I am thinking of 
saying I am planning to go to CAL, and to just read this blog. I doubt they will. 
No one reads this. 

Playlist:

1. WoW
   
2. Team Fortress 2
3. Crysis
4. Supreme Commander

Crysis

Best things to ever do in it:

• Throw a Grenade into a house and then watch it explode.
  
• Ambush a truck with a rocket launcher and watch it flip
• Throw a guy through a house and then watch is crumble
• Punch a hole through a roof
• Drive into a tree and explode
• Blow up a gas station

In case you can't tell, I love Crysis. You could even say I <3 Crysis. Yet, I have only played Single Player. I am also playing TF2 alot as well. I played Rock band today and its pretty sweet as well.
Playlist:

1. Team Fortress 2
   
2. Crysis
3. Rock Band

Konami says no console is dominating

Konami sees this next generation consoles war a lot more balanced than the previous one, where PS2 practically killed the competition with its staggering success. Still, to say that no console is dominating…hello! Anyone remember the Nintendo Wii?-[Thats why you get a computer]

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Digg

I joined Digg, and its really neat. I particularly enjoy that I can put what I "digg" onto the side bar of this blog. Also, I blog things that I find of interest. It cool.

Playlist:

1. Team Fortress 2
   
2. Company of Heroes
3. Counter-Strike Source

Reviewers Not Sure If Assassin's Creed Is Good

[Some give it around a 7 and some give it a low to mid 9, so who’s telling the truth and actually played through the entire game?]Ed's note- I'm still excited

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