History of addiction

While I've been mostly absent from 2o2p as of late, I'm still a slave to that unrelenting addiction that is World of Warcraft. A long while back my 360 RRoD'd. I've been playing enough WoW to not really miss the console (and I have a Wii if I'm dying for a change of pace) so I haven't picked up a new Xbox or gotten mine fixed. I miss the feel of a controller in my hand from time to time, and of course, I miss the Mike James drunkfests (the last of which I attended with my former brother-in-law Umbee, and we were so drunk we got put on our own team and stood there spinning in a circle and shooting while people ran by and slaughtered us) and many of the other social events held by the site. I also have to admit that while the gameplay doesn't look incredibly different or innovative, I will probably step up my game and get the new Halo ODST game, which will force me into resolving my current Xbox issue. Go ahead, call me a fanboy.

Hello, my name is Ag. I'm an altaholic.

I actually first started playing WoW a long time ago, probably a few months after finding this site. I got a free copy of the game and a 30-day trial, and I've been cooking WoW in a spoon and injecting it directly into my viens ever since. I was even part of the first 2o2p guild (the name of which escapes me) when we rolled Horde on Perenolde, a PvE server. I don't recall what happened, but Doodi, Bliz and a few others decided they wanted to roll Alliance on a PvP server. I was stubborn about sticking with the horde, but decided to roll PvP just to see what the fuss was about.  About the same time, my best friend from high school started playing, so we created our own guild, Thunderchicken, on Spirestone.

That guild was fantastic. By that I mean it had a lot of fun people in it, some of which eventually joined 2o2p, but it was ultimately doomed. My real life friend decided to stop playing, and he was the GM.  That left none of the active players with the ability to really change much that we didn't like and keep the guild together. I decided that I would then start my own guild, an official 2o2p guild, Heros of the Horde (I think we started off as Rode the Short Bus, but the name got reported, and it was misspelled (Heros should have another e before the s) when a new name was submitted). The guild did very well for a while, receiving visits from some of the 2o2p Alliance and PvE players. Ultimately tho, the active, high level players were not content with progression. Since I wasn't an active raider (never really have been, don't know if I ever will be), I passed along the torch of GM and continued to level and play my alts. During a bit of a lull in activity, I actually started playing with the 2o2p Alliance guild, leveling a rogue to 65 before running out of steam and returning to the Horde.

When I got back to Spirestone, it really felt different. I wasn't a core member of the guild any longer, and the main activity at the time consisted of groups running Kara. I got to go occasionally, but it was no longer my guild, and, while there were great people there, I didn't really feel at home any longer. Around the same time, a few friends at work decided they were all going to start playing, and we all agreed on a realm (Kalecgos - Horde - PvP). I transferred the bulk of my favorite characters (which cost a lot, but I was dedicated to the cause) because I knew I could help everyone level, provide support for those that were ganked, etc. By the time two months had passed, just about everyone from work quit playing. Except for one.

I tried out a couple guilds shortly before and after the release of WotLK, and settled on one that had a small-ish player base, but had a few people leveling alts. I actually met the GM while questing in Ghostlands. I leveled my Paladin (which quickly became my main), and stuck with the same guild through about 60 levels or so. However, as I continued to level and play multiple characters, again the bulk of the activity in the guild was focused on raiding, and there wasn't much recruiting for those in Outlands or entering Northrend (nor for any other levels really). I decided to give another guild a go, and my paladin is still in this guild, as a backup healer, if I'm on and they're in need.

My true love in WoW has been learning all the different classes. I have one of each class, and I'm more content to level alts than to get my two 80's geared (I have a warrior as well as the pally). I realized that there really isn't a guild set up for this. Leveling guilds turn into gearing guilds, which turn into raiding guilds. If they make it that far. And if they do make it that far, most of the focus of the active members isn't helping its lower members, but doing dailies, getting badges, or PvP. I've been in a few guilds where as a lower level I'll ask for help, and no one will even acknowledge my request, if even just to turn it down.

I have recently started my own guild (called C A S U A L) that will focus on these mid-level players, or attract people like me. Altaholics. I set up 2 nights of instance runs per week, with the goal of helping people level. Many guilds have promised such, but rarely deliver, especially as end-game closer and closer. I figure that there will be a lot of turn over in two areas. One, all the lowbies that want instant runs, or help with all quests. The other will be level 70+ characters looking to get into a raiding guild.

Anyway, totally rambling on at this point. That's where I've been, and where I'm likely to be.

Posted by Agonizing_Gas @ 5:37 pm EDT | Permalink | 6 Comments

Growing pains at Digg?

  If you're unaware of the social news site digg.com, it's definitely worth checking out.  It's a site where people submit stories that interest them, and other users can "digg" the story, voting it up and possibly becoming more popular and hitting the front page, or "bury" the story, which will lead to less popularity and fewer reads.  It's a great way to access a wide variety of news, videos and pictures from around the web by just visiting one site.  This social news submission site has become quite popular, but with popularity comes some issues.

Historically, Digg is a tech news site (that may not be entirely true, but that's how I first ran into it, and this is my blog, so...).  It is a great resource for finding stories for your inner (and even outer) geek.  The tech area is filled with stories about iPhones, HDTV's, software, gaming, PC's, etc.  I used to have a nerdgasm pretty much any time I logged on, as there were always interesting stories about rumors and new tech that I might not have run across on my own.  Digg's popularity has attracted all kinds of new users, and the site in general has become more mainstream.

The new users on Digg have brought about some issues for the hardcore users. The first issue is content submission.  If you read comments on submitted stories, you'll see people asking how in the hell that particular story ever was submitted, much less dugg up to the front page.  The hardcore crowd doesn't seem to much care for the casual content, and their comments reflect this.

The second aspect of content submission was recently addressed with a large ban of certain user accounts that were using automated processes to submit and dig stories.  I don't really understand the point of being a top contributer on a social news submission site like Digg, and it truly boggles my mind as to why anyone would "cheat" to get there.  I guess it's to prove how little of a life you have, or how great your web surfing prowess really is. If someone wants to explain that to me, I swear I'll be a good listener.  Don't get me wrong, I play World of Warcraft, so I understand how people can throw their lives away online.

Lastly, in regards to content, is the issue of duplicate submissions.  It seems like many of the people submitting content to the site don't actually read the site, and you can see the same story (or a blog about the story) referred to two or three times on the same page.  While I don't mind redundancy, it's a little bit of a drag to click a link and find that you're viewing a page that  you just read a few minutes prior.  Often times, two or three submissions of the same article even make it to the front page, which could be edging out something that could be more of an interest to the reader.

Regarding computers: from a glance at Digg, Linux is the new Mac.  Like Windows and Macintosh, Linux is an operating system for computers.  It has a very strong following, but the following is very small and vocal.  Before Apple introduced the first iPod, the future was looking pretty bleak for them.  Mac users have been, and probably always will be, somewhat fanatical and proud and loud.  On Digg, there are constantly stories about how to switch to Linux, what tools and commands Linux users should use, which version of Linux is best, etc.  There are still regular stories about Windows and Macintosh, but Linux seems to be the new underdog that the techies are trying to push.  Outside of the more technically minded user, Linux has a long road to be in as many homes as the Mac, which is still struggling work a chunk of Microsoft's desktop dominance.

Lastly, when it comes to politics, Digg can be easily dominated by essentially three groups: Democrats, Republicans and Ron Paul fans.  A lot of the stories and videos submitted are great to read, regardless of party preference.  However, Digg stories can all be Pro-Obama/Anit-McCain at one glance, then completely the opposite later in the day.  It's generally fair to say that there will always be a Ron Paul "I told you so" story of some sort in the mix.

The point of this last observation is that it is possible to manipulate Digg.  For instance, a group of Pro-Obama folks and digg up a story about McCain's failings, and then a Barak is a Muslim story could be the next most popular story.  And a lot of it isn't even news, it's opinion or blogs like this one.  And since anyone can make an account, there's no real way to prevent an organization from digging submissions to promote itself.  A fine example of this is the Huffington Post, which has dozens of articles submitted every day.  Legitimate or not, there doesn't appear to be a system of checks and balances.

While Digg's growth has brought some challenges, it also brings a lot of perks.  Stories that the mainstream media may not cover can get to more people to read.  Mainstream media has even started to embrace Digg, with articles asking Diggers to submit questions for interviews, etc.  The pros outweigh the cons, and I'm confident that as the site will continue to be one of my favorite homes on the web.

Posted by Agonizing_Gas @ 5:30 pm EDT | Permalink | 4 Comments

The closing of the one game era

Before the Xbox 360 came out, Xbox Live players played one game: Halo 2. That's not to say that players weren't playing other games, but the one that brought people together (as evidenced by this site) was the second game in Bungie's trilogy. You could count on your friends list being active every night, and your clan smacking down fools in matchmaking or in intra-site clan challenges. It was a simple time, and the gaming was good.

Even after the introduction of the 360, Halo 2 remained king over XBL. Newer, slightly prettier games were coming out, but the lobby and matchmaking system kept Spartans and Elites shooting it out on the new hardware. Games like Call of Duty 2 and Perfect Dark Zero promised to lead the way for a new generation of online gaming, but neither had any real long-term interest. The real contenders to overthrow Halo 2 from the top of the play-time list didn't show their faces until about a year ago, with Gears of War and Call of Duty 3.

When these games came out, Xbox players started to fragment. Some shrugged at the new offerings and went back to the tried-and-true Bungie title. Others became avid players of their new titles, loving the chainsaw and the roadie run in GoW. Yet others like the game options and first-person feel of CoD3. The usual crowd on XBL became diverse and even shrunk a little as some had just lost interest in Halo 2 and none of the newer titles really interested them enough to make regular appearances.

The Xbox crowd continues to divide as more and more good titles come out. Halo 3 even seems like something of a recent memory since Orange Box and CoD4 came out. But it isn't just the shooters taking the spotlight and pulling players in different directions. Single player games like Bioshock and Mass Effect have taken a toll on the online numbers, as have Rock Band and Guitar Hero 3. In addition, the PS3 is still slowly chugging along here in the states, and the Wii remains out of stock just about anywhere you look. PC games like Crysis and WoW will also have an impact on the XBL crowd. So as the masses divide, each finding their gaming niché.

Speaking of Halo 3, why did it just breeze by? I know people are still playing it, and that it isn't a bad game, but something was just missing. Or perhaps it was too familiar. After two years of playing Halo 2 nearly every day, Halo 3 just felt like too much of the same. Had it been changed too much, it would have suffered for not being Halo. As it stands, new weapons, equipment and maps are fun, but it's still Halo, and gamers appear ready for something new. I'm looking forward to the next map pack for H3, as I think the included maps where the biggest let down for me.  I'll probably only download and play them for a week or two then head back to my role-playing addiction. I miss the classics from Halo 2, which somehow never really got to feeling old. I also missing seeing everyone on my friends list playing the same game, not because it was the only thing out, but because it was like coming home. But as more players go their separate ways, I doubt that we'll ever see a console game dominate an online service did like Halo 2 did.

Posted by Agonizing_Gas @ 4:32 am EDT | Permalink | 5 Comments

Pay me for advice

Here's an advice column that I read out of the local rag while I was on my lunch today (spotted it because it was next to the comics):

Carolyn: My boyfriend is very stable, responsible and loving. But I'm really attracted to someone else. He's like me, more artistic and creative. They are complete opposites. Does this mean I don't know what I want? The scary thing is Boyfriend and I have talked marriage. I dunno if this is just me being nervous. He would make a wonderful husband and amazing father. The other guy I don't see working out long-term. - Los Angeles

Los Angeles: Being married to someone who isn't a good spouse or parent eventually will affect how much you like that person. People seem to understand that on an intuitive level.  What I think people often miss is that if you don't like someone, then that person won't be a good spouse or (to a lesser extent) parent.  As a how-much-do-I-really-like-him meter, pick the true statement:
A) You've always dreamed of having a guy be as lukewarm to you as you are to your boyfriend.
B) The other guy would be perfect for you, if you had a future.
C) Your boyfriend would be perfect for you, if you only liked him more.
D) Your choices are limited to either the boyfriend or the other guy; you can be neither single nor with any other man on Earth.
E) The right guy will make this the biggest non-decision you ever make.

(Hint: You're right.) - Carolyn

I think that the direction that the columnist took to provide advice (did she provide any?  I don't really see anything that looks like advice.  And was she trying to be funny?) really address the writer's concerns?  Wasn't the writer really asking if she should risk possibly losing the best thing she's ever had just to go have a fling with some hot guy she wants to get dirty with?

When we're younger, and even as we get older, it's my belief  that we have the dream that the hot guy or girl that we just want to have hot, sweaty, porn-star sex with will turn out to be the dream spouse, the one that we always imagined being perfect for us (okay, maybe that's just my dream).  It's a case of "the grass is always greener" because we're in a committed relationship and some days, just about anything looks hotter than your current partner.  Regardless of the reason behind it, I think that we will always run into people that we "click" with, and those that will tempt us.  For instance, men are wired by nature to feel the need to mate with as many women as possible.  Not all follow that urge, but no matter how much people don't like to think about it, I think men and women will both look and think "what if?" if for no other reason than just the sex.

I'd wager that outside of "Celebrity Exception Lists" that some couples may jokingly make (if I see celebrity name, and they want to have sex, I love you baby, but...), I'd say that a lot of folks don't talk about it.  Some couples might, but even then I don't think that it's 100% honest.  If it were, a lot of guys would go home with a list of names to report on, and some women might as well.

Now, to get back to the writer's letter.  She has met a guy with whom she feels she shares physical chemistry. I assume this because she didn't see there being much of a future with the guy she's attracted to.  The question she asks is: "Does this mean I don't know what I want?"  I think it's clear that she's hasn't acted on her attraction because she knows she's with a great guy.  The question is really this: Is one of these guys the guy?  Is the perfect partner out there?  For this woman, is there a guy that will satisfy aspects of the two different kinds of guys that she seems to like?  If you're married, is your wife or husband the one?  Or is it just a fairy tale?  Should the woman settle for the guy she is presently with because she knows he'll be kind, loving and a great father?

Posted by Agonizing_Gas @ 1:09 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments

Overwhelmed by gaming goodness

So, after being on a cruise for 2 weeks to Alaska, I have come back to the release of Halo 3.  I've also got a hankering to play some WoW again, but it feels good to playing a new yet familiar game.

The cruise itself spoiled me.  It was my first, and I didn't realize how little you have to do when you go on one.  Have fresh sheets and towels daily, three gigantic meals each day, ocean and mountain views right from the boat...  I did pretty much nothing for 14 days and I loved it.  Alaska and the Pacific Northwest were incredible, and I hope that I get another chance to go.  Hell, any cruise would make me happy.  It would be a perfect escape to take with a girlfriend or spouse.  By the end of week 2, I was almost ready to come back.  Almost.

Halo 3's campaign rocked!  I sat down and played the single player game, finishing it on Heroic, before logging a single multi-player game.  The campaign reminded me of Halo 1's, except without the repetitive environments.  I'm presently focusing on matchmaking so that I can unlock the last few achievements I need to deck out my Elite in some sweet armor.  I'm a little grumpy that it's unlocked in FFA multi-player, but I'm determined to get it all unlocked.  The hardest one for me to get will be the "Steppin' Razors" achievement.  That's getting a Triple Kill with a sword, and the other one that I have left is "Overkill," which is 4 kills within 4 seconds of each other.  Some king of the hill game would be good for that I'd think...  I've yet to even tinker with Forge yet, for the last Forge I played with (the map editor to Bungie's Marathon series) sucked away weeks at a time while I made maps for the regular LANs that I went to.

I have a desire to play WoW again too.  But with Halo 3's new sexiness, it's hard to go back to WoW when I've been playing it so much before I left.  It's been a good break, and I don't think I've really played in about 3 weeks or so.  Anyone who's played and been sucked in knows that 3 weeks is a real haul.  I have toons on both 2o2p PvP servers that I want to level.  I think I've decided to take my BE rogue to 70 with HotH and I'll level my druid and another toon with the fine folks in Helter Skelter.  I've been considering just throwing in the towel completely on my WoW career (how much grinding and how many alts can a guy really do?), but I do want to get in some end-game stuff with my rogue.  It's just a long haul to 70, she's still only @ 40-something.

Well, back to Halo for a bit before bed.  If you see me online, I'd love to get in some custom games.  And, yes, WoW buddies, I'll be back in the not too distant future.  Don't consider me retired yet.

AG

Posted by Agonizing_Gas @ 2:20 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments