Quotable Wednesday version 3.0

“Maybe we can build a fire, sing a couple of songs!” - Carter Burke - Aliens

Last night (Wednesday) was bad ...so bad I wanted to log out. A full group of guys (premade) and we were failed every drop. This guy is waiting for an open spot and chimes in to tell us all what we are doing wrong.

....Now I am not sayign he wasn't right ...mostly he was because he couldn't see what we awere doing but could tell we were failing so he made some suggestions. The problem is was though his approach.
He was an asshole.

We lost a few matches here and there but I would say 12 out of 16 drops were victories after he joined us. Calling out strats and (again) focus firing.

I didn't want to quit because we were losing or because he called out sound strats -- I wanted to quit because of his attitude.

I grew past it and ended up enjoying the night. He is still an asshole.

Do You Want Original Computer Voice Actress Back

I saw this on the forums. You know "the voice" if you played any MW2 you know this voice all to well. Forum topic

Carole Ruggier

She is an amazing voice actress and I would at this point bet money on her involvement.

 

 



Exciting news because on teamspeak I have heard players playing the dropship sound and voice while we are all "ready"ing up.

It sets the tone and draws you in. Worthy of a new blog post :D

Tactic Tip 102

Fridays, I have decided will mainly be about a tactic.

Todays Tactic is:

FOCUS FIRE



(this is not what I mean)

FF is a proven tactic to win. A scout will target an enemy mech (we now have narc and tag) and the whole team commences targeting that one mech until it is dead. It works very well on that target rocking it back and forth keeping it lost in a barrage of lasers, missiles it is quite glorious.

NARC - is a no damage missile beacon that is placed on an enemy mech that will call missiles to it. It does not require LoS (line of sight)
TAG - is a laser shot and held on by a scout that directs missiles and assist with faster locks causing MORE missiles to strike a target. TAG requires LoS.

Focus fire requires that you listen and assist in killing one mech even if you are getting hit from elsewhere.


That is it for today.

Shoutouts to MWO players

I would like to take sometime to shout to players I have had the pleasure of working with:
When I first joined the beta I played 4 matches in pugs and was both overwhelmed and excited. I cannot even remember if I won or lost. I ordered a joystick that night.

These are in alpha order

Agent of Change
Bladewarrior
Deathstalker13
Doomie77
Eco
FSxHunter
leatherneck
McLulzypants
Mercules
Norrin
Nufsed
One Medic Army
Prohet of Entropy
RRRWAR
SCooBY XI
Sabrea
SiSoB Nightwish
SpinFX
TehCable
The Anger
The Echo Inside
TheGeek
TheShadowWalker
Thunderhart
TripnFall
USMC Iceman
Warz
Werk
Wired
Zeplin

I went to the forums and read about a place to learn the game mechanics better and try out other mechs ...a teamspeak server setup by PGI for communicating with devs and other players.
This is what HOOKED me into the game ...the gaming experience is just magnitudes better with team communications. The problem became one of support for PGI which led to scrambling on the parts of teams and players to find a replacement. The replacement became the new unofficial MWO teamspeak server.
The in game voice tool is vivox's C3 it is new and in beta ...its horrible. We hates it. Now, understand something I have been using vivox in EQ2 for years and honestly its so easy and kick ass its not worth running a separate application. Maybe this will change once MWO is close to release but right now the unofficial teamspeak server is where its at.

Terms 101

Common Gaming Terms
Zerg = from Starcraft 2 - there was a technique (very effective) of sending in the smallest fastest swarm of creatures to destroy an opposing team. Zerg were the "alien" like species the zerglings were like face huggers. You would send in as many as you could and zerg the base. If you did not send enough or you waited to long the opposing side would win due to the fact that you had exhausted all your resources on creating the zerg.

Goon = basically it is an unholy alliance of:

1. new players
2. people with no skill
3. throwing together ridiculous builds at any cost to win
4. One of their mottos is "every ship counts" it has a feel good approach but the truth is you become the personal army of peopel that can ruin a game

Many member are from the somethingawful forums. I recommend you stay away and leave them alone.
Eve Wiki

Noob = someone new to a game or someone who does not take the time to learn to play
L2P = You are execpted to know what  your role is and not make an idiot of  yourself. Accept constructive critizism.
PUG = Pick up group, AKA a team of random players without direct communication.

GLHF = good luck have fun (seems to be common phrase posted before the mechs are released) I also believe it may indicate you are up against a premade that has been having fun killing pugs.


MechWarrior Specific
LRM = Long range missles
SRM = Short range missles
CAP = Standing in the opposing teams base to win instead of killing
Legging = Taking out the leg of another mech to disable them.
BennyHilling = is chasing a scout like it is the last target on the planet ...typically out into the open or into a trap.

Quotable Wednesday's Verison 0.1

If you happen to catch yesterdays post I was thinking about adding battletech history and info.

I have decided to make Wednesday a qay where I quote a clip from a book or movie that I think can apply to gaming (especially from a strategy standpoint).

Today's Quote:

"You want to learn the first rule you'd know if you ever spent a day in your life...you never open your mouth till you know what the shot is."

This quote is directed at a manager ...the manager was promoted over other way more expeirence people becuse of someone he knew.
How does this apply to gaming? Don't take for granted the knowledgeable people around you unless you know what the shot is if you are talking you are not listening to the plan. You are worse than the enemy.

MWO podcast and sound files.

"No Guts No Galaxy" Podcast
Great podcast so much info it actually hurts my head.

I got this mp3 last night and I need to share.
They Be Hearing Bells

Sounds:
Mechwarrior 2 and 3 sounds
Mechwarrior 2 effects



I have been busy but am stockpiling ideas and blogs as soon as this damn NDA drops. In the mean time if you have not gotten into the closed beta you are doing 2 things wrong.
1) All you ahve to do is sign up and complete your profile 100%
2) Watch MWO on twitter or facebook for free beta keys.

It is easy and you are stupid for not trying it :D

Scouts balancing power and effectiveness.

Scouts are not rangers. Although they excel in nature, being a guide, being a teacher.

Scouts not archers. Although they carry the equipment and are precise in striking.

Scouts are not rogues. Although they are masters of speed and camoflage.

Scouts are not cartographers. Although they know the land and have memorized locations and landmarks.












The way I see it you cannot have a complete squad without a scout. It requires speed, spotting forces, cover, communication, diversion. Being a scout is in many ways like being a poker player.

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When I was growing up my parents listened to different music but I had to listen to enough coutry music  that I would like to punch them for ingraining in me now. It did make it onto the pop charts peaked at number 16 (! omg it broke into the top 20) in 1979.
So thanks but that mom and dad ...however it did have one gem that stuck with me.
Kenny Rogers "The Gambler"

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away, know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table,
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

See the key here is a scout will have to learn to make the best decision typically at a moments notice. this applies to any game I have ever played and still play. I have been one and I typically enjoy it ...it has a defined purpose and has turned the odds in many games.



 



MWO server down for maintenance.

Server Downtime - 10AM - 2PM PDT - SEP 6th

Server Downtime - 10AM - 2PM PDT - SEP 6th

by Piranha Games Sep 5, 2012 7:35 PM EDT
Greetings MechWarrior Community,
This message is to inform you that we will be temporarily shutting down all MechWarrior® Online™ related services for an extended maintenance period. This includes the game servers, the web server, PlaySpan operations (Founder’s Packages) and our backend database servers. The current scheduled maintenance window is Thursday, September 6, 2012 - From 10AM - 2PM PDT (4 hours).
Keep an eye on the Facebook/Twitter feeds for any updates regarding this maintenance window.
What does this mean?
During the maintenance window:

• You will not be able to play games.
• You will not be able to log into the client.
• You will not be able to log into the website/forums.
• You will not be able to purchase a Founder's Package.
• You will not be able register a new pilot.

Also, essentially all data is being wiped. That means the following will all be reset:

• Stats
• C-Bills
• MechWarrior Credits (the free amount we give you.)
• All non-founders Mechs
• Mech Trees
• XP

Founders will keep their founders items, and your Friendslist will not be touched. Thank you for your patience and we will see you back on the battlefield shortly after 2PM PDT!
The MechWarrior® Online™ Team

HUGE NEWS from MWO

MechWarrior® Online to Deploy Vivox’s C3 Voice Integration http://t.co/02OMy6aT

This is hugely important move for this game. Team communication is beyond vital for a winning strategy it is a bonding feature in team play.
Using teamspeak felt like such a gimmick for such a slick game. This is great news for all players and new people to the game.

Well done PGI!

River City

From Wikipedia : "River City" as a brevity code, an order to implement immediate communications blackout until further notice
River City this video is very interesting. I love the urban decay and broken bridges.
Also from the Wiki:
River City, as a city nickname, may also refer to any of the following cities:

[edit] Australia

• Brisbane, Queensland

[edit] Canada

• Edmonton, Alberta
• Winnipeg, Manitoba

[edit] China

• Chongqing

[edit] Indonesia

• Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan

[edit] Japan

• Hiroshima
• Kōtō, Tokyo
• Niigata, Niigata
• Osaka
• Tokushima, Tokushima

[edit] New Zealand

• Wanganui

[edit] United States

• Austin, Texas
• Cape Girardeau, Missouri
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Decatur, Alabama
• Evansville, Indiana
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Kansas City Metropolitan Area, MO/KS
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Mason City, Iowa
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Oconto Falls, Wisconsin
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Peoria, Illinois
• Portland, Oregon
• Richmond, Virginia
• Sacramento, California
• San Antonio, Texas
• Sioux City, Iowa
• Spokane, Washington
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Toms River, New Jersey
• Vicksburg, Mississippi
• White River Junction, Vermont

Communications

ComOPEN:
Greetings Pilots
Today I wish to talk to you about Communications.
Sub-section: Listening
There are 5 types of people

1. I cannot hear you.
2. I am talking so you cannot talk.
3. I know what my role is and it has nothing to do with communication it has to do with X.
4. I am distracted.
5. I am listening.

1) Not hearing is a huge problem it leads to confusion and fearful reaction. If you cannot hear you you and your team are at huge disadvantage. Other forms of comunication are necessary but slower and can cause errors.

2) BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHnoisenoisenoiseBLAHBLAHBLAH A fools does not want to learn from others. They only want to tell their own ideas.

3) This is actually worse it means you are rogue and not willing to try someone elses point of view. This can lead to disaster for you or your team.

4) Effective listening skills require focus. If you are not following the plan you could get in a whole lot of trouble.

5) When you do listen it is not just to the team the more effective a listener you are the more likely you can hear and respond to calls, fire alarms, car alarms and with less panic. As a team, you can work the plan and plan the work. If you go out on your own things can fall apart.

Many times in my job I am required to sit in on meetings that have little to nothing to do with my day to day. Oddly enough people feel better when I am there - even if I don't speak. They know I am a listener. I can take a lot of abuse and I can dish it out. I am in the process of training my 8yo the virtues of listening because his problem is he is always talking (he is a #2).

This applies to real life and gaming.
ComOUT

#MWO #teams #MechWarriorOnline #Mercs #MechWarrior #listening #communicating