by LurbyJo on April 12, 2012
Teamwork. In theory, it’s a simple concept but it feels like it’s generally beyond the reach of the average League player these days. Maybe it’s the instant-gratification, low-accountability environment rampant in today’s games. Or maybe it’s that the multiplayer aspect these games is falling out of fashion. Or perhaps it’s just that not enough parents slapped their kids around during the years that mattered. Whatever the case, getting people to cooperate in a civil manner has become increasingly difficult.
Options are often limited to a competent group that starts out well but most times collapses under the weight of the two racist and/or elitist dickheads and the six minutes at a time they spend typing out poorly spelled, grammatically embarrassing rants about the rest of the team; a mediocre group that wins or loses based on whether the team faced is totally inept or simply unskilled; or a really pleasant, friendly group that is surprisingly enjoyable but gets totally decimated by that first team on one of their good rounds.
But then there are those games where your entire team is working together like you always dreamed they could: the enemy jungle comes to steal blue and top and mid converge to assure the shut down. Mid is farming like a boss and every lane has bought a ward. Skill shots are being dodged like it’s the final game in an IPL tournament and the support is rolling like James Bond, 0/0/7. It’s magic and it’s what keeps you playing even when half of my games your games aren’t so rewarding.
Because you’re due for a win, right?
by LurbyJo on April 7, 2012
League of Legends has really filled that empty spot in my gaming life.
I’d gotten tired of traditional MMOs with the level grind, difficult-to-balance endgame, and endless collecting–gear, crafting materials, reputation, pets, mounts, costumes. I enjoy all of that to an extent but it feels like MMOs take it too far any more.
League is like playing the best parts of WoW or WAR or Rift but condensed down into 45 minutes with none of the getting ahead or falling behind that sucks all the fun out of playing with a group of friends. They have so many champions and skins for them that I don’t miss any of the customization that usually keeps me interested in an MMO long after I tire of the game play.
TERA is due out in a couple of weeks and we have it pre-ordered but I haven’t really seen much different there from the horde of MMOs currently on the market, aside from the combat aiming requirement. Guild Wars 2 can be pre-ordered on the 10th of April (I think) and, though I’m sure we’ll do it, I don’t hold much hope there either.
It appears that Riot Games has won me over body and soul.
…and wallet.
by LurbyJo on November 14, 2011
The baby shower has come and gone. I think it went okay ’cause no one rioted or threw up or beat me up in the backyard so that’s a big weight off my mind. My mother-in-law, Christy, catered the thing and her food was AMAZING. (You need an event catered in the Salt Lake Valley? I KNOW PEOPLE. Yummy people.) We did a purple theme because it’s (my sister-in-law) Cryssie’s favourite colour at the moment so there was purple punch and purple-and-white striped straws from which to drink it, and purple iced cupcakes which were painfully delicious. I wish Christy would cater my life. I could eat that shit all day, every day. I think she’d eventually end up just catering my bed, though, ’cause I’d be too fat to leave it. Thank god I’ve got a laptop. I totally forgot to take pictures of the hat and mittens I knitted, though, so I’ll have to wait ’til Carly’s actually wearing them to get some.
Battlefield 3 is even more awful than a FPS usually is for me. I have no idea how there are so many hidey holes and doorways and windows and burned out cars from which to snipe me. It’s also the first game that’s made me feel sorta motion sick. Or at least I think that’s what it is; it makes me feel gross anyway. It could also be the constant losing and inability to walk more that five steps before being gunned down in the street/river/forest. My score is abysmal; however, I was able to make an obscene logo for our platoon, Gang Bang Theory, so win there. If you want to check it out, my soldier name is LurbyJo.
I played in the SWTOR beta weekend after the shower and that was pretty sweet. I did love all the storying however my fat chick wasn’t very fat. I ended up with a really huge-assed, giant-breasted short girl…Nicki Minaj I guess? Another MMO dream dashed. I am semi excited about the release after playing so it wasn’t a total failure.
League of Legends totally has my attention on the gaming front. I play all the time, read guides on my favourite champions and general game tactics when I’m not playing, and dream about matches when I sleep. I’m surprised how fun I’m finding the game when I was so underwhelmed at release. Everyone should try it out and come play with us (I’m Bool)! Also, let me refer you as I need more Riot Points and IP boosts, damn it. This “free” game has spent all my mad money and then some. I “suggested” the children get some jobs to help pay for it. They’ve been turning out some mighty fine tennis shoes.
by LurbyJo on November 9, 2011
Random game related updates:
The Extra Life event was awesome! I ended up at 113% of my $200 goal thanks to three gaming pals and my ever lovin’ hubby. Yay for us! I managed 20.5 hours straight before I crashed but since I finished my last bit on Sunday I still qualified for the Insomniac title. Double yay! However, I’ve not played any Rift since. My attention has been diverted by League of Legends. It’s a lot of the fun of an MMO what with the leveling and gold and item collection, but all condensed down into around 45 minutes and purely PvP. I guess I’m in love (however fleeting). I wish I’d realized before I renewed my year’s subscription to Rift, though. I would have totally spent that $100 on Riot points.
We also bought Battlefield 3 to play with a friend of Ken’s from work and talked Travis into playing it too. I’d forgotten how horrible I am at FPSes: there’s excitement when I manage to hit someone with a bullet before I die. It’s an exercise in frustration and I wish I’d spent the $50 on…yes, Riot points. I can’t help it. I’m a whore for champions and their skins.
This weekend is also my little brother-and-his-wife’s baby shower. TRIPLE YAY! Babies are the most awesome thing ever. I mean, baby feet. Need I say more? I planned the thing and managed to send out invitations with my email address spelt wrong and no time for the shower. I guess it’s all working out, though, and the hat I knitted for her is painfully cute. I’ll link some pictures once I actually take them.
