E-Mail Spot Return To Methos Quake
| September 28th, 2001 |
The Quake I Play
I am determined to defy Methos'
expectations and to post regularly. Besides which, his competitive nature will
compel him to continue his own posts (you watch, he can't resist).
One thing I realized from reading over my first post is that I need to clarify the Quake I play. Although “Newb's Day Out” reflects my very first experience online, I was drawn into Rocket Arena 3 early on and stayed there. Yes, I do go and play Comp mode (get the health, get the weapon), however - and this is the important part - I SUCK at Comp mode. That first experience you read about? It’s pretty much the same as my Comp mode play last week too. The only difference is that I don't have to change my alias because I've learned to deal with humiliating defeat. Regularly.
That being said, I usually play RA3 and I LOVE it. The RA3 style of play allowed me to learn, to gradually gain some skill and start to compete (by compete, I mean stay alive more than 10 seconds). While I do not expect to ever play on a Zero4/Czm skill level, I do want to see how good I can get. [At this point I should probably get cocky and say something like "be afraid, be very afraid", but right now I think I'd hardly be worth more than a few goose bumps and a shiver]
And speaking of Czm skill levels, the other day while cruising the servers, I ran across a 2v2 skrim happening between Czm + Fatality and another clan. Actually, there were several players there all trying to spec and pestering to play too. I have to say, I was rather excited. All the players hanging around were very good and most shuffled off to another arena for some play. Not only did I join in, but I am proud to say I held my own 1v1. I earned the occasional win, and did not die too pitifully when I lost. For my skill level, this is victory. Also because when I play people who are very good - certainly more consistently good than I am - I find I get better faster. The pressure of a quick, messy death seems to cause a 'fight-or-flight' reaction and suddenly my fingers fly and I have a better rail accuracy than I've been able to accomplish in weeks. I learn more losing pitifully than when I am the leading player in a game.
So, here I am playing these guys - most very good, very scary - and not doing to badly. Czm/Fatality opened up their 2v2 game to competition to all of us and, of course, we leapt right in. I was cocky enough to team up and wait my turn too. Although I've watched lots of demos, and many that featured Czm or Fatality, I have never seen either of them play RA3 style before. May I interject something here? WOW. I know I suck at Comp mode, but I am really not too shabby at RA3. I was owned. No. No. It even went beyond owned. I was the Blue Tag Special - practically a clearance bin item. But it was also a highlight of my week and I don't regret it. I saw some really good playing, got to get dirty myself, and got tromped badly enough that my ego demands I work on some skills and return for a rematch... one day :)
| August 21st, 2001 |
The View From Here
AHA! Here you thought it would never happen.....and look! I got off my lazy a#$
and actually wrote the first article for my little corner on Methos
Quake. How cool is that?
Hmmm. Where to start? Well, if you've been reading the rest of Methos' stuff you may have heard about me already - I even get to grace the Quakebabes section, which speaks for my pull around the house, if nothing else. However, since this is our very first ever meeting, I'll give you a brief run-down of the important parts:
Those are the important details, I think. Being computer-illiterate is necessary to the list. Do not hope to find any hints, news or comments relating to... well, computer-y stuff. Anything about .cfg files, map packs, updates, hardware, etc (however they may apply to quake) you will prolly never see here. If you do, it's because Methos coached me or hacked my article. Trust me.
On the plus side, since it is all still new to me, I am relatively un-jaded by the cutthroat world of gaming (heh). Some, like Methos, who have the contacts and the history involved with the sport, put out informed commentary and critique the various events going on. For myself, being less informed and lacking all contacts in the community, I just fling out whatever thought comes trotting through my mind.
As to the female thing: apparently female Quakers are the minority. And I have to say, being a girl out here is fun. At first, because I was so new, if people found out I was female, they were doubly patronizing ('newb & a girl?'). Ye of little faith.
I don't know if it's true for all, but I also know that as a girl Quaker, people will take you aside and help you learn, train you up a bit, teach you some tricks. While I'm always learning while I'm playing (and so faaarrr to go yet), ain't no education like 1v1 against someone who's going to leave your bruised and battered carcass pitilessly frying in the lava. On this note, I MUST mention 2 people here. Haven't seen them in a long time, but they get a big thanks for their help: AudioFuct and nm_bonez. And I also like that so many players think it's cool that a girl plays Quake. I know there are lots of females out there, but I guess some guys never run into them. I'm sure Methos thought it was cool too, but that was probably way back when I was easy pickings for him.
A Newb's Day Out
So, that's the introductory part. Since this is my first ever post on a site,
I will also share my treasured memories of my first online experience... I
expect it'll bring a nostalgic tear to your eye:
Alriiight.... wahoo. K. I played the bots, I can do this. Let's give this a go!
Yes. Well unfortunately, that was a pretty accurate view of my first online experience. I had NO CLUE what I was in for. Most people, although new, have some gaming experience or at the very least know more about their computer than how to turn it on. I especially wondered why people kept flinging initials at me. LOL, ROFL, OMG, LMAO, and even GG all stumped me. ( "u suk" however, I figured out on my own. :)
That said, I enjoy this game immensely - especially the people. I know, I know. There's a jerk in every crowd and 2 on the rush hour express. But most of the people I meet are good competitors, good sportsmen, and fun too. I don't pay too much attention to the little squabbles, and I enjoy a strong-minded opinion - whether I personally agree or not. And I always reserve the right to argue back. Just ask Methos :)