Category Archives: gaming

Regarding my post-rank normalization patch CS:GO matchmaking experience.

I’ve recently been promoted back to Gold Nova 3 in CS:GO thanks to having a pretty cool group of folks to play with and the fact that I finally figured out how to manage a stable 60fps playing experience on my MacBook Air and I’ve come to the following conclusions:

  • I can’t wait for the day when Macs aren’t complete shitboxes for gaming,
  • I may be have a toxic nature but if I mute people, I can reach obscene levels of zen,
  • I need to get better at entry-fragging on maps that aren’t de_dust2, and
  • I’m not as bad as I think I am.

Yes, I understand that the true ranking metrics aren’t related to the visible group ranking in my profile, but I can’t get over thinking that I am making some sort of progress. I have a few ideas on practicing to become a better entry-fragger on maps that aren’t de_dust2, and I’m going to be giving those a shot this weekend as well as taking de_dust2 out of my competitive matchmaking rotation for a little while.

If there are better ways to improve aim/skill that don’t involve buying a new computer or watching a professional player’s stream like a fanboy, I’m definitely open to suggestion.

Regardless of the effort that I put into playing better, I know that I didn’t reach this rank solo queuing all of my matches. I’ve played with some skilled friends who carry me more often than not. They’re pretty good, I won’t deny it.

Sprinting to lethal made me feel so smart.

In the light of the revelation that I have finally become what I despise—one of those people who buy skins for free games because they look pretty—I know that my refusal to spend money on Hearthstone doesn’t really add up in the grand scheme of things… but I don’t ever want to spend money on Hearthstone. I know how the pack system works and I just don’t want to feel compelled into buying packs in bulk for the chance for better cards.

That said, I did drop a few hours of time into it last night while catching up on a few podcasts and YouTube subscriptions and I actually won games. Two with basic decks. One with a custom Rogue deck. The significance of these wins? They’re the first wins I’ve been able to pull off in Hearthstone in over a month or so.

One of these moments stand out.

After clearing my entire board, my opponent proceeds to hit me for 11. My life is down to 5. He runs out of damage to apply, throws out a 2-health taunt just to screw with me, then ends his turn.

At this point, I’m thinking “how can I ever win here” while looking at my hand and the 3/1 weapon equipped on my character. I have nine mana, a couple of 4-mana minions without charge, a two-mana two-damage-battlecry, and a Sprint.

I think about and double-check my mana count. Playing all the cards that I had, I couldn’t make the eight damage I needed. I had to play Sprint and hope that I get at least three damage and that backstabbing the opponent’s two-health wouldn’t trigger that one secret above his icon. I dragged the card out and four cards sweep from the deck into my hand.

I start doing the math and I realize it’s lethal. I tap the playing field a few times, wave the card around and then proceed to play everything I needed to finish my opponent off. I don’t think I have to tell you how smart you feel after doing the simplest of math based on how lucky you were to draw the exact card(s) that you need to finish a game of Hearthstone. You feel like a genius when you connect everything together.

I think card games like these can offer some of the most rewarding yet simple logic puzzles in gaming today that give you such a boost in confidence and that draw you into that particular game. I have never run in any Magic The Gathering circles before because the cost to get into those games seemed high–especially when I was younger and decided my disposable income would be better spent on gas and random junk food. If I was able to commit to showing up to a game store every so often to play with other people, sure. But Hearthstone takes care of all of that—and it’s free, to boot.

Maybe that’s not the top reason that Blizzard would rather I have to play their game, but I’m sure they’ll find a way to get me to pay for something eventually. Like a skin. Or something.

Surprise: the stream didn’t happen this weekend. I played Heroes instead.

So, whaddya know? My streaming process wasn’t as foolproof and straight-forward as I thought.

The breakdown lies in the converter box that I’m using to translate the component out from my PlayStation 2 to an HDMI compatible signal to the Elgato Game Capture HD60. It was able to output a picture to my capture box, but the signal dropped out every few seconds or so and made playing an action game like Ace Combat 5 unrealistic.

lunarJaina_frame-800In other news, I finally paid for a skin in a Dota-clone this weekend. I paid for the Lunar Jaina skin as a part of the Lunar 2016 Package.

I mean, just look at it.

I admit I am just a weak, weak man.

Heroes of the Storm has been growing on me, a lot, lately. The simplified leveling mechanics allows for a map’s objectives and mid-to-late game kills matter so much more. It also helps that the game’s precision skills don’t really require pinpoint accuracy, like other popular Dota-clones do. There’s just something about how easy it is to pick up and the level of cat-and-mouse play that’s goes into any given lane’s matchup.

LFZ2PW8U7YKI1454437553191And look at the Lunar Dragon mount. I DO DECLARE THAT IT IS STRAIGHT FIRE. I am going to use this both the Jaina skin and the Dragon mount whenever I play as her. I suppose I also got access to Illidan and a skin of his as well, but forget that!

I now instantly understand why skins are such a huge part of Dota-clones’ business plans and profitability.