FlexYourGeek.com

I really love it when gamers get together and do stuff for the greater good of man kind.  I’ll be honest, I am not a huge donation giver in the traditional sense.  I tend to give less to charities in lump sums and give more on a daily basis via grocery store containers or paying it forward with the occasional few bucks to someone on  the street.  Maybe it is just my financial situation that makes it easier for me to give here and there than one lofty gesture during a yearly event.  Who knows.  I do however love participating in events that do encourage people to give when they can.  This is especially true with fundraisers that work with my lifestyle and hobbies.

One such fundraising event is approaching on October 16th.  The event has gamers playing games for 24 hours straight for Children’s Hospitals.  Each gamer gathers a set of sponsors and selects a Children’s Hospital in their local area to forward the funds raised.  This is a fun way to enjoy one of those old past times of playing games all day long while doing something good for kids less fortunate than we were.  It gives locally too, which to me is a great perk.  You are helping the struggling children in your area.

The fundraiser is called Extra Life.   Sarcastic Gamer is setting up this great event to encourage gamers around the world to contribute to those kids in need of healing. Whether you want to participate and gather sponsors or be a sponsor yourself, there are options for everyone.  You can even set up teams and raise money as a group.  The cost isn’t that high either.  Standard donations are $24 but any amount is well received.

I encourage anyone who has the money or the time to participate.  Don’t have the time or money? How about spreading the word via Twitter or on a blog post.  It may take 5 min and could mean a difference of hundreds to a hospital helping children.

You can follow the links in this post for more info on the event.

Not sure who to sponsor?  You can sponsor me!

Thanks for reading and any support you can give.

This is why Gamers Rock!

Yogi

 FYG episode 4 [67:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (35)

Show Notes:

Don’t forget we are on iTunes!  Please leave us a review

One of the things I have come to realize is that when looking into a new MMO, I tend to be biased.  I think we all do. Depending on how we feel about our ‘go to’ mmo, the reviews of other mmo’s tend to fluctuate between ‘this is garbage’ and ‘best game EVA!’  It is to be expected that if we really enjoy EVE Online or World of Warcraft, that we want the next mmo we try to contain some fragment of the feeling we get from what we enjoy.  While completely understandable, there is a problem with this.

When looking at a new game we forget that it is just that, a new game.  It isn’t some expansion or sequel title that should have a connection with the games that we are used to.  In fact, if anything, it is arguable that if the game is doing something to progress the industry that it will have new mechanics that challenge the norms that seem to weave in and out of most titles.

I think back to my experience with Everquest 2.  When I first started looking into the game I was really excited about the world, the lore and the gameplay. I read blogs about it and wrote on this site (flexyourgeek) about how much I really wanted to get into the game.  However, I was also in a slump with World of Warcraft.  My need to distance myself from WoW made EQ2 all the better.  For weeks while I prepped and then played EQ2, I couldn’t be happier with every aspect of the game.

The problem came when a few weeks later when my temporary disdain for WoW began wearing off.  I started to realize that EQ2′s mechanics were not so much shinies I wanted to nom nom up.  The character animations bugged me; the map graphics were horrid at best.  Slowly I began to realize that EQ2 was not really the game that I wanted to play.  At the core of this feeling was my desire for it to be World of Warcraft without being World of Warcraft.

A lot of times we look at the games that are new to us with the jaded misconception that it will be just like the game we fell in love with.  We want it to be different, but not different.  It makes us some of the most picky people on the planet.  Give me my cake so I can eat it too, dammit!  The fact is that this way of looking at games, and especially mmos, really does a lot of games injustice.

There is so much that each title has to offer that can and should be appreciated for what it is.  My favorite Mexican food has to be chicken flautas. They are delicious! This doesn’t mean that the burrito, taco, or fajita doesnt have something unique and tasty to offer.  Judging a taco on the scale I measure flautas is ridiculous.  They are two separate foods that really have no basis for comparison other than the fact that they are both Mexican food.

This same thing goes for games.  Judging titles like Final Fantasy, Fallen Earth, Age of Conan, or EVE against each other is a bit ludicrous when you think about it.  Sure we may enjoy one more than another, but that doesn’t mean that any of these games don’t have something great to offer or just suck.  It just means that for our particular tastes at the time, it isn’t want we feel like playing.

We forget that while we write about a games that we all have a ‘First MMO Love’ Bias.  It is those feelings that seem to creep up and judge every other title that comes along.  We hope for it to reignite that feeling and when it fails, we call it a crappy game.

I admit, when I first heard about the changes to how XP will work with FFXIV that I was appalled.   I don’t like the feeling that developers are choosing how I get to spend my time in game.  Actually I still feel that way but I am no longer angry with the mechanic.  The truth is that Final Fantasy has always encouraged vertical and horizontal progression of characters.  They want you to level crafting, trades, and other classes on the same character.  So yes, there is a limit on this system but it sticks close to the ideals that Final Fantasy has always been about.

The anger over the issue seems to stem from people wanting level up as fast as possible.  While the fatigue/surplus system encourages more well rounded characters, it doesnt appeal to those who are used to speed racing to the end.  It isn’t bad, it is different.  Largely, the mmo population is used to titles that encourage us to focus on one class and get it maxed asap so that we can participate in the end game.  This is not bad either, but when used to judge a game like FFXIV it fails to highlight the unique and interesting aspects of the mechanic.

There are lots of things that we seem to look over or judge too quickly just because it isn’t the same formula we are comfortable with.  I am currently working my way through Fallen Earth, FFXI, and DDO.  Each game has different feels and mechanics associated with its gameplay.  At first, all three of these titles had things that bugged me.  I realized that the reason they bugged me isn’t because they were bad, it just was not what I had programmed into my gaming muscle memory.  I had to think a little more than I am used to and it made things difficult and frustrating.  However, after giving each title a chance, I have learned that all three games offer a lot of fun when I leave behind my WoW ruler to measure up how much enjoyment I can have.

So the next time you try something new, recognize that it is just that: Something new.  It won’t be the game you have been playing for the last few years and that should be celebrated, not judged.  If we were happy with our ‘go to’ games then we wouldn’t necessarily be trying new things anyway.  Too often we measure up new games with a scale that comes from an old game, and more often than not, a game we are not content with at the moment.  This is a problem and should be considered before our next “OMGWTFBBQ” post about how another IP is developing their mechanics.

Thanks for reading.

Yogi

It has been a busy few weeks since my move down to San Fran.  We got the family settled and it looks like we will know where we are officially moving in a few weeks.  Thank the maker!  It turns out this house actually has a better connection than I am used to so that means Podcasting has been coming along nicely.  FYG Podcast is a lot of fun to do.  So far the feedback has been great too!  Thanks to everyone who comments via email, twitter, and on this site.  We also appreciate any time you can spend throwing us a review on itunes.  As far as MMOV podcast, well that always kicks ass.  Having a great time there also and its nice that I didnt have to missed a month worth of shows because of a crappy connection.

Ive been doing less contributing to The Nomadic Gamer, and GamebyNight this last month mainly because of the move and starting up the FYG podcast.  I only have so much creative energy in a given day so I try and focus on what needs to be done first.   I will be trying to get back to those sites asap.

Ive started a new writing project over at MMOvoices.com.  I decided to start doing month long reviews of a game with a twist.  I do five posts a month: One each week from an RP story telling side, and the final post giving my review of the game after a month of playing it.  How do I choose the game?  I don’t.  Members of the site choose the game I play each month.  I put up the large list of possibilities and then I give a few days for everyone to vote on it.  This month they tied with Fallen Earth and EVE Online.  I decided to go with FE because it has been awhile since I looked at the game.

The next month I will be making posts on MMOV about these adventures, but I will make sure that I cross post here under the title Yogi’s Tale.

In other gaming news, Ive started to play FFXI for the first time since it’s initial release.  I think I achieved level 12 at the time.  Considering how I level and the fact that I am 11 after just a few hours of play, I don’t think I gave it that long the first time around.  I am really enjoying it this time though.  I have just had a huge craving for something with menu based combat.  Nothing scratches that itch like a little FF.  So I made a Red Mage and began my journey.  I finished my first Nation based Mission earlier today.  The NPC’s gave me warnings and told me how I should group up.  I responded by soloing the entire dungeon area. ( /flex… ok I may have been 3 levels higher than anything in there lol).  Sometimes the travel between areas is a bit monotonous but I am enjoying myself none the less.

Ive also started playing through PuzzleQuest 2 and some more DDO.  DDO has slowed a bit for me but I still enjoy the game a lot.  I actually purchased an adventure pack and a character slot.  This marks the Yogi timeline with the first official dollars spent on F2P.  It was worth it.  What makes me even more happy is that I have been playing that game off and on for four months now and only spent a total of 15 bucks.   For the amount of fun Ive had, 15 is a lot better than 60.   PuzzleQuest 2 has some interesting changes from the first title.  I don’t like the bonus games as much.  They feel oddly similar to original bejeweled just lamely rehashed.   I was hoping for a little more creativity with that mechanic. PQ2 does make up for it though with the new art, exploration, weapon, and skills systems.  I thought the first was great, but even with the parts that I don’t care for, PQ2 is so far a lot more fun.

So that about wraps up this update on what I have been up to.   Hope your games are just as fun as mine!

Thanks for reading.

Yogi

I don’t normally post quotes, but I couldn’t help myself given the resurgence of LotRO drama.  Found this in the LotRO forums while reading the discussion on the new cash shop.

After reading this thread, I think Turbine should add a new class to the game: Drama Queen.

Most of you whiners would just shine playing that class.

Love it.

Pack it in tight people! We only have two trailers worth of room to complain.  At least that seems to be a common thought stemming from the latest two trailers that have made their debuts on the interwebs.

Ill start with the GW2 leaked game play footage.  I watched this yesterday and honestly my first thoughts were positive.  The damage scale seems to be increased which small a thing as it is, makes me feel like I am pwning more.  Something just feels cooler when you crit for 2500 rather than 200.  I also really liked the animations.  They were smooth and powerful looking. It really bugs me when animations feel rough because that is what you spend most of your time visually digesting. A particular high note for me was the Charr’s running animation.  I love how he got down on all fours.  It just seems right given a large part of their mass is on the upper half of their bodies.  I can’t help but think this is what Worgen’s should have been with WoW’s upcoming Cataclysm expansion.

A lot of comments seem to be stuck on small things like UI size and the possibility of a Kill Ten Rats quest being shown.  Uh?  Big Deal?  Not really.  It’s to be expected in these large games that there will be a collection or kill count type event.  If you thought that a game the size of and MMO could completely avoid all these types of quests, well you are more gullible than you may think.  I try and think of a world in a game without these two “dreaded” quest types and honestly I think it would be just as boring and monotonous.  The key is variety.  If they even make 1/3 of their event/quests deviate from this norm, it will be a huge refreshment to the norm.  And UI size?  That is why most games have a UI scale.  Some people just like complaining I guess.

The second trailer out was SWTOR’s space combat footage.  First of all, we were not even supposed to have space combat.  This is an added bonus that I think was made possible by a community largely disappointed by the lack of space combat.  It seems to be a large portion of the star wars IP so ignoring it completely would be rather irritating.  Of course those same people that begged for space combat are undoubtedly the same people complaining about how limiting it looks.  I think Syp over at BioBreak put it well.  You should read his post.

The big issue here isn’t what is disappointing about these games.  It is the problem that I have talked about on MMOV podcast several times.  Over hype adding to over expectation.  People have been following these two games like they were going to change gaming as we know it.  Granted, I think both companies have added to the problem through a steady stream of updates that leave open endings that promote imaginations to run wild.  In the end it comes down to the viewer.  Yes these games will be great, but they are not going to be 100% different from all the other MMOs we currently play.  They have their individual innovations and they will have content that feels like home to a lot of us. The lesson here is that players need to think logically before putting any title up on a pedestal.

If a five minute clip of a game can ruin everything you were excited about, well then that is just a sign that you were not actually following the game so much as your imagination.

You can view these trailers at the following links.

Guild Wars 2 Gamplay

SWTOR Space Combat

Thanks for reading.

Yogi

This morning I read a great post on by Chris over at GamebyNight.  Essentially he talks about how WoW is starting to get interesting for him again.  With a new guild, new raids, and a fresh new environment that encourages fun and enjoyment of content that has been out of his reach, he is refreshed. And I am jealous.

You see, I am in the need for a refreshment myself.  In the last six months I have leveled two of my characters to near max level (one is 80 the other 77). I have progressed from first wing ICC raids to rocking 10/12 and making great progress on the final two (this on my pally, not the other 80 and 77) .  Yet the drive is diminishing.  I feel stagnant.  Most evenings that I have the chance to log in, I end up going through a daily routine of blowing trade cool downs and getting the few dailies I care about done.  I group with some guildies for random heroics (usually just two or three to cycle our 80′s for frost badges) and then if we are not raiding as a guild… I do nothing.

I just got back from a break of a week or two while moving and the motivation to log in just is not there.  I played a few hours last night to say hello to my guild but honestly, Id have rather just continued playing Puzzle Quest 2 while talking to them on vent.  I do think that I will be finishing the last three levels on my hunter, but then it might be time for an extended leave until cataclysm.  This comes at near perfect timing.  My guild was one of the lucky 500 to win 10 beta keys for Cataclysm.  As a regular participant and helper within the guild (and being and officer probably had something to do with it) I was offered one of our ten beta keys.  Unfortunately, I knew that with the move and my waining joy within the game, I probably wouldnt be logging in that much.  So I passed on my key and helped decide the members I would like to take my place.

The beta experience may have refilled my joy for the game, but then where would I be once Cataclysm is actually live?  Id be ahead of the majority and using up precious content needed to sustain my enjoyment in WoW.  I believe it will be better in the end for me to just take a break and come back when their is something exciting for me to participate in.

The truth is, and I recognize this sadly, this is the first time of all my burnouts that I know I will be leaving wow behind.  It won’t happen until well into Cataclysm, but it will happen.  I am ready for a new chapter in my mmo book.  With games like GW2, SWTOR, FFIX, and others on the horizon, I just dont see what Cataclysm is going to provide that will fulfill my enjoyment.  I need something new that I can learn and progress in.  I have been playing WoW for so long that it takes me a few days to fine tune my old skills and then muscle memory takes over.

The hardest part about all of this is I know my guild is very much a WoW guild.  They like other mmos, but playing them just doesn’t happen.  It will be hard not playing with them on a regular basis when I switch to another title.  I will of course keep in touch where I can, but eventually I will be lost and stuck sitting in a vent corner wondering what the heck boss strats they are talking about this week.

I will be playing cataclysm, but given the quickening trend of my burnouts the last two expansions, I doubt that it will sustain me long enough to make it to the next expansion.  That for me is sure sign that I have out grown a game and the time to move on is nigh.

So while Chris writes about his WoW experience refreshing, my counter view is of a WoW experience drying up.  I guess I am just tired of looking for ways to enjoy myself in the IP.

That said, I am going to go level my hunter lol.

Thanks for reading.

Yogi

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (63)

Episode 2 Notes

One of the things I love about the gaming community is how they can come together in order to do great things.  No, not taking down a huge dragon, although that is pretty cool too.  I’m talking about helping humanity.

Anytime someone starts to talk about the stereotypes of gamers, I remind them how much of a blanket statement that really is.  Sure there are your smelly, overweight, cheeto loving, dudes that live in their parents basement ignoring people while they pwn noobs.  There are also moms, dads, actors, actresses, CEOs, pizza delivery guys, doctors, and many many more gamers out there that don’t fit this negative connotation.  A prime example would be things like Child’s Play Charity.  It has raised nearly 2 million in funds for children’s hospitals across the world.  Oh and that is just in 2009.  For a population of people that “stay in doors all day,” we sure show through these types of organizations that we are willing to get out and make a difference.

A common poster over at MMOVoices.com has come up with an idea to help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Donations.  BaronJuJu has come up with Operation P.I.P (Pew-pew In Pink).  The idea is to spread the word and encourage a day where gamers do their best to play their favorite games utilizing the color pink on their avatar pictures, clothing, or sprays.  The goal is not to collect money for donation but to encourage people to look into donating to their local breast cancer awareness organizations.  A quote from his blog The Guild of Me:

No donations are being taken through this or other OPERATION P.I.P participants. If folks ask about donating, point them to one of the many Breast Cancer Awareness organizations or to their local Cancer research center and encourage them to donate there.

The idea here is to raise awareness and encourage others to give time, money or help to their choice of cancer support groups.

Operation P.I.P will be held on the 9th of October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Along with other events during October, BaronJuJu hopes this will encourage more gamers to look into donating to the cause.

Now I know it is still a few months away, but let us try to start spreading the word now.  Tweet, Blog, or post on forums spreading the word about Operation P.I.P.

Thanks to BaronJuJu for starting this encouraging event.  His blog may be called “The Guild of Me”, but he sure is showing that gamers are often thinking and acting beyond themselves.  Touche sir.  Ill be decked out in pink all day.

You can check out the full post by BaronJuJu here.

Thanks for reading.

Yogi