Junglist

3 PM EST (or same time as last week) is what Clay was saying yesterday. Sabot3, kayaking or gaming? If you should happen to read this before the big battle, could you let us know if we should be expecting you? If not, enjoy the kayaking; sometimes real-life does take precedence.

Seems like the developers might have realized they best get some practise in before the big match. Don't worry guys, if you seem really out of sorts, we (the Upstarts) will take it easy on you.

Steve, you might find that us grasshoppers have learned a lesson or two over the last few months.

Wow, talk about middle school.

Ding-dong, tick-tock, come Sunday who's ready to rock? Just in case the Devs get the courage up to face us this Sunday we (the Upstarts) need to firm up our line-up. Based on last Sunday's participants, cross-referenced with the original Upstarts posters, the line-up as I understand it is: Nexus, Phantom, Iceman, Sabot, and myself. There were a few others who also expressed interest in playing. Unless I'm mistake we max at six, leaving one space open. Upstarts, if Clay can rally his troops, please sound off following his announcement.

I for one have no regrets about buying this game and will gladly ante up again, if need be, when the engine reappears.

Smeltz that is, sorry about getting your name wrong. I was copying Sabot3's spelling, so it's not my fault. (just kidding Sabot3)

Oops, I also meant to mention Schmelz, who joined up as the battle was progressing. Some of that clutch shooting I spoke of was definitely Schmelz' doing. Later, during the battle for Black Canyon, he was one of the noble defenders who held off the destruction of our base until just the right moment.

I should mention that Iceman seemed to be having some issues around settings, and was with us on and off in the first game. In later games though he proved to be a most effective teammate, especially in the bayou, where his viper skills were a tremendous asset in deploying - we might have lost but it was fun!

Gee Iceman, you said what I wanted to say in such a more mature way.

All right, this is the way I saw it. First off, I'm a technical nincompoop, so there will be no screenshots from my perspective. Game 1: Deployment - I wish I could tell you. My machine was too busy caching Nexus beauty map to take part...before you ask I cache because I get annoying pauses in play if I don't, so it's a trade off. In this game and all following matches I was reliant upon my teammates to get things ready. To this I am in their debt (esp Stonewall), as things looked good when I finally joined the game - except jby and I realized right away we weren't adequately sorted to defend against the mortars the enemy was sure to field. A move that was to be expected - I've played Nexus enough times to know mortars would figure into it. The Wrath of God - the sinner's perspective Perhaps it was the initial phase of mortar strikes that lulled the enemy into there prolonged use, I'm not sure. Within a minute or two things had been stabilized and we were treated to an extended barrage of fireworks, with just enough mortars landing to keep it interesting. At this point our troops showed a great deal of cool under fire by not panicking, holding tight, and most importantly, staying in constant contact in regard to enemy location. Having a few Thor MBTs in reserve for the main thrust was my main concern at this point. Wait for it boys... the mortars will stop and then they will come! The Glorious Quagmire And then they didn't come. Stonewall (and Phantom I believe)had done a good job of keeping track of Poesel and Sabot up on the hills, but I wasn't sure where the main push would come from once the mortars had let up. My teammates had correctly assessed Poesel and Sabot to be a harassing force. Ride of the Valkyries A little while after Clay did a Viper fly-by I decided to take a freshly replenished hermes on a fact finding mission of my own. Low and behold, rolling through the dunes I saw several MBTs with Clay right at the lead. This was it! Time to get back home and jump and suit up my own Thor - but not before trying to take out a track or two on the lead tank - hehe - that one ended very badly indeed. But we know knew the basic trajectory the enemy was coming in, and were able to bring several 120s to bear on the enemy's front. Mano a Mano I was able to drop in a heavy thor (still had one left!?!) as things were getting messy - as usual my teammates had reacted well and were all well positioned to keep the enemy at arms length. With time ticking down it was clear that if we could survive the initial onslaught we would win. Some clutch shooting right near the end, along with jby's dedicated anti-aircraft action, and we were able to hold off their last ditched push....AND SAVE THE RESEARCH STATION FROM BEING USED FOR EVIL! In this game, like the others today, I would have to say it was a lot of fun to play with a large group of people - esp. my teammates. Everyone helped to elevate the game to the next level in my eyes. Nice job everyone! Feel free to correct me or add anything I missed. [ May 29, 2008, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: Junglist ]

I concur! Will be back with some recap/smack talk (just kidding) later.

ooooh......and you have nothing better to do with your life.....ooooh

3pm sounds good to me. It'll give me a chance to do some stuff around the house and appease the wife a bit before exiting reality.

I'll play with/against you anytime Clay. Any idea what time you might be free to go online Sunday? Name a time and I'll be there. It would be fun to play a casual game with any and all people out there who want to mix it up. It would give us more time to study your habits and tendencies in the game too, not a bad thing at all.

Sounds good aittam. Although, I personally would prefer if you stayed whether or not the numbers are even. As long as everyone on the two teams is all ready accounted for, I can't help but think it would be nice to play with the maximum number of humans possible.

For the Upstarts, the line-up as it looks now: Phantom, Nexus, Iceman, Jung, and Ithai. I floated the idea to Sabot yesterday, who also sounded interested in joining our ranks....if your in Sabot say "here". Now we just need a firm time. As far as meeting up in advance to go over a few things, I might not be available Fri or Sat night, depending on weekend events/weather, but will be scanning to see when others are on. Will definitely be playing tomorrow (Thursday) night for a bit.

To think all this time we've been playing thinking we we're enjoying ourselves....geez, now that I've read the review I realize how wrong I was. Apparently the game is not worth playing, and here I've been convincing myself that I was having a great time. Ya know what really burns? I was starting to think I was some great armchair tactician when all I've really been doing is popping-up over hills shooting at people every now and then...crap, I thought I was doing so much more! Now I guess I should just go over to IMG and find out what big commercial Mac games I'm supposed to buy...cause I just love playing online with thousands of 13 year olds.

The only thing I can think of, Iceman, is to meet up this week on the server and all join the same team so we can go over a few things in real-time. I would, however, like to nominate Nexus as our overall strategic commander - although we should all maintain some freedom of operations - as in no actual commander in game terms. Now I'm really getting excited.

Welcome aboard Lancer! Hope to see you online soon.

October the 15th works well for me....crap, what have I done...err I mean, I can't wait! Caseck, are you with us? If so, our number is six. If you happen to be allied with the devs, then darn you and your pets! Now that is smack talk. To the rest of the Upstarts, remember, next Saturday night no late night drinking....well at least no drinking into the morning. Because, THIS IS SERIOUS!

Toby, I know you were shooting at me, you always do....and for good reason! My question is directed towards Clay, who I had the good fortune of playing yesterday. What I was hoping you could do Toby was to help anchor a team I'm calling The Upstarts, if we can coax The Developers into coming out of hiding for a battle. On the line, a claim at ultimate DT bragging rights. We might get our butts kicked, but it would be fun, no?

And so our force begins to assembly. Phantom, of course you are one of the Upstarts! I forgot to mention, if this does happen it can't be Sunday for me, as I have to cook for the in-laws all day Sunday. Fun wow. Avengers...oops I mean Upstarts Assembly! Now I'm not so afraid anymore.

When we were playing today (along w Stonewall and Phantom, I believe - which i much enjoyed) did you ever actually shoot at me? I know I got you a few times (Yes, I want everyone to know!), but did you actually ever try to blast me good? In retrospect, I don't ever remember you trying to do anything but capture the flag....were you taking it easy? If so, my honour has been offended and I challenge you (and whatever croonies you can dig up) to a battle at a time of your choosing. Better yet, we should have a duel of Developers Vs Upstarts (Calling Nexus and the other EST regulars!) in the near future. What's the matter, are you afraid? I know I am.

I almost forgot....Stainless - I'm usually on around the same time Toby mentions. It seems to be one of the busiest times to play, if it fits your schedule.