Offshore & Decomission - July MW3 Maps & Updates

Took some time off Diablo 3 to download the new maps and spent a few hours playing on them.  So here are my thoughts on them.

Offshore - This map has lots of paths to get around.  Although physically the map may not be big, it feels bigger because of this.  Lots of elevation changes as well.  It was hard to get a feel for the flow of the map as it was new to everyone.  But lots of good areas for some intense fire fights.   Although I didn't get to play capture the flag on this map, I imagine it to be quite interesting given all the alternate routes, and their associated cut off points.

Decommission - This map doesn't have as many paths as Offshore, it feels a bit more open compared to Offshore, but there are some interesting spots you can jump to so you can cover the few paths that go around the map.  Except, in those spots you are quite exposed.  So far I noticed a lot of action along the middle section of the map, as everyone tends to gravitate towards the meat shop. 

I also got to spend some time playing Domination in the face-off mode.  The maps do offer quite a bit of action, and with smaller teams, it makes it more important to have a good partner.  But at the same time, I still noticed the spawn points and system in general to still be broken in the face off mode.  Too many times I would spawn really close to where I just died, and being on the receiving end of that is somewhat frustrating.

Terminal gets its second life, this was one of my team's favorite MW2 map.  So we ended up dominating the map like we never left.  There were minor cosmetic changes done in the transition from MW2 to MW3, like the plants are slightly different, and the shops have changed in what they are selling.  This was one of the maps I wish they release with a slight change, like some sort of back path from the outside tarmac to a lower baggage section under the terminal map.  Maybe for MW4...

Either way though, Diablo 3 has me hooked (more on Diablo 3 in my next post), so I haven't been playing COD as much as I normally have or would like to.

Create a Class 2.0 - Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Rumour

Source:  http://www.charlieintel.com/2012/06/10/black-ops-2-create-a-class-2-0-completely-changed-now-uses-10-point-allocation-system/
 
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DEVELOPING STORY..
On June 6th, several members of the media were granted access to Black Ops 2′s brand new multiplayer are were kept under a NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and were not allowed to discuss anything they saw. Appearently 2 people didn’t get the memo.. You remember a couple days ago when a member of IGN posted 2 photos (new MP H.U.D. and player list) over Instagram which were removed a few minutes later..
Now according to MP1st, a member from Shacknews, Garnet Lee (who was invited to the MP play session), uploaded a podcast which REVEALED massive changes made to Black Op 2 multiplayer. The podcast has now been edited and re-uploaded and all the details have been removed.
Create-A-Class 3.0:
-10 point allocation system replaces primary/secondary/grenades slot system Guns, attachments, equipment, perks take up allocation points.
*ex.) you could have 2 primary weapons which would use most of your points and only have 1 perk.
-Taken out “slot system”.
-Option to start with no weapons, load up on perks and equipment.
-You start out with 10 choices/options per class.
-New wager match variations.
-New “Friend/Foe identifier” attachment.
David Vonderhaar once said in a behind the scenes video, “create a class is sweet.. choose what’s the most important things to you, and forget about the things that are not important…This will open up doors for playstyles you have not seen. It’s going to be fantastic.”
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Well, this is quite an interesting concept, It would definitely change things up completely, while still allowing for the "classic" setups, and open up the possibilities for lots of new combinations.  I can see myself picking only a primary weapon, and loading up on equipment, or perks.  Can't wait to hear more in August.

A Response to Diablo III Patch 1.0.3 Design Preview

This post is in response to the following page http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/6262208/Patch_103_Design_Preview-6_6_2012

1. Bridging the item gap between Inferno and Hell.

I like this change and agree with the change.  I don't need top end stuff to get past Act 1 of Inferno, but I do need to be able to get better stuff to just simply survive.  I've basically stopped playing with my level 60 Barbarian because of the jump in difficulty that does not line up with the gear that I currently have equipped, and found in Act 4 of Hell & on the whim level.

2. Legendary Items remain the same.

Sure, ok.  I'm not too concerned about this right now, I just need the help to get through deeper into Inferno to get the better drops.

E3 2012 Summary - My take on things

Here are my thoughts of what I've seen via G4's coverage and read about the stuff shown at E3.  I hope on day I am able to attend this event.  So, lots to cover, so here goes... In no particular order.. (well, the order it is shown on the wiki page.)

Microsoft Keynote:

Halo 4 live action trailer was the usual for the series, having only played Reach and ODST, I’ll probably check out Halo 4, but not likely something I’d buy on launch day.  I don’t expect it to be a complete flop, even though the game is not done by Bungie.  Developers of these big franchises are usually really good at listening to what the fans want.  

Games of 2012 - Q3 & Q4

been a while since I've done one of these...

So.. here goes..

a couple games coming out later this month are somewhat interesting..

June 19th PC - Civ 5 expansion Gods & Kings.. will probably get it.

June 19th Consoles - Lego Batman 2 (for all you lego fans).

 

June 26th (not firm) - Skyrim Dawngaurd expansion.

Diablo 3 - review

So, I figure I would hold off on this review till I had a decent amount of time into the game. 

  

It has been a number of years since I have played any Diablo games.  It has been so long since I clicked endlessly for hours, killing monsters and creatures of the forces of evil.  I pre-ordered and pre-loaded the first day that Blizzard starting taking pre-orders.  Was the wait worth it?  After (and still) playing the game for quite a bit, I say yes, totally worth it.  Blizzard, once again, does not disappoint.

One thing I remember back with the previous games was my lack of interest of playing through the game multiple times.  I did not "get" the whole loot collecting aspect of the game, mostly because I played on my own, so I was never exposed to "better" items, and thus, never looked into how to get them.  I do remember trying out a second play through in Diablo 2, but didn't like how everything was significantly harder.  I was young, and did not truly appreciate it in that way.  But thanks to games like Borderlands, I've gotten the loot bug.  So that is why I've been lagging a bit on my blog and YouTube work.