Saturday, December 21, 2013

WORD OF THE DAY! 12/21/13! SNOWDOWN SHOWDOWN PT.2! (LoL Update)


showdown [show-down]
noun
1. The laying down of one's cards, face upward, in a card game, especially poker.
2. A conclusive settlement of an issue, difference, etc., in which all resources, power, or the like, are used; decisive confrontation.

 EX.  In Part 2, we discuss the 1 V 1/2 V 2 battles that take place in the new mode for Howling Abyss (prolly for a very limited time), Showdown!

Like any mode, you begin by queuing up. In this case, you queue up alone or with a partner and then draft ban three champs each. You then proceed to the Howling Abyss, pick some items, an ability, and make your way to the middle. The deciding factors on who wins Showdown are as follows:

 1. First blood or first team to two kills.
2. First enemy tower destroyed.
3. First individual or team to 100 minion last hits.

 And that's pretty much it. So how does it stack up?
1 V 1 is a pretty bitter affair suited to settling disputes between players or practicing single lanes, but I think it's not my cup of tea. 2 V 2 is more my speed, as a dual-laner, and has more possibilities for this mode that's meant to be enjoyed in short bursts. 

The biggest issue with this mode is that Howling Abyss is designed in such a linear way that certain champs have the advantage-- control-heavy champs with lots of range that can keep enemies at a distance are always at an advantage on this map because the weakness of those sorts of champs is sneak attacks and being flanked. Since you can't get the jump on your opponents on Howling Abyss (or it's difficult), these champs will always be at an advantage. Especially if they already start out strong at low levels since matches on this map, especially in this mode, take place at early levels. But that's just the challenging nature of this sort of map that is so different than the standard map of Summoner's Rift.

Maybe Magma Chamber would fix this problem? I dunno. Shrug. Still, it's fun and you should definitely check it out... ASAP!

 Don't be a sad and lonely Poro.

 Bonus: Dictionary for n00bs HERE.
at

Friday, December 20, 2013

WORD OF THE DAY! 12/20/13! SNOWDOWN SHOWDOWN PT.1! (LoL Update)



Snowdown Showdown [snow-down-snoh-down]
noun
1. League of Legends. The annual seasonal event in League of Legends that as come every Winter since 2009. The event has a heavy winter theme, with a focus on snow/ice themes & Christmas themes, usually involving a snowy paint of coat on a map/s, gifting events, special bundles, legacy skins, special sales, and other promotions.

EX. This year I got a little indulgent; after all, it's my first Snowdown Showdown and, after buying all of my NuFu buddies some RP, I decided to spoil myself by buying all three of the new Snowdown skins. Today, I think I'll review the three skins and tomorrow I will give my thoughts on the brand new 1 V 1 and 2 V 2 Showdown mode.

P.S. I realize that starting with the skins is a little backwards but that is how it naturally occurred...


I've been playing a lot of Sivir since her most recent VU, being an ADC main and all, and I think this was a pretty good skin. The snowy particles, the big snowflake chakram, and the coordination of elements into her winter wear costume were all pretty well implemented. All in all, it's a pretty passable skin that sits comfortably with other new efforts but doesn't do anything terribly creative or special. That's why I think I can only give it a 3/5.


Singed is a character I have always been fond of using in Top Lane and in Dominion/Twisted Treeline modes. We move more out of just taking an aesthetic theme and get a properly implemented theme with Singed's skin; an outfit that would like right in place in a Disney's Goofy Winter Olympics cartoon, with a silly winter hat, puffy jacket, mittens, scarf, and big ol' winter boots on a lanky body, a big old sled-turned-shield as a melee weapon, snowballs used to slow down foes, and, to pull it all together, a big old "Portablizzard" backpack that mixes a wood-burning stove with a snow machine to hit that spot between silly and awesome. It is put just over the top by a recall animation that has Singed spinning in circles on his sled to give it a solid 4/5.


Oh boy, this skin was so cute that it got me to finally breakdown and buy Lulu (and so far I've been pretty glad I did). Let's get down to business. Poro business.

The hook, line, and sinker of this skin, putting it a tier just above the other skins, is the inclusion of a Poro version of Pix, Lulu's pixie companion. Since the introduction of Poros in Howling Abyss, the fans can't get enough of these little half-Yeti half-Mogwai abominably adorable adorabominations-- you can feed them snacks until they explode into a love puddle of baby Poros! The theme carries over into Lulu's skin with her wintery ensemble complete with fur accents, pointy boots, cute little gloves, and a big hat with a wintery crown. And, of course, we got those adorable ears, big ol' animalistic eys and big smile that brings it all home. Add in appropriate theming like a cute Poro balloon for backing and we've got a perfect skin. 5/5.


And that's the first part of our three part Snowdown Showdown weekend spectacular. Tune in for Part 2 and Part 3 on Saturday and Sunday!

P.S. Also indulged in a Tim Burton-esque skin.

at

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

WTF WED! BUTTFACE MCFARTSALOT PLAYS THE ELEPHANT GARDEN SIMULATOR!


Alrighty then folks! First up is the latest animation effort from hotdiggedydemon in the form of a Pokémon parody in the vein of a John K. cartoon-- complete with grotesquely detailed facial expressions, comic timing, and that full dose of comic violence that would make any overbearing mother write an angry letter.

In other words, it's fantastic.


Then we've got a trippy Samurai Jack-esque that is more psychotropic than the amount of LSD it would take to kill an elephant and more messed up than taking that LSD while standing beside your wife giving birth to quadruplets with the help of a witchdoctor midwife.

In other words, it be WTF.


Last, but certainly not least, this video is a little bit of glitched out hilarity set in the already glitched hilarity that is the Sims 3. If I try to explain what makes this funny, I will probably just confuse you and that's the video's job.

at

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

WORD OF THE DAY! 12/17/13! (LEAGUE OF LEGENDS UPDATE)



toxic [tok-sik]
adjective
1. Video games. Used to describe a hostile or unfair player/s or game mechanic/s that create an imbalanced or unpleasant game experience for one, some, or all of the other players.

insta-lock [in-stuh-lawk]
verb
1. League of Legends. To pick a player/lane without the consent or consideration of your teammates.

EX. I've talked a little bit about teamwork before and shared the Teamwork OP video from Riot a few months ago, but today I want to talk about what happens when players, admins, and game makers don't work together to create a fun and fair game experience.


I still play with Team NUFU, as much as I can. I talked about them in an article in September (check it out HERE). Aceofspadescard mains support on our team and, mostly without our knowledge, saw fit to record some of our recent matches for the funnier parts and best moments. Posted directly above is a link to a recent game we played that started out very toxic-- the Volibear player on our team insta-locked Volibear without picking a lane, forcing Ace as Yasuo to mid, leading to some frustration in the first half of the match. The Volibear was very toxic, from the get-go, criticizing other players and generally being a useless slab of bear meat. The video above shows us shutting down their team (I'm playing as Jungle Vi) and, eventually, would carry us to a win.

We won because of skill, luck, and/but, most importantly, teamwork.

at

Monday, December 16, 2013

MUSIC MON! TEAM FORTRESS 2: NEVER HAD A WRECKING BALL FOREVER AND ALWAYS!


This week we're keeping things light with a trio of machinima music videos through the venue of Team Fortress 2 (download it for free today):

So, first up, we have the over-the-top sugar and rainbows saturated mess that is the theme of Robot Unicorn. It's a pretty well done little bit of animation with some solid mouth animation and facial expression of Scout on the screen.


Then, we've got a nice homage to the recent "classic" from Miley Cyrus but, rather than being performed by a scrawny pop star with daddy issues, it is being performed by a human wrecking ball with sandvich issues.


And, speaking of "sandvich", we've got a Disney's Aladdin (1992) vidja for your video viewing pleasure.

I wish there was more, but that's all f-f-f-folks! Tune in next week for a Christmas themed Music Monday.

at

Sunday, December 15, 2013

WORD OF THE DAY! 12/15/13!

winspirational [win-spuh-rehy-shuh-nuhl]
adjective
1. The inspiration given by fans to the their hero to win.
2. Something that invokes someone to become the fan of a winner.

EX. Miles Scott made headlines back in November. Not because he ruined an award show or started a political scandal. Miles Scott saved San Fransisco and, in the process, Miles and the city of San Fransisco restored the collective faith of millions in humanity. Miles Scott isn't just any kid, after all. Miles Scott is Batkid! And here is his winspirational story...

Miles Scott is only five and, like Batman dealing out justice to the crooks and criminals of Gotham, has put his leukemia into remission. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization made-up of heroes that would make the Justice League proud, managed to bring Miles Scott's comic book dream into reality.

Thousands of citizens came out in support of their little champion, buying t-shirts dedicated to his bravery (with the proceeds going to charity), and cheered Batkid on as he foiled a bankrobbery, saved several hostages (including a seal mascot), defeated the Riddler, and ended up not just saving the day, but inspiring the people of this city to never give up.

Batkid's is not just the hero Gotham that deserves, but the one it needs right now. So we'll support him. Because, together, we can take on anything. He's not just a hero. He's a symbol. A rally cry for adults everywhere. A bright light. The Dark Knight.

P.S. Make sure to donate and support charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation nationally, and in your local area, that help children like Miles Scott every day.

It can be as simple as saying "sure, why not" with a slightly amused smile when someone asks if you want to donate a dollar to St. Jude after ordering your pizza or buying a movie ticket.

You can be a hero or, at the very least, you can help a hero.

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