Month: May 2014

Heavyweights Clash – PC vs. Console Gaming

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Are you a gamer?  Do you prefer pc, consoles, or both?  If you look at the console giants with Playstation 4 and Xbox One the ultimate debate still exists of which one is better?  I believe you will always have the hardcore brand loyalty enthusiasts when it comes to the console gamers.  On that same debate there are some who believe that consoles will never own the future of gaming as the PC gaming systems will always be in the lead.  I think time will only tell.

This is a hard debate due to the pure nature of all the systems and what they bring to the table as a PC gaming system has some advantages, but so does a console.  It’s a tough line to dissect as it comes down to personal preference most of the time.  I love both console systems and PCs but the console systems to me bring a more enjoyable gaming platform for building community.  Consoles breathe ease of access, connecting with friends, new players, and solo play.  PC’s are a tad limited to the in-game community and experience you get with friends.  Not to say it doesn’t exist but that it’s different and more difficult to achieve in my opinion.

Again, these two worlds of gaming are both giants in their own aspects and they dominate the markets in the areas they are good at.  So what’s one of the biggest differences you see in PC vs. Console?  It’s “The Guts” your hardware inside and what makes the systems perform.  PC’s a lot of the times will have the latest and greatest graphics, RAM, HD’s and other top notch gadgets to make your gaming experience awesome.  This usually comes with a top notch cost as well.  Think of that new game that was just released for the PC…you’ve been following the development, watching, and waiting for the release.  It finally arrives and low and behold your ultimate PC system or what you thought was good enough barely runs this new blockbuster.  Now what?  Is it time for an upgrade or possibly a new machine?  When looking at a console system, that new blockbuster game is designed specifically for the system you have.  If you go buy the newest game for the Xbox One or PS4 it works right?

There’s not a lot of additional expense in owning a console system.  If gamers are willing to pay the price of having the ultimate PC gaming systems that could handle anything possible then more power to them.  Games for PC’s are usually a bit cheaper as they can be digital content only and directly downloaded from a website.  Still when you think of hardware the machine has to handle the specs of the game so it can still take a chunk of change if upgrades are needed. Consoles on the other hand tend to be a little more forgiving on the wallet due to the fact that upgrades aren’t needed to play new games.

When I think of gaming I think of the word fun, stress relief, community, and endless gloating banter back and forth with friends.  The digital game world of PC and Console has allowed us to become a multi-functional gamer.  The developers of these games have opened up the world of multi-player to so many new levels.  Interacting with other gamers, friends, and being involved to more than just playing a game.  Bringing conversations to the table, learning new ways to play, and being able to interact in new ways is something that is always being tweaked for both PC’s and Console systems.  PC games are a bit more limited to in-game chat or maybe a MMO game that allows you to go raid with a few other people but console systems especially the new generations have opened up technology like the Kinect for motion sensing, the Wii U and its tablet devices, or even the social media features the PS4 controller has integrated.

This new technology that consoles are using helps bring players into those quick group invites, just shoot your friends an invite and you are online in a group. Maybe just plug in another controller and have a multi-player match right on the same machine…quick and easy.  PC’s are a bit harder to get that sense of interaction with a group especially if you want to do a LAN party.  You can’t just plug into one PC and get started as everyone has to bring their own hardware, have plenty of power to run all the systems, enough network ports for people to plug into, and then you’re still only playing on one machine….”Yours” So again the LAN party thing doesn’t really bring the same group play interaction to the table as a console party would.  Each has its own unique benefits and challenges and offers a large variety to whatever game style you prefer.

Whether you are an avid PC gamer and are always looking for the best in class and newest gear, or you are a console brand loyal maniac, or even a casual stroll through whichever system you seem to be sitting at for the moment type gamer, these are some amazing worlds to explore.  Whichever you prefer…enjoy it, explore it, and have fun while doing it.

#NBI2014 #Gaming #Gamers #PCvsConsole

To Blog Or Not To Blog Tis The ?

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7 How-To Steps in Starting a Blog

I wanted to share some of my personal findings that have helped me over the years of blogging.  But wait, this article is being written for the “Newbie Blogger Initiative” and I said I was a “Newb” in one of my previous articles? This is only partially correct as I’m very new when it comes to the world of writing/blogging about games.  I’ve only been in this specific realm for about five months and loving every minute of it….though I’ve had a lot of experience in blogging I still count myself as a “Newb” in this realm.

I’ve been blogging around six years total and writing since childhood so I’m hoping some of the tips I’ve learned will be a benefit to you all on your journey.  Whether you’re blogging as an individual, for a community site, business, or whatever facet it might be this “How-To Guide” will hopefully benefit the start of something great for you.

To blog or not to blog is the question…Right?  It is if you’re thinking about starting a blog and a darn good logical question. What are the core pieces of this puzzle that need identified before diving head first into Blogging?

Let’s take a walk through some of the major questions I’ve heard and even asked myself over the last few years of blogging.

1. Why Start a Blog?

This may sound like an obvious question but blogging takes a lot of hard work beyond just expressing yourself in writing, so understanding your motivations will help focus your efforts.

Some Examples of Why People Blog:

  • To tell a story
  • To establish themselves in a specific niche of writing
  • AKA – writing for the Newbie Blogger Initiative about specific subjects
  • To make money
  • To support an already existing business

Before you take the leap of blogging and invest a large amount of time into something you may not have the patience, time, or even want to commit then try test driving a blog first.

  • Start a blog on a free hosting option like WordPress.com or even Blogger.com though I prefer “WordPress” either can help with getting a sense of what’s involved.

You could also write for another blog if that fancies you.  This gives you the benefit of blogging and gaining experience in the world without the worry of maintaining your own blog.  At times a good blog post could take you several hours to write, plus you have editing, formatting, links, images, and optimization so this is where the time investment comes in.  Sometimes writing for someone else has its perks as all you have to do is focus on the writing.

2. What’s the focus?

What will you be writing about?  Specific topics, genre based food, movies, business, etc.

A few things to consider when writing

  • What are you interested in?
  • What is your area of expertise?
  • What sets your blog apart from others?

Accept it, once people begin reading the material you’ve posted they will begin to categorize what they read.  Will people connect with what you write because they understand it and interested?

 3. What’s the name of your Blog?

How will you identify your blog? Include the site name (note: this isn’t necessarily the URL) and tagline.  Once you decide, it can be difficult to change your name.

  •  Make it Easy. Skip URLs that have dashes or are difficult to remember. Also consider if it’s available on the major social media networks.
  • Check that the URL is available. To me self-hosting a blog is best. Domain names are not expensive…so if you’re making the plunge grab it now so you don’t lose it.
  • Attention Grabber. Your blog’s name needs to hook people’s attention or they’re gone. Would you want to read something that didn’t interest you, or put you to sleep five minutes in?

4. Brand and Design (Logo & Layout)  

The brand is your personality, the core of what people connect with when they see your blog.  Design focuses on how your blog’s information is presented to viewers.  Though connected with branding as you want to stay consistent the design connects viewers with the content of your blog.  Consistency is the key to set your blog apart in terms of branding. Not sure how or where to start in branding your blog?  Take a look at the things that interest you and what sources you go to for that information.  How do they brand?  Is it consistent, simple, and easy to understand?  Get ideas from others who have already invented the wheel.

  •  The Theme. This is the frame of your site. It lets you control your content and how it will be formatted for webpages. A theme is independent from your content. Choosing a theme is personal preference but most free blog hosting sites offer themes you can try before selecting one.  You can also pick up premium (paid) versions of themes as well.
  • Content Management. How do you want viewers to see the information?  Navigation around your blog is crucial to keeping audience’s attention.
  • Posting Content. This includes the typefaces, margins, colors and other ways that you format your content to the viewers.

 5. Organization Skills – Got Them?

Do you want a blog that is well organized? Since a blog should be on-going, you should create a schedule for publishing on a regular basis so readers have something to come back to.

Things to Think of –

  • How frequently will you publish content?
  • What topics will you write on regularly?
  • Will you have a variety of writers as well as guest bloggers?

Regardless of how much you know about your topics, you need to be on top of the latest trends and continue to learn if you want to be relevant on up to date material.

6. Let it be Seen – (Optimization)

Even if you’re the next best top author out there it means nothing if no one can find what you write. Optimization means you can be found easier through search, social and mobile.

One of the easiest ways to optimize your site is building reputation through Social Media.  This means engaging in the social media craziness…which can be a tad scary and overwhelming at times if you don’t know where to start.  For some tips on where to get started check out an article I wrote called Typing Tid-Bits for Social Media

Optimizing your blog for searches involves some strategy at times. Mainly focusing on one specific keyword and making sure that the keyword is in the post, along with tags that link to what category someone may search for.

7. Building an Audience

First don’t forget what we talked about earlier…people have to know your blog exists and want to read what’s on it.  This can be one of the most difficult aspects of blogging.

How do you build an Audience?

  • You have to get traction.  Meaning you need to keep posting and build the material you have on your site.
  • Don’t give up if you don’t see a lot of movement on the site a month after starting it.
  • Get the word out about your blog how you will build that on-going audience.  Don’t just write for yourself as that’s no fun most of the time.  Make this blog an extension of your personality and drive it so people know what you have.
  • Be creative establishing your visual brand and creating your logo. For most bloggers, this is limited to the start up phase. Alternatively, you can put something together yourself and modify it once your blog gets going.

If you love to write and know you want to start a blog just remember that the writing portion is just one piece to the puzzle.  Don’t get discouraged by the process of blogging as it can be very fulfilling as long as it’s done correctly.  I hope this guide to starting a blog will help you in your journey and that these tips help attract an audience for your site.

#NBI2014 #Blogger #Blogging

Typing Tid-Bits for Social Media

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Social media can be an incredibly important tool for socialites, business owners, bloggers and website owners promoting content. One of the things it can also do is be overwhelming, frustrating, and leave you feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing. I’m hoping this brief how to will be of some assistance and help give a better understanding of how to use social media in a positive way.

Let’s start with the big question – Do you have a goal in mind for using social media, or is it just the fashion fad of the tech world and catch phrase that caught your attention?  All the cool kids are doing it right, so why not hop on that band wagon and try it out.  Or, did you have a vigorous planned out attack that you are prepping for and will do whatever it takes to achieve your goal?  Either way you look at it you’ve probably chosen to use social media for some purpose and there are still some basics that come in handy to know.

Not sure where to start with Social Media?

I mean there are so many choices… oh my head hurts and I just can’t figure it out.  For instance, you have Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Instagram to list some of the big boys on the block. What do all of these social wonders have in common with each other? “They connect people to other people in the digital world” They help bring 140 character ideas to life, or allow family that’s a thousand miles across the world to view pictures of a new born baby, or maybe someone just wanted to take a picture of a turtle and post it cause they thought it was “Cute” yes I used the word cute and referenced it back to a turtle. Social media has a plethora of uses, but the best thing it does is make people just curious enough to click on whatever randomness you’ve decided to post, as long as you have people who follow you.

Well how on earth do you get people to follow you?  I mean real people you actually want to connect with.  Think of it this way…why do we decide to make friends with certain people but not others, or choose to like a particular brand of clothing vs. another, or even enjoy a Coke better than Dr. Pepper?  It boils down to personal preference and what you feel best connected with or feels that it brings some satisfaction along with it.  Social media is no different and if we want followers than we have to know how to provide something people can connect with and enjoy.

You can choose whichever social platform you like best but for what I use social media for I’m connected to about everything you can possibly think of.  They are tools for me to connect not only myself but others to what I’m putting down on the table.  I’m a blogger; specifically a blogger who loves to write about games, games of all types and I want my audience to know or at least feel connected to the things I write about.  Social media allows me to get my material out into the public viewing area where people can now choose to stumble upon it, or even search it out.  It becomes a two way street of I want to provide something of an entertainment value where people can then consume what they like of that material, but it also brings the option for them to comment, give feedback, critique, or even discard because they don’t like it.  I don’t like that last option but some people may just not connect with the material you publish on your social media sites.

Here are my four basic rules for posting to any social media hub and I hope you all can take some goodies away from this.  It has helped me tremendously in the past and I wish the same for all of you who read this article.

  1. The Topic – What Will you Post, What’s the Idea?

o   Do you have a specific topic your writing about, is it clear and make sense, write it out first and read it back to yourself first before you publish.  “Proof Read, Proof Read, Proof Read”

  1. The Audience – Who are you Connecting With, Does it Fit?

o   Pretty much what it sounds like, if you are a gamer and your writing about a specific game and doing reviews but your posting your material for an audience of cooks…. Well it really doesn’t fit the criteria of Connecting with the right audience!

  1. The Frequency – How often do you Post?

o   Keeping an audience connected not only comes down to the material you write, but how often you post, and when do you post.  Some social media posters try to stick to a schedule which is smart if you’re a business, but what if you’re a blogger posting about a new game you’re playing.  Does that still count… in my mind yes it does.  You still want to connect people to what you’re doing right? Hard to connect if you aren’t active.

  1. The Interaction – Reply, Reply, Reply

o   Don’t let a comment, or mention go unanswered.  Let your audience know you actually stay connected and reply back to comments they have left.  They wouldn’t have commented if it didn’t mean something, even a little to them.  How would you feel if you were the only one talking in the conversation and no one ever said anything back?  This is just the digital version of a conversation.

#NBI2014 #SocialMedia #blogger

Burglar Class Overview

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BURGLAR CLASS OVERVIEW

Even though the Burglar class has been around in Lord of the Rings Online for a minute or two now, it is a fairly new class for me.  I started my Burglar about six months ago and honestly didn’t play much with him at first because I was gun shy of the class.  I’ve always enjoyed the ranged classes better than the up in your face, hand to hand combat types.  Oddly enough though, my first class I started in LOTRO back in 2009 was a Champion….go figure.

The biggest looming factor I think that always kept me at an arrows shot away from starting one of these swift footed, knife wielding, killers was the lack of understanding on their purpose.  I’m not a LOTRO guru that understands all the ins and outs of everything within the game but I have my favorite aspects and love to make sure I know what I’m doing.  So came the brave idea of let’s create a Burglar and use him as a SOLO character to learn how to play with him.  Needless to say it’s taken me a long time to get to know my cloaked marauder.  That’s where I wanted to start and break down some key aspects of this now growing favorite class of mine within LOTRO.

What I learned early on is the Burglar isn’t a DPS monster like the Hunter or Champion.  The Burglar seems to be able to hold his own in moderate crowds of battle but when overwhelmed he can go down very quickly.  These guys are masters at disguise, debuffing bad guys, and crowd control masters.  One of the things I learned very quickly is pre-planning all your attacks come in very handy.  I was used to nuking from a distance with my Hunter or AOE’ing everything within swinging distance on my Champion with no regard really.  So the thought of pre-planning a few attacks when I’m not in a RAID, Skirmish, or Instance was mind blowing to me.

These guys have the ability to stack bleeds together to make life really tough for foes; they can also stun you and have you “Dead” before you blink.  Pretty much an endless bag of tricks is what you have at your disposal for taking down any type of hairy situation you get yourself into. In solo play, Burglars are one of the best in my opinion because of their versatility and ability to take down multiple mobs with a bit of planning.

The Burglar class is available only to Hobbits and Race of Man.  Seeing how Bilbo was a Burglar, I thought it fitting to create a Hobbit Burglar of my own…though I’m not quite the legend as Bilbo I have heard some rumors starting as I’m roaming through Bree late at night picking some pockets.  Oh wait, I mean grabbing a few drinks at the Prancing Pony.  Hobbits can also acquire a stealth skill that stacks nicely for the Burglar.  Hobbits can also acquire the “Hobbit-Silence” trait and seems to work better for getting that unwanted aggro off of you.

Key Attributes

Agility is the critical stat for Burglars, as it affects your melee critical chance and evade rating. The higher you’re agility, the better chance of scoring those critical hits and a bigger chance of enemies missing you during combat.  You can take a look at your other stats but boosting that Agility will also increase the offensive and defensive stats.  Like the Hunter getting your stats like you want is mainly all gear driven it seems.

Burglars do extra damage when they are able to attack from behind.  Remember when I said they are masters at disguise and sneaking about.  This is a prime example of where to use it…sneak up on an enemy and attack.  Solo play is one of the best ways to use this tactic, but if you are in a group and you have a Tank then let him grab aggro before you start stabbing those knives into the back of your enemy.

Crowd Control Kings is what one of my kinmates refers the Burglar as.  The statement I made earlier about not understanding this classes purpose, well this is it in a nutshell.  He’s the crowd control king for group play.  Burglars have a wide array of options to achieve this as well and learning how to use them is most important.  If you look at the default crowd control skills you have Riddle, Diversion, Addle, & Provoke which also does melee damage and lessens the critical chance of an enemy attack.

With the release of Helms Deep you now have the Trait Tree system which brings three new lines to choose from for all classes in LOTRO.

The Burglar has the following lines to choose from.  I’ve tried all three and the Yellow Line is my favorite by far as its where all the tricks come in.  The Burglar however is a class you need to analyze the situation with and find out what trait line will work best with before you just rush into battle.  It’s that whole pre-planning the attack thing I mentioned earlier and a lesson I learned the hard way –

  • The Gambler – Blue Line / Uses damage over time and chance to defeat foes. Gambler Burglars rely on the roll of the dice to inflict damage and influence outcomes of the fight.
  • The Quiet Knife – Red Line / Uses stealth and position tactics to deal damage. Quiet Knife Burglars pounce on their enemy from the shadows, dealing large amount of damage on their opening attacks.
  • The Mischief Maker – Yellow Line / Applies and removes tricks to hinder foes. Mischief Maker Burglars can control fights by tricking their foes into submission.

IN SUMMARY

The Burglar is one of the most advanced classes in the game except for the Warden in my opinion.  It’s also, after you learn how not to die every five seconds one of the most fun and exciting classes to play.  You do not have to be a VIP subscriber to roll one of these magnificent classes as it’s available to all free-to-play accounts.  This class is all about outwitting the enemy so if you like the challenge of planning attacks, sneaking about, and don’t like brute forcing you’re way through the game then The Burglar is calling you’re name.  If you haven’t started a Burglar or maybe reluctant because you don’t understand the class, I’m hoping this article helps open some doors on this class.