Greeting Fellow Comrades,

On October 5th 2011 9pm EST, The time will be upon us once again to fight in the glory of the Motherland in a Humpday Challenge. This will involve our old friend “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″.

The Challenge will be open to all of the following:

- Ironworks Gaming Crew Members
- Ironworks Gaming Crew Applicants
- Friends of Ironworks Gaming Crew
- Fellow Good Game Network Clan Members

The MW2 Challenge will work like this…

- We will take the first 30 players to sign up
- These players then will be randomly split into 3 different 10 man FFA matches
- The 1st place players of these games will then compete in a “Winner Take All” FFA match up

- Match Rules will be as follows -
- 20 minutes matches with a 3000 score limit (which ever comes first)
- No Killstreaks
- No Noob Tubes
- No Riot Shields
- No Launchers (keep it clean)
- No Radar, so adjust your tactics accordingly
- No Kill Cams
- Regular Health and Respawn Times
- Maps will be Small/Medium sized (maps will be chosen on the day of the match)
- There will be 3 match refs who will spectate these matches, and 1 to ref the final match between all the 1st place winners (if you would like to ref, please PM me)

Perks:
- No one man army/pro
- No danger close/pro
- No commando/pro
- No sitrep/pro
- No last stand/pro

Every other perk is fair game, so adjust your classes.

So now that the match rules mumbo jumbo is out of the way, what’s the damn prize already you ask???

- 1 FREE BRAND NEW XBOX 360 GAME (Not a crappy game you apes)

So man up, grab your ammo and let’s kick the tires and light the fires. Spots will be going fast so don’t let your chance pass you by.

See you on the battlefield brother comrades!!

]]> http://www.ironworks-gaming.com/2011/09/modern-warfare-2-humpday-challenge-signup-now/feed 1 http://www.ironworks-gaming.com/2011/02/xbl-black-ops-community-playdate http://www.ironworks-gaming.com/2011/02/xbl-black-ops-community-playdate#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:58:13 +0000 Hojimoto http://www.ironworks-gaming.com/?p=807 [youtube]jiT91MaKtoA[/youtube]

For the second time, the Ironworks Gaming Crew will be hosting a XBox Live Community Playdate. This time, it will be Friday March 11th 2011 from 8PM to 11PM Eastern Time. You’ll be able to meet and greet many of the Ironworks Gaming Crew members as well as take part in some great Black Ops action. We look forward to having a great time with the members of the XBox Live community.

Come and have fun! See our forum for full details and to take part in the playdate. If you haven’t registered for our forum, you will need to first. Hope to see you there!

TO RESERVE A SPOT IN THE PLAYDATE PLEASE CLICK HERE

The latest debate on video games is whether or not it could be art. That in itself is a rather grand statement as a new form of art is always contended at first. For example, take the Impressionist movement in late 19th century. At the time, paintings were to be made in a completely photo-realistic manner. However, artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir broke that mold and created paintings based on expression and feelings rather than just real life representations. It took a long period of time before their style was accepted as art. Just as right now, the critics of our generation fail to see the potentiality of interactive entertainment. Video games consist of three parts, all of which are their own art style by themselves. There is the creation of a storyline which parallels to theatre and literature. Musical scores also accompany many video games. The graphics are last, which is another method of visual art. Each part makes up a whole, which is the experience of the game. Although all three of these Medias are forms of art, the main argument is this: Where do you draw the line at game versus art? To understand this you need to first understand what constitutes both art and games.

What defines art is an extremely debated topic. Lacking a clear and concise definition, it is difficult to truly explain what art is with precision. Out of many of the different definitions derived from various sources all over the internet and dictionaries of our time, the only common theme is that art draws an undeniable emotion, or level of intellectual thought within the viewer. Think of the classes of art taken as a college student or in grade school. All that time spent analyzing different paintings and pictures of sculptures were in order to better understand something about that subject. Those objects were all created for that reason alone: for people to gaze upon them and wonder.

There are two ways in which to view art, that is in a realist or objectivist way. Realism is the manner in which all undeniable art is viewed. Objectivism is the process where a person views the art is completely up to opinion. So what one person sees as trash, another sees as treasure. This is where the age old saying of “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” comes to mind. Although some art is undeniable, other forms may be greatly contended as to whether or not they deserve merit or recognition as art at all. This is where the dilemma lies with video games becoming art.

A game is defined by a definitive end and an objective. When someone plays a game there is a goal in mind at the end. When you play a board game such as Life the end goal is to finish with as much money as possible. Another thing about Life is that it ends. When all players reach the finish line they count up their money and determine a winner. This is a defining moment that denotes Life, as a game. Games are a manner of entertainment. They are not meant to make a person better at something other than the end goal of the game itself. Games are designed for enjoyment and nothing more.

The line of game versus art becomes more and more obscure as time goes on. In more recent times, gamers many needs have increased to bigger and better forms of stimulation. Now it is up to game designers to make fully fleshed out worlds with grand visuals, expansive stories, and musical scores to go with it. Each one of these factors parallels to another form of expressive art. Animation or film comes in the form of cut scenes and in game visuals. Music is present with complete musical scores. Theater comes with voice acting, and literature in the form of story arcs. All of these traits are artistic yes, but that does not mean that a video game maybe art as a whole. There is still that final distinction to be made.

Playing through a multiplayer game of Halo is hardly art at all. It’s a competition at best. Yet, watching a story line unfold before your eyes may be the next great form of visual art. Still, the biggest thing standing between art and video games is just that, they are games. Since their inception, video games were always about the end and not the journey. A player could fail indefinitely and it became all about a person’s skill rather than what they were taking part in viewing. The levels were less about the story and more about how much more difficult each level became. Modern day gaming has taken strides in all of those areas. The task of playing through a game has become more about what the player experiences. Whether it be in the trenches of war, a far away land of fantasy, or becoming a flower pedal dancing in the wind, games have strayed away from the objective and more towards the way a person feels during each and every new event. Another step that game designers have taken is the complete elimination of failing within game. This was originally to make games more accessible but now, failure in a game means nothing while some games have all but done away with it. Now a days there are games such as Braid and Flower where the player can literally not lose the game. This all but eliminates the need for competition or improvement. There is also the aspect of what games draw out of the player.

Many story arcs of modern day games are filled with incredible plots, believable worlds, and fully developed characters. Players become much more involved in their character’s thoughts, actions, relationships and growth. Take for example the latest installment of the Fable series, Fable III. Now in Fable III there is a central path that moves the plot forward and there are also numerous side quests to give more depth. Throughout the whole course of the story you watch as your choices affect everything you do. Every reaction that comes from your actions unfolds before your eyes, meanwhile you watch as your character develops from a rebellious prince to the malevolent or benevolent king you decide him to be. It can be compared to a choose your own adventure book. There is also the elimination of failure within the game itself as your character cannot die but merely be knocked down just see he can get back up. But where does the emotion come in? Where are the thought provoking elements that are demanded of becoming art?

Throughout the game there are many instances of emotional conflict between the choices you must make. Yet, Fable III proves itself to be quite formidable within minutes. At the beginning of the game a gaggle of protesters gathers to protest your evil brother’s tyrannical ruling. As you and your love interest stand up for the plight of these common folk your brother gives you a choice that is all too difficult to make; who to execute, your love or the group of protesters. This gut wrenching decision near breaks your heart within the first twenty minutes of the game. Having to make such a heavy decision weighs down upon the psyche like being under the ocean itself. This goes to prove that video games have more to offer than just eye candy for hyperactive children.

Video games have come a long way from what they once were. Just imagine the possibilities presented by this form of art. Many avenues could open up with this new aspect of media. New ways to experience stories, see new worlds, an all-new way to stimulate the sense and bring us further towards a great form of emotional conveyance. Imagine what it would be like to enter into Van Gogh’s Starry Night and scale the spire to look at the view. Perhaps one could take a walk in one of Salvador Dali’s many warped landscapes. It would be an unimaginable experience in being able to get inside the depictions of these artists. Viewing these paintings is one thing but living them is another. That is what video games are all about not just seeing but experiencing it as well.

• Game 1: Team Slayer on Sword Base

With Five Guys choosing Slayer as they gametype, Red Storm chose Sword Base, due to being familiar with the territory by way of the Halo Reach Beta.  Things started out quickly with PhinX23 being awarded First Strike.  The lead switched back and forth, with neither group able to pull away until around the 25-kill marker.  At that point, EmPtY 7even obtained the Energy Sword and started to go off.  Most of the fighting took place in the halls above the yellow lift, and the connecting bridge to the other side of the map.  The IGC team became concerned of a comeback run towards the end of the game, as IRON Church had to quit playing to field a conference call from his employer.  Thankfully, Church was able to tuck himself back in a corner near the Shotgun spawn in order to allow us to protect him from any of the Five Guys crew that might have found out his position and thought him to be lying in wait for a weapon spawn.  Great game all around, and I’m sure all would state that it felt much closer than the score would indicate.

Result: Victory for team Red Storm

• Game 2: Neutral-Flag on Hemorrhage

After getting Church back from his conference call, we continued on with the fragging.  As Ironworks loves a good game of CTF, we chose Neutral Flag as our gametype for the second game.  Deciding to make this a battle of epic proportions, ala Halo 2 (sans Banshees), Five Guys picked Hemorrhage as the theater to play in.  As the map was set up for Big Team Battle, there were more vehicles than we knew what to do with.  Five Guys worked with precision to establish a superior firing position with their Scorpion, promptly destroying ours, along with our Ghost and a Warthog.  Backed into our base, with their tank providing cover fire, they easily scored the first point of the game.  Utilizing the portal to mid-field, and our Revenant, we barely took out their tank before they scored again.  Using the “Mini-Wraith,” as Church loves to call it, we quickly scored the next three points, with Slick WillyQ, Empty, and myself providing covering fire from positions at our portal exit, while alternating in the role of flag carrier for Church to drive us home to score.

Result: Victory for team Red Storm

• Game 3: Stockpile on Powerhouse

For the final game of the Match, Five Guys decided to roll with Stockpile as their choice for Gametype.  Desiring to play on familiar ground once again, Ironworks chose Powerhouse as the board.  This game would prove to be more back-and-forth, with the lead changing hands several times.  Both teams were attempting to nab flags close to them, and then proceed to throw flags out of their opponents capture points, which lead to several scoring timers expiring with no points ticking off on the scoreboard.  At the end, however, IRON Church led us home, with almost half our capture points, and clutch base defense as the game drew to a close.

Result: Victory for team Red Storm

• End Result: IGC defeats Five Guys 3 – 0 to take the clan match.

A great series of games for both clans, Ironworks Gaming Crew takes bragging rights this time around, evening up what we hope will be an ongoing series at one match a piece! Good Games!  We retreat back to the motherland to await our next challenger.  If you’re feeling frosty, head over to The Gauntlet section of our forums and see how we fare against your clan or community!

Game 1: Team Slayer on The Pit

We worked well as a team with callouts and teamwork, however we were outmatched by gunfire from all directions. STSK team shoot their way to victory with a final score of 41 to 29.

Game 2: Team CTF on Citadel

This was a long and painful game for the Red Minjas. STSK scored fairly early in the game which forced us to play heavy defense in order to prevent another capture. We were able to hold them off for a good ten minutes, but they eventually broke through our wall and scored once more giving them a comfortable lead. We were able to get their flag back to our side of the map while they had ours on their side of the map. Back and forth for 5 minutes each team would try to return their flag in order to score. The Red Minjas caught STSK by surprise with an energy drainer landing on the flag carrier, he was dropped quickly and the flag was returned. Midge quickly scored after our flag was returned. The game lasted the full 20 minutes with the final score being 2 to 1.

I cooked up this montage as a farewell to a great game. We are all looking forward to Reach, but until then think about all the good times had in Halo 3. What are some of your great moments from Halo 3? Post it in the comments.

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Earlier this week, I started my self-imposed quest to get ready for the September 14th launch of Halo Reach.  I stayed up way too late Sunday night knocking out the Halo: Combat Evolved campaign for the umpteenth time.  I played firefight off and on to get my ODST fix in before taking it back to Gamestop to help offset the cost of the new title.   I played some Halo Wars.  I’ve started a legendary run on Halo 2 for PC in order to nab some final achievements.  Lastly, I’ve started reading the Cole Protocol in order to get my Halo Novel fix in.  Over the next nine days, I’m going to try and finish my Halo 2 run, play through Halo 3 again, and just absorb myself in Halo goodness as much as possible.  Is it crazy?  Possibly, but I am an unabashedly smitten Halo fanboy, and I am pumped.

New Halo games only came around once every three years, and with the future of that release cycle uncertain, due to Microsoft Gaming Studios/343 Industries taking over, I can’t wait to get my hands on Bungie’s last effort of the series.  Just as much as new gameplay, graphics, a new story, and new features, I’m looking forward to being back in the bosom of a game where the studio supports their titles with more than just post-release downloadable content.  I’m looking forward to being back with a party management system that is conducive to enjoying the experience of gaming with friends.  Bungie has always gone above and beyond for their fans, and it shows.  This will be, without a doubt, the best multiplayer experience as a whole on a console today.

Are you doing anything special or unique to get ready for Halo Reach?  What are you most excited about?

Countdown at this juncture is 9 Days, 12 Hours, and 25 minutes.  Noble Team Inbound…

Update

One of our members, Slick WillyQ, is so pumped up for Reach, that he created a montage of his Beta gameplay!  Make sure to hit his YouTube page for more awesome stuff!

Game 1: Slayer on Standoff
An early push by the Brigadiers left the IGC Warthog a smoking wreck near Dish 2. Fortunately, the Crew were able to make a successful initial push for the Spartan Laser and retreat with it to lay down vehicular suppression from behind the IGC base. Forming up a firm line on the 8BB rock line, the Brigadiers were able to lay down a solid offense. The combined IGC Spartan Laser domination and a successful second deployment of a respawned Warthog were enough to put a solid lead in favor of IGC that 8BB was unable to recover from. Several times, 8BB surprised us by alternating offensive pushes from both Dish 1 and Dish 2, and managed to dominate laser control near the end of the game. Unfortunately they were unable to overcome our early lead, giving IGC the win for round 1.
Result: Victory for Team Red Storm

Game 2: Slayer on The Pit
After Standoff, it was time to move on to the 8BB map selection – The Pit. IGC selected Slayer as the gametype. On spawn, a rain of grenades fell upon the Rocket spawn and Invis. A flurry of kills at rocket hallway opened up the match. From there, the battle lines were drawn at sword room bridge, invis, and rockets. CzarCastic held down the 8BB sniper tower very effectively and made several deposits of lead into IGC skulls. Stealthy gameplay on the part of 8BB resulted in several great kills, but solid use of cover and close quarters battle skills favored IGC Red Storm.
Result: Victory for Team Red Storm

Game 3: Two Flag on Avalanche
With the first two games in the can, the final game was played for pure fun. Both teams hurtled headlong toward the horseshoe and upper keyhole to meet our respective opponents. An early hog joust wound up in a stalemate with both sides taking losses. Both sides set up a solid defense, with the Laser changing hands a few times. Pushes were made for the flag on both sides, but the 8-Bit Brigade managed to get an early flag capture. IGC put forward a solid defense the entire match, with few attackers making it past horseshoe thanks to sharp-eyed Laser carriers and Snipers. 8-Bit Brigade fended off two fierce hog rushes during the course of the game and infiltrators moving through portal. IGC was unable to score a flag capture, giving the victory for game 3 to the Brigade.
Result: Victory for 8-Bit Brigade

Altogether, a great series of games for the Crew. We built stronger ties between ourselves and the Brigade, and brought the bragging rights (and our first victory) back to the home turf. Great games 8-Bit! Looking forward to future matchups!

Please enjoy the video highlight reel put together by our very own SlickWillyQ

[youtube]s74S9F0nYko[/youtube]

Game 1: Slayer on Standoff
Bread and butter. Run it by the numbers. Slayer on Standoff all day long. After the customary lag check, the match began. The Red Storm opening salvo rolled over the 5G ‘hog, causing them to scramble in disarray. A quick mounting of the Red Storm offense pushed them back into and behind their base. IRON Hojimoto and IRON Kyesiff had an impressive run in the ‘hog laying down vehicular domination. Red Storm foot mobiles led by IRON Terps mopped up the rest of the Five Guys as they hovered in and around camo tree and their rock line.
Result: Victory for team Red Storm

Game 2: One Flag on Valhalla
With adrenaline pumping from the victory on Standoff, the Red Storm team flew headlong out of man cannons toward their opponents at beach base on Valhalla. As soon as the game began, we realized the intensity had been upped from the last game. Both sides fought hard for control over center hill and laser during each round. Neither team gave an inch. BennyJ GBG brought a solid defensive game, making some key plays to preserve and return our flag to base.
Result: Draw

Game 3: One Bomb on Last Resort
Determined to bring home the win and give Red Storm its first true clan match victory, team Red Storm mounted the catwalks of Last Resort as the Five Guys team rushed headlong into the base. Once again the same fierce gridlock ensued. Back and forth the battle raged, the Five Guys making solid attempts to plant the bomb. Each time, they were turned aside by the Red Storm guardians. A last minute blitz by the Five Guys crew in round 4 sealed the deal giving them one point which let them win the round.
Result: Victory for the Five Guys, tying up the series

Game 4 (Tie Breaker): Capture the Flag on The Pit
The opening rush for Rockets began. While Spartans clashed for the rockets, other Spartans clashed for Overshield, resulting in an early advantage for the Five Guys. They quickly moved in and grabbed the flag, returning it to their base for a quick score. Several flag grab attempts were put forth by Red Storm, but they were stopped quickly at every turn by shotgun blasts and well-placed grenades. The Five Guys put up two more flag captures to bring the clanmatch to a close.
Result: Victory for the Five Guys

End Result: Five Guys defeat Red Storm 2-1-1 to take the clan match.

A solid series of games for both teams, Five Guys Playing Halo take the bragging rights back to their campfires. Good games gentlemen! Until next time, check out the highlight reel by our very own SlickWillyQ!

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It is a french game so there is strong language and some nudity.

5 stars for originality and a great story.

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Heavy Rain – A WillyQ Review

The freshly minted Red Storm answered the call of battle and set a squad of eight against the oncoming apocalypse. Who would come out the victor?

Game 1: Multi-Flag on Standoff
Grenades rained across from both sides in the traditional opening salvo. The IGC Warthog survived the initial rush, but was taken out shortly thereafter by a massive push by the Horsemen. In disarray, Red Storm was unable to capture the laser and the Horsemen took the initial advantage. Red Storm was able to hold the rock line and maintain a solid defense but there was a large amount of give and take. Back and forth the battle raged with both flags being out on the field at several points. IRON BoomStick was able to get several good flag pickups, but nary a capture. TFH Carnage, TFH Demolition, and TFH Armageddon were all able to execute flag captures, sealing the victory of Game 1 for the Horsemen.

Game 2: Neutral Bomb on Avalanche
With Standoff a fading memory, the icy wastes of Avalanche awaited. The initial rush for the bomb began, with both teams meeting at the horseshoe. The Horsemen gained the advantage with the initial bomb pickup. IRON Terps stood guard at upper keyhole, keeping the opposition at bay. Strong use of teamwork and vehicle support once again gave the Horsemen the advantage and two successful bomb plants. A late game invis pickup and bomb pickup resulted in a successful bomb arming for the Red Storm, but no detonation. The Horsemen then brought the bomb back around for another attempt to score, but they were held off. The game ended with the Horsemen having two bomb plants to the Red Storm’s zero.

Game 3: Big Team Slayer on Valhalla
Having brought home the victory, game three was played for pure fun. The lush fields of Valhalla awaited. Early on, the Horsemen established control of the hill and the laser. Red Storm set up shop at leaning rock, three rocks, and snow cave, picking off weak enemies here and there. The same intense series of give and take ensued as center hill changed hands multiple times throughout the course of the game. Ultimately, superior use of Warthogs, map/resource control,  and team shooting on the part of the Horsemen gave them a solid victory over the Red Storm 100 to 42.

End Result
Victory for The Fifth Horsemen, and a great series of games for both teams.

To our new friends at The Fifth Horsemen, we enjoyed it and learned much about ourselves and where we need to improve. We’re already looking forward to our next encounter and a chance to even up the series. Great games guys!