The SQ Tage Review

Hey, tonight Prestigious Films released their latest work. The long awaited Status Quo Montage.

Incase you live under a rock:
http://www.mlgpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305204

My Review:
Right from the start BAM! A very solid yet simple intro from Zanster, who’s an epic editor. So right from the start there are some good angles, and some awesome bullet effects, which were used to a great effect. Then the Satus Quo emblem and effects at the “title” scene if you will, was great. As it progresses i noticed a few things, first the syncing was great, they put alot of time into it. Next, the only complaint i believe i will have with this is the names in the bottom right corner. They do not catch your eye at all, and go away to quickly, so if you do not watch for them, they are gone. Yes throughout the montage there is a lack of flare. But i believe that it is awesome, because it focuses you more on the gameplay and not the “wow” factor. Which i believe people have forgotten what a montage is made for. But at 3:17, there is one great piece of editing. Ace takes some guys head off with a sniper and the helmet fly’s at the screen and its a sick transition into the other clip. Another at 6:18, a Spartans’ head turns towards the camera, its just awesome. All throughout, i couldn’t help but notice the angles that Fragtality took while capturing this. It is just to cool for words. Its simply epic and original. Over all it is a simply amazing montage and if you haven’t already. Go download it, it is worth it in every way.

Summary:
Epic montage that serves as a reminder to everyone, its not about how you show it. Its about showing it. Though it is not as flashy as the Str8Tage. It is on the same level in every way.

PS: To those who say the clips were against noobs? I notice alot of familiar faces. Rapid Pulse(won a qualifier last season), Shook Won, tons and tons of pros, unless your blind and missed them.

Note: 5:41 is a older clip. ILunchbotttt actually makes an appearance, with Lunchbox actually playing on it.

Heads-Up with Flamesword captain of Status Quo

We got to sit down with Michael Chaves (aka Flamesword) the captain of Status Quo about their off-season changes. So check it out and let’s hear your thoughts about the new SQ!

Trent: Well, coming into the 2009 season you guys were touted as one of the top up-and-coming teams in Halo 3. The season wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely less than what was expected from you guys. What would you attribute that to?

Flamesword: We basically just never showed up to the event. We definitely had it in us, but like I said we just never showed up on gameday.

Trent: You seemed to never be in sync, but you showed flashes of what people expected! Was it a lack of practice, lack of chemistry or something else that caused that?

Flamesword: I think it was the cause of something else, but I just can’t explain. After Side left the team we started practicing less, so that might have had something to do with it.

Trent: Fair enough, since the Orlando National Championships both Legend and Totz have moved on and you have teamed with two very talented up-and-coming players in “A Pure Gangster” and “Enable”. How is this team different than the Status Quo team from last season?

Flamesword: Time will only tell, but I like the feel of this new squad because so far we listen to each other without complaints. Also, everyone is playing a lot more, so I’m happy to be able to sign online and game with a teammate right away.

Trent: Let’s look at your team. If you were to really analyze what you all bring what would you say are the strong suits of each individual player on your team, yourself included. Along those same lines, what prompted you to pick up APG and Enable?

Flamesword: I’m not sure yet because it’s a new team. We pushed for Enable because he’s a sick team player and APG is the next dominant force I believe.

Trent: Well, what changes would you like to see for the 2010 season in the league as a whole?

Flamesword: I want more events and maybe more Cali events. Its so sick out there.

Trent: On the topic of this coming season, have you heard much about the upcoming combine?

Flamesword: Nope, I just know its in Nashville.

Trent: Right, well we’re headed back to Orlando in mid April. Any predictions from the new Status Quo?

Flamesword: Looking at it right now, I feel this will be the best SQ so far. I have 3 young players on my team that just want to win and show they can hang with anyone. Also, Ace and myself are going all out this year to prove that we’re top players.

Trent: Last couple questions. With regard to the transactions that have been made so far regarding the other top teams, who do you think improved the most?

Flamesword: Instinct, they just look solid.

Trent: If you had to pick one, what team do you think didn’t do so hot?

Flamesword: I think they all improved. I think the level of competition will increase this year.

Trent: This will definitely be a year where there is more parity between the top teams. Any surprise teams to look out for?

Flamesword: To early to tell right now. Most teams haven’t really begun practicing.

Trent: Fair enough, well thanks for your time Mike. We’ll check back with you before the event to get your thoughts then as well.

Flamesword: Alright, thanks.

Well, There you have it! You agree or disagree with what Mike thinks lets hear it below.

Lets Talk WoW Strats

World of Warcraft does have strategies, but are a bit different from other games. It is different because of the fact that players only really know what map they are playing on a few minutes before each match starts and they really have no idea the type of team they are playing until the first game begins. They don’t know the type of team because they really have no idea what combination of character classes their opponents are until they are in game waiting for the gates to open and the battle to begin. Once they get to this point they can see their opponents portraits on their user interface and start talking strategy.

With that said, the first game is usually played to feel the opponent out. This means that they are playing to win, but are really seeing what the other team is bringing to the table and who the opponent is trying to kill first. This may change as games go on, but all this stuff goes into consideration.

There are some things that the players always know when playing. One of these things is that they know whom they are playing. The WoW teams on the circuit usually play the same combination’s of characters from tournament to tournament. This is like knowing that someone like Snip3Down is a going to most likely have a sniper in Halo 3.

WoW players also know the objects and obstacles on every map. Some maps have objects like pillars, boxes, and coffins to hide behind, jump on, and run around. Some obstacles could be things like the water fall in the middle of Dalaran Sewers that breaks line of site and prevents movement through the fall and the fire walls on each side of The Ring of Valor that hurts who ever walks through it equal to a percentage of the player’s total health per second.

Simply knowing how a map plays out and when to run, hide, or fight effects WoW strategies. It also helps to have players know how to break line of site and having a healer that knows how to keep it. This helps either stop a spell from hitting them or having a healer get a critical heal off to keep players alive. If line of site is broken, it can really change the tide of a game.

Another key component in any WoW strategy is crowd control. When there are no objects to hide behind in site or a way to break line of site, crowd control comes into play. Crowd control is when a character casts a spell or ability that limits an enemy’s ability to fight. This can be from slowing the speed an opponent can run or completely stopping them from doing anything by turning them into a sheep or giving them a kidney shot. This may seem minor, but if a healer gets sheeped they are unable to cast any heals for a few seconds and it can make it easier to win the game. This same concept comes into play if a DPS gets crowd controlled. If a DPS gets Crowd Controlled, it can stop half the damage being dealt by their team for a few seconds. This can let their opponent take complete advantage of the situation and win the game in seconds. Crowd control is also known as CC for later reference.

All these things go into effect with WoW strategies. With the 2010 MLG circuit fast approaching, be sure to check out these kinds of things going into play when watching World of Warcraft being played. Check back soon for more WoW content coming soon!

2010 Details Breakdown

So, today MLG announced the first details of the 2010 season. I’m going to break it down so you don’t have to run and read word by word.

-Two events so far Orlando April 16-18, Columbus June 4-6….Only going to be four(4) events in the regular season, and the National Championship.
-First Online Qualifier will be for Columbus
-New Games Alright…So am i the only one pumped for this? For once MLG is doing something diffrent. Thats right Folks, Tekken 6 for the PS3…You read it right. The PS3. This will be the first PS3 Game ever on the curcuit. Also Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii will be joining the curcuit. We’ve seen SSBB before on side events, but nothing on the main circuit. Details have yet to be announced about number of players that can register for both, but yeah, we’ll see. Also this leads to a good questions of, how many people will attend for Tekken, i was checking out the gamebattles ladder and there are very few teams there. This leads to the problem that MLG will be stealing fans away from World Cyber Games(WCG) which has tekken on its circuit.
- MLG announced that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be the flagship Online Circuit game because “game’s lack of LAN lobby proved an insurmountable obstacle to our running a large-scale live competition that meets our standards” Hmm….Wonder when they decided this?
-They also hint at a “PC Revolution” that is happening in Columbus. My predictions: World of Warcraft, maybe StarCraft II? There are about 100 different options for this?
-Also, Where’s the Gears gone? With GoW gone, there will be less people there, but there could be potential for more Halo teams. I’m sorry to see this game go.

So yeah, MLG gave out a lot of information, but nothing that we really couldn’t figure out for ourselves, they just are confirming what Insider here told you during the last Orlando event. So for once, i’m going to end like them. More Info to come!

On the Inside with vVv Gaming

Well folks…We’re back! After a small delay in posting, we’re back in action! We’re going to bring you more interviews, more news, more guides than ever before! And man do we have a way to kick it off. With the first of hopefully a handful of interviews with the leaders of some of the largest gaming communities and sites out there!

First up is Lord Jerith, founder and owner of vVv Gaming!

Apollo: Alright why not start off by introducing yourself.

LordJerith: I’m Jerry “LordJerith” Prochazka, the owner of vVv Gaming.  I’m a 39-year old consultant from Chicago, IL. I have eight years experience as a business research consultant on human capital projects with Accenture. I also have special expertise in the design, implementation and analysis of human capital research, particularly in the analysis of quantitative data, as well as qualitative data analysis.  I have proven expertise in award application processes.  Before working with Accenture, I had 12 years experience in nuclear engineering as a propulsion plant watch supervisor and nuclear training specialist for the United States Navy.  I received a BS with Distinction from Old Dominion University and attended graduate school in the Master of the Arts Program for Social Science (MAPSS) at the University of Chicago.

Apollo: Alright so vVv is one of the largest gaming communities out there, one of the “Old School” communities if you will.  How long has vVv been around?

LJ: : vVv Gaming emerged onto the competitive circuit in 2007 with its explosive Gears of War team, vVv Vision

Apollo: Hmm, so what did you think of Visions 2nd place finish at Orlando.

LJ: I think they did great.  The team has great chemistry and is exciting to watch.  We expect great things from them in 2010.

Apollo: So, vVv already has one of the top Gears teams on the circuit, have you ever thought of trying to recruit one of the top Halo teams?

LJ: Halo is a complicated puzzle.  It all comes down to the infamous “Rule #8” of Major League Gaming.  Let me explain further. The rule states: “Players and Coaches may not appear on a Main Stage Station with sponsor insignia that is not approved by MLG or conflicts with MLG sponsors.  Players and Coaches may be asked to wear MLG apparel during Main Stage activity.” So, we have been very hesitant, as teams are instructed to take off their sponsors clothes, and put on MLG branded clothes. However, This year with the combine, we feel a bit better about giving Halo 3 teams an opportunity to represent and be sponsored by vVv Gaming. This year with the combine, we feel a bit better about giving Halo 3 teams an opportunity to represent and be sponsored by vVv Gaming : vVv Sector 7 for GB, vVv Supernatural for GB and the Combine, along with vVv Ultimate for the combine.

Apollo: So speaking about the combines, what are your thoughts on them? Good Idea? Bad? Great for advertising?

LJ: I think they are a very good idea.  I think MLG, in order to try to get consistency, artificially stacks the deck for its pro players.  The combine provides teams with an opportunity to compete with less of the deck stacked against them.  I understand that sponsors want consistency, but MLG should invest in training coaches and teams to work through problems.  vVv Gaming tries.

Apollo: So lets talk about vVv for a minute,  what made you think to create a gaming community and did you think you would be so successful?

LJ: When I bought the XBOX 360 in November of 2005, I took a close look at XBL, and thought, “this will change everything.”  So, while playing CoD2 with a small clan, I realized that this could grow much larger.  People will want an identity and community in this chaotic space. It wasn’t until Gears released in 2006, however,  that we had an opportunity to break into the competitive scene.

Apollo: So, did you attend Orlando?

LJ: No, I did not.  I never attend the nationals.

Apollo: Is there any reason why you do not attend nationals?

LJ: I spent several years in Orlando, Fl for Naval Nuclear Propulsion School.  So, I know the city pretty well. As far as why not nationals, it is the end of the season, and from a recruiting standpoint, we know things change pretty significantly at the end of the season, and turnout is usually the lowest.

Apollo: So do you play competitively at all?

LJ: Not at all. We do not allow staff to compete. I coach players in Gears behind the scene. There are exceptions (i.e. our Halo3 manager vVv Solid, but our basic rule is staff does not compete, but they can coach.

Apollo: Simple enough, other than Gears, what other games do you play online?

LJ: : I finally just found the time to finish Assassin’s Creed 2.  I play games like Dragon Age, Aion, Total War series and King Arthur.

Apollo: So, we all know that vVv has a large standing in MLG and on the Xbox 360, but what about the other consoles? or the other leagues like the WCG

LJ: I try not to say much, but I think our accomplishments speak for themselves, check out our wiki page. We had the bronze metal winner representing team USA for Guitar Hero at the World Cyber Games World National Finals in Chengdu, China last year, if that helps give some idea. Not to mention our FIFA player, vVv Michs, also represented Team USA for FIFA in China. On the PC side, our Call of Duty teams, Left for Dead teams and Counter-Strike: Source teams all finish top 4 in their divisions.

Apollo: With all you guys have done, surely you get many teams wanting to represent vVv, how do you determine which teams will and which teams will not

LJ: It depends.  We turn down 88% of all applications, and We turn down 95% of team applications. Mostly we want teams that understand the business side or are opening to learn about the business side. Many teams make the mistake of wanting money from vVv Gaming, without explaining how it will benefit vVv Gaming. Most teams clearly do not think through their worth.  They will say, we will represent vVv Gaming to our fullest.” We always ask, exactly what does that mean?
The problem is that many teams feel that being skilled means something, and quite frankly, that is just the tip of the iceberg.  We often refer them to this video: http://www.vvv-gaming.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=34305 , also, saying “we will get vVv known.”  We just show them our list of accomplishments and say, “more than we are?” How would you do this?

Apollo: Would you like to give any shout outs out before we wrap it up here?

LJ: Yeah actually I would, I want to give a shout out to vVv Vision, Steel Series, KontrolFreek, our awesome staff and amazing community.

Alright guys there you have it. Know an awsome site? Want to see an interview with the owner? Submit the site link and why they should be interviewed to me at Apollo@mlginsider.com or InsiderApollo on AOL. Lets here them!