Choot 'em

Finally!! Someone with an idea!! I would like to check out this map/gametype Unease! Sounds like it could add to the entertainment of the playdate. Is your map available to download? If not, I will try to get on XBL later to try it. Thank you Unease P34nut for the suggestion! As stated before, any and all suggestions/ideas will be considered.

Love it Jester!! Adding mine now!! This will definately benefit playdate organization too, as far as sending game invites! Thanks bro!

Due to the response in a recently made topic, I am starting this thread in an attempt to improve playdate availability and entertainment. Any and all suggestions will be considered and discussed. Keep in mind, playdates are for the entire forum community, not region or player specific. Let the suggestions begin....

Pretty good idea Donut! I have always attempted to scheduled the playdates to accommodate everyone on the forums. Saturday works best for everyone because I can begin early a.m. Central time US, which converts our members in UK to +7 hours. It also works out well with my schedule. The only issue I see with the "poll" idea is when someone doesn't get the gametype or map they would like , will they stay in the group or just leave? I always prepare by getting at least the first 10 gametypes and maps ready with a mixture of FFA and Team. ALL gametypes available. But I am willing to try the poll idea and see how it goes. As far as which game, I plan on doing both. Have always given plenty of notice. Playdates will always be found in the "Announcements" section. I also plan on utilizing the "Events Calander" to advertise. Once a week will not happen yet. Once more people begin to join, I'll consider. Please take into consideration I do have a family, they come first. Friday's nights are NOT a good time to schedule playdates. Only for US residents. Times for UK would be midnight and beyond. I hope this clarifies any issues you may have with the playdates. I do try to accommodate everyone. I look forward to improving it and thanks for the valued input!

Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk

I'm really liking these results! Some usernames and gamertags are actually well thought out! Thanks again Trammell!!

Ok...Gamertag. Master Kensei. Master is a prefix I chose for the love of the Star Wars series. I am a Master of the Jedi arts opposing all Sith and enemies affiliated with them. Kensei was derived from the series "Heroes". Takezo_Kensei was a fabled Samarai warrior with the unique ability to regenerate any wounds received during battle. He was also a highly feared swordsman who became a great Japanese leader. I also have the unique ability to regenerate, lol.

Welcome to the forums Trammel!! We are a friendly place so make yourself at home!!

Very nice OP Trammel!! Username on the forums. Choot 'em - "Shoot him" in a strong Louisiana accent. Famous Louisiana saying by the "Great" alligator hunter Troy Landry. I'm from Louisiana and I wanted a username that represented both the state in which I live and a representation of my own unique personality. I think I nailed it 'T - buddy, lol! So there you have it! Username explained! Thank you for this Op Trammel! My attention to the topic has been peaked with curiosity. This should get very interesting, lmao!

CONGRATULATIONS Quantum Matrix!!!! OUR NEW MoM!!!!!!

Quinn The Eskimo - Manfred Mann

to involve Halo related sentences.

If you've never played the ME series, be prepared for a LONG game! It is by far, in my opinion, one of the most emotionally engaging RPGs on the market. There are so many "WOW" moments! If you enjoy science fiction and RPG elements mixed with tactical shooter elements, this is the game for you. One of the best features is being able to jump right in either game and enjoy the experience. I definately recommend at least trying it out. Mass Effect 3 will have the co-op over Live feature.

New ways to play (coutesy of GameInformer) "When you boot up Mass Effect 3 for the first time, you'll be asked to choose from three possible game modes. These modes represent the different types of players Bioware has realized are all trying to enjoy its games. Here's how it breaks down:" - Phil Kollar Roleplaying This is the traditional Mass Effect experience, providing deep story choices where you're in full control and challenging combat tuned to normal difficulty. Action This mode turns on automatic dialogue, a new feature that will get rid of converstion options, turning Mass Effect 3 into more linear shooter experience. "It's not that they don't like the story," Hudson says of the players mode is targeting. "They all love the story. In fact, the story is so important to them that they feel like the choices are intimidating." Hudson explains that action mode provides a mix of paragon and renegade choices, creating a "default path that gives you access to alot of cool things." Story Given Mass Effect 3's focus on narrative, it's no surprise that some gamers would prefer to stick to this part of the game. Hudson describes this group: "We have a lot of feedback from people who say, 'Your games look really cool, and I love the idea of the story and the characters. It looks awesome when I watch it on Youtube, but I'm just not coordinated with a shooter. I would play it if I could figure out how to do combat.'" Story mode is Bioware's answer. In this mode, combat is dialed down to be extremely fast and relatively easy. "Generally, if you're trying, you're not going to die," Hudson says.

Mass Effect 3 The Beginning of the End by: Phil Kollar (courtesy of GameInformer) "It's all been building up to this. From hunting down the rogue Spectre Saren in the first Mass Effect to teaming up with the sketchy paramilitary organization Cerberus in Mass Effect 2, Commander Shepard's various adventures have had one clear focus: saving the galaxy from a powerful machine race known as the Reapers. Now the Reapers have arrived on Earth, and Shepard must embark on one last-ditch effort to unite the various sentient races and discover a seemingly impossible solution to the war. As I sit down for my first hands-on time with three complete missions from Mass Effect 3, I'm about to witness how high the stakes are and how greatly my choices will impact the fate of the galaxy this time around." *Spoiler Warning* Given the nature of my play session and the things that are most important to the Mass Effect franchise, this article contains spoilers for a few of Mass Effect 3's story missions. However, keep in mind that what I describe here is only one possible outcome; the whole structure of a mission can change depending on what you choose to do. The war comes home. As I begin the first mission of Mass Effect 3, an Earth escape sequence, I realize that Bioware has already shown off this level at E3 and various other events last year. In it, my female engineer version of Shepard is called to meet with the Earth's defense council. She has been relieved from military duty after the events of ME 2's Arrival DLC, but the council requires her expertise. Colonies in the solar system have stopped responding at the appearance of some "incomprehensibly powerful" force. The defense council building is attacked, and Shepard escapes with long-time ally Captain Anderson. I notice a persistent theme of loss and sadness reverberating throughout the level. This emotion is particularly felt in the poignant appearance of a child three times throughout the course of the mission. Shepard first sees the child standing outside the defense council building before the Reaper invasion, playing with a toy spaceship. Then she encounters him hiding in a ventilation shaft, but the child chooses to run away, screaming, "You can't help me!" Finally, Shepard witnesses the child climbing aboard an escape shuttle that is immediately shot out of the sky by a Reaper laser. A look of shock comes across Shepard's face as she watches this, a silent realization that she's in another conflict where she can't save everybody. According to exectutive producer Casy Hudson, these scenes exist for more than getting across the stakes and the scale of devastation the Reapers are about to unleash across the galaxy. "We're exploring the idea of getting the player to understand and feel what Commander Shepard is experiencing versus just reacting to other characters," he explains. "We're trying to tell a little bit of the story Shepard would feel and seeing if the player feels that as well....I think that's going to be one of the things people remember." As Earth erupts in chaos and millions of civilian casualties happen around her, the only choice available is to barrel forward to the Normandy and escape in order to regroup and come back with an army prepared to battle the Reapers. To do so, Shepard is forced to leave Anderson behind. Anderson restores Shepard's rank and provides what's likely to be his final order: "We need every species and all their ships." It seems like an impossible, hopeless mission - even more so than the suicide run of Mass Effect 2 - but before we can get started, we need to take a detour. All good things. If it delivers on it's promise, Mass Effect 3 is poised to be a revolutionary first for the game industry. We've seen plenty of plot-heavy video game trilogies, but never has a franchise tied together so many complex and variable stories across three games, weaving a web of player choices that pulls you ever tighter to the narrative and your effects on its conclusion. As I talk to Casey Hudson about this impending finale, I can't help but notice how tired he looks. His voice is hoarse, and he's clearly been spending many late nights with the rest of his team finishing the game. It's been a long dramatic eight-year journey for Commander Shepard, the developers at Bioware, and Mass Effect fans, but the conclusion it has all beeen building to is finally almost here. "I think it will all be worth it in the end," Hudson reassures me with a knowing smile.

Twinreaper, it has been an honor reading the many posts you have contributed here. You are a very talented individual with the tech savvy knowledge that I could probably never come close to understanding. I really enjoyed being a part of the 101ip issue with you and though I didn't contribute much, other than support, I did try. Though you may not see it, many members really look up to you as being a knowledgeable and well respected member of the community. That, in my eyes, will never change my friend. You will be missed. "Wherever the journey leads, take it as it comes." -Choot

Faithfully - Journey

batch of high explosive grenades!

I do believe an appeal process for bans is needed, especially in extreme cases such as the one listed above. They wanted to broaden the player base to the casual players, but want to penalize them for "appearing" to be AFK? Heck, a new player to the series or gaming in general may not even know what AFK means. If the auto-ban system automatically assumes that you are AFK because you fail to get any kills during a match, then I say it's flawed and needs to be tweaked. I for one have never been banned for any reason and I suppose it's because, like you said, I take for granted the ability to use the controller as second nature. However, if for some reason I would get banned, I would at least like to have the comfort of knowing I could appeal the ban if I thought the ban was unjustified. Now of course by implementing an appeal process, your faced with another dilemma. How to determine legitimate cases from non-legitimate cases. Some players actually know why they were banned but would still want to waste someone's time with an appeal. Microsoft/XBL and the company that releases a game with a "ban" system would have to develop a system that could distinguish legitimate and non-legitimate cases. Maybe with a pre-application process that an individual or group could review to determine if the appeal could move forward to an actual appeal. I do realize this could be a costly process but considering the profits generated by one game, I believe it could be achieved.

Yes s0me-kind-0f-m0nster, I've just researched elsewhere and most that were having an issue state that the problem may have been fixed. Those that have had an issue, please attempt to access MM and post your results. Can you confirm resolved Twin??

On behalf of the entire community, I would like to thank you for the informative videos! Guest_Bob_*...... You are Awesome!!

You always keep us informed of the latest and greatest Jester!! A list packed with marketplace awesomeness! I remember playing Choplifter as a kid in the local arcade. May have to check out the updated HD version! Thanks bro!!

In the video provided by Guest_Bob_*, Halo: From A to Z with Frank O'Connor, found HERE! Skip to 3:32, "H"..... "Halos. There were seven halos to begin with. We blew one up and then we blew up it's replacement again. So there are still six extant halos in the galaxy, primed and ready to fire because we never...we never defused that fuse." Guest_Bob_* is AWESOME!!! Take into account that Frank O'Connor is not considering the other 5 that were destroyed passing through the slipspace portal at the end of Cryptum. He's just referring to the 7 Halos during the fist three Halo installments by Bungie, which i'm assuming we will encounter in the upcoming trilogy by 343industries.

Just for you AgentLoFi, LMAO!!!! - George Michael

Okay..... maybe i am colorblind, LMAO!! Thanks Super!!