The Star Wars Division is enjoying the Bounty Hunter contract missions and is still going strong with the hardest endgame content. Both the Progression team and the Ranked Warzone team are making headway. Wookie Time - the Republic progression team - just recently beat the "Dread Guards" in Nightmare mode which to date is the hardest PvE encounter in the game. Our recruiting contest comes to a close this weekend and our Division looks forward to the PvP Arena's coming in patch 2.4.
Bruce McLean an Executive Produce at Bioware for SWTOR enjoyed being us on Teamspeak last week and we look forward to hosting him again in the future. Don't forget that SWTOR is Free 2 Play and that means you can shoot lightnight out of your hands or wield a lightsaber for no cost.
Don't be a stranger to SWTOR Division and may the force be with you.
See the entire Newsletter | Subscribe to the Newsletter | Submit Content
As a newly formed Corps, VI Corps is on a roll! Lead by StealthMist and Draxton, VI Corps has a lot of activity. Catch all the action in the newsletter:
Have you ever wondered how you could customize your keyboard or bindings?
Well now you can thanks to the Makey Makey.
Makey Makey is a USB controller that you can customize however you like. It is a PCB that you connect to your Computer through USB and then use Alligator Clips to connect different objects to your Makey Makey and use them as controls. You can use simple version (Left, Right, Up, Down, Space, Left Mouse Button) or the back, or the advanced backside of the PCB which allows a greater selections of options.
I played around with one to the Car game Blur and connected the "W" and "S" to pedals on the floor (Gaspedal and Break) and then I connected "A" and "D" to a wheel I made stationary on my table (It could turn but the turning did not cause the car to turn, I instead placed spots on the wheel to act as "A" and "D" so it felt when I turned)
Last of all I connected the Space to my Chairs right armrest and used that as a handbrake. It worked remarkably well and was a very fun and interesting experience.
Now you probably wonder a few things and I will clear them out
Price: $49,95
OS: Windows and MAC OSX
Contains: 7 Alligator clips, 6 Connector cables and the PCB. Nothing else needed
Other Questions:
How many Keys can it press down simultaneously: 6, 18 in a session (6 front 12 back, only 6 can register at the same time while pressed thou)
Can I bind any keys on a keyboard?: Yes, It uses Arduino IDE so you can configure it in a setting file.
Can I use more than one?: I have not tried more than one, but the Devs have tried with 3 and it works. Theoretically you should be able to unlimited once (given you have A LOT of USB ports)
If you'd like one for yourself go grab it at: http://joylabz.myshopify.com/products/makey-makey-kit
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU
[Embed this video if possible Cherry, and do not forget to remove this text!!!!]
3 Fast Short news!
Windows 8.1 will be available October 17th at 04:00 AM PDT
Nvidia accidently say GTA V will come to PC this autumn, Have revoked the statement after. (Still very possible but revoked due to NDA)
The Xbox One controller will be PC compatible in 2014. Windows say that the new technique sets it apart from the 360 controller and due to it takes time to "port over"
Current Happenings/Updates/News - In-Game:
First major content upgrade: http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=958251
Current State of the game: http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=964851
Current Happenings/Updates/News - Division:
The Neverwinter Division is going strong. We had a great response from the community on the initial start up in Vanguard. As we have progressed both as a Division and In-Game we have faced a few hurdles. The main hurdle being the transient community that is present in Free-To-Play MMORPG's. The in-game population fluctuates with activity. Even though the levels of activity have stayed high within the game itself, we find that people randomly come and go. With this in mind we have finally reached a level in the Division where we have a solid member base with steady activity. This is due to the evolution of our recruitment process and the dedication of the members of this fine Division that I am proud to be a part of.
As a Division we decided that the best route to recruit from the Neverwinter Community was to immerse ourselves in it. With this in mind we have implemented a process of offering a helping hand. Instead of repeating guild recruitment posts into the general zone chat, we chose to enter the various locations within the game and offer our services to assist people with their quests or to run them through the appropriate dungeons for their level. Whilst doing this we keep a friendly and upbeat attitude and try to teach them about how the specific mechanic we are participating in works. During this process we give them information on our community, our website, and invite them to TeamSpeak. We have found this to be a successful procedure.
At our current rate we hope to steadily increase our Division membership to a greater number while keeping activity up.
Other events we have consist of our weekly mandatory events. Thanks to our dedicated Command Staff, these events have taken a life of their own. We range from the basic dungeon run, to treasure hunts, hide and seek, relay races, timed dungeons, and many other great ideas. We try and offer rewards to the in-game team that wins these aforementioned events, usually in the form of in-game currency. The feedback has been great so far.
We also concluded a recruiting event where each person in the TAW Community that recruited a new member into our Neverwinter Division received a ticket per recruit for a raffle. The requirements were that the new recruit must be a member for at least thirty days. We draw the winners for this on Saturday, August 31st, 2013, the prizes will be in the form of game shop cash known as Zen, we have three thousand and five hundred Zen points to give out, this is approximately thirty five dollars worth of game shop currency.
In addition to the above, we have added various guides to our forums and wiki to assist with dungeons and character builds. If anyone has suggestions, or needs assistance, please contact a Neverwinter member and we will gladly offer help.
In conclusion, the TAW community has been very welcoming and supportive to the Neverwinter Division, and we would like to say thank you for that. We will continue to uphold the high standards of TAW, and hope to be a prosperous and respected member of this fine community.
So please come out and join us in-game, or just in TeamSpeak to chat, everyone is welcome.
Thank you and take care,
Shindig
Neverwinter Division Commander, 6th Corps
The Art Of Warfare
When GRO was first introduced to TAW, it didn't go to well, and the game was abandoned. But some old dogs from GRFS agreed to try again, Mr. Chewy convinced the VG Staff to give it one more try, and this time it succeeded with hard work. At first it was difficult to get enough recruits, but again with hard work from a STRONG team and with Mr. Chewy who whipped us to provide 120%, we came out of Vanguard to the 6th Corps. And we thank the VG Staff very much for this second try.Since then it has expanded rapidly, some members have left us, but even more have joined in. We have now reached the stage where our dedicated team is putting the final hands-on map locations. Platoons are being made, we are really starting to get a close-knit team. With new staff members, the pace is getting higher, and the members feel more and more dedicated to the Battalion. You could actually say, we are becoming one big family. Today we count 48 members in the VI.corps GRO Division, and that number will keep climbing. The game itself, is getting better and constantly patched. New things are being added to the game, even new weapons from GRFS. 8 players in a fireteam is to come in a future patch. But this is only a few out of a lot new things. The latest patch update, was last Wednesday, Patch 12.3.Some smaller changes, and a few major. Not all of them popular, but if Ubisoft don't earn money, there's no game at all.Never-the-less Ubisoft isn't sitting back and doing nothing. What they failed to do with GRFS, they do with GRO; listen to us gamers and try to develop and make the game better. For new members, the new "Tier" system will make progression slower, especially if they are unable to spend GC. But the actual gameplay is slowly evolving. Magnum ammo now lasts for 5 game-rounds, rather than a set number of bullets, for example.Sure there are still bugs that need fixes, but they are minors. This game is a great, highly addictive and best-of-all, IT'S FREE.
On a side note...We've all had a dreadful match in the past. You know, the one where it simply isn't coming together for you? I have certainly had a few.Likewise, it's a great feeling when you fight at a new level of skill for the first time, and beat the odds.That's how it was for FS ExpertKiller of the GRO EU Battalion and DO Botch from BF3 earlier this week, when upon being pushed-back over several points, their team-mates began to leave until only our valiant fireteam of 2 was left, and one other player, against the marauding foe.Not wishing to disgrace the TaW name, leaving the match was not an option. Instead, they would make the hostile forces suffer and bleed for the final capture.And the fatal mistake the Red-team made was to underestimate the determination of a TaW fireteam. Instead of pushing-up as-one, they re-spawned and rushed as individuals. And as individuals they all died, many times over.Apparently, a number of unpleasant words were used!In the end, they organised a device push, but our guys who had been camping the point immediately switched tactics, and attacked from the flanks, killing the entire team.It was only a matter of time until the superior force won, but time is what they didn't have anymore. The match was over and the final point never claimed.This reminds me of The Battle of Camarón, when 65 of the French Foreign Legion were besieged by 3000 mexican troops, and eventually were left with just 5 men having made the Mexicans pay dearly.These 5 refused to surrender and instead they actually charged the Mexicans.The Mexicans were so impressed with this bravery and tenacious action that orders were given not to kill but capture the surviving 2 Legionaries who still refused surrender and instead demanded safe passage home. The Mexican CO felt he had no option but to agree. They were released, their weapons returned to them, and full honour given.Well done guys.. This is how we roll.
Monaco
Before I ramble for several paragraphs about some neat little game, let me ask you a question: When you hear the phrase "co-op heist game", what do you think of? Maybe you see a series of dark hallways and rooms as you and a partner sneak through, avoiding and distracting guards to get the stash. Perhaps you imagine a high-stakes, full-out action game with guns blazing and know I'm talking about the new Payday game. Well, you caught me; you're absolutely WRONG! Instead, I'm going to be talking about a nifty little indie title that is one part heist movie, another part 80's color scheme, and three parts variety: Monaco.
If you've seen heist movies, a common trope in each is a team; nearly every heist movie I can think of has a team in which every member has a special role to play. Monaco feels like one of these movies with it's eight different classes to play as, each a mildly interesting personality in the (albeit very light and skippable) story. Every job from the Lookout, which reveals NPS's on the map, Hacker, an ace at disabling electronic security, and Mole, a brute with a sledge hammer to demolish walls, feels incredibly unique mechanically. The levels are designed to let all classes have enough to do in a team of up to four players so that you feel valuable. Rarely have I ever felt that my character's unique skill was wasted or gone appreciated.
To further add variety, the game can be played in numerous very different styles. Initially, the game seemed a sort of strategy and stealth hybrid, using your classes to disable or navigate around security systems and guards. Once you get caught, a large dose of action enters the mix as guards chase you down, trying to apprehend you. You can even forgo stealth entirely and pick up one of the couple of weapons in the game and storm the building, taking out guards and clearing the area of any threats. The weird combination of stealth, action, and strategy is an interesting mix, with things almost never calming down once the guards have been alerted to your presence.
As quickly things can go wrong, as much there is on the screen, and as colorful as the palette is, you might imagine that there's no possible way to make a bunch of vibrant colors coherent. Thankfully, the design is superb and I've rarely been lost or confused once I began understanding the game. The level is general colorful so that it's not dull, but the colors are often quite muted in comparison to the eye-catching neons of the players. Flashes of red attract your eye to laser trip-wires, guards chasing after a player, or dogs hunting you. The minimal design means things on screen are more symbolic (gold diamonds for money or valuables) and once you learn them, you can glance at the map and know what's going on, even when chaos reigns on the map.
Monaco is a usually unique game with gobs and gobs of variety and replayability derived from team composition, open-ended levels, and the challenge to make it higher on the leader-boards. While the price does seem a bit high, even if you buy the four pack (for yourself and three friends), sales are assuredly in its future. I highly recommend the game to anyone who enjoys a challenge and loves to think on their feet. No matter how well you plan, something will go wrong but the experience will be exhilarating.
What's your callsign?
TheBaconWizard
Let's get to know you – can you describe yourself in five words?
Irreverant, Creative , Fun, Inquiring , Private
Tell us about your history in TAW.
"I actually played with EU TaW members on the NA server for a long time before I joined. Simply because after disbanding my own small clan I had already joined another, and immediately leaving without good cause is not how an English gentleman behaves. Lucky I'm no gentleman! Anyway, it wasn't long before I got stuck-in, and now I am TS for the EU Battalion, which I am enjoying very much."
What was your initial impression of TAW?
"BIG! The whole thing impressed me. But it was the code of ethics that I liked best; it made me feel like I had come home. "
Tell us about your division, and what you do there.
"Well, In-game I tend to play recon (sniper) and regard my rifle as the secondary weapon to oracle. Although cloaking to take-down that annoying hostile sniper who is slowing-down my comrades is a special pleasure. In terms of training, it's all about communication and making things both fun and interesting. Most of my real-life career has been as an international award-winning chef, so communication, teamwork, organisation and authority, are all things I understand. ""Chef"" is after all, the French military word for Chief. However, I also spent a short period of 4 years as a the only civilian in a Close Protection and Surveillance company where we received operational training from various interesting parts of the British Army. I think some of this will come-in handy. "
What would you like someone considering joining TAW to know?
"Don't just read the code of ethics... READ THE CODE OF ETHICS! It shouldn't be a chore to be endured. Decide that it is your mission statement, and then just relax and have lots of fun. "
Do you have any special hobbies or activities outside of TAW?
"I am a Bacon Wizard! It's not just my job or hobby, it is who I am: I even have it tattooed across my back. My special area of interest (obsession, really) is the art and science of curing meats: something that used to be very strong in the UK, but that we are losing. "
If you could change one thing about TAW, what would it be?
Right now, nothing. But for the future, PLEASE don't forget that as well as the duty which new members and high command share alike to others, people do this for fun. It should always be fun.
Tell us about some of the people you've met during your time in TAW.
"Where do I start! The guys in NA Battalion have me laughing so hard, I can't shoot! Geezer, crimson, minion, neo, to name just a few. Da Chicken has shared with me some truly EVIL sniping-spots, and like most people I find myself happily following Seki into battle. That's 'cos he has a nice butt, mostly. I think he gives-off pheromones. My EU-Crew amaze me: English is a second language for the majority, so their effort is that much greater. Larson actually plays from onboard ship! Our FS has thrown himself at what was a mounting workload. I respect them all, hugely. And of course, I always feel most natural when fire-teamed with my buddy Godfather who recruited me in the first-place. As for Botch and Chewy.. you'll get yours you utter bastards, you will get yours ;) "
What's your favourite thing about TAW?
"what, APART from Honour, Frienship, Loyalty, Fair-Play? It's how much I laugh and learn! "
What might our readers be surprised to know about you?
"I don't think anything would surprise the ones that know me, much. How about this: I mistakenly crossed an active minefield on the Israel/Jordan border at the dead-sea on a quest for evidence on the history of curing pork. (without injury) I have the pics to prove it. "
What's your favourite retro videogame? Why?
"Space invaders: I remember when it first came out as a glass-topped coffee-table with two sets of opposing controls. That was in Japan (I was 5) in 1979 Good memories. "
If you could choose any TAW member to be stranded on a desert island with, who would it be and why?
Botch.. revenge is sweet.
Do you admire any celebrities? Why or why not?
"Richard Feynman, for being a very cool dude as well as having a brain the size of a planet. It amazes me how he could take such a complex subject and explain it so that it all seems like common sense. That's a skill I covet. David Attenborough fro similar reasons: his story-telling and love for his subject. The late Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry for their massive intellect, bohemian outlook, and unerring dedication to truth. George Carlin, Beyonce for er.. different reasons. "
Who do you believe is going to be the most influential figure in gaming in the next three years?
Anonymous
For their time, effort and dedication, this member will be awarded our In-The-Scope member tab for completing the interview.
CreepyOne
Father, Bald, Cool, Nerd and Funny! Kids Words!
I have been in TAW about 2 1/2 months now and it has been a GREAT experience. I have met such a diverse group of people and had such a GREAT time playing Neverwinter Online. I am currently the SO of both the EU and NA Battalions. Both these Groups have some the most unique people that I have ever met online or off but in the best way. They are fun, helpful and serious when they need to be. I couldn't have asked for a better group to have exposed me to the TAW community and having our Corps Lt. Commander playing the game is awesome as well.
At first I was very worried due to the requirements of having to be on certain nights for specific amounts of times and the military structure of the ranks.
The Neverwinter Online Division is by far the BEST Division hands down in TAW, LOL. I hope that will be said by everyone. We have a great group of people that are online pretty much every night doing multiple things from dungeons to quests to just plain helping each other out. I am the SO and responsible for making sure the general moral is in good standing. I make sure the Drill Instructors are assigned and keeping the Boot Camps rolling as well as overseeing the Training Specialist and their instructors. I am here in case any recruits have any problems that cant be directly addressed by their Drill Instructors. On a daily basis I feel as the SO I am here to make sure that people are having an enjoyable experience while on TeamSpeak and in game and if they are not I hopefully can resolve the problem or can find someone who will. But most importantly I am here to make sure recruiting is being done daily to help grow our ranks.
That this is actually a Community that truly acts like a family meaning that we look out for each other be it in game or out of game. We are welcoming into any game we offer no matter what game you joined under and that you are an individual here as well as part of the community collectively and this means you can be here forever no just stop by and play a game then feel as though you have to go to another guild to play another game.
Online gaming is mostly my hobby/activity but when I am not doing that I spend most of my time with my 3 children or with my childrens youth group as a helper to the leader.
I am not sure there are any changes I have found that I would try and put in place yet since I have only been here 2 months but I can say that this Community has been well planned and executed from my perspective.
If I had to pick out some of the people i have met while in TAW I think the ones that stand out most would be those I play online with all the time. There is Aeroticka our XO who is truly a funny lady to run with that will freak you out with her impressions (some of us know what I mean), then there is Revee our CO now she will keep you on the straight and narrow but while making sure you have the most fun, and of course I can't leave out FinVader our New PL whom I run with as much as possible because when we are all running we can't keep from laughing the ENTIRE time we are online. I have single out three people but EVERYONE I have met here has such unique personalities that it has been a pleasure and sometimes a pain (LOL) meeting and playing with them all.
The People definitely!
How does TAW affect your offline life?
Not really too much BUT I will tell you it has helped me with my potty mouth and curving my slip of the tongue every now and then.
I am pretty! Well not really pretty just handsome well if you close your eyes really tight and squint really hard and look closely in pitch dark. LOL Ok seriously this is weird but "I AM BALD".
I think it would be Space Invaders on the Atari 2600.
With this being a Family Community I will reserve my comment to the following: There are persons in our division that I would definitely pick to be stranded on an island with for reasons that are selfish but the choice here very obvious and must be done properly. Shindig for his military and survival skills.
I am not very Celebrity Awe Struck but I think Angelina Jolie is just plain gorgeous.
To be perfectly honest - No Idea!
Terror
I am a New Yorker.
Joined Homefront recruited by Weimauler and his son Kronos. They told me the first day we can become a Division if we recruit more people. So I recruited over 75% of the members and when we launched I was made CO. After the Devs went bankrupt and the servers died we decided to all go our separate ways. I joined Team Fortress 2 for a little while and when BF3 went to VG I left to help spin it up. During spin up I honed my CO skills again for the NA Bn, had an excellent staff including Texashillbilly who was my XO. Some life changes came up and I took an honorable discharge to see them through. When I came back I joined up with the SWTOR division. I'd spent some time playing when Hook was spinning the team up but I wasn't part of the division. When I came back the division was struggling and along with several other skilled leaders we turned it around. I took the Platoon Leaders position because my main character is a Jedi Knight. After this I took on Division Officer to ensure that the foundation we laid in the previous months could continue to accelerate the division to more success. That's where I'm at now, in the midst of that.
I thought it was the best of both worlds, lots of games to play and a serious commitment to a stable, healthy and discrimination free community. The structure and accountability of its staff was impressive. My experience before TAW were clans that were run by cults of personality.
"My division which has a new home in the VI Corps is Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR). Our division comprises a robust North American Battalion that has two factions, Republic and Empire. We offer PvE Progression that is grappling with the hardest fight in the top tier of endgame raiding in the game at the moment and a Ranked Warzone team that's tearing it up in PvP and aside from those Squads we have oodles of members leveling and enjoying the story content. We also have an EU team that is small and hoping to grow. Basically I'm the DO. But Tiggerr and I work as a team, we essentially do each others jobs and both give our Division direction, assessment, clarity and a lead from month to month. We liken ourselves to being the Captain of the Ship simultaneously plotting a course and steering to avoid Titanic proportions of danger. We train our staff one by one and empower them to grow and groom who will take their places. I translate our Code of Ethics and Conduct into concrete policies, lessons and long/short term goals. I try to educate staff and members on different methods of reaching these goals so that we aren't just tunnel visioned but learning about the processes we constantly engage in to fully develop a perspective on our Division and where its at, what our strengths and weaknesses are. "
We put in the time to ensure that our community and your experience in it is superior to any other gaming group out there.
For the past few years I've work in EMS. For over a decade I've organized activism in my community locally and nationally. I'm an educator, dog owner and in a loving relationship with my partner Zoloft who many of you know is the highly skilled CO and 3rd year medical student.
The visual brand I think needs to cast a wider net to all types of gamers and people. It needs to not just be a military oriented brand but a gamer brand that is inclusive to non-military type people, this I don't believe changes the core of who we are and our obvious pseudo-military structure.
I've met mature high school students, talented college students, medical doctor's/students, business professionals of all stripes and all sorts of trades and skill sets of the work force. I've noticed though that they are all mostly community/family oriented and if they didn't have a family themselves knew the importance of one.
The code of ethics and conduct.
TAW is my online life.
That if I ever meet up with another TAW member the first round would be on me.
Contra and Goldeneye. Because I played it with others.
Zoloft. He's my real life partner and is almost a Doctor.
"I admire Matt Damon because he typically plays roles in movies that reflect a truthful reality in our world and I've marched with him at two national demonstrations in Washington DC. And I admire the band Rage Against the Machine because I marched with them at a protest lead by Iraq/Afghanistan War Veterans."
The gamer. Without the gamer games can't exist.
Marc
Organised, Structured , Scary , Informative , Army head
I joined the ArmA II division February 2012, slowly acquired an FL position until I reached SL, flashing forward a few months I first transferred to OS, of which is now specifically OSM, Over there I ran graphics unofficially for a while of which started off with 3 members and an extremely dysfunctional workspace, Now almost a year later graphics which was once so small and dysfunctional now runs with 7 members and 3 departments. Working within OSM isn't easy but you must always have the boring part of taw to have the fun part.
At first I didn't think of it much being I was in the arma 2 domination servers, Ive joined many clans in my past and been an admin in them but I have never seen anything as crazy as taw, I figured I would check out what the arma place was like since im more of a team player than I am a solo junky.
I am currently residing in OSM and have been for almost a year, I am currently the Support team leader of TAW Creative, compiled of Graphics, TAWShop, And TAW's video development.
There is more to TAW than just 1 game and a server.
Personal job arrangements along with side gaming mostly.
Bring back warrant officers/specialist. A better TAW Shop, Rules/policies to be updated every month.
I've met a crud load of people, Being in OSM people expect you to be able to help with anything and everything, Being those facts are there ive met/helped easily over 200 members of taw within my time of being here.
Its ensured to continue for a very very long time, Things change, but very slowly so you can adapt. There are achievements everywhere to be awarded, you just have to work for it.
TAW is like a endless MMO game, You'll always have things to do in every part of taw. Its a daily challenge of that you feel you have responsibility while you go through your day.
I may come across unsocial/intimidating sitting up in OSM channels all the time, but im actually a very helpful member, at least I think of myself to be helpful.
Ooh, that's tough. Right now ill go with payday 2, Nothing beats the satisfaction of risking a lot of guts to get away with a ton of money then throwing that money out to guns/weaponary for better missions.
Arianni from NW, She drives me so insane I'll remake far cry 3 on that island and be a german remake of Vaas.
Not at all, Celebrities are made by luck, They start with advantages of certain things, Ultimately they get more attention when Firemen risk their lives get short pay and never get recognised.
"The guy that created the STEAM Sales. His work has brought many gaming companies money, Steam sale > company money > More games for us!"
TAW AT War at its finest. after a rough start of after server issues, we are bringing the battle. Member against member, honor vs honor. All for taking the final round to take all.
Rewards:
All participants will receive a special participation tab
Winning team will get the TAW wide Tournament medal
The Bracket winning MVP Will receive a Bronze Star or Silver Star
The game: Americas Army 3
Date: 1st round Started Saturday August 17, 2013
Time: Listed on sign-up form
IP: 209.247.83.96 PW: 123
You can find the TAW@War channel under [TAW] Support & Command in Team Speak
Sign up form --------------->HERE <----------------
1st match-up declared the teams of winners in the first round of events from Saturday Aug 18, 2013.
Match1
Match 2
1st match-up declared the teams of winners in the first round of events from Sunday Aug 19, 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With last weeks matches taking a toll on the players. We had our winners.. This week we have a riveting match up with those winners in a all out battle.
The map will be PipelineVIP
Time: 5pm EST
This match up pits two very opposing teams between
Rumor is Paradox may not be able to make this match up so I am offering for
His team to pick from Last weeks survivors as a replacement. and he can move to tomorrows match up between the losing team of today and the champions from last Sunday.
The loseing team will have a chance for redemption pitting up against
With ElenorAwsome being replaced y ParadoxV.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/25/2013 Winners!
&
These two teams will face off Next Sunday Sept 1, 2013 at 12:00 EST 5PM GMT
-- UPDATE final match moved to Sept 8, 2013 12:00 PM EST/5 PM GMTdue to the US Labor day holiday
TAW has a STEAM Group? Yes we do, and I'm pleased to announce that the group has reached 500 members, but we're greedy and want more!
If you're already a member of the Group, help us increase the number of members by inviting your TAW friends who use steam.
Steam is also a great platform to find out what your friends in TAW are playing.
They also offer nice discounts on the games that we play. TAW's OSM Division (Operation Support Media) has been posting announcements and reminds you of important TAW events happening in real-time.
In October of 2012, TAW switched over to STEAM from XFire as its secondary communications platform. If for some reason Teamspeak were to go down for a long period of time, you should use Steam to communicate with your Chain-Of-Command or through email.
The next edition of TAW's Official Newsletter, 'From the Battlefield', is out! This go-round we look at V Corps. V Corps is running strong with over 140 members led by Corps. Commander - Doc, MGN and Corps. Lt. Commander - Oldwolf, BGN. Their current divisions include Hawken, Defiance, Quake Wars and World of Warcraft [Dota 2 just was moved to I Corps]. Read 'From the Battlefield' to catch the exciting happenings. 16 articles for your reading leisure.
Thinking back, what drew you to TAW?
The thing that drew me to TAW the most was the organization and the leadership within the division.
Do you have any special hobbies or activities outside of online gaming/TAW?
I like to try new restaraunts that I have never been to before, to try out and them rate them with a friend of mine.
What are some favorites? color, food, ice cream, book, movie, song, sport, etc
Color: Burnt Orange. Food: Mexican. Ice Cream: Cookies and Cream. Book: I don't read. Movie: Goonies. Song: Ocarina of Time Theme. Sport: Baseball.
Tell me how you first got involved in with TAW . . .
I first got involved in TAW, when I was 19. A friend that I worked with told me about it and that since we played the same games, that I should join. So, I did, and creeping up on 10 years later, here I sit.
What was your first impression of TAW?
My first impression, when I was a guest on TeamSpeak, was are these guys for real. This is too intense and insane.
What's your first memory of something related to TAW?
My first Major memory in TAW, was when as the Match Coordinator of the DF (Delta Force) Division and I had completed Wardy's Boot Camp and later on in the evening, having set up our first match with me a match coordinator, winning a best of 2 out of 3 match against another clan SoF.
What has surprised you most about working with TAW?
One of the things that has suprised me most about working with TAW is how many members that have been around for so many years and keep dedicating their lives to something that not only means a lot to me, but also to so many other members.
What do you find most challenging about TAW?
One of the most challenging things about TAW would have to be, trying to coordinate around both US/EU times so that everyone has equal oppurtunity. (Doesn't reflect every Division)
When you last volunteered, made a donation, etc., how did that make you feel?
I donate, periodically, because of priorities, but when I can I like to think that my money is going to a good cause and overall I feel pretty good about it.
I know that this is cosmetic, but I like the old Dossier pages better than the ones there is now.
What do you wish other people knew about TAW?
As I have come to learn over the years, TAW isn't for everyone. Not saying there is anything wrong with TAW, but some people's communication skills (Profanity) are not what myself and other TAW members want to hear. I do wish that we could target more families that play the same games together. Families are strong members and have an understanding of how to work with other TAW members.
Tell me about some of the people you've met while working on TAW?
I have met some very interesting people/characters in TAW. Some of which are pleasent to be around, and others you want to virtually choke because of their attitude. I have met some poeple going through rough times, like going to jail, and then people who have just started new families.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about TAW?
When I look at someone to step up and take a position, I'm looking for someone who is dedicated, outgoing, and willing to preform above average. And in the sense my belief is that the strongest (term used loosely) will succeed the most.
When your friends/family find out that you volunteer, donate, etc., what do they say or ask?
The number one response that I get is..."You're such a nerd."
The interest in TAW seems to be growing/waning. Why do you think that is?
The reason I think that TAW is growning, because of Advertisement. While we might not actually do much advertising in general, word of mouth is the best advertisement.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about donating, volunteering, etc.?
The first thing I would tell them, would have to be, this is completely your decision, no one is forcing you to do so. Make sure that it is what you want to do before you do it.
What do you think will change about TAW over the next five years?
This might be ovious, but the games/members/leadership.
What do you do when you aren't working, volunteering?
Spending time with family and friends.
Pastorius
I had been taking a break from online gaming after running a Black Ops server for some time. I was playing a lot of quiet, single player games like Skyrim as a kind of antidote I guess? Anyways I’m a bit of a visual nut and I stumbled across a game called HAWKEN in the nvidia forums. I was very quickly hooked and immediately realized that I would have to join a clan if I wanted to experience real team orientated, tactical play and get the most out of the game. So, I put up a request for a clan on my profile page in the HAWKEN forums and Subdivision and Stealthmist got in touch. I had briefly looked at TAW when I played Black Ops and I knew of its great reputation so I was very keen to join and the guys were very friendly and supportive. Also, I’m thirty eight years old now and I really needed a clan that I could feel comfortable playing in that was free from the antagonism and profanity that is sometimes associated with competitive gaming.
In my professional life I am a musician and a high school music teacher. In my spare time I am a self-confessed nerd. I design and build gaming PC’s and I am very proud of my rig as I spent countless hours and a great deal of cash building it. I guess I am obsessively creative. I have to have some sort of project on the go all the time or I get very restless. I love trying new things too. Last year I built a scale model of Stonehenge at the school I work at that stands about four feet tall. I set all the blocks in individual concrete molds and the whole thing is set to the rising sun just like the original. I am very meticulous, much to the annoyance of my girlfriend Rachel.
Did you admire a famous person? What made them admirable?
My username ‘Pastorius’ comes from the jazz bassist John Francis ‘Jaco’ Pastorius. He was and still is my musical hero. He is widely renowned as the most innovative and virtuosic bassist of the 1970’s and 80’s. Unfortunately he fell to a world of drugs and died very young but his legacy will live on. I teach young students now that try to emulate his riffs and always ask me to teach them how to play like Jaco. My other musical hero is Stevie Wonder. He is, in my eyes, the Beethoven of 20th century. I was lucky enough to see him in concert a few years back and I will remember it forever.
Blue – Burgers – Chocolate – The Hobbit – Dirty Harry – No way to say goodbye (Roberta Flack) – Sailing.
What are the goals you are still working toward?
Professionally I would like to be the principal of my own school. Privately, I would like to marry, settle down and have some children with my partner Rachel.
As stated in the first question really.
I was very nervous at first but the guys were so friendly and talked me through the first steps. The induction was a little daunting but very good and gives a good solid foundation for you to build on.
I remember writing in my profile on the HAWKEN forum that I wanted to join a clan and Subdivision getting in touch. He’s a really cool guy and we got along immediately. He often commented on my posts. I was writing a song that was inspired by the HAWKEN concept at the time and he helped me out allot. The song got noticed by the games developers and posted on the main page of the website. They also published it on the HAWKEN facebook page and twitter feed. The guys were really supportive and it was great to see the TAW banners being flown in the thread that had nearly 8000 hits in total.
How much fun it is. The Hawken division are just awesome and we have a great time on and off the battlefield.
What's the best/worst thing to happen since you started working with TAW?
Getting promoted to Staff Sergeant and leading my own platoon is the best thing to happen and probably coming last in the Battle for Illal Tournament was perhaps the worst but even that was great really as it was a lot of fun and I had Xelance and Sub in my team an I learned a great deal from them. It was a very close run tournament and I gained the resilience medal at the end too. Happy days…
That it’s a really positive, friendly and welcoming organization to be a part of. Everyone is willing to offer support and encouragement and help you progress through the ranks.
Seron appointed me my first promotion to Drill Instructor. He is a great guy. He always has time for everyone and is very supportive. He really knows his stuff too. OddCore helped me a great deal with becoming an effective PL and his leadership through this year’s tournament was just fantastic. It was great getting to know Stealth a little. He is a fellow Midlander and we are a similar age so we get along really well. He makes me laugh a lot. Subdivision, as I have already said, is a great guy and I feel lucky to have met him. I have missed his long trawl through the various HAWKEN patch notes over the last couple of months so I can’t wait for the next one as it’s going to be a doozey. Xelance is a very cool guy indeed and it’s great to see him heading up the EU side. In fact, I haven’t a bad word to say about any of the guys in the TAW - Hawken EU division. They are an awesome bunch and I am very proud to be a part of it!
Respect – Honesty - Teamwork –
They think I am way too old to be playing video games! My girlfriend is supportive and is happy I have a hobby but she gets annoyed if I spend too much time gaming when I could be watching mindless girlie rubbish on the TV with her instead. My father justifies it to himself by focusing on the military aspects.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m 38 years old and I have a Star Wars Lego collection.