This is a new addition to the TAW Newsletter so I would like to start with introducing it and me.I am a returning TAW member that many of the older members know, but there is a lot of new faces so I might as well introduce me for you. My IGN name is Freeoath in all games and even here on TAW. Joined TAW March of 2012 in the Tribes:Ascend division when it was still in Horizon. I quickly stepped up in positions and together with Koto and Eifer spun up the whole division. In Late August 2012 I had to resign Honorably due to a severe liver disease. If you want to know more there is info at my Bio.About this segment. I will in every newsletter introduce new things in the IT world. It will be both short articles and longer reviews or introductions. You will see as time goes by.If there is request for any reviews of technical items just give me a shout and I will se what I can do.Crossbar's Resistive RAM ChipsWith the growth of the mobile units the request for more power efficient, high performing and low cost memory, a market that has exploaded lately and is expected to be worth over 60 billion USD a year.
"The Crossbar memory cell is based on three simple layers: A non-metallic bottom electrode, an amorphous silicon switching medium and a metallic top electrode. The resistance switching mechanism is based on the formation of a filament in the switching material when a voltage is applied between the two electrodes."According to Crossbar, the RRAM is supposed to perform 20 times more efficient than traditional flash memory (NAND). Also withstand 10 times more write cycles , have lower power consumption and thanks to it's stacked circuits be able to store several terabytes of memory in one single chip.
This technology has been impossible to make real with the current CMOS-technology. But now Crossbar has managed to do just that in a commercial manufacturing plant, unlike the prototypes that has been made in labs thus far.They are starting the first phase in making this technology commercial, but they do not believe it will hit the market before 2016. When it comes they want it to replace SSD's and similar in all devices, from computers to Phones. This will also make phones and computers batterylife insanely long compared to now. Not hours or days, but weeks or even months.
Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe
A bright and colorful romp through a challenging game style, Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe (What a mouthful) is the newest of the indie titles to be published by Adult Swim Games. SPPD harkens back to the days long past when video games were often vibrant, non-nonsensical, and infuriatingly difficult, if not out-right impossible, to beat. The game feels old in style and game-play, but controls smoothly, seeming to be at home with many classic Super Nintendo games such as Tetris Attack! and Super Mario World.
In Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe, you play as one of eight little critters. Each has a unique ability, such as slow falling, double-jumping or a jetpack, and a set of stats that effects how fast it moves, how high it jumps, and how easily it destroys blocks. Blocks fall from the sky and you must avoid their weight crushing your little skull to prevent you losing power or, while in your weakest state, dying altogether. You have a weapon of some sort that you use to destroy blocks to collect block-bits and unclutter the playing area. Blocks adjacent to other blocks of the same color share damage and are thus destroyed at the same time, creating large chains and increasing your score. Collecting block-bits from destroyed blocks not only increases your score, but increases your power level and the relative difficulty of the level, making the level faster and faster paced. Eventually a falling hazard or falling into the pit at the bottom will claim your poor critter and you'll begin a new, potentially with new characters or levels unlocked.
The game also has a challenge mode which pit you against a specific game mechanic, such as spikes, cannons, or just falling blocks. While initially fun and interesting, the challenges are quickly beaten simply through memorization of patterns which leaves you feel inspired once you beat a challenge through trial and error rather than skill. The relatively shallow challenge mode is more than compensated by the 9 different characters and the six levels. Each of the levels has a retro-inspired soundtrack as well as unique traps which appear only in that level. This gives each level its own bite and it's quite a challenge learning how to cope with each new hazard as you progress through levels.
Super Puzzle Platformer Deluxe is a cute little game that you can throw away a good chuck of time to. While the classic mode has a good challenge to it, it can be at times rather infuriating simply due to movement not quite being perfect as you might hope. A small list of minor issues such as odd hit detection, non-nonsensical game mechanics, and some small movement issues do detract from the game a bit, but it's still quite an enjoyable game that I keep finding myself going back for more. While I can't truly suggest picking the game up at full retail, if you can find it on sale, I would have no issues giving it a try!
In honour of its latest update, this edition's Previews of Note will be about the fantastic free-to-play sci-fi third-person shooter, Warframe.
The warframes are a mysterious technology designed by the long-dead Orokin race, and inhabited by you, the Tenno. It is unclear whether the Tenno are futuristic humans, aliens, or even simply data which inhabits the warframes – regardless, there are enemies inhabiting the Milky Way who want control of them and it is up to you to stop them.
Warframe features a number of enemies, the most prominent of which are the Grineer, the Corpus, and the Infested. The Grineer are the first enemies that the Tenno encounter upon awakening, and inhabit almost the entire Mercury system. They are produced via cloning, and have a number of variants, though the generally specialise in heavy armor. With enemies ranging from the whip-bearing Scorpions, to the fire-blasting Napalms, the Grineer can be a formidable enemy to the Warframe with the wrong tech.
The Corpus, however, are a Merchant Cult, “built on the foundation of salvaged technology and Robotics.” Corpus groups scavenge for the remains of the Orokin wars, highly prizing warframe armour – any Tenno captured are treated as salvage, and the remains sold to the highest bidder. The most common Corpus enemies encounted are the MOAs – bipedal turrets that carry either rapid-firing lasers, or high-power railguns. They have regenerating shields which can make them formidable in groups, especially when paired with shield ospreys. Enemies range from the robotic MOAs, the flying Ospreys, and the box-helmeted crewmen.
The Infested are perhaps the most interesting of the enemies that the Tenno face. Taken over by the technocyte virus (which you, as the Tenno, are also infected with) they have become mindless creatures that will attack any non-Infested on sight. Low-level Infested include the exploding Runner and poisonous Crawler. The more dangerous Infested are the Ancients, comprised of the Healer, the Disruptor, and the Toxic.
Warframe has a great deal of variety suitable for almost any playstyle, with stealth options and high-power sniper rifles among the items that can be chosen. All items in the game can be crafted from blueprints, though there is a relatively expensive cash shop available. Male and female Warframes are available, and there is an almost endless variety of colour customisation. As a free game in open beta, I cannot recommend Warframe highly enough!
What's your callsign?
Hellduke.
Let's get to know you – can you describe yourself in five words?
I guess I can give it a shot: quiet, trustworthy, honest, patient, social. Might seem like the first and last don't fit, but I make it happen.
Tell us about your history in TAW.
I joined TAW several years ago. I received a PM on the Company of Heroes forums back when I started getting into Company of Heroes Online. At the time there were very few of us, but once we started growing we needed something more interesting to do during the training nights so I took the job of XO. Back then I was actually making notes before leading a practice.
We stayed in Vanguard for a very long time, but once we launched I was offered the position of DO. I took it and then started working with a guy called DeSoto. Was fun, since we often disagreed, but we got around a lot of problems that way. After he moved over to help out the World of Tanks division I stayed behind to keep the Company of Heroes going. Found great help in one of my members Eifer. After the first year in TAW I received a commendation signed by most of my co-members. I still love to go in and read the nice words everyone wrote.
Then came a long break from TAW after transfering into Star Wars division. I guess I just over-worked myself. After staying away for a while I came back into the Dota 2 division. I found several known members. RomanTemplar being one of them. He was the DC of DA. I knew Eifer did really well in TAW, but finding him in the OS CC was interesting. So I guess that about covers my whole history in TAW without going into details too much.
What was your initial impression of TAW?
I really liked the way things worked. I liked the structure which was clear and showed who is supposed to do what. For the most part at least.
Tell us about your division, and what you do there.
I am currently in the Dota 2 division and I am the Division Commander for that division. While officially the Division Commander mostly takes care of transfers, discharges and overview of the division, there is a lot more that goes into that than it seems at first. As the DC I also have to keep an eye on the day to day activity. I still get approached with things like excusals and practice times. I often need to step in for other staff members when they seem to slack on doing there job. Being the DC (Division Officer is in the same position I might add) is more about knowing about every position and being able to do everything than just general overview. Probably one of the most stressful things I get to do is checking the attendance.
Every month I just make a complete overview of the division and discharge the members in the red. It's not always easy, especially if you attend practices and since you know a lot of the people. You know that they don't do it out of ill will, but sometimes you just have to discharge some people just so they learn their lesson. Which is also not an easy thing to do, since it does not apply to everyone the same.
What would you like someone considering joining TAW to know?
TAW is being administrated by people like you. Everyone has other things to worry about and the rules are there for a reason. If you are someone who can't do simple things like filling in excusals you just make it harder on the people trying to make this a comfortable place for you.
Also I would like everyone joining to keep in mind, that the community is something I would call "By players, for players". If you don't intend to step up and help out then there is that much less of a chance that there will be people out there to do everything to keep this place alive.
Do you have any special hobbies or activities outside of TAW?
Reading books is one of my hobbies. I also like to play football (soccer to some) and basketball when I get the chance. I also like playing snooker. Used to have more, but as free time decreases so does the number of hobbies.
If you could change one thing about TAW, what would it be?
I guess the one thing that bugs me is the one member one division policy. I understand the point of it, but I would like to see a possibility to be on another divisions backup roster. Basically the system would be that you belong to a single division like now, and you would have sub divisions or whatever we would call them. That way you could get notified on their practices, be included in the mailing lists. Also, it would more clearly show the interests of a member.
Tell us about some of the people you've met during your time in TAW.
The first people that come to mind are Kingcheese and Eifer. Kincheese was in Vanguard back when I joined and was a great deal of help getting used to everything I had to do. Helped out a lot and was very patient with us.Eifer was a good friend, joined after me. Kept pushing him up rank after rank until I had him as my DO. He was a great deal of help and still is.Another person worthy of mention is DeSoto. Was a great friend and co-worker if you can call a DC to a DO a co-worker. Often disagreed about many things, however that only allowed us to resolve a greater deal of problems as funny as that might seem.Among others there's RomanTemplar and Kinare. The first one was again back from the day in Company of Heroes. I still remember talking to our CC and saying that we wanted to push him up as far up the CoC as we could. Kinare was a great help as well. I just seem to keep getting extremely gifted and friendly DOs and DCs. Hope that keeps up!
What's your favourite thing about TAW?
I guess that would be the friendly people. I really like talking to people of different cultural backgrounds. Admittedly we do have the not so friendly people, but then again we can always discharge them :D
How does TAW affect your offline life?
In all due honesty, not a lot. Most likely changes in my offline life have an impact on how I do things in TAW. Though I tend not to bring the negative into TAW. I guess I could say that I did learn to manage people better in real life, but since I do not work in an administrative field in real life, I don't get to apply that as much.
What might our readers be surprised to know about you?
As far as I can tell, apart from another member that has left TAW quite a while ago, I am the first Lithuanian in TAW that is active to this day. Otherwise I might say I am the second Lithuanian, beaten by a former member Gerex by a week or so. On another note, from a real life point of view: I am diabetic since 1994.
What's your favorite retro videogame? Why?
I had many favorites. Though I guess that if I had to pick the top 3 it would be Stronghold (1 and Crusader), Total War (the whole series, but if I had to single out - Rome) and Diablo 2. Stronghold was my favorite RTS game at the time. It just somehow appealed to me. I remember Shogun Total War. It just was different. Haven't played anything like that. It also pulled me into showing more interest in the Japanese culture. Finally Diablo 2 was my favorite RPG. I was drawn into it by my cousin. I found the idea of having to equip and level your character interesting.
Another game worth mentioning was Max Payne. I still think that game had the best story telling (and a nice story as well) to date.
If you could choose any TAW member to be stranded on a desert island with, who would it be and why?
Well I have 2 choices here. I would take Eifer because he is reliable and we get along really well.
On the other hand I would pick Kinare. First of all, she is also reliable and helps out a lot with her own initiative. And also because I am a typical man: I might misplace something and not find it even if I look at it. I find that women generally help me out in that respect.
Do you admire any celebrities? Why or why not?
If there is one person I could say I admire from the celebrities, it would be Morgan Freeman...Mainly because of his views and the fact that he is outspoken on them.
I mostly don't admire many celebrities because I don't follow their private lives. I just simply put do not care if some celebrity adopted an orphan, or if they donated or if they beat some illness or something. It's their private life and I feel no interest in poking my nose in there.
Who do you believe is going to be the most influential figure in gaming in the next three years?
I guess it will be TotalBiscuit. He and the others from an obviously close group have a great deal to say and most things they say make a whole lot of sense. If more people listen to them it will be easier on a lot of us.
Honestly though I couldn't really say. I don't really believe anyone can have a big influence, or any influence at all on a thing such as gaming.
For their time, effort and dedication, this member will be awarded our In-The-Scope member tab for completing the interview.
Supernova.
lazy genius addicted to games :)
I joined TAW over 3 years ago, when Quake Wars division was in its best time. I reached Sergeant rank after 14 months. After 5 months of being SL i was promoted to Staff Sergeant. After next 9 months i moved to League of Legends division where i stayed for over 3 months.Then I came back to QW and took XO position along with promotion to Second Lieutenant. 90 days in rank- promotion to First Lieutenant.20 days later i became CO of QW 2nd battalion.
The very first time i saw TAW members they were playing scrim match. They seemed to be very well organized. All the time they knew what they were doing. Everyone was very friendly. I joined TAW, and i was impressed by how well organized everything was.First attendance and announcements, then splitting people into teams and debrief after games. Always the same.
Quake Wars division is one of oldest in TAW. Its been here for over 5 years.We play internal tournament - Battle For Earth. Now we got 23rd season. Our teams compete against each other to get the title of best squad on the planet. My job as CO is to make sure everything goes smoothly and everyone is having fun. Quake Wars members became almost like a family :)
Every TAW member is very friendly. Everyone is willing to help you if you need anything.
I would make more TAW-wide events, because i feel like people stay in their division channels all the time and don't even know whats happening in others. There are so many people who want to talk or play games with somebody.
What's your favorite thing about TAW?
It gathers all kind of people , but most of them are kind and open :)
I learned a lot from taw members, the most form my PLs and officers When I joined TAW I barely passed bootcamp, i couldn't speak English at all. First year i was almost only listening to others , and saying only some basic commands and responses. My English improved so much since i joined...I also learned how to organize time, how to lead people so there are willing to follow you. When I'm sad i like to join our TS server , because TAW members always make me feel better no matter what happened in my real-life
I always re-think everything i did at the end of a day, i think which decisions i made were good , which were bad, how can i improve. i got a headache almost everyday because of that, but its worth it anyway.
OldWolf
Not so young, but Young.
started in QW,over 5 years ago, became DI after a couple of months, soon HDI. After about 6 months became CO for the EU Bn. Held it for almost 3 years before being convinced to step up as DO and after that CLC for 3rd Corps. Changed to 5th Corps after a while and still there.
Very good !!
Nowadays in CC ;-)
That we have a friendly and non-competative atmosphere
Custom knifemaker (www.scrimart.se) and a fan of warbirds, sportscars, whisky and cigars.
Doc.
Relaxed, dedicated, honest, fair, helpful.
My first tour of duty started in Feb. 2005, and joined the RavenShield Division. This lasted until Feb. 2008, when I had to leave due to personal reasons. I returned in June of 2010. I rejoined the GRAW Division. During my time in TAW, I have been blessed to serve in many different positions. From DI all the way to CC.. And have served with many wonderful people.
I liked the structure, and the sense of fair play.
I have had the honor of serving in Corp Command sense Feb. 2012. During this time, I have had the pleasure of overseeing many Divisions. Currently, along with my CLC OldWolf, Oversee Defience, Hawken, QuakeWars, and World of Warcraft. As well as being the future home of ARMA 3.
I suppose that any new Recruit should know that being a member of TAW requires a level of commitment and dedication most "clans" do not require. But it is well worth it.
I enjoy going to the gun range and popping off a few hundred rounds.
Nothing. TAW is what it is. This is why it has lasted 11 + yrs.
I remember those who helped me become the leader I am today. Guys like; MartyHead, Karde, CTerrin, Backman. These members were exceptional leaders.
The friendships made that last for years.
None. I am pretty much the same offline as I am online.
Maybe the fact that I'm a single Dad. Been raising my daughter for 8 years by myself. This is why I go to the gun range. lol
What's your favourite retro videogame? Why?
Raven Shield
I think this is a loaded question. lol It depends weather or not I want to be rescued. lmao
Bear Grylls. He is able to survive and do so with a sense of humor.
I hope it is the consumer. I hope the gaming companies start listening more to the people that are buying the games.
Many issues have come up regarding times and team brackets. the tourney will be T@WAR5 take 2 Starting Saturday August 17th, 2013 6PM EST (1AM GMT+1) the server is up and currently running, For play and server stress testing during the first few hours.
Currently, those that signed up on teams will need to re-place their name into the roster at the desired time they will be available for the first round of matches.
Rules for sign up:
Rewards:
All participants will receive a special participation tab
Winning teams 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 Starting on Friday August 9th, 2013 - Aug 11, 2013
Time: Listed on sign-up form
Sign up form --------------->HERE <----------------
UPDATE :
8/1 - Due to issues Saturday Aug 10, we got set back... But as of Sunday Aug 11 server is up and tourney should continue. IP to log into: 209.247.83.96. - the new server is up however punk buster is causing issues with it. we are adjusting a few things on this and we should have our server back up. Count next weekend for sure!! the AA3 server will be running this week for the time being as we try to resolve this.
8/12 - The servers are running now and it should be a solid state by Aug 17th - 18 for matches. The Server IP is 209.247.83.96 PW: 123. Feel free to play on the server for the time being to help stress test it all. A special thank you to: Kanadetachibana for your hard work in helping with this and getting the servers back up for us!
Earlier today, The Art of Warfare added another Corps to its roster. 6th Corps is commanded by Stealthmist as the Corps Commander, followed by Draxton in the Lt. Corps Commander role. Congrats to both of you, well deserved.
6th Corps has been given command of: NeverWinter Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic & Ghost Recon Online. The channels for these divisions can be found near the bottom of Teamspeak. (right above afk). With 284 members, the corps is the 5th largest in TAW.
HOORAH!
Hey everybody!
We in TAW TV at Operation Support Media are looking for members!
The purpose of this team is to stream and do commentary gameplays of practices, scrims and even review upcoming games that that fits TAW, also doing videos for Newsletter at the side, when required. Just a heads up, OSM runs differently than other units within TAW, as part of our Media team you do not have any mandatory events, instead you are assigned the requests that can come at any given time by members or newsletter team in our community, this can also be an opportunity for people that have difficulty making their mandatory events that still wish to stay in TAW an opportunity to do so, if you wish to know more about the position you can shoot an email to me (Homeros@taw.net) or just look us up on our TeamSpeak and we will gladly answer any of your questions.
TAW TV Applications Form
The requirements to join TAW TV are:
Casual Streamers:
Streaming relaxing gameplays and some casual or fun commentary to it.
TAW members joining this team would have to have a well performing PC
Optional: secondary PC with a capture card to stream high quality and smooth gameplays.
Have some experience with streaming games for twitch or recording for Youtube.
Cameraman:
Those who specializes in spectating in game for the commentators. Finding great angles, perspective and overview in the game.
If you have the experience of a Videographer or Photographer it will work quite well with this position!
Commentary:
Requires a clear microphone, experience with commentary of game plays and has a clear voice (doesn't have to be perfect). And some experience for commentating in gameplay videos.
News & Reviewer:
Still requires a well performing PC but also needs some experience in reviewing the game. Example: Sound, design, graphics, game engine, game mechanical…. Etc. Also it can be done offline to be put up for Youtube.
Also talking about upcoming game and news about gaming related stuff.
General rule:
Following and understanding Code of Ethics and TAW Policies
No profanity on the videos
No immature videos, such as trolling, exploiting or even hacks!
Aims:
To gain a lot of publicity on Twitch or Youtube
To gain Twitch partnership
To gain Youtube partnership
To encourage more members in TAW to stream videos and record videos
OSM Member Requirements for Joining
- Must be at least 18yrs old.
- Must be in TAW for at least 31 days.
- Have or obtain the Security Awareness Badge
- Have or obtain the Information Specialist Badge (If you have questions about this form, please contact QuinoaAOC, DeadXOn, Ekis or Cutthroat)
- Review our Three Strike & Dual Member Policies
- Be proficient at one of the following skill sets: (Graphic Design/Product Design, Video Editing/Video Streaming, Journalism/Blog Writing).
- Potential Applicants will be required to display their abilities (IE: Previous work samples before being considered).
Here are some of the things you will be able to work with if you join us.
On Twitch:
Training Sessions
Internal Tournament
External Scrim
Rage Plays
Relaxed Gameplays
Teamwork videos
Collaboration Stream
Co-op plays
Live game reviews
News update
And more!
On Youtube - Commentary:
Top 10 Top game plays
Top 10 Fail plays - Gump Award Show
In the spotlight – Upcoming game for VG Horizon
New Edit!
Regards
///1LT.Homeros
Operations Support Media | TAW TV | Support Team Leader
And now we begin our venture forth to start the signups for the competitive play. TAW @ War.
To bring fairness and equal opportunities for our membership, we have created a signup sheet allowing for teams to form.
Rules of the teams are as follows:
Get out there and start forming up your teams.if there are any sign up issues let me know.
All participates will receive a special participation tab
Date: Starting on Friday August 9th, 2013 - Aug 11, 2013
Time: TBD
Sign up form HERE
The next edition of TAW's Official Newsletter, From the Battlefield, is out! IV Corps has four very active divisions and provides some good reading. In addition, we also have our typical Indie Corner and the Previews of Note [PoN].
IV Corps is running strong with over 360 members led by Corps. Commander - Subrat, MGN and Corps. Lt. Commander - Stealthmist, BGN. Their current divisions include Age of Conan, Starcraft II, Mechwarrior Online and World of Tanks.
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