MLG Raleigh marks the 2nd tournament in MLG history without Halo and thankfully there won't be a 3rd. With a new game, there is new hope in November with MLG recently announcing that Halo 4 will be playable at the Dallas Championships, November 2-4th. Again, Halo will be showcased on the MLG main stage that made competitive console what it is today. I'm stoked to play the game (in full) and to see how everyone will fair on an even playing ground.
I covered the event for Gamespot which allowed me to spend some quality time with the FGC and LoL communities. I enjoyed every second of spectating and chatting with the players, pros, and fans. Even though the MLG venue at Raleigh lacked the fire and intensity the FPS community brings to the table, it didn't lack in entertainment because this was by far the most controversial tournament in Major League Gaming history. For interviews and gameplay from the winners head to www.gamespot.com/esports.
The tournament was overshadowed by Team Curse and Team Dignitas colluding to split the prize pot and decided to play Game 1 as an "ARAM" during the League of Legends Grand Finals. This is the equivalent to Halo players playing "all beat downs" or "sniping only" - Gamers work hard for hours and hours to get a shot of playing on the MLG main stage to make a name for themselves, so I was shocked once I realized what was going on. Both teams were stripped of their 1st and 2nd place titles and the prize money was awarded to the 3rd and 4th place teams. In my opinion, this was the correct call by MLG.
[1st Panoramic shot with the Xperia ion]
I interviewed Elementz, from Team Curse, to see what they were thinking and got a chance to spend some time with the team afterwards.
After spending some time with Team Curse, I realized they were a good group of guys who just made a mistake. Hopefully they can bounce back from a tough 2 weeks and shout out to WestRice, who has been around the MLG Halo scene for a bit.
Overall, I had a blast at MLG Raleigh. As you can see, I couldn't stop taking pictures with my Xperia ion phone. 12 megapixels and I can take it out of my pocket from sleep mode, and snap a picture in a second flat. So if you see me using Instagram a lot more, now you know why ;) I put together this MLG Raleigh collage with the Android app, PicsArt that I downloaded on my Sony Xperia ion - just a simple and easy to use app that I use on my Ion. Thanks to everyone for reading and I'll be back soon with some of my PAX Prime Adventures!
Hey gamers! I'm still catching up from the madness we all know as San Diego Comic-Con. You will see plenty of pictures and video content below! The obvious highlights were Halo 4, Gears of War Judgment, and the badass cosplayers! Unfortunately, I don't have enough time jot down my thoughts today but there will be plenty of upcoming Q&A's via my Twitch.TV channel!
Interviewing Frank O'Connor [343 industries] about Halo 4 multiplayer
Pictures from San Diego Comic-Con
Hosts of the GameSpot Live Show - Mrs Violence, Rob Benedict, Tsquared, & Richard Speight Jr.
SDCC GameSpot Live Cam - Day 1
SDCC GameSpot Live Cam - Day 2
SDCC GameSpot Live Cam - Day 3
The Walking Dead Survivor Run - Tsquared First Person POV
The Walking Dead Escape - Confessionals
If you haven't noticed #TeamRedBaron taking over your Twitter timeline - here is the deal. Red Baron Pizza and MLG Pros have teamed up to bring a really cool opportunity.
To win, simply grab a Red Baron Pizza from your local grocery store and enter the code!
Upcoming prizes this week:
- 15 Free Red Baron Pizzas for people who submit and have their questions used in my Q&A
- Win a chance to game with me for an hour! (everyone knows my average gaming sessions are 3 hours...so yea we won't be playing only 2 games together)
Hopefully everyone enjoyed Father's Day weekend. My Dad introduced me to Halo while living in NY, over 10 years ago. Inside the VIP section of his nightclub, sat 2 Xbox's with Halo inside. Guess all of those hours sniping people standing still and pwning the staff payed off.
Halo 4, Black Ops 2, Gears of War Judgment, Shootmania, and Watch Dogs were the shooters that got me excited. Shootmania because of the obvious Esports connection. I actually picked up an Alpha code from Ubisoft and can't wait to give the game a try. Watch Dogs got my attention immediately....I wouldn't doubt if this title was next gen.
The most impressive multiplayer was close between GOWJ and H4...both games offered something completely different than previous titles. GOWJ had Overrun, a new gametype that involved classes, similar to Left for Dead. While Halo 4 had the battle rifle, upgraded custom load outs and Spartan Ops. I can't remember an E3 that was this exciting - it leaves me stoked for PAX!!!
If you missed any of my coverage, be sure to check out the videos via Gamespot below:
MLG/Sensei Mouse and Gaems booth
Halo 4 Waypoint Community Event
Interview with David Ellis - designer at 343 industries
Halo 4 booth and MLG swag giveaway
Kelly & Toms E3 Adventure pt 1
Mrs Violence checks out Gears of War Judgment
Rockstar posted my multiplayer montage w/ Mrs Violence today on their website. BIG shout out to the great staff over there for the support. Really looking forward to the new maps and DLC that comes out for MP3. Like & comment the video and you could win some R* swag!
Max Payne 3 Multiplayer Montage
SteelSeries announced their new PINK Siberia V2 headset! 10% of sales go to Breast Cancer Research Fund! They make a perfect present for your girlfriend or if you're a fan of "lightish red." Donut and RVB season 1 FTW :)
Wow! What a crazy week we have coming up! I hope everyone is getting ready for the insanity of E3 / MLG Anaheim! I know I've been hitting Yoga everyday to get ready for the amount of bad convention center food I'll be consuming ;)
Typically, with a week before an MLG event, I would be playing Halo Reach for over 10 hours a day, getting mentally prepared for the tournament. MLG Anaheim will be the first tournament, in it's 9 year history, where the title that changed my life, Halo
isn't on the circuit. Instead, we have an online Gamebattles tournament for a game that is meant to be played on LAN.
However, there is hope and it's coming in a short week. Halo: Reach had a great showing at MLG Columbus. With over 1,400 FFA competitors and an epic 50-48 finish in game 11, it's obvious that Halo holds the potential to be the premiere title on the circuit when it comes to shooters. Mortal Kombat 9 will be one of the only games (respectfully) representing console. But with promising teaser trailers from our favorite titles like COD Black Ops 2, Halo 4, and recently announced Gears of War prequel, we can see some future success in console first person shooters.
The last month was great for console gaming in general. It started with Max Payne 3 and Starhawk being released on May 15th. Rockstar and LightBox Interactive showed A LOT of love by getting in touch with MLG and putting on a great competitive gaming show.
May 3rd,Mrs Violence and I flew from California to NYC, where we met up with 14 MLG pros and other gaming personalities. Max Payne 3 was the game and $30,000 was up for grabs in prize money. Here were the rosters for the tournament if you missed the live showing:
Trigger Happy
Gandhi
Strongside
Tsquared
Walshy
Warlords
Hastro
Nadeshot
Skump
Stainville
Double Dealers
CDN
Cream
Nick Mercs
Predator
Big Dogs
Aches
CD JR
Mrs Violence
xJaws
Spoiler Alert!
Saturday, May 5th,was the day of the tournament but everyone had the prior day to get their hands on Max Payne 3. The game was surprisingly in depth when it came to creating your character and it put on a heck of a show for the us competitive gamers.
The gametype was Turf, very similar to Halo's "territories" or Call of Duty's "domination." Team Double Dealers were very individually talented when it came to FFA. However, team Warlords domination experience and Stainville's use of the bursts proved to be the deciding factor in the 4v4. I had such an amazing weekend gaming with some of the best MLG has to offer. The Max Payne 3 multiplayer has been so much fun that I've been recording some of my gameplays.
Here are the placings from the epic Max Payne 3 Tournament:
Teams seeds after FFA:
Double Dealers
Warlords
Trigger Happy
Big Dogs
FFA Placings:
1st - Cream ($5,000)
2nd - Nick Mercs ($2,000)
3rd - Tsquared ($1,000)
4v4 Placings:
1st - Warlords ($12,000)
2nd - Double Dealers ($6,000)
3rd - Trigger Happy ($2,000)
4th - Big Dogs ($2,000)
Attention:The Str8 Rippin Crew has been formed! Send your request to join here and you could be a part of the team!
Sunday, May 6th,it was onto Starhawk, a 3rd person shooter and RTS rolled into one amazing time. My partner in crime was Hastro, while the event was commentated LIVE by MLG's very own, GoldenBoy, and Lighbox Interactive, CEO Dylan Jobe.
Starhawk Exhibition: Play the Campaign!
Starhawk Exhibition Co-Op
Starhawk Exhibition: Multiplayer Madness
The gameplay speaks for itself. Starhawk is extremely unique and creates for some of
the most interesting multiplayer gaming experiences I've seen a very long time. Very much looking forward to the time where I can dig deeper into this title to figure out how I can top the developers that gave Hastro and I the business!
BIG Thanks to Rockstar, Lightbox Interactive, and to all of the MLG staff who made the event possible. Also, shoutout to former Pro Player Manager, Raymond Lau. He's moved onto ESPN International and deserves a lot of credit for doing some great things behind the scenes at MLG.
Friday, May 11th,I was back to my current home in LA to make the magic that is, Tsquared Pro Tips.
Here is a behind the scenes shot that Mrs Violence took with her phone, looks like she needs that 12 Megapixel Sony Smartphone that is dropping
soon =P
Tuesday, May 22nd,was the release of the 3rd TPS of the month, Tom Clancy's: Ghost Recon Future Soldier. I flew to San Francisco to the Gamespot studios to guest commentate the tournament and met some awesome MLG fans there. Congrats to those sneaky Lounge Lizards, who walked away with some nice gift certificates and a pair of SteelSeries 7H Pro Gaming headphones.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier - Tournament TV
Check out the rebroadcast and drop me a line @TsquaredMLG to let me know how you like the game
Note* we already gave away the free pair of Gunnar/SteelSeries Desmo gaming glasses. Sorry!!
I leave you with the trailer to the montage that Mrs Violence and I have been working on! Comment and like the video (if you actually like it) and you could win THESE SICK PRIZES and MORE! See video info for details!
Max Payne 3 Multiplayer Montage
See everyone at E3 or MLG Anaheim!!!! Stay Rippin =)
