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Jun
15
2009

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by knightwriter75

Overlord II: Meet the Reds

The Red Minions

Last week I talked about some of the new features in Overlord II as well as introduced you to the Brown minions. This time, I want you to meet their cousins, the Reds minions. Reds are almost complete opposites of the Browns. While the Browns are your melee fighters, Reds are like your archers in that they have a ranged attack. When given a target to attack, they will move into range and begin throwing fireballs at the enemies.

While they can hit enemies from a distance, Reds have very poor defensive values and are often the first killed when faced with hand to claw combat. Therefore, keep them out of the fight and behind lines of other types of minions. Since Reds are friends with fire, they can move through fiery areas and even put out flames on barricades so that the rest of your horde may pass. On the other hand, Reds can start fires and their ability to set fire to enemies can cause them damage before they even get in range to hurt you.

One of the ways to give orders to your minions is with a guard marker. These are flags to which you can assign minions. Each minion type reacts differently when placed on a guard marker. Browns will move a short distance from the marker to attack any enemies who come near. Reads, on the other hand, will throw fireballs at any enemies within range—without you having to give them an order to attack. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep them on a marker when you are under attack. If the Reds on the guard marker are threatened, move them to a safe location. A good tactic is to place their guard marker on elevated positions where your Reds can fire down on the enemy while the enemy is unable to get to them.

Overlord II also has mounts for your minions to ride. Browns use wolves and Reds can ride salamanders. While mounted, Reds throw fireballs while they are moving. A good combat tactic is to sweep a group of mounted Reds around an enemy. They are faster than most enemies and these hit and run raids can soften up an opposing force before the main attack by other minions.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: minions, overlord 2, Prima, primagames, reds
Related Posts: Becoming the Overlord

Jun
12
2009

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by knightwriter75

Becoming the Overlord

Overlord II will be released in a couple of weeks for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. Right now you can get a taste of being evil by playing the demo on the various platforms. If you have played the first Overlord, you will like the sequel even better. This time you are a different overlord and must not only become accepted as the new overlord by the minions, but you must also battle against various groups including Scandinavian-like humans, elves, and the Empire which is a group based on the Romans. Not only do you get to control your horde of minions like in the first game, there are also war machines you can take use such as catapults, ballista, and even ships. If you have never played Overlord, be sure to check out the demo.

Since I am talking about it, this is a good time to mention some of the aspects of the demo. It uses almost all of the second level of the game where you are out in the Hunting Grounds. It begins in a cavern where you get some training with the Yeti. You then leave the cavern and head out into the cold, icy world of Nordberg. One of your quests is to collect 30 lifeforce. Lifeforce are orbs which are released when you kill creatures and enemies. Your first source of lifeforce are little white seals. Send your minions out to bash them. Once they are dead, have your minions pick up the lifeforce orbs. Lifeforce is used to summon more minions from a minion gate. Luckily, one will be provided so you can increase your horde from 10 minions up to the max of 15 for now. (As you progress through the game, you can eventually control a horde of 50 minions.)

You won’t be able to get all 30 lifeforce in the first area, so after the Yeti breaks through an ice barrier, advance to the next part of the map. This land is inhabited by hunters. A dock is located on the edge of the ice. Send you minions to break open the crates, barrels, and chests. Inside they will find gold that they bring back to you as well as weapons they will keep for themselves. Be sure to loot all crates and chests you find to not only become wealthier, but to increase the power of your horde as they find goodies for themselves.

Destroy the igloos in the hunter camps.

As you progress, you will have to attack camps of hunters. In addition to sending your minions to fight the hunters, also attack the igloos as well. More hunters emerge from these dwellings, so the sooner you destroy them, the fewer enemies you will have to face. Another new aspect of Overlord II are mounts for your minions. On this level, you can get wolves for your Brown minions to ride. Wolves not only give your Browns a more powerful attack and faster movement, they can also leap over gaps and get to enemies you can’t get to on foot. By the end of the level, you will have cleared out the hunters and must then face off against some elves.

By the end of the level, you should have a pretty good idea of how to play the game and also know how to control your Brown minions. Browns are the main minions. They are the toughest fighters with the highest melee attacks and defense values. They also like to pick up weapons and armor to make them more powerful and give themselves personality. During upcoming blogs, I will introduce you to the other minions—the Reds, the Greens, and the Blues. Until then, give the demo a shot and practice using those Browns.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: demo, minions, Nordberg, Overlord II, Prima, primagames
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Jan
07
2009

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by knightwriter75

Gamer Dad—Part 1

For over a decade, the world seems to have been controlled by the soccer moms of the world. Politicians and advertisers all reach out to appeal to this group. Not only do they control the powerful purse strings of the home, but also are responsible for molding the society of tomorrow. Now, I am not knocking soccer moms. I am married to one. I am the son of one. Soccer moms play an important role in a family. However, it is time that another group rise up and take their place on the world stage. It is the dawning of the age of the Gamer Dad!

What is a Gamer Dad? At first mention, one might conjure up the image of a character from Revenge of the Nerds a decade later. However, the Gamer Dad is not a geeky wimp who spends all of his time playing video games because he has been banned from the D&D games down at the local comic shop because he is too old to not seem creepy. No, the Gamer Dad works hard to support his family. He is involved in his children’s lives. Not only does he help them with homework, but also coaches soccer, baseball, softball, and other sports. He may go on camp outs with his sons or sell Girl Scout cookies at work. In addition to these many activities, what sets the Gamer Dad apart from other men is that he enjoys playing video games.

Gamer Dad can get in there and shoot it up with other gamers online. But more than that, he is responsible for nurturing the gamers of tomorrow. Gamer Dad shows his children the correct way to hold a controller and makes sure the next generation knows the proper way to handle a game disc—don’t smear it with fingerprints! Gamer Dad plays games with the kids he normally would not on his own—games with a rainbow of colors and cheerful, repetitive music. However, these are the training wheels for future gamers. As the children get older, the games get tougher until their skills have approached those of the Gamer Dad.

How many of you are Gamer Dads? There are also Gamer Moms out there and we welcome you to our ranks as well. Our purpose is the same—to enjoy gaming and spend quality time with our family as the same time. This is the first in a series of blogs focused on Gamer Dad (and Gamer Mom) for the purpose of sharing not only what I have learned as father with gaming kids, but also to learn from your experiences as well. So stay tuned for next week’s blog on Gamer Dad.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: family gaming, gamer dad, primagames, video games
Related Posts: Gamer Dad—Part 3: Getting in Shape! Gamer Dad—Part 2: The Family Band

Dec
23
2008

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by knightwriter75

Video Games—An Economic Barometer?

I have a friend who used to work for one of the major ice cream companies that distribute to stores around the country. He told me that ice cream sales are a great indicator of the state of the economy. During a good economy, ice cream sales go down. However, as people become concerned about recessions or downturns in the economy, ice cream sales go up. His theory was that when people have money to spend, they tend to eat out more and have either healthier or more expensive treats for dessert. However, as the economy heads south, people stay at home and eat more ice cream either because it is a cheaper form of treat or in order to cheer themselves up. Nothing helps raise a person out of mental depression than a big spoon and a half-gallon of rocky road (which by the way given its name during the Great Depression to help cheer people up).

During economic hard times, people want to be able to escape from their daily troubles and worries. U.S. history provides great examples of this. During the Great Depression (1929-1939), Americans flocked to the cinemas to watch movies on a regular basis. Sporting events also remained popular such as baseball games and boxing matches. People want to be able to immerse themselves in something and forget about their real lives—even if for only a few hours. Many movie classics were released during this period including Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and the first full-length animated feature—Walt Disney’s Snow White. It was during this time that Shirley Temple captured the heart of America and actors such as Clark Cable and Katherine Hepburn became larger than life stars.

As the United States, and likely the rest of the world, enter a current recession or depression (depending on which economists you listen to), Americans are spending less money. Some businesses are going under. However, video games sales for November 2008 were up 10% from the same period in 2007. For many this was unexpected news. However, video games are the new escape for people. As adults continue to make up a considerable fraction of video game players, especially those with the money to purchase systems and games, video games provide a cost effective form of entertainment. For the price of six movie tickets, a person can buy the latest and greatest game which will provide many more hours of interactive, immersive escape from reality. People facing cutbacks or at least not receiving year end bonuses or raises can take out their aggression against zombies that might look similar to their bosses or by defeating other players online.

Now back to the title of this blog. Are video games a good bellwether of the economy? Probably not. Video games will continue to sell well during both good and bad financial times as long as the industry puts out quality products. However, it is interesting that while Americans are cutting back on their spending in other areas, video games remain an area where they continue to exercise their somewhat diminished purchasing power.

So cheer up and get lost in a video game. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: depression, economic barometer, primagames, video games

Dec
11
2008

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by knightwriter75

Holiday Party Gaming

The holidays are upon us. As we assemble with others for seasonal gatherings, video games are beginning to become a part of the festivities. So if you have a party coming up, here are a few ideas.

Wii is a natural party platform since it gets people up and moving. Even with the included game Wii Sports, you can have a homerun derby or similar contest with everyone getting a turn with the Wiimote.

Another idea are quiz type games such as Scene-It. The Xbox 360 version comes with four buzzer type controllers allowing four people (or four teams) to answer questions about movies. This game is a hit not only for parties, but also with a family or significant other. I gave this to my wife last Christmas and she, who had never played on the 360 at all, loved it.

For really livening up a party, get the gang back together with Rock Band. Four people can play this at once and it can be really entertaining just watching. Other music games like Guitar Hero and even American Idol are fun for group gatherings.

Bring a little retro to your party with older games you can download from Xbox Live or the Playstation Network. For those in their 30s and 40s, Pac-Man, Dig-Dug, and so forth can be a lot of fun to play. These are fairly inexpensive and you can have tournaments with these classics.

Video games can even be the theme of the party. Have several friends bring over televisions and their own game systems and set up game rooms throughout the house or party location. Rock Band can be head banging in one room while movie trivia is in another and sports in a third. The key is to pick games that partygoers are either already familiar with or can pick up quickly. Be sure have something for everyone. Zombie slaying is not for everyone. You can even make up your own games with a computer, digital camera, and PowerPoint. Trivia games about your guests can be a great way to start the evening. “Name that Baldspot” or “Which couple has been together the longest” are easy to put together and help everyone get to know each other better.

Have a great holiday season and please write to let me know how video games were a part of your party.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Arcade, holiday party, primagames, Scene It, video game, Wii

Nov
11
2008

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by knightwriter75

A Veteran’s Day Guide to EndWar Infantry

Infantry play an important role on the battlefield of the future.

Ninety years ago today the guns fell silent all along the trench lines stretching from the Alps to the North Sea. The War to End All Wars was over. Within 21 years, the world would once again be at war. The Treaty of Versailles planted the seeds of World War II. While wars continue throughout the world today, none have compared to the two world wars.

Tom Clancy’s EndWar is set a hundred years after World War I ended. The units you can command are evolutions of the same units that fought during WWI. It was during this conflict that the tank and aircraft were first used in combat. Artillery and infantry both played a major role at the time. Even though modern tanks, gunships, and artillery are so much more advanced, in 2020, the soldier on the ground still decides the battle.

Infantry is often the overlooked unit in EndWar. They are actually some of the most important units. There are two different types of infantry units: Riflemen and Engineers. Infantry are the only units which can secure uplinks and then upgrade them for supports. Therefore, you need to have these units in your force when you deploy to the battlefield. Following are some tips on how to get the most out of your infantry.

Infantry are slow to move. Therefore, load them up in transports to quickly move them to their objectives. Transports also provides protection for your infantry since they are extremely vulnerable to all types of enemy attacks while out in the open. When your infantry are going to fight, make sure they are either in cover or garrisoned in a building. Buildings are great spots for positioning infantry. Both cover and buildings give infantry increased rate of fire and longer attack ranges in addition to providing protection.

Engineers are excellent against all types of vehicles while they are in cover or garrisoned. They are also fast at upgrading uplinks Riflemen, on the other hand, are best used against enemy infantry—especially Engineers. With some upgrades, your riflemen can defeat any enemy infantry—even if they are garrisoned in a building. Riflemen can also secure uplinks fast.

Infantry have some very cool upgrades. While Riflemen can get stealth suits and sniper rifles as well as the ability to deploy anywhere on the battlefield, Engineers can deploy minefields and deploy defenses around uplinks.

So next time you are fighting in 2020, focus on your infantry. If you use them correctly, keeping them in cover or garrisoned in buildings, and upgrade them, you will see just how effective they can be.

Categories: Gaming Tips, Uncategorized
Tags: Endwar, infantry, Prima, primagames, Tom Clancy, veteran's day
Related Posts: Tom Clancy Thriller? No, it’s the news Where is multiplayer gaming going?

Aug
12
2008

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by knightwriter75

Tom Clancy Thriller? No, it’s the news

While the world’s attention was focused on the sensational Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing, Russian tanks were rolling into the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The Russians claimed they were protecting the ethnic Russians living in South Ossetia, a region in northern Georgia, from Georgian forces who had moved in to punish separatist forces. Let’s go back a bit to see how this all came to a head. When Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the people in South Ossetia shortly after tried to become independent from Georgia. Fighting erupted and finally Georgia and Russia signed a peace treaty where South Ossetia remained part of Georgia, but Russian peacekeeping troops remained. Russia also issued Russian passports to the people of South Ossetia, essentially making them Russian citizens.

What set off the recent conflict is that Georgia launched a surprise operation last week to restore its control in South Ossetia. This was all Russia needed to launch a full scale invasion with their forces that just happened to be at the border. In addition to driving the Georgian forces out of South Ossetia, Russian troops advanced into clear Georgian territory to capture the town of Gori which is located in the middle of the country along the main east-west highway. Furthermore, Russia captured Georgian military bases and sank a Georgian naval vessel. Russian aircraft bombed the Georgian capitol of Tbillsi attacking not only military targets, but also civilians.

From my point of view (I have a degree in history and military history as well as teach high school history), Russia was just waiting for an opportunity to move into Georgia. This former republic has become very friendly with the west and the US is working with it to include it in NATO. Russia, which is becoming an economic power due to its oil reserves, has taken a back seat since the end of Communism and under the leadership of Putin, who by the way is no longer president, but still pulls the strings, has tried to regain its status are a world power with which to be reckoned. Other former Soviet republics are also leaning to the west. It appears that Georgia may be Russia’s example to the rest. Russian foreign policy has often been heavy-handed, especially when dealing with smaller countries. Now it looks like Putin is taking a page out of Al Capone’s tactics from 1920’s Chicago.

As for Tom Clancy, it is interesting that part of the premise of the upcoming game, Tom Clancy’s EndWar is that Russia, gaining power by exporting oil after trouble in the Middle East, starts World War III in order to regain its supremacy in Europe. However, with the US busy in Iraq and Afghanistan, will the west be able to support Georgia? Or will they let it fall to Russia just like France and Britain let Czechoslovakia fall to Hitler’s Germany (which also began as protection for ethnic Germans)? Time will tell.

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Endwar, Georgia, Prima, primagames, Russia, South Ossetia, Tom Clancy
Related Posts: A Veteran’s Day Guide to EndWar Infantry Where is multiplayer gaming going?