MLG Winter Championships, trailer for Assassin’s Creed and the introduction of Envy Controllers.
This past weekend was the annual Major League Gaming Winter Championships, which this year was held in Dallas, Texas. With some exciting action in Starcraft 2: HotS, League of Legends and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, the Winter Championships was an exciting event to watch. Personally, I was absorbed in the Black Ops 2 action, where I had friends who were competing to qualify for the one million dollar World Championships in Hollywood that is going to be held April 2 and 3. The top eight teams in the tournament would guarantee an automatic entry into the event where during the breaks stars such as Kanye West and Dropkick Murphys will be appearing. As it came down to the wire, top-seeded Fariko Impact took down second place Seeded Unite Gaming in a continuation series, defeating them 6-2. A special congratulations go out to team “Donut Shop” from Mississauga, Ontario who captured the eighth and final spot into the championships and to Montreal’s Raymond “Rambo” Lussier who qualified with his team “EnvyUs”. In Starcraft 2, to many gamers it came as no surprise that the final came down to two Koreans, where top-seeded Life took down third-seeded Flash 4-2, but in a shocker eighteenth seeded Innovation took third place defeating multi-tournament champion MC. While in League of Legends KT Rolster B took down favourites Gambit Gaming 2-1 in a thriller that came down to a baron push. Overall, another exciting event in the books, and make sure you tune into the worlds in September!
The release of the trailer Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag has been met with mixed reactions so far by many fans. The story will move to the earlier half of the eighteenth century where piracy is the thriving business in North America. The trailer gives a story of the main character Edward Kenway, given by legendary pirate Blackbeard to his fellow pirates. Ubisoft, the Montreal-based team is working towards building what they describe as the “first true naval overworld”. As a Legend of Zelda fan, I feel as though I would have to disagree, since “The Wind Waker” had that concept, but nonetheless the ambition is well noted. In Black Flag, the ocean-based warder will be more complex than before, adding more weapon types, enemies, and even exploiting weather patterns, by luring opposition into less than ideal conditions. The trailer I found is actually one of the best trailers I have seen in years. Most fans are hoping this series doesn’t start to turn into Call of Duty with too many game releases and with few upgrades, but it is a game worth checking out regardless. The release date is October 29, 2013.
Envy Controllers has just hopped onto the gaming scene providing a new aspect of the gaming spectrum. They have formed a team of gamers, artist, and painters to take gaming to the next level. I can’t say I am the only one bored with the traditional black or white controllers, and would like to have my own specialized controller. How many times have you brought one of your own controller’s to your friend’s house and you can never remember at the end which one is yours. The cool aspect of this as similar to designing your own car, you get to create your own controller. I was very fortunate to meet Head Designer Alec Matlock at Gamers 4 Giving, and he actually personalized my own controller using the Gamers Outreach logo. The controllers actually provide a solution to an issue that most gamers probably didn’t realize was a problem. Have you ever had that problem when someone was shooting you from behind and your controller takes too long for you to turn around? Well that problem is gone with the custom design of the No-Slow controllers that allow for quick 180 spins to turn on your enemies. Although these controllers may be on the expensive side, with custom thumbsticks, and trim kits this is a must-see for any console gamer who does not play just casually.
