The Secret World - Day 1

Good Saturday all!

As I write this I am waiting for a train to take me to my first demo day!

It's scary :s

The other day I promised a friend of mine that I would produce a rough report on the soon to be officially released game: The Secret World (TSW).

Last night was the first night of Head Start. For those who don't know, it's when the live servers are opened early for those who Pre ordered the game.

So all I can give you are the impressions from my experiences across the betas and from 1900-2300 last night. But regardless, some experience is better than no experience.

First off, I would like to thank Funcom for what feels like one of the smoothest launches I've experienced. I had no problems logging on, and zero server disconnects. My lag was minimal despite high player activity.

Now I know this is not launch and instead head start, but it is my belief that because of the preorder bonuses such as beta access, most players who want to play the game will have preordered, therefore on live day I don't foresee the experience being very different.

Ok, now I'm going to break this game down into different categories, these will be randomly selected and purely based on what enters my head.

Graphics: this game is pretty! The use of blurring and lenseflare creates some truly picturesque shots!

There are a few issues with the player models, like i personally think the female arms are a little too thin, but that could've my personal oppinion.

Character Creation:
This is great! In no time at all I was able to mix and mash the head options to create a character's face that I was actually happy with - please note this never happens to me in game, I always end up settling.

The clothing options are a little uninspired, but that's fine by me, they're starting clothes, and they feel like it - normal inoffensive clothing options.

Gameplay:
Ok, this is the meat and potatoe of games, and so far TSW doesn't disappoint. The controls feel responsive and as I run around the world, I feel like my character is actually in it, which in many recent games (especially Rift) I have not had and it's limited my fun.

They have also slightly jiggled things around a little, the HUD now has a slider for size (this does not effect the chat box) and I have found this incredibly helpful in reading the mission boxes.

In short, after I reconfigured the controls to play how I like them (still using the same controls from CoH) I felt like I was back in a familiar world that while it looked different, it was friendly and welcoming.

The mystery:
The whole point of TSW is that there is a world alongside ours. That if you get lost in the streets of London you can find yourself in a back alley labyrinth connected with rooftop walkways and the unseen population of the city scampering in the shadows.

That the recent attacks in Florida are not drug related, but the beginnings of a zombie outbreak, and that the security camera that keeps moving is not on a set pan program, but is actually following your every move.

As those who came before me and left their footprints in the sand have already said: "Believe Everything: Trust Noone".

And let me tell you, even the opening game cinematic has you questioning your loyalties. You know what your seeing is not a dream, but who do you listen to?

Big things are coming to this game, the question is not: Is it worth the purchase? (it is) but Can they keep this level of standard and quality up for the years to come?

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

One Long Day of Anxiety

Good Friday everyone!

I trust you will bear with me, I'm running late for work and just ran to catch a train... I never run, the exertion beyond clicking my mouse finger or moving a model on a board is just too much for my fragile GORD heart to take.

Anyway, the next couple of days are big. And when I say big I mean Apocolyptic-Dead Rising From Their Graves-Rivers Running Red-Gingers Coming Into The Sun-Miracle type big!

Oh yes, for tonight (5PM BST) we see the head start launch of The Secret World (TSW)!

This is a game I first read about years before I established my Secret Lab in New Fairbank, well before my expedition to Welwyn Garden City (which at the time was just called Welwyn City, it was only through the proper use of Project Genesis that me and my team of lab coated Gnomes were able to add the Garden part). Indeed instead me and my faithful Lab Assistant, already trying indirectly to create life, were living in Finsbury Park, North Nodnol!

It seems that Funcom have finally deemed the game ready for launch, and I can't wait! - well I can, I have to, what I mean is that I don't want to wait!

If you are one of the 10,000 believed Pre order customers (I think that was the figure released) you can join us of the RP realm Faery! Oh yeah! Now that name is bad ass!

But wait! There's more!

Oh yes! For those who've been keeping track, tomorrow is my first official demo day at Leisure Games!

I will be looking to arrive around 11.30 to give me 30 mind set up time in order to be ready at 12.00.

So if your around North London, come on down!

Anywho, that's it from me today. I'll be back tomorrow morning as I promised a friend a TSW write up of my first night (even if he isn't coming to my demo day -grumble-mumble-bumble -

Take care all!

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

There comes a time...

... Where every man must admit to his limitations.

In this case it is my own limitations when it comes to organising events for the Dead Heat campaign.

I've spent the last two weeks trying my best, but my own club has little to no interest/availability until after August.

This is largely due to the release of 40k 6th Ed and the number of 40k events they ate committing to as a result.

My hopes were to run 1 tourney day in July, the Inter London day in August and a League for the 2 months.

As it stands I'm going to have to recruit new players on Saturday just to find a large enough team for the August inter London day and not let the other clubs down.

It sucks as it means despite trying my damnedest I've been struck out from assisting with Dead Heat, but oh we'll, time to take it on the cheek and use this time to build the interest in the area so I'm not in the same position this time next year.

And so again, I reach out to my readers, if you can make it this Saturday, please do! My carry bag arrived yesterday, so I'll be there with my Gremlins, Nightmare Lady J, Perdita, Dreamer and Lilith.
- Maybe you already know how to play Malifaux but would be interested in giving one of the above crews a go because you've never played with them before? If so come on down!

I'll be using my Cardstock terrain which after testing on Sunday takes to public transport well and can be easily set up as below:



I'm still going to host my Flavour Tournament, but it looks like it will be in September now.

More info as it becomes available.

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

A team of 4, a team of 4, my left nut for a team of 4!

Good Monday all!

As I write this my Malifaux bag should be running it's way to the house in order to be picked up by my lovely wife.

Yesterday I played my first game with Lilith who will be one of my main demo crews, and I must say I am very impressed with her.

The game was against Nicodem, and one of my schemes was kidnap (I love kidnap!) out of the three targets I had to chose I went for a canine remains and a punk zombie, both of whom were standing next to each other at the same time I had Lilith and a Mature Neph stood hidden behind an Illusionary Forrest.




With a quick transposition between the hound and the Mature, Lilith was then able to quickly dispatch the hound with 2 hits from her greatsword. This was followed by the Mature Neph who thanks to Brood Mother was able to activate straight after who then dispatched the Punk Zombie!

Now that was a fun activation!

Sadly however things were not all rosey. The opponent I was really hoping would be willing to come to the Saturday 04/08/12 MaliDay in Clapham, but he was a no go. For a team of 4, I currently have 1 (plus me as a reserve).

I'm going to be recruiting next Saturday at my demo day, but please, if any of you think you can make it and would like to join our team, I'll be forever grateful!

We have also decided on a date for the Titan's MaliTourney!

It's currently scheduled for 26th August! That's the last day of the Dead Heat Campaign! With hope, it being the last day might get people interested outside the club. Some last minute campaign points for their faction.

I'm afraid that's it currently, very little more to report. I trust you have all had a nice relaxing weekend, and I'll be sure to keep you updated.

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

The [Dead] Heat of the Moment

Ok, please forgive me here, I wrote a great blog post just now, it was witty, thought provoking and intelligent. It also raised the IQ of everyone who read it by 6 and had a Stamina buff of +80.

But then my phone decided to randomly close my app and not auto save the blog. So I'm afraid you'll never get to read that masterpiece.

I think historians would look back and say "that blog post was the moment that changed the world. That was the catalyst that altered our perception. The Wild Stallions used Air Guitar to fix the Ozone layer, and Dr Loxley used his writing to bring about a new world order.

But anyway, instead you get this summery:

-Inter Club Meet & Greet booked for 04/08/12: See this link for details

- Will be playing game as Lilith this Sunday as practice for demos.

- Henching outfit arrives. Doesn't fit and will be making do. <- too fat!

- Will, your doing great with your models, keep it up and don't worry about asking for painting advice.

- Thanks to Dave and Tim for Flavour Point ideas, will be using them.

- Club tourney just a week before inter club day, may need to move it forward. Will discuss on Sunday.

- Seven Days...

Thank you and good night!

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

Brood Mother

Good Wednesday,

Well yesterday was interesting, I rushed home from work because my Moo's day care was telling us she was in a bad state and not reacting well to her meds, by the time me and the wife got there, she was fine! Happily playing with her toys as if nothing had happened!

But I'm glad it happened. I knew when I had the call that she'd be fine, but I was seriously worried all the same.

I knew it was just a stage of parenthood I had to go through, I needed the 'your child is seriously unwell' call, so I could get through it and see that as my rational mind was telling me, she'd be fine.

In other news, we're beginning to finalise the tournament info. The inter club tournament is starting to take form, but the Titan tournament is still dragging it's heels.

Last but not least, yesterday I painted up my Nephilim:


I'm very happy with how they came out with a thematic colour scheme and muted over all effect.

I also like how Lilith the Brood Mother is a complete opposite to Perdita Ortega in both modelling style but also in how I have painted them.

It should make for some striking demos.

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley

Demos, Leagues and Tournaments

Good Tuesday everyone!

First things first, I spoke with Leisure Games on Saturday and they are very eager to get the ball rolling, to the extent they have even put it up on their website for 30th June.

This is amazing! I was genuinely expecting them to have higher demands going forward but so far their concerns seem less about me taking up floor space, and more concerns of me sitting around with nothing to do (I really hope that doesn't happen).

Next up, let's talk leagues. It's something that I've never really arranged before, and after reading a few guide/suggestions, I'm really eager to give it a go. Just need to convert the info I have to make it relevant.

You see I've been reading up on Achievement Leagues, where you get points for playing games as per usual, but extra points if it's a fully painted crew, that sort of thing.

I just need to get the locals to sign on to it.

Ok Tournaments.

There's currently talk of two. The first is a friendly Malifaux day at the Titan's club with prizes for interesting activity, currently this is scheduled for 29th July. However I am still looking for activity award ideas, please if you can think of anything, let me know. Otherwise it'll have to be 1st place etc and I want to avoid that.

There is also talk of an inter club tournament, one which pits club teams against club teams. This is still in its infancy for ideas but it should be fun.

I'll keep you all posted with how this planning goes.

I've also been busy the past few days painting up my Ortega family, and I think Perdita may be one of my best painted yet:



I have also started work on my Nephilim, I am hoping to have these done by the weekend.

Oh and those of you who have me on Facebook/Twitter should have already seen this, but on Saturday I played a game vs my sparring partner, and had a great laugh Levi vs Dreamer.

Here is the moment when Killjoy popped up, killed The Dreamer and released my Nightmare bomb:


I know I've been saying this a lot, but I love this shot, the 2x Nightmares attacking Killjoy, the little Daydream waddling away from the carnage, the lighting in the alleyway behind and how crisp and clear the Cardstock terrain came out! I love it!

- Your friendly neighbourhood Doctor Loxley