Do_The_Manta_Ray

@radixnegative2: I am actually salivating at the thought.

And yep, that is one pretty-ass game. (I like butts, this is a sincere compliment) Zero-G environments have been some of my very favourite parts of Sci-Fi video games over the last decade. Dead Space 1 in particular just nailed that sensation of contrasting claustrophobia and wonder.

Also, let's not forget the BioForge Zero G segments. Let's never forget.

The DLC is easily the best part of Dark Souls II. Easily. If you're familiar enough with the game, and can make your way up to that point fairly quickly, I'd say go for it. It's very different from the main game, and honestly, any previous Dark Souls experience, as the developers really go out of their way to mess with your expectations. Some stuff in there that I smile just thinking about. I love it to pieces, and I can't see how playing through such terrific content can do anything but make you more excited for the upcoming game.

By the by, the right time to start doing said content is more or less by the time you meet Vendrick, as returning to him after completing the last boss of each 3 DLC packs net you additional lore, and finally, the true ending to the game. If you feel like it'd be a slog to get up that point, then maybe hold off until DS 3 and return to the DLC at some point in the future. But make sure you do, because it is so god damn good.

Alternatively, Salt and Sanctuary is really good.

@hassun: Do we know when the actual matches are looking to kick off? Also, any notion of if we're going to get a GB chat set up for this here event?

Fucking dogs, man. This is why you get one. No cat ever did anything of the like for it's owner.

As someone with a bit of perspective on suicide attempts, I found this a heart-warming read. I wish the guy all the best, but that goes without saying. I'm pretty optimistic, considering he got through it in the way he did. It's a hell of a trial by fire, but food just tastes different the morning after.

@viciousbearmauling: Niiiiice. I got to 2 K my own self, last night, and am having the time of my life with this game. Wasn't as big of a leap, as I was getting matched up with silvers since super, but matches against super silvers are intense. But hey, you just watch your back, I'm coming for you.

.. That is pretty damn great.

@sku: The weird thing is, just as it was with Goku, I'm really aware that I can't see a single hair anywhere else on his body. And thank god, anything else would just be nightmare fodder.

You're doing yourself a genuine disservice by rage-quitting, as trying to manipulate the numbers into matching you up against folks who have reached the same rank you have through honorable means, is most likely not going to end up well for you. They're probably better players, and with that mind-set, you're not going to take away anything useful from those matches, and only end up cementing your bad habits.

It's important to ground yourself, recognize that you're a beginner, and that it'll be a good while until you're as good as you want to be. Try to look at each game as a learning experience, and focus less on the points, and more on just improving your game. Before long, you'll notice yourself ranking up to the next league, and exclaiming a "Huh" because you hadn't even been paying attention to them digits. And that is a real good feeling.

Training mode and unranked matches are great ways to go about learning match-ups, as folks in here have already mentioned. Record the moves you're having trouble dealing with and practice against them, then watch some replays of you, yourself playing, and compare that to others. Go online and check out a tournament or two, they're fun as heck anyhow. Try to employ some of the tactics you like, and force yourself to step out of your comfort zone once you realize that you need to improve a certain aspect. It'll be tough at first, but help you in the long run. While a lot of this release is undeniably bare-boned, there are a ton of options present for upping your game. All 'em challenges are out later this month, too, so it's only going to get easier.

Now, it might just be a latent talent for premonition, or a bit of accrued experience by now, but I can usually tell who is going to rage-quit after the first round or so. Tends to be folks who play poorly comparatively to others in the same rank, and who fold like a paper towel under pressure. And while being matched against folks like that used to piss me off proper, I've actually come to take extra sadistic pleasure from beating 'em around mercilessly because if there's one thing I can be sure of, then it's that they're going to get all kinds of pissy about it in a way no game should warrant. And they do deserve it.

Also, it's worth noting, try to respect the people you play against. If they deserve a win, don't rob 'em of the points. Not an ounce of sportsmanship in that approach.

Hoo-oooly mother-loving Christ. I present the following screen-shot of my very first match-up against a gold without comment. My heart is still pounding some 15 minutes later.

Edit: I lied, I will comment. I played my fucking ass off. I lost 1 K LP after switching from Ken to Necalli, but after the better part of a week later, I have been vindicated. This god damn game, you guys.

That's a real fun idea.

1. Dark Souls (Popular opinion, huh?)

2. Planescape: Torment

3. Quake 3: Arena