Stradivari

@Chibithor: Oh yes, thank you for clarifying that. I did not mean buy them first thing. Always start with the starter items.

I just started playing myself and I think a really important thing to note is that the first level is extremely difficult to play. My friends who are level 35s made smurf accounts to play level one games with me and to teach me how to play. The early levels are full of people just starting out and don't know what's going on but it's also full of people who are really, really good and are either on smurf accounts themselves, or are on new accounts in order to start an account with a better win/loss ratio. So unfortunately, the earlier levels are harder than say level 15. I've won a lot of games in the 15-20 levels but have lost most of my games in the earlier levels. This is just a heads up. Don't get discouraged when you start playing and you get completely destroyed by a team who are obviously not beginners.

I also found the items extremely daunting. It's not too awful though. Dota maps out which items you need as you progress through the game. The only real decision making you need to do is towards the end and I can't help you much there because I'm still learning that stuff, lol. A tip though, always get your boots first (edit: I mean when you start a new tier of items, get the boots first). And if you're a support, buy the couriers and observer wards.

I hope that's helpful. If you want nice people to play with let me know! It's nice having a full party so you don't have to worry about getting jerks on your team.

Thank you Patrick! I appreciate your willingness to not only talk about these issues but to stick up for women in the game industry. Don't let others' comments get you down.

I second Fooly Cooly (FLCL). Probably my favorite anime of all time. The soundtrack is also amazing.

Also, I agree with those that said Cowboy Bebop. Super jazzy awesomeness.

Thanks again Patrick. I really appreciate your effort to speak up about these issues.

I don't mind it so much. It's annoying to play while lying down just because the top screen gives it a weird weight distribution.. other than that, I've had no issues. I do have small womanly hands though.

Thanks Patrick :D

@Chubbaluphigous said:

Go to Seattle the same week that PAX Prime is going on. If you really want to do some outdoors kind of stuff, you can also go out to the mountains before or after PAX. That time of the year it doesn't rain so much and is actually very sunny.

^ This. 100x this.

You did it, Notch, you did it.

<3

If women are offended by it, then it portrays them in a way they don't wish to be thought of as. Which would then make it sexist.

I would agree that the majority of today's ads are worse though.