Halo 10/02/2005 The Flag ExpressI wake and find myself in the base. The blue base. I move quickly to the alcove and swap the pistol for the shotgun, then check on the present position. Pootle has arrived, I see, and our side is down two to nothing on flag points. The sides are even, now Pootle and I have joined, and I presume the disparity in the scores is a result of blue being outnumbered.Outside I find a hog in the usual place. Pootle must have chosen a different route, perhaps because he knows that I will need the hog. I climb into the driver's seat and set off. There is no sign of the enemy as yet.Bumping down into the next valley, I can see that the rocket launcher is in its usual place. I screech to a stop beside the rocks and quickly exchange my standard assault rifle for the launcher. Then I am back in the hog and heading back towards the big cave that leads up to the high part of the island. Halfway through I make a brief stop to pick up the active camouflage.Nearly invisible now, I scramble up through the cave, turn wildly to the right and enter the cave that leads to the red base. I have still not seen any sign of the enemy but from now on I must be especially cautious. I whip the hog around near the end of the cave and dismount. At that moment I hear the voice on the intercom. "Blue team has the flag." Good, Pootle is being his usual efficient self. A quick check on the heads-up confirms that it is Pootle that has done the deed.I leave the cave, cautious yet confident in my invisibility, and approach the red base. It appears to be deserted. I enter and check around the corner. A red guy is waiting there and about to fire but I let him have a rocket and he is blown away. Remembering, for once, to reload, I press on deeper into the base and check the alcoves. They are empty and I head back towards the entrance.As I approach the empty flag jack, the intercom speaks in my ear. "Blue team score". Suddenly I have the red flag in my hands. Now that was good timing, I grin to myself. I run from the base towards the cave where my hog awaits. The camouflage is dying before I am halfway there and some small arms fire is hitting me from somewhere. The shield is absorbing it without trouble, however, and I run on, confident that I can be around the corner and into the cave before my pursuer can break my shield.I am in the cave and leap for the driver's seat of the hog, hitting the accelerator almost before I land in the seat. The hog responds and I am away and out of the cave without another shot hitting me. Over the brow of the hill I take a right to bring me through the central valley. I do not stop but head straight for the archway that leads to blue base.The path is narrow here and I slow to ensure that the hog does not fall over the cliff. Then the base is in sight and I accelerate towards the entrance. At the last moment I leap from the hog and run for the doorway, disregarding the crash of the hog charging into the wall behind me. I run for the flag and hear the words in my headset: "Blue team score". Instantly there follows more information. "Blue team has the flag." Pootle is as fast as ever, it seems. The Death Island Flag Express is up and running!Besieged!Pootle and I arrive at the same time in the blue base. There are lots of others in here and from the entrances come the sounds of many explosions. The shotgun has gone so I head for an entrance with just the assault rifle in my hands. As I emerge, there is a huge explosion and I re-spawn a few seconds later, back in the base.Many are trying to get out but the enemy has the place sealed off. They have tanks surrounding the base and are picking off anyone who tries to get out. I try the portals - they are blocked, no doubt by vehicles parked on them.A glance at the score reveals that blue is in a desperate position. The enemy has only one flag point but their kill rate is ridiculously high. "Campers", says Pootle and I agree.The blue team is demoralized, very few even attempting to leave the base now. But Pootle loses his temper after sizing up the situation. He leaps through the entrance and dodges about, firing wildly all the time. The tank nearest the base explodes and disgorges its dead occupant. "Nice 'nade", comments a blue team member, then Pootle is dead and re-spawning amongst us.But he wastes no time and is immediately leaping for the other entrance. I realize that, with the first tank dealt with, that entrance might be clear now. I head for it, cautiously sticking my head out when I arrive. It is safe, all enemy guns are directed at Pootle on the other side of the base. He is running and jumping, twisting in a blur of speed, while sending out a hail of grenades, automatic and pistol fire. The enemy falls back before him. Nailed through the sight grille with a pistol shot, a tank driver collapses from his seat and the tank goes dead.I start shooting in an attempt to help Pootle but he doesn't really need me. In a frenzy of movement and withering fire, he takes on three red guys who are running towards the base. It seems impossible that he should survive their combined fire but his reflexes and tactical skill are such that he is being hit very rarely. I know from experience just how difficult it is to hit the Pootle and am not surprised when the three reds go down, leaving Pootle bloodied but unbowed.He runs for the base to replenish his health and I look around to realize that the work is done - the reds have been beaten off for the moment. Then Pootle is out again and leaping into a hog. He waits and I run for the gunner's position. Then we are off on a hectic and wild ride towards the red base, stopping only for Pootle to pick up a rocket launcher. I spray the mountains and rocks with the hog's machine gun - just seeing that it works.We arrive at the enemy base in a rush, Pootle leaping from the driver's seat before the hog crashes to a stop at the entrance. I keep up a steady fire at all likely places but there is no-one to hit - they are all in the base being blown up by Pootle's rockets and 'nades. He grabs their flag and rushes outside to where the hog awaits and we are off once again, bucking and leaping over the terrain.The reds are obviously stunned by the sudden turn in their fortunes and we are not interfered with on the ride home. Pootle scores and is immediately out again, ready for another go. Then we hear the welcome words: "Blue team has the flag". It seems the blues have taken heart after Pootle's magnificent display and they are now fighting aggressively again. We head for the red base to help the brave soul who has purloined the red flag.And so it goes. Pootle and I get separated eventually but the blue score mounts steadily until the reds start to leave. Pootle laughs and comments, "Oh they do not like their own medicine!" Eventually, so many reds have left that the game becomes unfair. We continue for a while but leave as the boredom rate mounts.Pootle compliments me but I tell him that I was a mere passenger - he turned that game single-handedly.
Clive
Harvey Young Great story. Sounds like pootle has some skills. I have never played Halo, and I am honestly intimidated by online gaming. Perhaps this is due to my lack of skills. This remains one of my secret (no longer I guess) wishes to play with a group on line. Of course, If I do that my wife will really know that I am gone forever. Your muse is back... Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away I felt exactly as you regarding online gaming, Harvey. Then Halo arrived and my sons first got me into the game and then, when I was reasonably good at it, persuaded me to have a go online. To my surprise and in spite of my 50+ reflexes having to compete with the lightning reactions of young teenagers, I survived and eventually developed my own tactics for achieving good scores. My son, Pootle (13), however, is unbelievably good at the game. I have seen him outnumbered, outgunned, fighting desperately, and still he finds time (don't ask me how) to type in taunts at the enemy. There are a lot of players who get cheats to enable them to survive longer and hit harder; to Pootle it matters not - he still beats them. Typically for his age, however, he does have a hot temper and, when he comes across anyone cheating, he will destroy them with words as well as with the weapons of the game. These two pieces were written to keep contact with the Pootle and to remind him that, as soon as I get a decent computer again, we have a date in Halo together! Date Added: 10/02/2005
Harvey Young I think that it is great that you can join and ejoy gaming with your son. I play Playstation games with my boys, and like you I have 50+ reflexes. At least for now the brain still works fine and I can uncover tactics that as yet don't occur to a nine year old boy. I am sure that there are only a couple of years left before their skills, tactics and brains exceed my capacity. Are Pootle and Mad still in the UK? Don't mean to pry. But it is great to see you use technology to keep touch with your children. Date Added: 10/02/2005
Mad Yeah Mad's in the UK and is currently wondering why his Halo skills don't get a mention... *sulk* Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away Yep, they're both still in the UK, as well as my daughter, Boogie. We're hoping to get at least one of them over here for a visit this summer. Can't wait to show them this wonderful country... Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away You have your own blog, Mad, to shout about your skills. However... Mad, too , is a great Halo player (and that's with 30+ reflexes). He is rather different from the Pootle in style, being somewhat more circumspect and thoughtful (Pootle just rushes in and blazes away - he can get away with that, we can't), but still achieves very high scores. What he will only admit out of earshot of the Pootle is that his younger brother is a better player than himself... Date Added: 10/02/2005
Way Stop! Whoa! Slow down; I am breathless and need a rest. Good golly, miss Molly! Out of the mind of what-have-we-here (and I must confess I was stymied, being torn between continuing on after quickly scanning the first paragraph, and then bowing to another sudden urge; that to run away and relax on the other side of the cave where pipe fitters have installed a most ingenious water can), I sat and thought. Exchanging weapons...suicide, I wondered? No, surely not. Clive is too tricky for that. Aha! It came to me. It's some strange British card game he is on about. Hurry, let's go finish the bit. Ah, now I see. It's some sort of war game, but this is odd...I don't recall him speaking of military service, but he is an enigmatic old coot, so keep reading... Oh, I have it now. Of course. The bloke is doing sci-fi. How odd, and yet here it is. One bugger dissolved and reappeared...how quaint. Keep reading. (um, this hog dealy must be some sort of jeep-like thingy...I dunno. Does no one ever eat on this bloody planet?) Whew. I liked it, but I shall need an excess of nap time now; this has me wore completely out. Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away Thought it might puzzle everyone, decided to leave it just as is. ;) A hog is indeed a sorta jeep thingy. Perhaps it was just as well that these two games didn't have Ghosts and Banshees in them... Date Added: 10/02/2005
Hannah Thank goodness for the commentary-- owls that don't play online games are unable to realize that the heading of Halo explains what the damned blog is about. Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away I thought I'd give you something to puzzle over, Hannah. All is revealed in the end! ;) Date Added: 10/02/2005
Pootle Nice piece on the flag express and getting our team out of the hole. Yes pootle's here "mwahaha!" So Mad finally admits that im better than him? It must sound confusing to people who have never played halo before; talking about hogs and stuff. Date Added: 10/02/2005
Gone Away Hey, Pootle! Fame at last! ;) Shhhh don't tell Mad about that bit, he'll only deny it. I t's probably confusing to non-Halo players, I agree, but that's part of the fun. :) Date Added: 11/02/2005
Way Hey ya, Pootle. You must have noticed by now that we are all equal-opportunity needlers. But watch yer fingers and don't try to pet or feed the Owl. Now go get the lad some coffee, Gone; he looks of age. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away Ah, the symbol of coming of age, hey...? Date Added: 11/02/2005
Hannah The owl enjoys being petted and fed, thank you. Date Added: 11/02/2005
josh When I was in school we used to use the 100+ node LAN in the engineering department to play Unreal. There was a period there that after I'd had a few beers, I would start thinking in Unreal moves: I would see in my mind's eye my fingers on the keyboard.. forward arrow to walk straight, etc. Only thing comparable to that spookiness is the reforming of my thought processes after my "Year of Tetris". I haven't played much since I realized how addicting it is, but I know a lot of people who do. I also know a couple of people who don't do much else. :> Date Added: 11/02/2005
Way (is Gosh talking about Jone?)* *Way cracks up Way Date Added: 11/02/2005
Way (is Gosh talking about the Jones?)* Way smacks Way for boo-boo, then both ROFL Date Added: 11/02/2005
Pootle Are there two Way's or is he a little bit cuckoo? Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad And for the record: Pootle's very good but I taught him everything he knows... :> Date Added: 11/02/2005
Ned Like Josh, I too know some people who do little else than play online games, but your blow-by-blow description of the action and the excitement shows why for some, they are so addicting. You engaged the reader from the start and drew him into the action, taking him along with you right up through your victory. Very nicely done. I wonder if you aren't recruiting new players for your team. *Looks at Way and Harvey* Date Added: 11/02/2005
Pootle You taught me nothing mad its just pure skill :p Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away Game addiction: I am too old to be a game addict. By the time computer games were invented, I already had my quota of addictions and wasn't allowed to take another from the pile. My sons let me participate occasionally but I get more enjoyment from watching them play. Less exhausting, you know. ;) Sibling rivalry: It's all relative. Game recruitment: Sven says his hands are full enough with other recruitment schemes at the moment, thank you very much. Chuckles at Way's joke. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad Ha! I've seen you game addicted... :p Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away The closest I ever came to game addiction was chess, Mad. But I beat that. Then there was Populous but that only lasted a few weeks. Is there something else you have in mind? Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad Oh there's been a few Dad... Populous like you say, Speedball II, Pacific Air War 1942 and you were pretty fixated on Halo for a while. I only say this as a fellow games addict (in revovery). Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away I suppose it all depends upon how you define addiction, Mad. To me, I think of game addiction in terms of those who are addicted to game-playing and who will spend large amounts of money and time on one game after another. You and I tend to like a game and play it until we've beaten it, then forget the whole thing until a game we really like comes along again. As you know, there are few games that really grab me. What surprises me is that no-one has taken me to task for encouraging my kids (Boogie is into the Sims) to play computer games. Perhaps we have become used to the idea, even though many of us never had such things when we were young. It's a brave new world. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad My generation was the first to grow up with computer games. Begining with the heady days of Space Invaders through to the current batch of technological wonders such as HalfLife 2 (which is stunning). I think as we've grown up attitudes to compter games have changed. We don't think it silly to go home at the end of a day and play games for a few hours to wind down. But if my lot are games savvy then Pootle's generation will be so much more so. Pootle himself is an example, he was playing Doom as soon as he could hold a mouse and has been playing ever since. Who knows where this generation of kids playing their incredibly detailed immersive games will take it when they grow up and start running the planet? Don't be suprised if the West's soldiers in ten years time sit at TFT screens. Post scriptum: I've always scoffed at those who try to ban computer games for their content but recently the Grand Theft Auto series has managed to shock me. The language throught its latest version is so extreme I quickly regretted buying it.... Maybe I'm getting old? Also Keef and myself designed the best game possible many years ago and no one's made it yet. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Harvey Young I know that I have been hooked for a short time on a game or two. But, like Gone and Mad, I only play them until I beat the game and then move on. I encourage my children to play computer games even though that is frowned upon in polite society. I think that the games exercise strategy, analysis and other thinking skills. The power of observation required to play and master most games is beyond the game of "concentration" we played as children. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away Good points, Harvey. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Way First generation addicts, as if there were never any trouble down in River City! And let's not bring up pin-ball either, wizards. But am I the only Duke Nukem fan/expert on board here, or is that just too embarrassing to bring up? I, too, let the kids play to their hearts content. I figure, with ruint wrists and crossed-eyes, I have a good chance of keeping them close to home and out of malls where girls live. Pootle, the count remains questionable. Fifteen is a safe round number, currently. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away I had a demo of Duke Nukem which was basically the first level, I think. I enjoyed it but it never supplanted Doom for me. I became expert in all the various releases of Doom but have steered clear of the latest - Mad has it and it's the scariest game I've ever seen. My old ticker won't take that much abuse! So now we know: there are fifteen Ways. But ways to do what, I wonder...? Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad ... to leave your woman? Date Added: 11/02/2005
Mad I had Duke Nukem Way and I finished it at least twice. It was a great game in its day and one of those games that marked a way point in the development of the FPS* genre. *First Person Shooter* Date Added: 11/02/2005
Way (I'm so glad he said "woman", with all the gossip about Harvey going around) Date Added: 11/02/2005
poot Well i dont really get hooked on that many games. Unless there really good like halo or half-life2. Bt some of my friends just buy anything new that looks good and get addicted. Im too young and thick to get half of your jokes. *cough, cough* old fogies. j/k. Date Added: 11/02/2005
Gone Away Not getting our jokes is a point in your favour, Pootle. ;) Date Added: 11/02/2005
Pootle Why is that? Date Added: 12/02/2005
Gone Away Because we're all crazy :D Date Added: 12/02/2005
Pootle I thought so. Date Added: 13/02/2005
Boogie Awww my ickle widdle baby brother!! Date Added: 20/02/2005
Gone Away Boogie! Be kind to your bro! Date Added: 20/02/2005
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