EPTIntroduction
My name is Steven, but my Starcraft 2 alias is Chamenas, and that's how I'll likely be known around the community. I have a slight history with Starcraft that begins in Broodwar, but, lacking any significant experience in that game, we'll say that I've effectively begun my RTS journey in Starcraft 2.
History
I don't want to bore you too much with the laboring details of my whole history with Starcraft; at least, it wouldn't be prudent to do that quite yet. Instead, I will say the following things:
- I purchased Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty in its initial release of late-July 2010
- I did not follow the Beta
- After playing a bit in Season 1 I turned to spectating professional Starcraft 2
- I played briefly in Season 2
- After my short foray into Season 2 I turned to simply spectating Starcraft 2
And now we come to the present.
Aside from MLG Providence 2011, I've gone without spectating much SC2 (Starcraft 2) for the past month. Life has been busy. Once again, I don't want to get too extraneous with details, but, in essence, I've been working a part-time job while looking for a job that uses my B.A. in Psychology. I've just recently found such a job and, as of today's post (11/25/2011) have just worked my last day at the part-time job. More on my own specific situation later.
Identity
I don't play many games, which is why I'm reluctant to call myself a "gamer". In spite of that, I'm on the computer quite often, most of my social contact is done online, and I spend a large portion of my time playing games.
In theory, my time is split between three games. In practice I'm usually just active in one particular game while the other two sort of sit on the back burner. Right now I'm trying to change that a little, splitting my time between two games. The third game will have to burn on the back burner for a bit. The games are: World of Warcraft (yes, I felt that collective shiver, shush), Starcraft 2 (Cheers!), and Dark and Shattered Lands (there's probably a lot of question marks here, right?). An MMO, an RTS and a MUD (Multi-User Dungeon).
Lately I haven't played World of Warcraft, due to an eclectic schedule taking away any time to schedule raids. Without raiding to keep me lured in, WoW (World of Warcraft) has lost much of its appeal. Of course, my friends are a large draw, and probably the only reason I am, for whatever insane reason, wasting $15/mo for a game that I'm not currently active in. Since I haven't been playing SC2, process of elimination would lead you to the conclusion that my time has been dedicated solely to this MUD: DSL (Dark and Shattered Lands).
For those of you who know what a MUD is, you might either be giving a thumbs up or shaking your head at my utter nerdiness. Either way, your particular opinion of my person is irrelevant to me (please love me anyways though, I needs it). Essentially, it's a text-based game in which the primary emphasis is roleplay. This is, until Virtual Reality reaches a certain point, still the most immersive way to play a character. Since there's no graphics to trick your senses, you can do whatever you want (within reason) and imagine it instead. Think of D&D for the computer, with an automated mechanics engine to handle things like combat.
I'd love to dork out and explain more about the MUD, but I'll probably save that for a side blog. The point is, I've been active with this text-based game and intend to remain active with it for awhile, so that is what I will be splitting my gaming time with SC2.
Personal Flaws
I'm not diagnosed with ADHD, but I've definitely got the symptoms. Of course, I could just be an eclectic individual with no personal compass. Either way, I have a tendency to start something and then just drop it suddenly. It happens all the time. All. The. Time. Seriously.
It's a pretty bad habit, and I'm hoping it doesn't happen here, but it could. I can say that one way to help make sure it doesn't happen is to simply give encouragement and support. If you like what I'm doing and want to see more, keep me into it, post feedback, chat with me. Lets create a discussion. However, even that won't guarantee my continued attention.
If I end up dropping it anyways, and seeming to disappear completely, try not to be angry at me. I'm sorry, I'm a flake. I do the best that I can in spite of that.
Point
You knew it had to be in here somewhere, right? What's the point of all of this? What is the purpose of this blog?
The Journey is intended to document one person's journey as they work to improve their Starcraft game and work their way up the ladder.
Simple enough, right? I'm currently roughly a "Gold"-level player, and my ambition pushes me to at least touch into Masters. Of course, I don't want to simply get into Masters. I want to get there through good, solid play, play that can keep me there so long as I keep up with it.
It's a lofty goal, but we have to aim farther than we think we can reach if we truly want to grow.
This blog will be your portal into my thoughts and my actions as I attempt to boost myself into the upper echelons of the ladder. You will see links to replays, my thoughts on my replays. I might post videos. Thoughts on the game. Everything. At times this might seem like a rambling blog complaining about balance. At other times I might simply offer neat ideas. No matter what I talk about though, I intend to tie back in to this journey.
Mostly this blog will cover the matches I'm doing and any coaching or advice I pick up along the way. Side topics, such as my idealism, my frustration, or aspects about my personal or internet life will just be things to color in the blog here and there.
Conclusion
If you've followed with me thus far, thank you. I hope that my writing snares your attention and guides you right through to the end, if not, you probably won't have much fun going forward. However, I hope you do. I'm excited to be sharing this journey, and all of this embarrassment that will go with it. But, in order for this journey to be shared, I need people to share it with.
