Yeah, its been a while since I posted here. Its the same old same old. Life gets busy. Gaming and posting to the blog needs to be put on the back burner till I get some free time. Its all good. On the flip side, I've gotten pretty good at Gears in preparation for the new game coming November 7th ...

Anywho, being gamers you all know that this week officially stated the holiday rush of games onto store shelves. I think between October and January last year I bought 14 plus games. I thought this year was suppose to be slower, but looking at the release schedule of upcoming games, I guess its going to be just as busy as last year.

This week Fable 2 was released. I have to tell ya, I love that game! I'm not a huge RPG fan, but this is one game I'm really starting to get into. Check it out if you get a chance.

Far Cry 2. That was the other big release this week. Many of you who I have on my XBL friend list remember us meeting in previous Far Cry games and being part of quite a large map making community, several years ago. Most of us basically left one another on that list, hoping someday there would be another Far Cry game. Our wish has been granted and there is now a new Far Cry game. This one has very little to do with the previous games, as Ubisoft has basically created a whole new IP around the name. The new game is literally built from the ground up. Without getting into a whole review of the game, it plays unbelievably and is one of the better games on the 360. This is not some port of a PC or something thrown together. This is on level with games like Gears, Halo 3, COD 4 and Crysis. Yes Crysis. If you look on any gamer site, they have reviewed the game and are giving it between 8.5 and 9.6 -- It is that good. If you haven't already, be sure and at least rent it, then your more then likely going to buy it.

Anyway, what I'm about here today (don't you love how I get right to the point when I post LOL) is to let you all know that I will be, as in the past, hosting Far Cry dedicated servers. Since the last game, I have replaced my old connection with a new fiber optic network in my home, so the connection is screaming fast. 16 player matches are usually lag free and a good experience when joining the server. To start, Ill be hosting the maps that came with the game in UNRANKED Team Deathmatch games. If you see me online, and in Far Cry, join the game I'm hosting.

Ill also be hosting ranked matches when playing myself. I will send out a notice when doing so. You will have to search the gametypes and look for my gamertag to join the match, as ranked matches cant have invited friends, you'll need to come and find me. Rank matches are the only way to level up in Far Cry 2. You will carry your experience over when playing unranked matches after that, but the only way to get the better guns and more experience is to play in a rank match. Be on the lookout for notices of rank matches being hosted by me and join them.

The map editor in Far Cry is superior to anything that has been in a previous Far Cry game or any other game to this point on a console. I have not yet jumped into it myself, but from looking at the how-to videos put out by Ubisoft, this is one hell of an editor. Literally thousands of pieces can be put within maps, with all the great graphics that are part of Far Cry 2. I can imagine there will be some stunning maps in the future from the FC community.

So, as in the past, and when custom maps start to be made in the weeks and months ahead, I will be hosting the best of the best in the dedicated server. I welcome anyone on my XBL friends list to notify me of when they have completed a map for Far Cry 2. I will certainly try and put it in the mix of maps that I host.

I would think also, as in the past, once the game starts rolling and I get more use to it, Ill be hosting some sort of weekly game with Far Cry 2. Some of you may remember that I hosted something called "Far Cry Tuesdays" which everyone seemed to enjoy. I'm starting to think of some unique twists and ideas I can do when hosting FC2 games in the future. All suggestions are welcome.

The release of Far Cry 2 has certainly brought alot of old friends back together. I have had a blast over the last several weeks speaking with many of you about the upcoming game and then playing in a room filled with some of you on Weds night. Good times people. I look forward to once again, hosting your maps, and playing on them weekly in the future.

Again, all suggestions about the dedicated server, as well as hosting your maps, and weekly game get together's are welcomed. Drop me a TEXT message on XBL.

For those who I have known for some time from the Far Cry community, welcome back my friends, and for those who have never played Far Cry, do yourself a favor and at least go and rent Far Cry 2 ... you wont be disappointed.

See ya in game

Peace

EB