Archive for July, 2007
NBA LIVE 08 Community Event in NYC
Posted by FiftySPEED in Community, XCL Event on July 23rd, 2007
When you think of basketball players, one tends to think of Michael Jordan. When you think of basketball cities, one first comes to mind: NYC. Home of the Knicks, NYC is also the home of the NBA Draft. Every year, we’re able to witness a new beginning for amateur college players who are about to leave the books and classrooms behind for luxury mansions and Escalades. We wanted to give some of our top community leaders for NBA LIVE the opportunity to share this experience with us, while also having them in here for a preview of NBA LIVE 08.
The guys attending the event were:
Bryan Wiedey aka “Pastapadre” - http://www.pastapadre.com
Shawn Drotar - http://www.5w-g.com
Mario Drake - http://www.nbalive08.com
Andrew Begley - http://www.nba-live.com
Rick Thomas aka DJ Rhude - http://www.vetzvirtualballin.com
With such a mixed group, we were sure we would get feedback from every aspect of the NBA LIVE community. One thing I’d like to stress is that these guys were not NBA LIVE fanboys. Although they want the franchise to succeed, they also are quick to point out its flaws if the game isn’t up to their expectations. This was crucial for us in the building process of NBA LIVE 08. We feel comfortable about our game, but we’ve seen it for quite awhile and needed some fresh, critical eyes to give it a look.
The first day, after the community leaders flew in anywhere from Australia to Seattle, we took them to the EA SPORTS pre-draft party at Rub BBQ in downtown Manhattan. Gilbert Arenas and Kevin Durant both attended the event as our community leaders got the chance to live it up a little EA Sports style! Although they saw the game, they didn’t play it because they knew a lot of game time would be had throughout the week.
The next day was more focused NBA LIVE 08. The 5 community leaders were given the opportunity to play the game for 6 hours in a conference room while going through presentations, feedback sessions, a tournament and a final Q&A with producer Brent Nielsen. “It really makes a difference when the producer already has notes based on what we had concerns about throughout the day.” Bryan Wiedey said. “It shows us that they care about what we have to say.”
In the NBA LIVE 08 tournament where the community leaders got a chance to let out their competitive spirits as Mario Drake took home the championship along with a signed Kevin Durant, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, Brandan Wright, Julian Wright, and Al Horford jersey. He went against the grain taking the Phoenix Suns to the championship while the other community leaders all used their favorite teams. “I just wanted to win that jersey!” Mario proudly said.
The third day was draft day for all of us. We were all anxious to see who would be picked where. Bryan Wiedey was excited about the possibility of his Sonics taking Durant and what else might come from Seattle. Before we headed to MSG for the draft, we first took a tour of the Garden. After the MSG tour, we went to the DIME magazine offices where the staff was on-hand to play some Fight Night, talk basketball, and give us a tour of their offices. The basketball Mecca was truly a delight for the guys. They learned about the startup of DIME and what it takes to run a magazine based on your passion. They left the office with a 1 yr. subscription to the magazine. Andrew Begley was excited to learn that they do send their magazine to subscribers in Australia!
The only thing left for the Community Event was the NBA Draft. None of us had ever been to the NBA Draft before, and we weren’t too sure what to expect. All doubts about the draft were put away when we got seats right in-front of the ESPN crew. Stephen A. Smith and co. was there, and we knew this would be a night to remember. Aside from Bryan’s excitement for Kevin Durant, he was also very nervous because he heard during the day that there was a chance that his favorite player, Ray Allen would be traded. Of course, this happened, leaving a bitter-sweet taste in his mouth. The future was in Seattle, but a fan-favorite was now gone.
Overall, the event was a hit with the community leaders. They came away from the event saying that NBA LIVE was coming back. This was a great sign for the game and the direction that Brent and his crew were taking with NBA LIVE 08.
XCL Gamer Awards: 2007
Posted by FiftySPEED in XCL Gamer Awards on July 20th, 2007
Here we are again folks. Its XCL’s 4th anniversary and its time once again for our annual XCLGA announcements! This year, we tried something a little different and focused less on game oriented awards and more on the community oriented awards. We also chose to not give descriptions of each category and to leave each one open to interpretation by the voter. Needless to say, there were some interesting responses. Thanks to everyone that provided feedback. The rest of you can kiss my non-whipped ass! Let’s get on with the show!
BEST GAMERTAG: I Am Bumgravy
This one wasn’t even close. Heck, I think only one other name (maybe two) was even voted for! One voter mentioned it as a source of embarrassment when they’re watching movies with their parents and the name pops up. Another wondered what exactly is “bumgravy�
MOST HARDCORE XCL’ER: Fifty
I think the people that voted should probably by default by up for Biggest Ass Kisser. I’ll respect confidentiality but both of you automatically each get a vote for that category. Other vote getters deservingly were Jake (“no one pimps XCL better than this guyâ€), Diefuel (“for his perfect XCLE attendance recordâ€) and a begrudging vote for Icon (“because no one quite combines partying and gaming like he doesâ€). I do have to laugh at one reason for throwing a vote my way: “…because he’s chubby, drinks wine and if he wasn’t married, he’d be picking up chicks on the internet like David Hasslehoff picks up German grannies at his concerts!â€.
GRUMPIEST XCL’ER: NinjaRay / DylanH (tie)
What can I say boys? I just tally the votes.
SEXIEST XCL’ER: NinjaRay
Now before you let this go to your head Ray, you need to understand that several of the votes cited the same reason which is summed up best by this quote “the sheer number of balls that touched Ray’s forehead at XCLE this year must be proof of his sexinessâ€. Honourable mention goes to Buggo and dark-horse candidate The Outcast because “cause the chub is the new sexy. He alone brought the sexy backâ€. Sounds like you got an admirer there pal!
SOREST LOSER: The Outcast / LX Xtreme (tie)
Wow, this one was close with several votes citing reasons that I daren’t include in this article!! Outtie places by virtue of a vote for himself because “I hate losing to Peach cause he has my fucking number. That little bastard, but meeting him in real life at the expo has allowed me to handle the anger a bit betterâ€. Come to think of it, LX voted for himself too (even though some might think that’s “horseshit!â€).
XCL’ERS MOST LIKELY TO GET MARRIED: Geekess and The Icon
Aside from the obvious vote for Kirbydb (who actually should have gotten more consideration for Most Hardcore XCL’er for getting married TODAY on XCL’s anniversary; congrats bro!), this was a landslide victory for Icon and Geeks with reasons such as “they’re the only one’s bumping uglies at the moment who aren’t hiding it… †(yikes!). Someone else asked if this category was meant to freak Icon out. Oh… I don’t normally name sources but this is an exception. Poptart voted “Ray and Fiftyâ€. Why? “Seriously.. They fight like husband and wife. I’ll let you decide which one’s which.†Enjoy the chopping block pal! 
MOST LIKELY TO END UP IN THE DRUNK TANK: Garrett S
19 years old and wins easily. Garrett’s been with us since the early days (you do the math about his age back then) and quite possibly has never been sober online. Some voters even mentioned they thought it improved his game! Now that’s admirable. Mad Plumber got a little recognition for this excellent, all-weekend-long performance at XCLE this year!
MOST WHIPPED: The Icon
As someone put it, “he might think he created the bang bus but its Geeks that’s in the drivers’ seat thereâ€. Is there really much more to say?
BEST/SCARIEST PICTURES:
This one definitely wins as the scariest. Rumour has it this is Ray (left) and Cujo (right) at XCLE. Seriously, this has to be one of the most disturbing, yet funniest, pictures that’s ever been posted!
Pokeroo won for best picture in a landslide. Here he is doing what he did best!
THE “MERCURY†ADMIRATION AWARD: Mercury
Sorry little buddy but you’re idolization of Icon extends beyond the online realm and warrants recognition through an annual award. Whether its tailing him around or talking in pseudo-Italian jibberish, your love for the man with a small penis is unmatched and worth of recognition. Wear the title proud!
THE “KROSSROAD†STRAIGHT UP SELF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: tehflakes
This award is traditionally for the person that votes for themselves the most for the XCLGA’s. Flakes, you easily outclassed the field this year with no less than five votes for yourself including one for Best Gamer (which automatically defaults you from consideration!). What the fuck does “teh†mean anyways?? Straight up!
XCL’S BEST GAMER: Blizz20
Since XCL isn’t necessarily all about skill, we changed things up a bit this year by combining two categories and factoring in who people liked to play with along with overall skill. That’s not to say Blizz isn’t skilled because he kicks some serious ass in all types of games! Congrats dude! Honourable mention goes to a very, very close second placing DrJMac. These two ran away with the majority of the votes this year.