Fantazzztic!

Mangaholix Manga Mania Convention 09 is an astonishing experience for those have attended it and as well as for its Facilitators and Organizers, for those who didn’t we’ll you missed some part of your life. It was awesomely tiresome but worth the sweat that you had take. During the 2 day convention in the East Pavilion of World Trade Center turned into a mecca of Anime, Games, Manga, Music, Cosplay and every little juice of fanaticism. You can even bought some merchandises half the prize as it used to be.

Welcome to M3CON!

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I am very happy that my Cinemanila Machinima Entry the Granado Espada Nobody Dance is still the most viewed entry regardless of the category. No words can express the joy that I feel. So I would like to thank the following people and organization who’s rooting for my work and at the same time pimping it via their blogs and social networking sites.

To Ms. PJ Punla aka NineMoons

To Ms. Anne Plaza aka DeSanggria

To Mr. Joel Tan aka MMOTAKU

To Pepolyn,  GE Friends and the community

To Mr. Vincent Haoson of Back2Gaming.

To Mr. Chad Ting Ramos of The Reimaru Files.

To Playground Magazine

And to all the people that who voted for me, as for the people who didn’t yet, yes I’m talking to you. Nobody nobody but you! Please do vote for me if you like my work.  Anyway please do check out the other fantazzztic competitor’s machinima entry that can be seen in their official website.

Jia You for me and I hope that GE NOBODY will become one of the finalist on October 16, You can make it happen by voting for me,

Again thank you!

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First and foremost what is AFK training? AFK training, grinding or simply AFK (Originally it means Away From keyboard but the connotation differs especially to those MMORPG who has a built in bot). Is the process of leaving your character that will automatically fight with the monster without being controlled by the players in a simple term it is called BOTTING. In other MMO’s you are encouraged to play it live while some MMO’s doesn’t even care if you play it actually or Bot your way till a shimmering light descends upon your character to the point that they are providing an in-game legal bot to somehow help you train!

This feature has been a revolutionary benefit especially for those people who want to play at the same time live their personal life. However having a built in bot inside a game is a lifetime-long dispute against the principles of those people who called themselves “real gamers”.

There are a couple amount of advantage and disadvantages about this so called built in bots. For example the XAI or Simply Extreme AI of Granado Espada that allows your character to train is epically limited to the point that if your character got “knocked back” by a mob then it’s time to say goodbye to your formation. Even the MCC or Multi Character Control will not help you.

With Your Destiny (WYD or Supreme Destiny)  have this C.C System or Computer Controlled system that is far more advance that what Granado Espada has. You can even set some skills to be used in afking, set a percentage of your HP/MP so that it will automatically consume your precious potions if your conditions are triggered.

This game has probably owned the advanced built in bot in my opinion. None other than the Zhu Xian or popularly known as Jade Dynasty/Celestial Destroyer which you can set almost everything by using the Talisman auto attack system, To the monster of your choice, to the items to be looted. Filtering to the max! You can even die, resurrect and even walk your way back to your assigned area automatically! (Hyperbole alert!) The lowdown is you need to spend an ample amount of real life cash to buy those what you called “Batteries” (Moonlight Splendor?).

In Atlantica Online a strategy MMORPG boast this auto battle feature wherein if you initiate a battle your character will automatically and strategically attack the monsters but as we all know this is a strategy game and AI will gladly help you to meet your oblivion. Not unless you have an uber high tier armors, weapons and willing to spend some moohlah for those life potions especially if your level 100 and above! Another low down you must check your character time to time to fill up those auto battle points. Actual playing is still needed.

In the game Chi bi Or Red Cliff they have a different approach in AFK Training called reading wherein you just simply equip a book from the NPC and you will gain an ample amount of experience every minute as long as you are in the safe zone and have the book.

Back to the topic; since when did AFK training becomes an art? What’s so artistic about it? According to the my former guild mate in Granado Espada the MontevIsta Family of Caracci/Rembrandt Server. When you AFK alone you need to consider a lot of factor so that the process will work for your own advantage. Others think that “Ok I’ll AFK I’ll just leave my characters here” after a few hours the experience bar will become full. That seems to be NOT happening effectively to most AFKer’s especially for those people who ignored some of these factors.

Level of mobs – It’s very difficult to stay alive in mobs with the same level of your character. Especially mobs with higher level than your character but playing it too safe or leaving your character in a place with low level mobs makes you survive easier but the drawback is you will gain less experience or no gain at all although your electrical bill will level up for sure! You have to balance it well.

Armors – In my experience in Granado Espada your armor should at least be the same level the mob around you if possible higher the better. Not necessarily +20 def but at least +8def up. Just make sure your characters can handle attacks . In auto battling in Atlantica Online, your main character must wear a decent armor as well as your front liners must be as tough as rock, In my case I invest more in-game currency to the armor of my frontlines rather than my main.

Weapons and firepower – Even if u have elite armors of +6 with +20 def but ur attack so weak that it takes you 20 hits to kill 1 monster then u will have a problem especially when your inside dungeons with that boxes and barrels containing a platoon of mobs (In GE’s case). Or a random PK’er decided to take your life in Zhu Xian or WYD.

If you are a long range character, the golden rule must be “do not forget to buy your ammunition’s!” The type of weapon comes to play. Probably the best weapon for AFKing are ranged weapon to keep your characters in its place as much as possible (most of the time but not guaranteed), remember the long-ranged motto “kill them before they can get near you”.  Using melee weapons while afk training is a nono not unless you are tough as a rock but the irony in most MMO is, If you are as tough as a rock your damage will surely tickle your enemies.

In Granado Espada there is the control H function (Hold). not much of good either because of its disadvantages, Your character in Hold position doesn’t guarantee it won’t move, characters in Hold position tends to run after monster which runs away when almost dead ending up luring your character away from the party or taking with him the scout leaving the 3rd member alone without healer. Character in Hold position also cannot detect monster spawning near him even if it’s already attacking the character.

Location and Formation– If you manage to find a spot outside dungeons with convenient then you’re lucky. You don’t want to leave your character in a respawn point of a boss or mini boss right? Or even a road where players can easily lure mobs to kill your character. You cannot just place your character/s in area randomly; you should arrange them in a way that enables them to be healed easily. Your character with highest def should be in front line (Works wonder in Atlantica Online just avoid those archer or long range type mobs).

There are some uncontrolled factors that AFKers will experience such as an unscheduled server maintenance, a boss or captain will appear and attack your team, a mob or a player lures your character or lures a group of mobs or worst a boss in front of you, Or a player will summon a high level monster in your area, some player will debuff, PK Trip you or even virtually rape your female character! Or even bot report you especially those game who has an in-game bot at the same time a failing bot report system who cannot even recognized the legal and the illegal way! Talk about abuse baby!

The best way to test if ur AFKin is effective is by trial and error, find a spot, make a formation and check if your team/character can handle without any buffs or any intervention at all. If you can’t survive play that I should “adjust” game. Try and try until you become a survivor… You will see how you will smile widely when you wake up and your character still alive. Gains a lot of experience or level (Item’s for some), then you can say you did it!!

There are still many factors to consider that I was not able to tackle here. Now is AFK’ing still easy? I don’t think so. To those who hates AFK’ers chill out. Let’s just respect the game style of each individual. It’s better to use those legal built in bot than to use the illegal third party bots on the contrary the BEST way to play and experience an online game is to play it WITHOUT using any of this feature.

Credits to the owner of the respective images. To my friend MontevIsta family of Granado Espada Sea Caracci/Rembrandt server.

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You registered, downloaded the game and play. You stepped on this virtual world and you hack and slash your foe on the way to the bop bop bop bop bop to the top. Yes you’re right! It’s High School Musical. But did you ask yourself why are you playing or why do you want to be strong? Sounds like the “Purpose Driven Life” in an MMO isn’t it? By human nature we tend to do things for the reason that we want to achieve something. An aim will play a pivotal role to almost everything just like a bullet soaring flying (there are no stars in heaven that we can’t reach, high school musical again!) free until it reaches its target.

At a certain point in living as your character in an online world, every one of us desires to become a “prominent person” in the community. But it’s not east to become one. Not easy there even a case with my brother wherein an insecure gamer who uses  a MULE account just to tarnish his reputation. Knowing that we  laugh and even bonded for some time in-person. If there’s a will there’s a way in order to become that “something” it will be easier if you laid out your plan as soon as you started or even think of starting something.

“No Pain No Gain” as we cannot be successful if you keep on rushing your goals. Take it little by little and you will feel as if you belonged to the cloud nine.

There will be always 5 steps in anything. Let me say that you already reached your goal. Try to ask yourself “Does it worth it”? “Am I happy”? What’s the effect of my virtual success to the real world? “Does it help you in some way?” and so on and so forth.

So let me share you the thing that I’ve learned when I watched a certain romantic comedy movie. Yes pretty bold of me to incorporate the idea on being a gamer.

My 5 Steps to become a Successful Gamer.

Goal Settings- From the word it set your own goal. Example scenario: Do you want to PWNZR all of your friends in PK in-game! Do you want them to feel jealous of you because you can PWNZR them all? If you say YES then let’s stop this foolishness! You didn’t want to do it because of someone right? You’re doing it for your own good!

Jot down the things that you want to achieve. Do you want to be the best and the strongest PK player in-game? Do wish to acquire all the most coveted and the rarest item in-game? Or you want to be prominent and the most popular ala celebrity player in-game? If you say yes! Good because this is the valid reason! Even if you say I just want to enjoy the game it is still a valid reason. Any reason as long as it came for the very bottom of your heart is valid. Remember that you are doing it for yourself right and nothing but YOURSELF! Pretty selfish isn’t it? Keep in mind that the goal must be any reason whether it is good or bad, Positive or Negative but you need to make sure that this is for yourself.

Being a dedicated gamer sometimes deteriorates your healthy or not so healthy lifestyle sometimes you always forgot the effect of too much gaming in your body as I said earlier.

Don’t forget that it also applies in real life. For example you are a fat kid and got dumped by your lovey-dovey so you decided to go on a diet and work out. The question is why do you want to do this? Is it because you got dumped by your girlfriend and as for revenge you want to have an uber-hotness mouth watering body packed with the 6 “package” of wonder so that if the person who dumped you saw you by twist on fate. They will be the one to cry and you want them to regret that they set you free. If your answer is No then let’s stop this but if your answer is simply like “You don’t want to wear extra large size shirts anymore” then let’s do this!

And please make sure that your goal is feasible. We’re not doing the 4th installment of Mission Impossible right?

So when will we do this? Next month? Next Year? NO!

Start Now- The million dollar question will be. “When will you start?” A person who really wants to achieve something should start on the day when he thinks for his aim. Not Later, not on the next day or month or definitely years but start now! As the saying goes “The early bird catches the worm” so hurry do what you can do before it’s too late.

No Shortcuts- To be able to be strong you bought as many PREMIUM ITEMS as you can and grind your way out to a paid dungeon on your way up to the peak level. You already reached the highest level in-game? Are you happy? Do you think you miss something? Yes you indeed miss something and that is the feeling of enjoyment of this game. Playing a game doesn’t mean leveling up all your way it also means socializing and discovering the wonders of the game. Think about it “You are high level” but do you know your “Game”?

Just what it literally means there will be no fast lane or express way on what you’re trying to attain. Even though you achieved the thing you want to accomplish as fast as a lightning you will not be happy in the end. Remember that there will be a different feel in things that is made out of your effort and perseverance. It is wise to do it slowly but surely especially for long term goals. There will be no shortcuts!

Motivate Yourself- Being motivated gives you a soothing aura that makes play the game healthier. How can I be motivated? Simple, back from the start set your goals for your game. By setting your goals by wanting this and that for example I want to be like him/her, and I want to surpass his/her popularity. I want to be like this, that’s the most basic motivation of a certain player. It’s up to you if you want to be a Hard Core player or a casual one. What else you can motivate you?

Explore the game by knowing it epic story. Try to join game events and interact. I do believe that the most popular motivation that the game can give you. Meet new people from the World Wide Web. There are lots of reasons to motivate you. Everybody is unique that’s why we are called “individual” so basically we have our own set or type of things and perspectives that will motivate us. Motivation isn’t about sacrilege; it’s about how you will accomplish your goals that you set. Without Motivation, your gaming will not survive long. In a simple explanation try look up to someone pursue yourself to do this be confident and never stop and last but not the least find your inspiration. Become optimistic and look at the bright side.

Be Happy- As I’ve seen in my favorite MMORPG Granado Espada, there’s a warning that playing for long hours is detrimental to health. ¬¬¬¬

we play the game not to be stress, not to give ourselves a problem but to stress out, so the most important is “Do not let the game affect your mood” the same as “Do not let the GAME play YOU”. Enjoy yourself by making things brighter and looking in a more positive way. You lose today, you may win tomorrow. That’s the cycle. Another important factor is by following your own set of goal, soaring tumbling free willing! (What’s with the Disney citation?). Accomplished Goals makes you happy but it’s up to you, if all the things you’ve done and sacrifice along the way since you start are “Worth it”. Again don’t take the game seriously and don’t let it control you. We’ll some players are really those “ONLINE GAMING SRS BSNS” and we can’t blame them.

Be contented on what you’ve gain as I said in the step 3 “No shortcuts”…

Yo, Dawg, I’m really happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but I just got to say that <insert a gaming blogger name here> have the best gaming advice of all time!

Instead of suggesting some events or focusing to a certain “game” today I choose to focus on the whole gaming sphere in general and yes I am a not so adviser but I did my best. Thank you for reading. On a side note you can actually incorporate this advice not with just gaming. From the title itself to “Almost Everything”. This is actually a modified and updated version of my year old blog entry from a blogging contest of a certain MMO.

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Yesterday my day and a half downloading session for the talk of the town, latest MMORPG addiction ended. This might be the biggest file I’ve ever downloaded ever since I discovered a wonder of the world called the internet.  Yes you’re right I’m talking about Aion: The tower of eternity baby! The client itself never fails to make my disk drive cry in dismay. “Aion is a bitch” According to my brother who extracted the installer file without even thinking of cleaning or even backing up externally the “old files” that dwells in my disk drive. If there’s a will there a way; Installed it patched it, played.

Entering Aion is such a sweet sensation. It’s like standing in a flowery meadow for hours waiting for the sun to shine. The picturesque of a landscape filled with trees decorated with pink leaves, floating islands, buildings that stand a top of the cliff and waterfall to complete the scenery. Such a fantazzztic log in screen! This is almost certainly designed to invite and attract player to join in the world behind. What more can you find behind those entry form?

After logging in you will see the terms of agreement reminding players that they are bounded by a contract by playing this game, this is actually typical scenery in most NCSOFT made game. By agreeing you will be sent straight to Boracay! What I mean is the character selection page is on a beach complete with palm trees as a background design. I found it weird at first, it’s like of all the possible designs they chose a beach for that!  To enter the game you need to select your race, are you going to become an Elyos or an Asmodian? It’s all up to you. There is a race description upon choosing that will help you decide to whom to side.

One of the key selling point of an MMO is the character selection page, Gender bound classes will surely assassinate the role playing factor of the game while some gamers  do not prefer to see their twin during their adventures. Attack of the clones anyone?  Not in AION! NCSOFT provided us with a revolutionary character creation feature wherein you just don’t mix and match you really customize! I have seen this feature before with the game Perfect World but AION’s system is indeed better and has a  real time graphics that will sure NOT make your character looks like a cartoon character or even a distorted polygon robot even if you purposely altered a body part of your choice into abnormality. In their character creation area you have a privilege to resize or reduce almost any parts of your body from head to toe.

You can be a fat man with a small head, a giant or even a dwarf with gigantic feet!  They also offers you with at least 30+ types of hair style and 20+ types of face which you can even ALTER in the advanced section that you can see in the character creation screen. You can also add some tattoos or mustache if you prefer. In popular culture some players even created their character inspired with the face of US President Barrack Obama. I even unintentionally customized my character to almost look like Victor Basa (A Filipino Model) and Squall Leonhart (FFVIII Main Character). There are a thousand or even millions of possibilities so it means there is a rare chance to meet a character that looks EXACTLY like you. Probably the best character customization feature I’ve seen.

A cinematic of an epic battle between the skirmishes of 2 opposing forces after the scene you will gain the control of your character. As a mage of the Elyos I was transported to the starting realm called “Poeta” particularly in Akarios Plains and my life begins in Aion. My mission is to ascend and become a Daeva and gain my first wings.

You won’t be lost upon stepping inside with the help of the interactive tutorials with matching voice over’s and pre-built videos. To begin your daily life as a mercenary talk to the Elpas the NPC with a blue icon over his head this stands near your respawn point. Do as much as quest as you can from our friendly NPC for the reason that you will level up thru questing until you reached level 9-10 to receive your first campaign quest. Taking up quest means making you occupied rather than killing some monsters all the time.

NCSoft’s modified version of CryEngine brings life to this virtual realm. You can appreciate every minute you spend in playing this game by just looking at the magnificent breath taking scenery that you can see in the game. The animation is smooth and close to perfection. I really love how the “Flight” transfers my character to a place to another. I will definitely spend my precious time playing this game. I wonder when I will reach the tower of eternity.

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