Preface: Sorry about the incoherent ramblings over Steam Wyz. I considered not messaging you because, let's face it, we haven't really spoken in a year (which is like at least a year and a half in gaming time...). That and I know you only kept me around for my rugged good-looks. I just sort of had an epiphany after I joined a TF2 server and, after getting insta-killed by what I assume was a demoman wielding a sword rather than a grenade launcher, I heard someone say "he must be new to this game" to who I am pretty sure was me, I needed to rant and you happened to be online. That, and I figured if you hadn't banned me after all the crap I've put you through, I still had at least one rambling PM left before I was toast.

I post this thread here because this is where my meager beginnings at TG began and where I ran into, not a group of people I enjoyed playing NS with, but a group of people I enjoyed gaming with... period. Those who remember Starcraft over Hamachi (Korm) know exactly what I am talking about. If it needs to be moved, so be it. But you guys have dealt with my rantings before, and I figure you'll do it again in hopes that I'll post more Text-Based Natural Selection RPG.

So, I've been AWOL from TG gaming for the better part of a year. Sure, I've been hanging around the Sandbox here and there, but that's not exactly staying active. Partly because I realized dumping hours of my life into PC gaming by locking myself away in the second floor computer room wasn't indicative to a healthy relationship between my girlfriend and I. But, more importantly (am I right?) my PC (still on the AGP architecture) was barely able to run TF2 or anything afterwards. I spent the last year in the bowls of XBox 360 gaming.

But that's over as I finally blew a decent wad on a new machine capable of running pretty much anything for the foreseeable future. So, I loaded up yee ol' Steam and got around to installing all those HL2 mods I know and love. And that's what I'm going to rant about: the wasteland that was my gaming life around a year and a half ago.

Zombie Master: 1.2.1 was release before I quit PC gaming. For a mod with such promise, it fell flat. The hit detection is terrible. The physics in general are terrible. It can be fun on some standard maps, but... oh yea no one runs them. 99% of the servers (so.. 6 out of 7 that are online) run "joke maps" that usually have no textures or any instructions. Even worse is the type of player that still plays. Comms? Yea right? Unless you think communication is defined as spamming rap music into the mic.

The Hidden Source: Polished. Responsive. Intense. Even with the lack of servers (usually 3 or less with players) this mod is still hella-fun. Unfortunately, such a small community has bred a few really good players who are also absolute dicks. I can't believe this game is as unpopular as it is though. Even tactical players should eat it up. If you own HL2 and haven't tried this mod, you are missing out.

Dystopia: Suffers in the same area as The Hidden. The community died and is a mix of hard-core players with attitude and pubs that do jack all to help the team but likely aren't kicked because the server would be empty otherwise. That said, the additions make it worth a larf.

Team Fortress 2: Man.... like I stated early. There's something wrong with a game when someone who was pretty decent takes a break for a year, comes back playing medic like they always do, and gets called a "new guy." This is not Team Fortress. It is "Cartoony light-hearted Team-Based-Objective shooter with animated gore." Try and argue with me all you want, but I don't care. 150 HP as Medic, go heads up with another medic: get in two hits, then get one shotted by his upgraded bonesaw. If I wanted to play a game that punishes you for not grinding, I'd go play an MMO.

Counter-Strike Source: The one game I have on Steam that TG still hosts a server. I joined the PCS server the other night and got back into my grove after about 3 rounds. Anyone who says PCS has slipped is full of it. This server still delivers after such a long time away. Guys were communicating, coming up with plans. In fact, I was the weak link on the server. Thumbs up PCS, you did not fail me. Though, I would be lying if I said the bandaging stuff didn't get old. I see myself hitting up PCS off and on.

Too Long ; Didn't Read: Please God let NS2 get released. I'll host a server if TG doesn't, because that armory is not going to hump itself.