We are firmly in the doldrums of game releases as well as the lame duck sessions of our current generation of consoles. The simplest way to talk about the gap between updates to NoobTubeTV is to say that I have found myself rather busy with a new job that has had a steep learning curve. In some ways, the lessons of past jobs and even some games have given me some decent scaffolding upon which I currently stand to rock this new job the best I can. I wouldn’t say it is the Dark Souls of jobs. It’s more like the Metal Gear Solid 4 of jobs. There’s a lot of loading and cut-scenes to deal with before you can get on with your day and finish the game. That said, it is providing me with a career and a nice compensation to keep on trucking. It also helps that the people have been quite rad so far as well!
To that I say (once again) – Kept you waiting, huh?
So, what is there to cover at this point in the world of gaming and how can some of the Noobs out there be helped along? Here is a smattering of what I have on tap for NoobTubeTV in the coming weeks and months.
Whether we like it or not – Madden 20 is coming out at the beginning of August. They have announced some of the ‘improvements’ to Franchise Mode and to say they are underwhelming is old-hat and cliché at this point. They seem to think that we want to have more of the My Player feel from 2K or Road to the Show from MLB the Show. While I am sure a few gamers out there enjoyed playing the story mode over the last two years, it really didn’t do much for me as someone that wants to have a franchise mode experience where I run a team instead of some half-assed RPG.
The new scenario system is the same as the old system of trying to accomplish statistical goals for coming games, etc. Once again, EA misses the point entirely when it comes to franchise mode. It isn’t all about stats! Franchise Mode needs to have EMOTION to drive the plot of our team’s story! Why is it so important to them that we have a broken owner mode where a player has Personality that only matters when it comes to selling jerseys in a part of the game that literally doesn’t matter at all? Why don’t they see that what should really be happening in this mode is an attachment between the fan bases and the players, coaching staff and ownership of every team in the league? Owners should have approval ratings right along with coaches. They should be judged on wins, losses and personnel decisions such as free agency and draft picks – not to mention trades (Giants fans might have something to say about that… also, thanks for OBJ! J).
I will be posting more about Madden 20 in the coming months, but suffice to say I am not looking forward to it in the least. There are some games that have my attention and I have to wait a lot longer for those to make their way onto my console.
Death Stranding and Modern Warfare are my most anticipated games of 2019. Those will each get their own articles very soon.
What have I been playing lately?
I am still playing a lot of Blackout on Black Ops 4, but it is nowhere nearly as competitive in my mind as it was prior to the new job. It’s actually quite refreshing to play a game and lose without getting upset or bent out of shape over it. They finally implemented some of the changes I wanted to see, but it took so long that I don’t really care. Not to mention, the announcement of Modern Warfare basically made me cry digital tears of joy – it is my favorite COD franchise.
I have also been playing far more Diamond Dynasty than I ever have in MLB the Show. I must say there are some aspects that I violated my rules in order to have a good time. I spent more than I care to admit on stubs in order to buy packs. The results? I ended up getting a team full of diamond players that actually allow me to have competitive games. The downside to this is knowing that Diamond Dynasty is a pay to win or a grind to win mode that forgives no one that plays other games. My team is currently close to .500 (36-37 or so) and it feels like every time I feel like my team should dominate I come across another gamer that is 300 levels above me with a team full of 99 OVR players. I am done spending any more actual money on this game, but I must say it was entirely necessary in order to get a team that could compete at all – which is criminal, in my opinion.
Taking advantage of the Days of Play sale was another choice I made. I ended up coming away with NBA 2K19, NHL 19 and Batman Arkham Knight for about $20 total. I absolutely love NHL 19’s presentation and feel. NBA 2K19 has yet to be fully played as I only buy NBA games when they are cheap or free. Basketball has been dead to me for quite some time. Batman just finished installing the other day and I am very excited to jump into it when I feel like I can give my attention to it in full.
As I finish this article I am filled with a sneaking nostalgia and it feels wonderful to post about the hobby I love. I know this has been a long read with yet another Madden rant, but to be as straight-forward as I can be, I am super excited about the future of NoobTubeTV. There are some things on the horizon and some ideas being floated. Thanks to those of you that keep stopping by and asking me where I have been. I look forward to posting some new updates for you very soon.
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