Post by Whisper on Apr 9, 2013 12:12:45 GMT -6
The real you (!)
IRL First Name:
My name is Jamie.
Age:
I am 25 years old.
Hobbies:
I’m a classically trained professional musician, but since I joined the corporate world music has become more of a hobby than anything else. I enjoy cooking, reading, shopping, riding bikes, driving my purple Dodge Charger, continuing my education and of course, competitive PvP.
Country/Timezone:
US/MST
Sister(s):
Just one, but she’s underage.
Are you able to handle shit talking:
Yes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with comms during PvP.
The virtual you (!)
Usual In-game/Forum Alias:
In game: Elyse LaFatale for DF:UW, Elyse Leveque/Whisper Xion at the end of NA-1.
Forum Alias: WhisperXIII
What do you look for in a video game in order for you to play it? List at least one game which stands out for you and explain why it is superior to the others you have played:
The most important aspect for me is undoubtedly the PvP, and it has to be skill based and competitive, not just button-mash style PvP. Lately, I’ve been drawn more and more to open world games, especially ones with an FFA PvP ruleset and full loot or territory control. After having been involved with games like this for so long, other games seem to lack purpose, as the PvP feels like there is nothing to lose aside from reputation. With open world conquest games, not only is reputation on the line every single fight, but much more as well.
Darkfall obviously stands head and shoulders above everything else due to its ruthless intensity. Few games in existence today can really compare with the level of competitive gameplay that Darkfall allowed. I like many others have tried to find other games that compared even slightly, but nothing has come close.
Describe the greatest gaming moment in your life and why it stands out among others (Regarding multi player PC games):
This is a difficult one, because Darkfall was so full of great moments. I’d say the first great moment I experienced in DF was the siege of Mar Shral on EU, when the Afghan alliance sought to take the city from CotC. There were ~1200 people involved in that siege in one form or another, and at the time combat on that scale were completely new to me.
Later in the game, on NA, playing with Zealot afforded many great experiences. When we were playing at our best, our synergy at its height, we won many sieges against great odds. While those memories are each special to me, I’d have to say that the greatest part was having the opportunity to be a part of such a high-caliber team.
Explain briefly your least favorite kind of person to play with (characteristics, personality):
My least favorite type of person would be the “weak link”. I would describe this type as being a negative person who doesn’t respond to constructive criticism well, regardless of whether it is coming from the game or a clan member. Making a mistake, losing a fight, or failing at a siege should always be constructive; there is always something to learn from any loss. People who become angry and accusative after a fight are just detracting from the clan’s ability to learn and grow from that experience. On the flip side of that, people who get defensive after being called out when they make a mistake don’t benefit the clan either.
How do you typically handle working with people like the one mentioned above?:
Having worked in the music world for so long, you learn to adjust to brutally honest criticisms on a daily basis. When you perform at a master class and your professor tells you in front of 25 people exactly what you did wrong, you learn to make it about the art and not personalize it. Having also taught music for many years, I’ve learned how to tailor my constructive criticism to each person, to try and avoid making them defensive. Once someone has become defensive very little can be accomplished.
Describe an experience where you had to act as a leader (either planned or improvised):
In the latter part of NA, war broke out once again between Zealot and the SB alliance. Dropping all attempts at even fights, SB began bringing siege forces that far outnumbered our own. The server was also having difficulty with large sieges at this point in the game, so for many of us these fights quickly became unplayable slideshows.
I had been an acting SG for Zealot for a while at that point, but mostly for logistics purposes. When our active combat leaders stopped showing up for sieges, I stepped up to lead out of necessity. I changed a few things, started getting the alliance prepped for the siege long before it went live, and implemented a command channel system so I could call fights more easily. We started winning sieges, and eventually went on to win the war.
What sort of things define a good leader to you?:
To me, a good leader is someone who can keep it together. Even in the face of defeat, against the odds, a leader has to stay organized, be aware of all of the options available, and be able to continue communication with their team, regardless of rising tensions.
A leader also needs good sense, so they can determine the best time to congratulate their team and the best time to criticize them. Above all, a leader should be able to own their mistakes, but avoid losing face in the process. There is an honorable way to be wrong.
Darkfall related (!)
What sort of role will you prefer in Unholy Wars?:
While alliance leadership and shot calling wasn’t beyond me, it was hardly my forte or preferred role. I find that I excel best at being an intermediary leader, a support caller, if you will. Many times, even in small scale combat, we would have one person up front making combat calls and picking targets, and myself in the back, watching the larger movement of the battle, calling out incoming forces, healing targets, and nuke syncs on targets of opportunity.
The Primalist role is looking particularly interesting, considering my previous experience. I can hold my own up front as well, if necessary. I played medium hybrid for much of DF, and am very comfortable at medium-to-close range.
How much time will you be able to play Unholy Wars each day:
Due to my work schedule, I’ll likely be able to play 1-2 hours a night on weeknights, and much more on the weekends.
Did you play the original Darkfall? If so, for how long?:
Yes, I played from EU launch until they closed NA.
If you answered 'YES' above, use this section to talk about what you liked/disliked about Darkfall and any interesting experiences you had in it:
Darkfall is a mixed bag of highs and lows. In many ways it’s like a harmful drug addiction. When it is good, it’s REALLY good, but it does things to you that you don’t really want to admit to normal everyday people. Waking up early for a server-up siege, 16+ hour play sessions, the endless grind, the relatively negative community… there are definitely some downsides.
That said there is nothing like the adrenaline rush of a good fight or an intense siege, and that is a powerful draw that keeps me coming back for more.
What is going to be your main gaming motivation while playing Unholy Wars?:
Being a part of a clan that has excellent synergy and is competitive at the very highest level is more a need than a want for me. I’ve tried to play with lower tier clans, and it can be fun for a time, but fighting alongside individuals who simply are not PvPers or who don’t have the skillset to communicate and work together efficiently in PvP can be frustrating.
Clan related (!)
Why did you apply to Covert Operations?:
Throughout my time in Darkfall, many, many clans lost my respect due to their actions. CO is one of the few truly honest clans, who play the game exactly the way they advertise they will. I’ve fought alongside and against CO, both while I was in Zealot and before, dating back to early EU. Every encounter I have had has been positive. They make for trustworthy allies and cunning enemies.
How will you be an asset to Covert Operations?:
First and foremost I am a talented group fighter. In DF I could hold my own in any combat situation, be it 1v1, small group or siege combat, but I excelled at support roles. I’m a seasoned leader and shot caller, but have none of the ego that often comes with, so I can put those abilities to use in any aspect requested of me. I’m also a positive, forward thinking girl who will always try to learn from defeat, better myself, and make the best of every situation.
Do you have any friends in the clan? If so, list who they are and give a brief history with them.
Prior to the close of NA I was talking to Trixie a lot. We did some duels, played some 2s together, and roamed a bit. Aside from that, most of my interaction with CO has been clan to clan, and not on a personal level.
Previous clan(s) & the reason why you left:
I started Darkfall with a large, family-type clan, CotP, and was with them from launch into the early NA days after transfers. Once that clan's DF chapter started to fade away, I moved on to help lead a small, PvP-focused clan called Persona Non Grata. I played with them for about a year, and during that time we merged with brutaLity, and then helped form Clockwork Orange when Grimjaw parted ways with Enders. We played with Covert Operations as well, but after the J.U.I.C.E. alliance lost to TSL, we moved on to join up with Vigilante in Scourge and the Flying V alliance, which ended up joining TIA, which in turn put me in touch with Zealot. Shortly after meeting Zealot, I joined and played with them for the remaining two years of DF.
While gearing up for DF:UW, many Black Shields members returned from retirement, including old leadership. Shortly after that, Skreww was told to step down in lieu of the "old leadership", and the returning players began stripping away membership that they didn't personally know. I was dismissed from the clan because I was not a member of the original Black Shields at the launch of NA.
How involved were you in your previous clans? (Leadership positions, politics, etc):
As I mentioned previously, I was involved mainly as a support caller, but did take on alliance leadership when it was necessary. I also handled many logistic for the clan from time to time, such as money management, siege drops, resource acquisition, and clan bank storage. I was largely uninvolved in any political decision making, as Skreww usually handled that on his own.
IRL First Name:
My name is Jamie.
Age:
I am 25 years old.
Hobbies:
I’m a classically trained professional musician, but since I joined the corporate world music has become more of a hobby than anything else. I enjoy cooking, reading, shopping, riding bikes, driving my purple Dodge Charger, continuing my education and of course, competitive PvP.
Country/Timezone:
US/MST
Sister(s):
Just one, but she’s underage.
Are you able to handle shit talking:
Yes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with comms during PvP.
The virtual you (!)
Usual In-game/Forum Alias:
In game: Elyse LaFatale for DF:UW, Elyse Leveque/Whisper Xion at the end of NA-1.
Forum Alias: WhisperXIII
What do you look for in a video game in order for you to play it? List at least one game which stands out for you and explain why it is superior to the others you have played:
The most important aspect for me is undoubtedly the PvP, and it has to be skill based and competitive, not just button-mash style PvP. Lately, I’ve been drawn more and more to open world games, especially ones with an FFA PvP ruleset and full loot or territory control. After having been involved with games like this for so long, other games seem to lack purpose, as the PvP feels like there is nothing to lose aside from reputation. With open world conquest games, not only is reputation on the line every single fight, but much more as well.
Darkfall obviously stands head and shoulders above everything else due to its ruthless intensity. Few games in existence today can really compare with the level of competitive gameplay that Darkfall allowed. I like many others have tried to find other games that compared even slightly, but nothing has come close.
Describe the greatest gaming moment in your life and why it stands out among others (Regarding multi player PC games):
This is a difficult one, because Darkfall was so full of great moments. I’d say the first great moment I experienced in DF was the siege of Mar Shral on EU, when the Afghan alliance sought to take the city from CotC. There were ~1200 people involved in that siege in one form or another, and at the time combat on that scale were completely new to me.
Later in the game, on NA, playing with Zealot afforded many great experiences. When we were playing at our best, our synergy at its height, we won many sieges against great odds. While those memories are each special to me, I’d have to say that the greatest part was having the opportunity to be a part of such a high-caliber team.
Explain briefly your least favorite kind of person to play with (characteristics, personality):
My least favorite type of person would be the “weak link”. I would describe this type as being a negative person who doesn’t respond to constructive criticism well, regardless of whether it is coming from the game or a clan member. Making a mistake, losing a fight, or failing at a siege should always be constructive; there is always something to learn from any loss. People who become angry and accusative after a fight are just detracting from the clan’s ability to learn and grow from that experience. On the flip side of that, people who get defensive after being called out when they make a mistake don’t benefit the clan either.
How do you typically handle working with people like the one mentioned above?:
Having worked in the music world for so long, you learn to adjust to brutally honest criticisms on a daily basis. When you perform at a master class and your professor tells you in front of 25 people exactly what you did wrong, you learn to make it about the art and not personalize it. Having also taught music for many years, I’ve learned how to tailor my constructive criticism to each person, to try and avoid making them defensive. Once someone has become defensive very little can be accomplished.
Describe an experience where you had to act as a leader (either planned or improvised):
In the latter part of NA, war broke out once again between Zealot and the SB alliance. Dropping all attempts at even fights, SB began bringing siege forces that far outnumbered our own. The server was also having difficulty with large sieges at this point in the game, so for many of us these fights quickly became unplayable slideshows.
I had been an acting SG for Zealot for a while at that point, but mostly for logistics purposes. When our active combat leaders stopped showing up for sieges, I stepped up to lead out of necessity. I changed a few things, started getting the alliance prepped for the siege long before it went live, and implemented a command channel system so I could call fights more easily. We started winning sieges, and eventually went on to win the war.
What sort of things define a good leader to you?:
To me, a good leader is someone who can keep it together. Even in the face of defeat, against the odds, a leader has to stay organized, be aware of all of the options available, and be able to continue communication with their team, regardless of rising tensions.
A leader also needs good sense, so they can determine the best time to congratulate their team and the best time to criticize them. Above all, a leader should be able to own their mistakes, but avoid losing face in the process. There is an honorable way to be wrong.
Darkfall related (!)
What sort of role will you prefer in Unholy Wars?:
While alliance leadership and shot calling wasn’t beyond me, it was hardly my forte or preferred role. I find that I excel best at being an intermediary leader, a support caller, if you will. Many times, even in small scale combat, we would have one person up front making combat calls and picking targets, and myself in the back, watching the larger movement of the battle, calling out incoming forces, healing targets, and nuke syncs on targets of opportunity.
The Primalist role is looking particularly interesting, considering my previous experience. I can hold my own up front as well, if necessary. I played medium hybrid for much of DF, and am very comfortable at medium-to-close range.
How much time will you be able to play Unholy Wars each day:
Due to my work schedule, I’ll likely be able to play 1-2 hours a night on weeknights, and much more on the weekends.
Did you play the original Darkfall? If so, for how long?:
Yes, I played from EU launch until they closed NA.
If you answered 'YES' above, use this section to talk about what you liked/disliked about Darkfall and any interesting experiences you had in it:
Darkfall is a mixed bag of highs and lows. In many ways it’s like a harmful drug addiction. When it is good, it’s REALLY good, but it does things to you that you don’t really want to admit to normal everyday people. Waking up early for a server-up siege, 16+ hour play sessions, the endless grind, the relatively negative community… there are definitely some downsides.
That said there is nothing like the adrenaline rush of a good fight or an intense siege, and that is a powerful draw that keeps me coming back for more.
What is going to be your main gaming motivation while playing Unholy Wars?:
Being a part of a clan that has excellent synergy and is competitive at the very highest level is more a need than a want for me. I’ve tried to play with lower tier clans, and it can be fun for a time, but fighting alongside individuals who simply are not PvPers or who don’t have the skillset to communicate and work together efficiently in PvP can be frustrating.
Clan related (!)
Why did you apply to Covert Operations?:
Throughout my time in Darkfall, many, many clans lost my respect due to their actions. CO is one of the few truly honest clans, who play the game exactly the way they advertise they will. I’ve fought alongside and against CO, both while I was in Zealot and before, dating back to early EU. Every encounter I have had has been positive. They make for trustworthy allies and cunning enemies.
How will you be an asset to Covert Operations?:
First and foremost I am a talented group fighter. In DF I could hold my own in any combat situation, be it 1v1, small group or siege combat, but I excelled at support roles. I’m a seasoned leader and shot caller, but have none of the ego that often comes with, so I can put those abilities to use in any aspect requested of me. I’m also a positive, forward thinking girl who will always try to learn from defeat, better myself, and make the best of every situation.
Do you have any friends in the clan? If so, list who they are and give a brief history with them.
Prior to the close of NA I was talking to Trixie a lot. We did some duels, played some 2s together, and roamed a bit. Aside from that, most of my interaction with CO has been clan to clan, and not on a personal level.
Previous clan(s) & the reason why you left:
I started Darkfall with a large, family-type clan, CotP, and was with them from launch into the early NA days after transfers. Once that clan's DF chapter started to fade away, I moved on to help lead a small, PvP-focused clan called Persona Non Grata. I played with them for about a year, and during that time we merged with brutaLity, and then helped form Clockwork Orange when Grimjaw parted ways with Enders. We played with Covert Operations as well, but after the J.U.I.C.E. alliance lost to TSL, we moved on to join up with Vigilante in Scourge and the Flying V alliance, which ended up joining TIA, which in turn put me in touch with Zealot. Shortly after meeting Zealot, I joined and played with them for the remaining two years of DF.
While gearing up for DF:UW, many Black Shields members returned from retirement, including old leadership. Shortly after that, Skreww was told to step down in lieu of the "old leadership", and the returning players began stripping away membership that they didn't personally know. I was dismissed from the clan because I was not a member of the original Black Shields at the launch of NA.
How involved were you in your previous clans? (Leadership positions, politics, etc):
As I mentioned previously, I was involved mainly as a support caller, but did take on alliance leadership when it was necessary. I also handled many logistic for the clan from time to time, such as money management, siege drops, resource acquisition, and clan bank storage. I was largely uninvolved in any political decision making, as Skreww usually handled that on his own.