Lulz at Lulworth!

So, I finally made it home!

Let me start by giving out a big thanks to UK_Force and StuartCADT, the sheer effort and time that went into organising this can not be underestimated, so huge thanks to the guys for doing that, and for inviting me, a lowly tester to the fun! Also, a big up to Mrs UK_Force, anyone willing to feed me automatically gets my respect, particulary if they are then willing to drive me to the train station, so many thanks!! :) Also big up to the guys for turning up, people from all over the UK and Europe, a huge undertaking logistically, and financially, one that shows just the sheer effort these guys will to to for the game we all love. And the beer. But this time for the game. I have been in a and around a few DEV teams in the past, but these guys truly brought it to a new level. 


The journey to Lulworth was long and boring, coupled with late trains, unexpected stopovers, and tempermental old ladies who did not approve of the occasional bit of flesh in what ever movie/TV I happened to be watching (In this case the entire 1st season of Eastbound and Down, I highly recommend it next time you are beside a pensioner on a 10+ hour train journey.) However, the anticipation kept me awake on the 10 hour train ride. Once there, we jumped straight into the hard work.....in the pub! Gaz kept the Northern Irish end up, showing those English guys how to drink, and a lot of fun was had. 


Next day we had some excellent times on the PC's. Once I got the server up and running, PR: ArmA was a hit, and all weekend I had Devs asking me about this or that, is this possible, can that be done......very promising. They too have commented that they can see the PR in the game, which is what us testers have been saying for a while now. They seemed to enjoy the sheer scale and possibilities the engine brings to the table. Also, Rhino seems to have nailed the suicide bomber insurgent role, destroying a Chinook that just landed, much to everyone's cheering! Except UK_Force that is! ;)


Next up came PR: BF2, (Worrying that in a room full of DEVs, the PR server would not work!) )and the new release (Due out 15/10/10, go get the pre-load). With a little extra sauce by way of the truly amazing Sangin map. I have been playing PR for a long time, but this map is quite possibly the best, most detailed and realistic I have yet seen. The fields of death, the huge ambush potential.....wow. This coupled with the hotly anticipated 0.95 version that we were playing, with the thermals and 3D scopes made sure that this was a blast. Next up came a Vehicle warfare on Burning Sands, another great map I have been lucky enough to play in the exclusive Tactical Gamer scrim a month or so back. Finally, we enjoyed some more Tank battles on Quinling, one of my favourite maps, and with the thermals, it delivers a truly excellent vehicle warfare match up. 


Next up came F1..............Man it is hard. A lot of practice laps and qualifying went to waste for UKF when he jumped the gun.....Myself and Gaz had a few intense 1 vs 1 battles, with both of us throwing it away on the final lap in 2 seperate races. So 1 all in that little battle, bragging rights even, until next time that is. ;) Also, UKF is an undiscovered Lewis Hamilton, pulling crazy times out of the bag. I suspect Haxxors! The F1 was high intensity, so I was confident when Monaco came on. Being a Playstation owner since the start, and a Gran Turismo lover, I was laughing. However, I failed to qualify until the very last qualifying lap, limping across the line in last place with half a car. Highlight of that one was attempting to leave the pits, and crashing into the wall on the way, wrecking the car. Guess the beer was having an affect after all. Don't drink and drive an F1 car kids!


Also, lets not forget VBS2. Set on Sahrani of ArmA 1 fame, it was like a home coming for me. I had my 1337 .50 cal Sniper rifle, and off I trotted, assuming I was the bees knees, knowing the city like the back of my hand. Then bang, IED. The live time editor is truly great, allowing a lot of scope, and give me and the guys a great insight into what the engine is able to do. The ability to watch someone in 1st person, down their scope, and record is a priceless tool, one I wish the ArmA engine would give to me! A great game of tactical movement, punctuated by some crazy moments of all out firing.


Lots of fun was had that night until silly o'clock in the morning. Next day, the tanks! A highlight for me and I bet everyone. The sheer scale, and size. Sadly videos will never get across the size, however I will attempt to get some pictures up later on. Stay tuned for that. Stuarts knowledge really came out here, his expertise in all aspects of vehicle and armoured warfare was an amazing insight into the capabilities of the British Army arsenal, and will certainly help me sleep easier at night! 

So after that, we had a go on the Challenger 2 Simulators, a great experience, something I am going to boast that I passed the test. But god knows it was more luck than judgement! After that I had to run and get the train around 1.45, and I arrived safely, albeit slightly dishevelled, back in Glasgow at the princly time of 12.45am. And lets just say today's work is suffering for it.

A cracking weekend, one I thoroughly enjoyed. I met the people making the game I love, and I can now happily put the faces to the names. All were an excellent bunch of lads, and I can safely say that PR is in for some truly epic times ahead, both in the near future, with 0.95, and further afield, regardless of which version you play......;)

Regards,

Jeepo