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About Me
Listen to this as you read my profile
I figured a little introduction was in order in case people were curious. My name is Chris (Magnalon) and I have been enjoying Destructoid avidly since 2008. I finally decided to make an account and start blogging in January of 2009.
I'm in my 20s, I'm married, and I've been playing games since I was 4. I still remember buying my own NES system at Sears and going home and playing Mario/Duck Hunt. Fast forward to the present, my wife and I now own a PS3 and 360, and in the winter of 2009, we bought a Wii simply so we could play New Super Mario Brothers Wii. As far as contemporary systems go, I also own an iPhone 4 (which I game on very heavily - check out HookChamp), a DS, a 3DS, the Kinect, the PS Move, and a PSP-2000. If I had to choose a system I had the "best times" with, it would be a two way tie between the Sega Dreamcast and Sony Playstation 2. My favorite game series is Mega Man Classic, but I own every Metal Gear, Devil May Cry, Zelda, and Resident Evil game ever released in the US, so it's a close call!
There are too many good games out to count now, but recently I've been itching to play my backlog of old PS2 action titles. I'll play anything and everything action-adventure, so if you have a game in mind, drop me a line! I have strong opinions regarding the financial decisions of many publishers, but at the end of the day, I'm willing to give anything a chance; especially if it comes recommended by a community member.
Oh; and in 2012 I started contributing to Destructoid.
Are you not satisfied?
Here's an in-depth 10 things about me post that will enlighten you further
My top 20 games (in no particular order)
Resident Evil 5
Fallout: New Vegas
Dragon Age: Origins
Dark Souls
Demon's Souls
Skies of Arcadia
Lunar 1 and 2 (too hard to decide)
World of Warcraft: All Expansions
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Bayonetta
Tenchu 2
Devil May Cry 3
Phantasy Star Online
Ape Escape 1
Rockman and Forte (Megaman and Bass)
God Hand
Jet Set Radio Future
Ikaruga
Donkey Kong Country
Final Fantasy Tactics
Bonus:
Batman: Arkham City
The Elder Scrolls IV: Skyrim
Metal Gear Solid 4
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Bastion
Mass Effect
Super Mario Galaxy
Assassin's Creed II
Onimusha 3
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Ninja Gaiden Black (Xbox)
Power Stone 2
No More Heroes 2
Mass Effect 2
Disgaea 3
Final Fantasy X
Okami
Bujingai: The Forsaken City
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Odin Sphere
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest
Super Mario 64
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Jeanne d'Arc
Half Minute Hero
Super Meat Boy
Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony
L.A. Noire
VVVVVV
Outland (XBLA/PSN)
Shantae: Risky's Revenge
Mighty Flip Champs
Child of Eden
Shadows of the Damned
Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR)
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Rayman: Origins
Pushmo
Promoted:
Playing with Others: Phantasy Star Offline
Magnalon's quest to beat every Zelda in 2011
Tips for Securing Your Xbox Live Account
Magnalon's Quests:
2011 - Zelda
2012 - Resident Evil
The following are a few of my favorite fictional characters, compliments of SuitcoatAvenger
My favorite video game character of all time: Magic Emperor Ghaleon.
Legato Bluesummers from Trigun: classic villain.
Although obscure, Zero Beat is among my favorites.
My original avatar.
Gamer Profile
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Following (179)
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[All of the above quotes were actually said to me at one point in time whilst attempting to learn DotA] Defense of the Ancients has become a national pastime for gamers: and all of it spawned out of a simple modification for Warcraft III. Taking the focus off waging war as the commander of an army, you are placed within the role of a single entity: a summoner. The common misconception is that since you only have to control one unit, it would be much easier than micromanaging platoons. This fallacy nearly cost me my self esteem, folks. Since it's initial explosion, "DotA" has evolved into an incredibly popular niche game, and garnered a community of thousands: from strategy enthusiasts to general gamers. However, after just two days of experience with DotA, I concluded that it did not actually stand for "Defense of the Ancients", but instead: DotA: Die, odible, tabanid asshole! Def: odible "worthy of hatred" [due to the player's ineptitude] Def:tabanid "blood-sucking insect" [the player is sucking his team dry of resources] 
In DotA, a new player can effectively change the tide of an entire match. By "feeding" the other team with the glorious rewards of free experience points and riches upon death: all it takes is one "noob" to bring an hour long standstill of a game to a screeching halt. Then, the insults fly...hard. But before any of this happens, many gamers have engaged in a predictable step by step pattern after becoming intrigued by the notion of a "simpler" strategy game. From cordial prospect to prospective cord hanging: 1) Hearing about DotA everyday all day, they inquire as to what it is, and instantly are engaged by the prospect of team play. 2) They log in to their first DotA game, aptly labeled "noobs only" [sounds inviting, yes?], and assume that it actually is a "new players only" game. 3) The player is shunned and ridiculed after his first death: his sexuality brought into question, and the moral dilemma of whether or not his parents should have had an abortion is put on the table. The player is a jaded shell of his former self, and vows never to play DotA ever again. At least, these are my experiences. But, with a little help from my friends, I found out there is still hope for the soon-to-be suicide watch gamer. Either: Find other people to enjoy the game with, and play private matches, until they inevitably rise above your skill level or Stop playing DotA, and go back to Warcraft III (noob) Ok, so those really aren't options. As you can clearly see, the situation looked pretty bleak, until only recently. The newly developed League of Legends has attempted to break down the barriers of entry with a simplistic "tips" system for individual characters, and custom tailored items for each player to choose from. However, underneath it's welcoming exterior is a massive superhighway of rune combinations, skill trees, and advanced tactics that will absolutely fly right over the head of casual gamers. While I am improving, unless I dedicate three lifetimes to the genre, I have no hope of actually becoming a deciding factor in any battle, and will be forced to play with more forgiving close friends for the rest of my dying days. Considering I'm adept in just about every other genre, my inability to actually become a better player is a perplexing dilemma. So, fellow DotA bloodsuckers everywhere: unite! Someday, we will be a forced to be reckoned with after our years of hiding beneath the Earth's crust in our private games, and then: "they" will feed us.
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Living the dream since March 16, 2006
Living the dream since March 16, 2006
It's very unfortunate though that until I get better the only way I can play is with friends. I might have to give League of Legends a try though, to see if it's really as friendly as you say. Until then, I look forward to trying to kick your ass in more DotA style games. ;-)
It's a shame that people are being drawn in to the promise of an easier/friendlier experience only to be met with that ass-hattery.
On the other hand, it meant we got a shiny new post from you!
Also, it's nice to finally know what DotA is. Haha, I kept seeing that pop up occasionally and never did figure out what it was.
Just a general hint for you, and anyone else who is just starting up and all. DotA is a game about SURVIVING . . . NOT killing. The goal is to live longer/simply just not die, as opposed to killing, which is a secondary goal that comes out of not dying. Also, just find a lot of "generic" items that work for all characters and all that may not necessarily be the "best" for your character, but will assist you regardless. Things like Power Treads, Lothar's (to escape), things like that. Or just find your hero's best stat item, like Butterfly for agility, Satanic/Heart for Strength, and then Scepter for intel.
League of Legends seems okay from what I've played it so far. There's a number of niches and such, but the "suggested" items thing is very helpful, but I hate their shop menu. You may also want to try Heroes of Newark, which literally is like DotA, but with better graphics. Also add "sylphx" as well, as he's my fellow buddy and Dtoider that I play DotA with.
I also have some League of Legends beta invites, if anyone wants one PM me your email address and I can send you one.
Only reason I keep playing is cause I know 2 people who help me learn how to play: Knives and my friend HumanError. Otherwise I'm "more than a noob, and should stop playing and die".
Still, once you get good the game actually is insanely fun. But still clouded by douchebags. You could be winning 14-0 and if you make one stupid mistake everybody will be all over your ass.
If you ever want to play, my Bnet name is Elihu, my friend's is Mediocrates. We'll be sure and put you on our team...and we don't mind feeders, they just make it more challenging. :)