Evening Reading

While dealing with an awful bout of medication-induced insomnia this weekend, I managed to play a bit of Game Dev Story and StarCraft II.

In Game Dev Story, my company "Proxy Rax" has been leading the sales charts for 6 years straight with two number-one debuts a year. I still haven't won the coveted Game of the Year award nor have I built my own console. My development cycle is quite efficient with a sequel releasing at the beginning of the year, contract work while it is on sale, and finally a new IP for the end of the year.

In StarCraft II, I've made my switch from Protoss to Zerg along with a (wanted) demotion from Diamond to Platinum. The skill of most Diamond players has eclipsed beyond me--I still think they need a league above Diamond--but I'm having much more enjoyable matches now that I've bombed my invisible skill rating. Overall, I'm enjoying Zerg a lot more than Protoss, especially after the latest patch. I'll be writing a bit more about my transition in the comments.

Gaming News o'the Day

Links from Morning Discussion

From The Chatty
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    October 19, 2010 5:00 PM

    [deleted]

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      October 19, 2010 5:07 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 19, 2010 5:08 PM

        [deleted]

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        October 19, 2010 5:10 PM

        I kind of want to but I don't have the brains or speed for it, I've seen the tactics they need to win and I don't care if it makes me cheap, I like Protoss - I can just build strong asskick units and 1A them in, until I'm 5x better, I wouldn't consider Zerg.

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        October 19, 2010 5:39 PM

        I haven't played post patch, but I've always been a zerg player. One of the other things I like about zerg compared to the others is the lack of micro. You don't have to remember to stim your bioball. Or blinking bad units out, etc. Just run them in. If they die, no worries, you have army version 2.0 already brooding at the hacheries.

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      October 19, 2010 5:07 PM

      man roaches are a motherfucker now for sure. also to me early harass for protoss is only really done with proxy pylons and warpgates, which is less harass and more just an aggressive early game. the thing though, for me as a protoss player, is that unless i do that and damage a zergy early on they will roll me late/mid game. i suck at the game admittedly, but i do wish there was a way to be offensive for toss that didnt involve a major strategic and tactical undertaking.

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        October 19, 2010 5:10 PM

        [deleted]

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          October 19, 2010 5:48 PM

          Actually i've been thinking about some cool things to do with those dropships, and they could be used quite a lot..

          Look at Kiwikaki vs Idra for an example.

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            October 19, 2010 6:29 PM

            FUUUUUUU

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              October 19, 2010 6:41 PM

              Oh, and after this week i'll have a TON more time to play... and i'll need some practice.. sound good OTB? :)

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                October 19, 2010 7:05 PM

                gonna be too late and I'm gonna be bounced from PH; need Toss practice before Thursday!

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                  October 19, 2010 7:08 PM

                  don't know if i can do that, maybe squeeze in a few games on Wed... ?

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                    October 19, 2010 8:15 PM

                    I should be on, so if you're available, it would be nice. If not :P soon enough!

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                  October 19, 2010 7:40 PM

                  [deleted]

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                    October 19, 2010 8:13 PM

                    Fortunately, I was able to survive the 10 pool in my games; how did yours go?

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          October 19, 2010 8:26 PM

          I wish warp prism just gave power while stationary instead of having modes

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      October 19, 2010 5:09 PM

      If you think DT's are easily detected by T you should watch last nights GSL match between IMKyumer and Ace. Aced used a really nice DT build against a former sc1 pro player and even Artosis was having an orgasm over. It was sick. It really showed that scans are not an effective counter to properly used DT's at all.

      I agree though that Protoss are missing their Reaver-esque unit.

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        October 19, 2010 5:11 PM

        [deleted]

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          October 19, 2010 5:14 PM

          Yeah, but I guess after they scout your tech you shouldn't expect your DT's to be effective anyway.
          I shit my pants every time I see a good Diamond T going Raven even if I am not getting DT's because that Ravent, PPD, Banshee rine push is becoming really popular now on the smaller maps :\

          But seriously, game 3 of IMKyumer and Ace. Watch it.

    • reply
      October 19, 2010 5:09 PM

      WELCOME TO THE BEST RACE BRIAN.

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        October 19, 2010 5:19 PM

        Oh I misread you're going TO Zerg? Good luck man :(

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        October 19, 2010 7:17 PM

        Protoss more like Amateurtoss

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          October 19, 2010 7:19 PM

          Calling me an amateur? :(

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            October 19, 2010 7:34 PM

            do you make a living playing the game? than yeah you're an amateur. Also protoss is the most annoying race in the game screw those guys.

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              October 19, 2010 7:41 PM

              i think terran is the most annoying... so there!

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          October 19, 2010 7:37 PM

          That's ok, at least I don't play Terran.

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      October 19, 2010 5:16 PM

      of the last 7 ladder games I've played 6 have been against zerg (and my zvz game is atrocious)

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        October 19, 2010 6:30 PM

        allow me to introduce you to the 'x' button. It's your friend in zvz

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          October 19, 2010 11:08 PM

          how do you avoid their banelings?

          I know I should micro 1-2 zerglings towards them at a time, but it seems despite me clicking away like hell with my other zerglings they always charge right at them :(

          I've started to go roach + hydra in ZvZ more, and it's working ok but I'm not used to the build so I'm not that efficient yet.

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      October 19, 2010 5:16 PM

      phoenix and void ray?

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        October 19, 2010 5:18 PM

        [deleted]

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          October 19, 2010 5:23 PM

          DT's are way too deep and gas heavy to even be close to considered an early game harass unit.

          VR's are still the best option all around. sure they are expensive but if you get shut down then you have to just have to make a fast transition. honestly, against T or P you should have a robo bay any ways so a transition isnt completely out of question

          2 void rays can go a long way if managed well

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          October 19, 2010 5:29 PM

          You can lift SCVs that are constructing stuff, that can throw people off real bad because it can be tricky to notice. :)

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            October 19, 2010 7:46 PM

            yeah but thats not really early harass, too deep and expensive. mid game sure but not early game. keep in mind you need at least 2 to even attack ground units.

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          October 19, 2010 6:41 PM

          Build one Stargate (they're inexpensive, cost what a stalker?) and just continuous Phoenix from there while your mighty Immortal/Colossus ground army pounds you to dust.

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            October 19, 2010 6:41 PM

            immo / col / ground army / phoenix off how many bases? You can kinda do it off 2 bases, but if you want to have an army that stacks up, might want to hold off til 3

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      October 19, 2010 5:16 PM

      Protoss is the new weak race in the game. They need buffs at multiple levels or even a new unit. You'll all see in current and future tournaments. The loss ratio of the toss players is going to go up.

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        October 19, 2010 5:18 PM

        I disagree, although I suck at the game - I don't believe we have major balance problems at the moment.

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          October 19, 2010 5:21 PM

          Traitor. I see they've gotten to you too. Infested no doubt.

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            October 19, 2010 5:41 PM

            No I just don't want to cry without a good solid reason. Then no one will listen when we have a valid complaint, right now I feel the balance is much better - the nexus change was so fucking good, thank you Blizz.


            However
            I'm still not happy with early concussive, when it's abused it's a dickwhore. I also don't like how Terran are so dynamic with so many amazing and varied options.
            (As I've stated)
            "Oh I have a money problem after a battle and all my SVC's are dead!" - spam mules
            "Oh I forgot detection" - scan (it's fucking big too)
            Which race has the longest range ground to air, air to air, ground to ground units.

            Those 3 things kind of bug me but I'm not sure I'm willing to cry imbalance on them. I think in 3 months when the fucking monster skilled terrans kick it up a notch, you're going to see some clever and dynamic play which really shows their strength in a big way. When that occurs you'll see the shortfalls in the pure game design for the game in general.

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              October 19, 2010 5:50 PM

              [deleted]

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                October 19, 2010 7:39 PM

                What you mean to say is "Why have I assumed this guy is like this, maybe I need to read all of his posts more carefully"

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              October 19, 2010 10:05 PM

              At this point in tvp, a terran has to have marauders with concussive early or you'll die to a protoss rush. Otherwise you have to bunker up and completely give up map control. Don't know how you can change that without a serious buff to either marines or marauders to make up for the missing ability.

              Scan isn't a very effective detection ability. It is a very, very useful position scouting ability. You can see how protoss send in 1 dt at a time in order to quickly waste a terran's command energy. Honestly though, I think most games should have an engineering bay for upgrades and turrets are necessary to stop collosi step harassment.

              Mules are useful, but they're there to make up for the fact that SCVs stay with the building their constructing the entire time. Once a terran has 2 or 3 orbitals, I can see how that can annoy, but mules definitely are necessary.

              It is always important to remember that every race is supposed to have advantages. Terrans are the most screwed over when it comes to production. You want a raven? You have to produce it from a starport with a techlab. Banshee? Same. Meanwhile a zerg can build 8 ultras at once if he had the resources. It is obviously an exaggeration, but Terran have very flexible units, but they have to commit to a certain set of them when they choose their buildings, which makes terrans more vulnerable to tech switching by protoss and zerg.

              Etc, etc.

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                October 19, 2010 11:31 PM

                Well I have to admit it's much better than it was.

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      October 19, 2010 5:17 PM

      you put a zealot in someones mineral line and thats a pretty big harassment, lots of dmg

    • DM7 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
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      October 19, 2010 5:17 PM

      We welcome you with open arms into the swarm!

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      October 19, 2010 5:23 PM

      [deleted]

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      October 19, 2010 5:36 PM

      heads up for day9 fans: http://www.ustream.tv/day9tv
      show is starting early tonight due to last night's cancellation. starting at 5:35pm(now!) and a second show at 7:00pm

    • reply
      October 19, 2010 5:36 PM

      I still feel most comfortable playing Zerg, even when they were weaker I felt like that.

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        October 19, 2010 5:38 PM

        [deleted]

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          October 19, 2010 5:55 PM

          Yea, I could play all of them but not too well. Maybe C Protoss, C- Terran, and B Zerg on iccup. I guess Zergs style of defensively expanding and managing larvae is hardwired into my brain now.

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            October 19, 2010 5:58 PM

            [deleted]

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              October 19, 2010 6:00 PM

              this guy is great to watch: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/destiny-zero-s-sc2-stream

              pretty good zerg and he talks about his strategies and junk

              i've learned alot watching his stream.

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              October 19, 2010 6:03 PM

              watch psystarcraft, all the Z vs (whatever) you want from a solid player

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                October 19, 2010 7:07 PM

                he's entertaining as hell too.

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              October 19, 2010 6:41 PM

              You should lose your first 20 losses because you built too many drones. Then start scaling back so you just barely live.

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                October 19, 2010 7:04 PM

                Then intersperse one out of every 3 losses to this as well. It's quite a common occurrence.

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                October 19, 2010 9:41 PM

                Sweet, I didn't know I was following this strategy, but it is what happened 8 of my last 10 ladder games.

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      October 19, 2010 5:49 PM

      GSL from last night:

      TLO/Sangho and Choya/Rain were both turbo-awesome sets.

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        October 19, 2010 5:51 PM

        TLO game
        NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TLO!!!! :( I wanted you to advance!!

        • reply
          October 19, 2010 5:52 PM

          [deleted]

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            October 19, 2010 5:57 PM

            at least we get a really good macro based protoss that advances :) Oh wait.. you're dirty zerg now :D

            Btw, you gonna be playing KOTH with us?

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          October 19, 2010 5:56 PM

          so is he just not a very good tournament player?

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            October 19, 2010 5:57 PM

            He went up against a pro sc1 player, this dude is GOOD.

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            October 19, 2010 5:58 PM

            only good players quality for the tournament and a lot of great players don't make the cut

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            October 19, 2010 5:59 PM

            [deleted]

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            October 19, 2010 6:00 PM

            Sangho is fucking good! He was a BW A-teamer. I was sad to see the only German player go out, but viva BW players!

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        October 19, 2010 6:11 PM

        ensnare/suzy was also really good.

        very impressive by ensnare. great composure and gamesense in both games. who put him out of GSL1?

      • reply
        October 19, 2010 7:22 PM

        manner cc, loool

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        October 19, 2010 7:59 PM

        [deleted]

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        October 19, 2010 8:10 PM

        [deleted]

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      October 19, 2010 6:08 PM

      There is nothing more satisfying than watching a marine heavy bioball melt under a swarm of banelings.

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        October 19, 2010 6:37 PM

        This ^^ eat it dogbert

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        October 19, 2010 7:36 PM

        they kill so much so fast :( I get a little satisfaction knowing the bastards had to die for their cause though.

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        October 19, 2010 9:42 PM

        (with just a few mutas to take out the now helpless and slow medivacs afterwards.)

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      October 19, 2010 7:33 PM

      I just got my flying heal bus achievement (heal 5,000 life with medivacs in a single game). 46 minutes of back and forth with a protoss. I think that is the longest ladder game I've ever had.

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      October 19, 2010 11:11 PM

      good games tonight in the GSL.

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        October 19, 2010 11:18 PM

        3pm matches? i'll have to try catch up after work, before the 9pm live streams start.

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      October 20, 2010 12:32 AM

      I've been random since beta but i'm thinking of switching to zerg. i think i actually have more success as zerg nowadays and i definitely like playing them more than terran. (hovering around 1000-1100 diamond)

      i'm not sure if i want to stick with zerg, protoss, or random for a while longer.

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        October 20, 2010 12:33 AM

        lmao more like hovering around 1000-1100 unspent minerals amirite

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      October 20, 2010 3:09 AM

      [deleted]

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        October 20, 2010 3:15 AM

        stream crapping out already! :(

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          October 20, 2010 3:20 AM

          oh man, he shouldnt have lost those mauraders! :O

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            October 20, 2010 3:22 AM

            yeah, game over. nice marine recovery, but the mutas ran off, and the lings pressure econ

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        October 20, 2010 3:18 AM

        I'm totally cool with his commentary, very informative and no BS

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          October 20, 2010 3:23 AM

          Wow, he's really good, way better than the majority of dedicated SC2 commentators out there

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            October 20, 2010 3:25 AM

            [deleted]

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              October 20, 2010 3:29 AM

              Ok, forget Tasteless and Artosis, let Idra and Jason Lee cast everything. These two are a great team. Non-retarded color commentary combined with excellent analysis, this is great, very professional

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                October 20, 2010 3:31 AM

                [deleted]

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                October 20, 2010 3:34 AM

                yeah, idra knows his stuff, obviously! and the other guy comments fast and clear.

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                  October 20, 2010 3:34 AM

                  one all!!!! i think Terran might take this now. Zerg cant rush mutas again, surely.

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                    October 20, 2010 3:45 AM

                    fuuuu :P
                    zerg didnt learn.

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                  October 20, 2010 3:37 AM

                  Yeah, Jason isn't slurring his words or stumbling over his sentences. I'm kind of amazed to see a SC2 cast where the commentators really seem to know WTF they're doing. Day9 and DJ Wheat are the only other really good team I can think of.

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                    October 20, 2010 3:40 AM

                    Day9 still serves way too much goofiness and a significant portion of his commentary is non-descriptively superlative.

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                      October 20, 2010 3:42 AM

                      Day9 is a delight. His goofiness combined with his knowledgeable commentary makes him fun, sort of color commentator and analyst combined. Not everything needs to be so dry.

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                    October 20, 2010 3:50 AM

                    [deleted]

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                    October 20, 2010 5:02 AM

                    Artosis + Chill are a dynamic duo as well. What up Blucklesworth!

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                October 20, 2010 4:14 AM

                Yeah, actually I think I like these guys more too now. Till now I've always been partial to tasteless, but this is way better.

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                October 20, 2010 4:15 AM

                ^^ Absolutely this. Artosis and Tasteless are ok when they work alone or with other, more serious commentators that can keep them in line, but together they're just horrible.

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        October 20, 2010 3:47 AM

        Link?

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      October 20, 2010 4:13 AM

      ghosts!

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      October 20, 2010 4:23 AM

      damn, nice breakout! :O

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