Starcraft II’s map editor, like the original, is very comprehensive for its time. Such a transition from the original, will take days, if not weeks to adjust to the changes and additions. Fear not, we are hard at work tinkering with the engine and editor. We will have something more in the coming weeks to share. Progress will be difficult until we become inherently comfortable with the program and how to use it.

For now keep checking back.

There are always issues when it relates to PC gaming and me. Although I stive to be the best, the higher tier of players are few and far between. This presents a immense complication when I start my conquest to be the best. Sure in games like Quake, Unreal Tournament and even World of Warcraft their are outlets to accomodate independence. This is usually more difficult and thus the lower ranked players retreat to playing team based game types. Team based play is, in most multiplayer games, welcomed up to teams of five on five.

The majority of gamers, across the broad spectrum of PC and Consoles, are multiplayer in nature. This can easily be seen with the PC’s automative connection to the internet and the popularity of internet functionality in consoles such as Xbox Live and the Playstation Network. Mass popularity and appeal to multiplayer gaming can be attributed to its social longevity and equipped dynamic personality.

Getting back on point. The problem in playing a game like APB is that although there is a independent element, APB is a forced multiplayer game. The best type of multiplayer game. You lost me? I will clarify. APB cannot be entirely played and experienced by yourself. The game forces you to encounter others in just seconds of accepting a mission. The opposition and matchmaking systems presents you with a PvP experience immediately and if you are having trouble, no sweat, the game will automatically call in backup for you. Wah lah! You now in a team based game type and no longer independent.

Progression through APB is a slow daunting one if you are venturing alone. The latter can be exponentially quicker and in most cases, enjoyable. Obviously no one is going to keep tasking missions with a different group of players each time. After a short time, you are acquiring a set play style and looking for players of similarity. Shortly there after you will be searching to join a team or more largely, a clan. Joining a clan in APB presents a community or “pool” of players that you will become acquainted and familiar with over time. Playing together throughout most of your time spent in the game with allow such social connections to be made.

So what happens when you have a very slim selection of players to play with, not because of your population of you clan, but the lack of skill. A four man team, in which is comprised of two exceptional and two lackluster players, will be utterly dominated by a four man team of four exceptional players. This causes angst and frustration between the higher tier players and thus leads to the decision to leave their current clan for something more appropriate.

The answer you ask? The Collective.

I am starting an elitest group of players on the server Zombie. The only requirement is to be intelligently competent and display the skill set of an elitest. Activity, personality, uniformity, all are redundant and futile. I will be creating the group this Saturday, July 31st. Recruitment for such will be so thorough that most will quit. I will not accept cheaters and we will not participate in, and or allow exploiting. I have decided to start this up because my previous clan, Stunlock, was lacking in this goal and I no longer require the need accomodate noobs. Bottom line.

More info on the Official Forums to come July 31st.

UPDATE: 8/5/10 – The Collective is “Ex Wun” in APB.