Tuesday, January 31, 2012

So, what did you think of the first Mario Kart 7 gaymer night?

Now that the inaugural "Mario Kart 7 Gaymer Night" is over, I'd like to ask all of you who participated what you thought of it.

I'm especially eager to hear what you thought of:

* the day (Monday) that was chosen,
* the time (7 pm PST/10 pm EST) that was chosen, and
* the, er, "venue" (150cc, all items, etc.) that was chosen for this event.

Also, if you wanted to join in on the fun but didn't due to any of the aforementioned particulars, let me know that, too.



I'd really like to plan another one of these shindigs--and for sooner rather than later--but I'm not exactly sure how to go about it. Should it be scheduled it for the same day and same time as the first one, or should it be scheduled for a different day and time? Should we continue to use the 150cc community I set up a while ago, or would you prefer to use a 100cc or 50cc community instead?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who popped in for even a few races last night. (I was only able to partake in three "cups" myself, due to a rather hungry husband. Next time I'll feed him first, I swear!)

Also, I'd like to thank, many times over, the mysterious man behind the Video Games Made Me Gay tumblog for suggesting this little meetup in the first place.

See also: 'Who's up for a Mario Kart 7 gaymer night?'

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was fun! Please keep the venue the same. Also, I think you should promote the community on Twitter every other day or so, so more players can join. The more players means more races! Thanks for hosting!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Not sure who you are, anon, but I'm glad you had fun! So did I :) As for promoting the community every day: I'm not sure about that, as I don't want to flood Twitter or anything. Maybe I'll mention it every few days, though, or at least once or twice a week. Anyway, thanks again for taking part!

David said...

I was only able to fully join in almost 90 minutes late due to 3DS/WiFi issues I won't elaborate on, so those who participated in the last half (things pretty much fully petered out close to 10:00 PST) will remember me as the guy they were grateful to have there to consistently come in last. But if you do it again, regularly or occasionally, I'm up for it. Being on the West Coast, 7 PM or later is good for me. I'm more of a 100 cc competitor, but I don't have a real problem with 150; if anything, it'll make me a better racer!

And thanks to all I raced against for not choosing Maka Wahu. I always sigh to see it selected, as I don't want to cheat, but neither do I want to see that one cheater (there's always at least one) win the race while the rest of us bask in our righteous loserness. It raises ethical dilemmas that I would rather avoid while playing Mario Kart.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, David! Sorry you had issues with your 3DS/WiFi connection. Hopefully that won't happen next time. I'm glad you had fun all the same, though -- and I'm sorry I didn't get to play with you. I had to bow out after three cups/groups, unfortunately.

We'll definitely do it again, by the way, and hopefully on a somewhat regular basis. I'm not sure once a week would be a great idea, but maybe every other week? Of course, the community's always open, so folks can always pop in when they're on line and see if others are around.

Anyway, I can't imagine scheduling one of these 'gaymer nights' for earlier than 7 pm PST, as it would be too early for most of us on the west coast, so no worries there.

I like the idea of starting a 100cc community, but I wonder if that would splinter the group too much? Maybe it should be something I add down the road, after these events (hopefully) have gained more of a following.

BTW, I'd also like to add that most people seemed to stay away from Maka Wahu. It was chosen during one of my races, if I remember correctly, although I don't remember if anyone cheated. I really wish Nintendo had made it so you could customize communities a bit more (by, say, now allowing blue shells or Maka Wahu). Maybe next time...

diaglyph said...

I jumped in when I saw you guys on my friend list, as I didn't know what time it would be over here in Australia (I think it ended up being around 7 or 8pm AEDST).
Played against Kevin and someone else (forgot the name). Kevin's option of the infernal Rainbow Road came up - I don't think I've fallen off the track so many times before! LOL
In the end, I came last in all races -_-"

Anyways, you suggested maybe a 50cc group ;) I'm in for that! As I've said before, 100cc/150cc just doesn't work for me no matter how much I play those speeds in single player I just can't seem to get the hang of it. I always spin out, hit walls, get knocked out, fall off the track, etc (and this is even before I get hit with any type of shell LOL)

Though I wonder how many will actually play the 50cc as most people find it too easy and boring? :(

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hello there, diaglyph! Thanks for participating last night and for sharing your thoughts on the whole things here. Sorry you came in last all the time :( I have to admit I cringe every time someone picks one of the Rainbow Road tracks myself, so you're not alone there.

As for starting a 50cc and/or 100cc community: I'm seriously considering it. Like I said in the comment above, my only worry is that it'll splinter the group. So, let me think about it a bit, OK?

I'm planning to bump up the promotion of the 150cc community in the coming weeks thanks to an earlier commenter's suggestion, though, so maybe if more people start using it -- and show up to these gaymer nights -- I can add a 50cc and/or 100cc option down the road.

Anyway, thanks again for taking part and especially for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it!

diaglyph said...

That's cool :) I understand.

I'm just starting to think that perhaps Mario Kart in general is not for me anymore.

Anyways, you guys have fun ;) I'll read up on how your races go!
If you do make a 50cc community I'll give it a go, but I think I'll give the 100cc/150cc communities a miss.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Aw, sorry about that, diaglyph :( I certainly hope you don't give up on MK7, although I guess I can understand if you do if you just don't enjoy it. Did you like earlier Mario Karts, by the way?

Anyway, I'll definitely let you and everyone else know if I start a 50cc (or 100cc) community.

diaglyph said...

I've had fun on previous Mario Karts. Perhaps Mario Kart SNES was the most fun I've had.
But note: all of those, starting from SNES, (I forgot to mention the N64 Mario Kart too) I played on 50cc. As soon I tried playing 100/150cc (any Mario Kart game) I would lose interest in the game as I found it way too difficult (not to mention the cheating AI).
With the recent online play for Mario Kart, it only showed me how much of a crap player I really am! I'm constantly amazed at how much further on the track everyone seems to be compared to my position, how everyone zooms pasts me, they hardly ever fall off or when I bump into them I tend to be the one knocked off or spun out.
I can only take so much of that, I'm not a sadomasochist LOL

Bryan Ochalla said...

Well, then, it definitely sounds like playing Mario Kart at the 100/150cc level just isn't your thing, then--which is certainly OK. Do you ever play in any of the "official" (set up by Nintendo) 50cc communities? If so, have you had a better time doing that, or was it still frustrating for you?

Sorry for asking so many questions. I'm just curious.

This probably won't help you much, but do you use smaller/lighter characters and/or karts when you race in MK7? That could be why you tend to get pushed around and/or spun out. Maybe make a few tweaks in those areas and then at least give the 50cc communities a try again...

diaglyph said...

Are there 50cc communities? Never really noticed, I just assumed they were all 100/150cc.... Just had a look now, there is a 50cc Ninty community "Let's Play". I'll try that out and see how I go.

When online I tend to use my Mii and I choose kart bodies that give average speed and acceleration etc and to be honest, I never really looked at the other stats! LOL Just the first 2. I think my brain just blanked out the other stats and I never took notice of them (and I probably don't understand how they affect me)

Just had a go at the 50cc community: still managed to come last :( so it is me! LOL I guess its official now, I suck at Mario Kart :p

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, yes, there's definitely a Nintendo-sponsored (for lack of a better word) 50cc community. It was the first one I played when I went on line with MK7. There should be plenty of people in there for you to race, I would think.

As for what you're choosing: Miis are mid-weight, I believe, so that's good. You could choose different wheels or karts, though, to help with spinning out, though -- or at least I think that's the case.

Sorry to hear you ended up in last place even in Nintendo's 50cc community, by the way. I'd tell you to keep at it but, really, it's up to you. If you don't enjoy playing on line, there's nothing wrong with just racing against the computer or playing something else.

Viewtiful_Justin said...

I had a blast! And the one race where Maka Wuhu was picked, Robb picked it. I poked him and went, "Now everyone's gonna think you're a cheater!" And he was horrified. But no one cheated. So that's good. I kept a close eye on it. We're a good bunch.

I liked the time and the day. I'd be up for almost any weeknight but Wednesday or Friday. As far as the CCs, I think that when racing human competitors, 150 is just as balanced as 50cc. It's just faster, which I appreciate.

And hey, I was in 1st place when I left at 10:30 CST. Unfortunately, the 3 star racers were in the lead after that...

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, I didn't realize that, Justin! Honestly, I always forget which one is the one that can be cheated on. I know it's one of the Wuhu island ones, but that's about it. I didn't even think about it until this morning, when someone else mentioned it here.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the day, time, etc., by the way. I have a feeling I may make the next one be on Monday again, just because this one seemed to work out so well. Friday especially seems like a bad night for most folks, and I'm not sure people would want to race on the weekend either -- although I'm open to anything, really.

As for 150cc vs. 100cc vs. 50cc: I'm with you. Personally, I don't much like 50cc or even 100cc because they just seem to slow to me. I understand and appreciate that others find 150cc too fast, though.

Oh, and good for you for being in front for so long! How many stars do you have, BTW? I can't remember. And how about Robb? How did he do last night?

Thanks again for taking part. I'm already looking forward to the next "gaymer night" :)

diaglyph said...

Oh don't feel bad about me Bryan ;) I'm a big boy and will get over it (after crying in the corner for a while....)

Just kinda sad to realise when a game just doesn't work well for me :( especially one that I would like to enjoy more, but its just not clicking in my mind (it's probably why I don't like racing/car games in general)

Linnea said...

I would love to join in next time! My only issue is.. I don't own the game yet. :D But I will let you know when I do buy it and have played it a while.

Bryan Ochalla said...

OK, I'll try not to feel bad for you, diaglyph. I just can't help but feel bad when someone wants to enjoy a game but can't for any number of reasons :(

Bryan Ochalla said...

Linnea: Yes, get the game and then let me know you got it--and then join us in a night of racing fun :P

kidicarus222 said...

I loved it. There's something about the sense of community that's so much nicer than strangers. On the other hand, I played like a dumbass. So there's that.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Drew: Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree completely, by the way. I laughed the entire time while racing against some of you guys and gals--even when you hit me with shells and pushed me over the edge of a track. Let's just say I'm not always so happy when the same things happen against complete strangers. Other than that, I don't remember you playing like a dumbass. :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Yeah, Drew. You and I were neck and neck for a lot of races! I thought you were my racing nemesis!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Aw, this is great to hear--and it makes me want to get out there again! Maybe we should plan another for next week or the week after??

kidicarus222 said...

I guess I'm just spoiled by soundly beating the computer... and then realizing that humans are wilier than computers.

Bryan Ochalla said...

I'm the same way, Drew. I get so used to being able to handle AI opponents that it completely throws me for a loop when I have to race against actual people :)