HoN~

HoN or Heroes of Newerth is an action real-time strategy video game developed by S2 Games and the game was heavily inspired by the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne custom map Defense of the Ancients (DotA).

In 2010, HoN was introduced to the world and after playing it, I found that HoN is almost the same as DotA. But, HoN gameplay is a little bit faster, more new heroes and the best reason to play HoN is because of its high quality graphic as compare to DotA.

There are lots of new features introduced in HoN that you can't find in DotA. The additions that differentiate HoN from DotA are features independent from game play; such as tracking of individual statistics, in-game voice communication, GUI-streamlined hero selection, game reconnection, match making, player banlists, penalties for leaving and chat features.

Besides that, HoN also has a feature called "The Announcer" which is an alternate announcer to the normal announcer in the game. There are few types of announcer available and the one that I like the most is the "British Gentleman Announcer Voice". Click here! For example;

"Gentleman...The KING!"

"Know your place, peasant!"

"For Queen and Country!"

The announcer is also a good practice for my British accent as well. Lol!


For those who played HoN, kindly add me as your buddy in game name "ilvA"! 

Deadwood! My favorite hero!

See you guys in game!

Ice Skating~

A fortnight ago, my friends and I went to Queens Ice Rink, London, for ice skating activities. It was my second time as I have once before skated in Sunway Pyramid Ice, Malaysia, and it was an unforgettable experience that left scars deep down in my heart. 


At first I was reluctant to go for ice skating because of my past experience with it, which I will explain more later on. To be honest, my past experience was not the major factor I was reluctant to go for skating, but, it was merely because I was playing online game at that moment and I was lazy to go out on a cloudy Sunday morning! I am sure most of us spent their Sunday morning by sleeping under a warm cozy duvet with their heater turned on, right? Maybe not. Forget about it.

Back to the story, after being persuaded by one of my friend who agreed to pay for the entrance fee and rent for the skate, I have finally agreed and followed all of them to the ice skating place. His determination and kindness have somehow melted my heart and I was affected by it. Such a wonderful friend to have and hopefully, I could repay your kindness in the future. InsyaAllah. Thank you brother!

A friend in need is a friend indeed~

The ice rink has state of the art colour change lighting with special effect light shows. There were so many people skating including children below the age of seven, which I found very rare to see if it were to be in Malaysia. These children used a 'penguin' which act as a balance aid and reduces the risk of falling. No wonder they were very good at skating when they were at my age, as they learnt how to skate since they were young! 

Cute Penguins!

In contrast, I started skating at the age of nineteen, and it was an unforgettable and embarrassing experience. As it was my first time skating, the amount of falling was so much that it was countless. It was so tragic that I fall for seven times, repeatedly. As soon as I stood up, I fall again. Not even a step, I fall again. I kept falling after falling. Even my jeans became wet due to so many falls.

It seems to be true for a newbie who are new to skating, doesn't it? Yes, it is true. However, I couldn't accept the fact that I can't even skate while others can. Such feeling demotivated me and I felt that I should never do this kind of sport ever again. One time is enough. But, that is not the truly type of person I am. I couldn't give up easily without trying very hard and I hate it when I lost to someone.

Such experiences hunted me when I am going to skate for the second time, here in London. There was one thought that came to my mind that afternoon, which was to rent a 'penguin' which the children used as their balance aid. By doing so, I would not fall down and embarrassed my self again, like last time. However, dignity and ego swept those thoughts away. With brave and confidence, I skate all the way through the crowded people on the ice rink. Unfortunately, without any knowledge on skating, I fall and wet my pants. History repeats itself. 

I saw my friends have a wonderful time together and had so much fun skating. Deep in my heart, I want to have a perfect life like them. From that moment onwards, I knew that I should learn how to skate if I don't want to be a loser who wet his pants again. I stood up and continue to skate. 


After a few hours of learning how to skate from my friends, I have finally mastered the basics to skating. Moreover, I have managed to even lift one of my legs while skating. I was so happy and proud. Finally, I could skate like other people! Yay! :)

One leg yeah~ :)

Life has thought me to never give up. Keep on trying and you will achieve what you have worked for. I know it was hard. But, when you were used to it, it felt easier.

“The past should be left in the past, otherwise it can destroy your future. Live life for what tomorrow has to offer, not for what yesterday has taken away.” 

Skate and fall with style~

Where are my DotA skills?

Got defeated by an AI (an artificial intelligence computer-based player) in a DotA match last night was seriously not a joke for an experienced gamer. Although, I have abandoned DotA for a few months and had a lost to an AI yesterday, this was not an acceptable excuse.

For those who still doesn't have any idea of what is DotA, DotA stands for Defense of the Ancients, is a mod for the real-time strategy video game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. This epic game has the highest 'hating' rate by most of the girls. I have said so merely because of the reason that their boyfriend cares DotA more than them. This is indeed a true story for some of the DotA addicts (not me). 

Back to the main story,

Last night, there were some problems with the internet connection. It kept on disconnected and when it is connected, the speed was not very good for online gaming and caused 'lagged' in game. Arise of such problems may be due to the excessive download of Harry Potter movies by one of my housemate that night. Because of that reason, I chose to play DotA and have a match against an AI as I could not play against another player (a real person) due to the slow internet connection.

Yesterday was the first time I clicked the DotA icon in my desktop since I last played it after I came to London. I was excited as I am back to my old days, playing DotA and be able to show my skills or talent to my housemate. However, I lost the match to an AI and it was a shame. 

Where are my DotA skills?

Does this lost can be interpreted as a sign or indication of the end of my DotA journey after playing the game for about 7-8 years?

.....

Maybe I should begin practising DotA again. So that, such embarrassing moment could be avoided. Like a wise man once said;

“Practice makes perfect.” 

Let the game begin!