July Journals: Gaming Adventures, Cats and Finding Balance in a Chaotic World

It’s hard to believe we’re already in July, right? Time seems to have a mind of its own lately. Sometimes I wish someone would invent a device to slow things down a bit – I’d happily sign up for beta-testing, just for the fun of it!

Kicking off this week with a bang, I had the pleasure of hosting an incredible episode of The Azzcast featuring DannehTV. We delved into New World, MMO-Wiki, and van life, and even took a detour into DannehTV’s drone and photography journey. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, head over to my YouTube – it’s a conversation that left me truly engaged!

On the gaming front, Battlebit has been an absolute joy. It’s one of those games that lets you switch off and enjoy the ride. Admittedly, there might have been a moment or two when my enthusiasm took a nosedive and I wondered if my chat was nodding off with me – I get it!

Speaking of games, I decided to put Battlefield 2042 under the microscope, trying to decipher why it’s not capturing hearts like Battlebit. While the franchise’s decisions might be questionable, I think there’s more to it. For me, the bullet velocity and TTK issues stand out as culprits. Yet, this experience also reminded me how much I value finely-tuned graphics that enhance immersion. It’s not everything, but it does make a difference.  Imagine if Battlebit had a graphics revamp or if Battlefield adopted some Battlebit elements – that’s a thought worth exploring. Time for a bit of a shift. Battlebit is taking a backseat in my content lineup. As much as I adore it, growth and new opportunities beckon elsewhere. The streaming world is competitive, and I’m on the hunt for the perfect niche where I can share engaging content that resonates with you all.

Returning to New World – a game that constantly draws me in. A true blast from the past. Reconnecting with it brought a rush of excitement. Although the ‘catch up’ grind has its moments, the welcoming community and forthcoming season have me itching to dive back in. This recent stint feels like a breath of fresh air, with heaps of content to dive into. Yet, as a returning player, it’s a bit of a catch-22. Not quite ready for high-level raids, yet too advanced for the starter dungeons due to gear disparities. It’s a puzzle we’re all trying to solve together, finding our groove as a community.

Then, there’s The Isle – a game I couldn’t resist trying. It turned out to be an unexpected delight, inspiring a fresh wave of YouTube content creation. It’s true, being a small creator can be daunting, but The Isle ignited a spark to overcome that barrier – cue the jokes, right? Exploring similar genres, like Path of Titans, led to a string of weekend videos – the fires of creativity are still burning bright. If you’re wondering if either game is right for you, then you can check out my comparison video HERE.

Stepping away from pixels and into the realm of furballs – let’s talk cats! A weekend meant to look after one cat quickly turned into a feline fiesta with seven of them. Chaos, cuddles, and zoomies – a crazy weekend that highlighted the wonders of animal antics.

Life beyond the screen and the house been a bit of a wild one lately. From reconnecting with my dad after his return from Saudi to dabbling in hiking streams, it’s been an adventure. The natural world’s beauty collided with my DJI gimbal for stability, even if the unstable internet connection played spoilsport.

We took a trip to celebrate Tara’s sister’s graduation resulted in a mix of joy, clapping, and some truly delightful pub food. However, the trip left us pretty exhausted once we made it back to Wales.

Oh, and the cat saga continues! Our feline family dynamics are both chaotic and heartwarming. Torvi, our new addition, may be a bit food-defensive, but she’s got a posse of giants – Neville, Ozzy, Brooklyn, and Floyd – who keep her in check. Speaking of Floyd, he’s back to his usual antics, commandeering my keyboard as I work on edits or recordings. Any typos are on him, I promise.

As the month has progressed, I’ve found myself in a bit of a gaming funk. The popular titles aren’t hitting the mark for the community, leaving me yearning for that game everyone can rally around. Whether it’s New World, Rust, Remnant 2, or even Escape From Tarkov, I’m on the hunt for the perfect fit. Lately, I’m drawn to the world of Survival/MMO games. While FPS games are tempting, I’m steering clear of the rabbit hole of competitiveness – it’s a journey I’ve been down before. Remember that saying? “It wasn’t Tarkov’s fault. It was mine.” That holds true for many situations, doesn’t it?

On a different note, MMO-Wiki has some incredible news brewing, and we’ve got exciting opportunities with big games on the horizon. Unfortunately, NDA rules prevent me from spilling all the beans – but trust me, something exciting is coming.

And speaking of spilling, I’ve probably spilt more words here than I have in a decade! Guides, tips, tricks – I’m knee-deep in content creation mode. Stay tuned, as we’re almost ready for the grand reveal. Our “Beautiful Light” video and other surprises are on the way, so keep an eye on YouTube and TikTok for all the updates!

Now, the cat’s out of the bag – quite literally. Over at MMO-Wiki, we’ve been immersed in a cozy MMO called Palia. With press passes in hand and NDA hurdles crossed, we dived into the closed beta, streamed the gameplay, and unleashed the guides we had prepared. It was a whirlwind of activity, but the sense of accomplishment was worth it. Even if cozy games aren’t your thing, Palia’s unique charm still managed to capture hearts – mine included. The game’s got a solid gameplay loop, straightforward dialogue, and quests that might not be complex, but they do require time – real-world time. Crafting our first house took a good eight hours, but the process was strangely enjoyable. Collecting materials and embracing the pace – it’s a refreshing change of pace from the usual breakneck speed. You can check out my overview of it on YouTube right HERE.

To those who tuned into my streams this week, I have to extend my apologies. Some weeks, the smallest things can become overwhelming, and I lose sight of the big picture. The mental grind, and comparisons with others – they can take a toll. If my usual content felt a bit off, I’m sorry. Rest assured, I’m working on finding my balance to ensure you get the content you deserve. As for the games, it’s been a medley of experiences – from Palia and Smite to Remnant. A diverse lineup that brought its fair share of fun.

With a productive team meeting closing the week, I’m buzzing with excitement for what’s ahead. Brace yourself for AzzCasts, Community Events, and even a Discord makeover this month. A fixed schedule means I’m eagerly looking forward to relaxed gaming sessions with you all, minus the stream stress. Community events are marked on the calendar for the third Friday of each month, giving me time to craft AzzCasts in the first week.

Now, let’s talk about my not-so-great time management skills. Thank goodness for my team – their patience knows no bounds. A massive shoutout to the Azzhole team for all their support. I wouldn’t be able to tackle all this without them by my side.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top