Day 217, Game 217 - Borderlands 2

Everyone knew this day was coming. I've tweeted about it, talked about it and lamented about it for what seems like forever now. Yes, I bought Borderlands 2 during the big Summer Steam Sale, and while I wasn't particularly fond of the first Borderlands game, I still felt like I needed to be apart of the conversation when it came to Borderlands 2, even if I was late to the party. 

By making this commitment to myself and everyone else rooting me on to play this game, I decided that that only way I would truly like this game for all that it is would be to play online co-op with friends from twitter. I've discussed in great detail on this blog how much I loathe the thought of gaming online, but with how much I didn't like the first game playing by myself, I assumed the key ingredient I was missing was the co-op experience I so desperately try to stay hidden from. 

Since I bought the game and started mentioning how I wanted to play it, I have had offers left and right from people wanting to take me by the hand and guide me through Pandora. With the overwhelming response from the fantastic network of people I have connected with over the last eight months, I knew finding help for this experiment wouldn't be the problem I would need to overcome. 

No, my biggest challenge would be to put the first Borderlands game in the back of my mind and go into the second one with a clear slate of judgement. Or so I thought.

Before jumping into a game with anyone else, who had probably beaten the game already and would essentially just be my security/tour guide for the gaming experience, I wanted to at least establish my character, go through the basic customization process and get through drudge known as the tutorial portion of the game. I didn't want the process of trying to figure out a new game and get a character up and running to hinder someone else's experience. I may not always play online games, but when I do, I like to be considerate to those unfortunate enough to play with me. 

So I did all that in one night, making sure I was at leveled up a couple of levels and past the initial tutorial missions before trying to join up with anyone. I got killed on Twitter for starting a game I swore I would play co-op by myself, until I clarified my intentions and reasons for what I did. After that, I decided I better follow through with my promise and jump into a good ole fashion co-op multiplayer game session. I did what any respectable gamer would do, and put out a call on Twitter earlier in the day proclaiming my intentions to play with someone later in the night, and then as I was getting ready to play, sent out another tweet inviting all those brave enough to join me. I readied my system, got all set up, and waited. 

And waited. And waited some more. 

No one was responding on Twitter, no one was playing it on Steam. Suddenly, my great plan to play this game outside my comfort zone and in the firm grasp of the online universe crumbed and fell apart quicker than my desire to play the game at all. But I figured that since I was already to play it, I was going to give it a go. I would probably be more comfortable anyway playing by myself, and while I truly did want to experience it with other people for the sake of the blog, it just wasn't to be. 

And that's one of many problems I always seem to have when it comes to gaming online. Scheduling with people is a nightmare, especially when you are talking about multiple different time zones and all that jazz. While I don't have a lot of set responsibilities that consume my free time anymore, I still stay pretty busy, and my gaming habits reflects my hectic personal life. I game when I can, as I find it hard to set aside specific times too game. When it happens, it happens, and I like it that way. When you incorporate other people with other schedules, it becomes more of a chore than I wish it was. 

I'll keep playing Borderlands 2, and hopefully even with other people soon. Because I am stuck on an early boss battle, and can't conceivably beat it alone, as I have died many, many times already on it. I hate asking for help, but I'm afraid if I don't, I will never give this game the proper trial it probably deserves. 

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