24 November 2024

A Blast from the Past

I watch a YT streamer who runs video of the King's Guard in London from time to time because I sometimes enjoy watching videos without commentary. Just observing like the streamer. Tonight's viewing was of a young Guards officer in parade dress uniform (with bearskin) walking on foot in from the Horse Guards to some destination. Along the way he is accosted by two young surprised female tourists who ask for a photo op. He obliges politely and then resumes his walk. Seeing that exchange, and another earlier showing YT video where tourists "chased" after another Guards officer in a similar park scene for a photo opportunity, reminded me of my own past encounter with the Queen's Guard back in the late 80s.

I had the fortune to attend a military training course run by the Brits in Brunei. I befriended a young Irish Guardsman also attending who invited me over to visit him if ever in London which I duly did a few months later. Among the many great memories was the rare opportunity of being attendance as he took part in the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle. He was a Lance-Sergeant at the time and therefore a senior NCO in the guard changeover. 

Having access to the "behind the scenes" meant being present during the guard rehearsal, then access to the actual changeover ceremony at Windsor Castle was an opportunity I was not going to waste especially with my then-SLR camera. I met the young Guard officer who graciously consented to my taking several photos of him in dress uniform up close. I was even allowed access to the inside of the guard room where I was shown various famous "signatures" upon the wooden wall panels such signature of a teenage Prince Charles. There were also other signatures mentioned but the only one I remembered, besides now King Charles, was Sir Winston Churchill. 

I remembered that entire privileged experience with great fondness. And not a little sadness at how people sometimes treat tradition as if it's some tawdry Disney theme park sensation.

There is a place for tradition in any society. Tradition teaches you continuity. It provides an anchor upon which to explore and experience your own journey through life. Tradition teaches you boundaries. Knowing what boundaries are is very important. Having no boundaries is simply chaos. And freedom without rules or restraints becomes as meaningless as its pursuit. Distinguishing between context and chaos is probably the most interesting part.

World of Warships

This month's gaming has revealed some interesting insights:

• In the low 1000s of players on the Asian server whenever I log off every day.
• The value of "rewards" - in whatever focus or form, be it daily log in, event pass rewards, one-off events, is continually declining and diminishing while the grind effort makes one question its return. 
• Supercontainers. Nothing "super" about them at all any more. No difference between them and ordinary containers nowadays. Both offer "junk" ninety-nine per cent of the time. Of that one percent, you're extremely lucky or rare to find a ship as a reward.
• Camo is worthless cosmetic art. However it is being promoted as being the new "currency of value" in this game even though it's basically valueless. Bringing back the economic bonus that was attached to having camo in the first place is unlikely to happen. 
• Paper ships and overpowered submarines and carriers now rule the waves. The historical element  died out once the carrier rework was introduced. The introduction of submarines has only worsened the situation (despite protestations). And now superships and paper ships are so much more potent than their actual historical counterpart. Just waiting on the Star Wars style lascannons and photon torps....wait, it's already here!
• The value of "new" ships is rising all the time, to the point of putting many off buying into the hype. Take the current Black Friday event for instance. 
• Playerbase quality has dropped off considerably with the constant dumbing down of game play over the years. Add in the overpowered submarines and CVs into the mix, and it's an explanation for why many have left the game for "greener pastures".
• RAIN (EU) won this year's King of the Sea XVII International final. They earned USD40,000 for their efforts. A pretty pay packet.
• In the time since leaving my second clan I got three invites to join a clan. Declined all three invites (one looked legit though). In the end, I realised I prefer playing solo. Don't need nor want the responsibility in being part of a collective I have no connection with anyway. I've managed to grind every tech tree line currently existing, minus the submarines and CVs. 
• My goal by year's end is to reach 600 ships through daily play and, hopefully, this year's Santa/snowflake event will help reach that achievement. Just shy forty-one ships. Doubting I will make it however as I've read the Devblog regarding this year's Santa/snowflake event and it looks like slim pickings all round. I still have just under two months of Premium time left so will keep playing daily until that expires.
• Playing Cunningham on the Tier VI British light cruiser Dido is interesting. Not as potent or varied as playing Auboyneau on the Tier VI French light cruiser Dupliex which had smoke and hydro and longer-range torpedoes. All Dido has is defensive AA and the option for single-firing torps as well as a spread. Her torp damage however means she can take on enemy battleships but only after they've taken some damage and Dido pops out from concealment or ambushes the enemy. Her HE, while lightweight, is very good at starting fires.
• Grinding Los Andes for Libertad was short and sweet, and accomplished within a week using economic bonuses. I ran the Libertad once so am completely ignorant of its full capabilities although I know of its funny button (F key) having played the Los Andes and Ipiranga. 
• Upskilling the unique Pan-American commander Lisboa will take time though as he's still in the low 13-pt range. I already have a 17-pt commander on the Tier X cruiser Santander and may transfer him over to the Libertad and have Lisboa as a floater instead, free to jump on any ship in the Pan-American line.
• Which highlights a major problem for me playing Tier X ships; I only play them rarely these days. Or not at all. Simply because I am more focused on upskilling certain commanders - Unique, Seasoned, and any higher skilled captains. It's largely due to the fact that one need loads of Blue and Red economic bonuses to justify taking Tier X (and Superships) out of port. Blue and Reds help cover the exorbitantly high service costs and often compensate for poor battle performance.
• Playing the German Tier VII premium light cruiser Munchen was also interesting. Enjoyed the MG-rapid fire effect whenever holding down the left mouse while targeting an enemy ship. Mind you, one's aim has to be consistently accurate.

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