Quick Update

Welcome to another Amateur Hour blog!

Thank you all for returning and I apologize for a long delay in blog posts. This is not a consequence of lacking material; rather, it is a matter of our productivity. As many of you know, we have begun casting the North American Firewall League's fourth season at the request of some players and teams. Though we are partnered with the Pro League, the north American division has been in off season, leaving us with little to cast. Also, because of the time difference, it is challenging for us to cast any of the other spectacular divisions organized by Demolition Sean, Venividivici, and Recarn. Of course, we want to provide you with continuous action, so we have put in the effort to bring you competitive Firewall no matter the league or tournament. Season 8 of the Pro League is upon us, and it is rounding up to be an exciting one, so be sure to tune in starting November 2nd, 2020.

In addition to casting, our productivity has primarily been on the back end, networking with people in the business and being creative, the latter of which you will see the results of hopefully by the time Season 8 starts. We have also brought on a new caster: Tim Meehan. Many of you know him has Timber, and he has been an incredible asset to the team. His gentle tone on stream brings a degree of professional audio listening we have not truly had. He is also very excited about casting and is always eager to participate - this is such a positive energy to have and we appreciate him for it! He is also beginning to learn production; though this is not a requirement to join the team, it is something he has advocated for. Be sure to welcome him into the Amateur Hour Family with open arms and a bit of our traditional hazing - you will recognize him as the one wearing the suit and tie on screen.

As some of you might have noticed, Mike Fritzler (a.k.a Raptor) has been absent the past few weeks from any cast, yet has been present in chat. Do not fret, he is still part of the team. He is in the process of moving across state lines which we all wish him the best of luck doing. When he is settled, expect to see him back up on the big screen!

If you have not yet noticed in our announcement section, Amateur Hour has formed a team to participate in the Indie Gaming League tournament, led by our own Titch and Paco! Their long time friend Scuba Steve is standing in as their third teammate in this 3v3 circuit, with their other friend Grant as their substitute. If you are interested in watching those matches, we at Amateur Hour Commentary are bringing them to our eSport's stage. For updated stats, check out the announcement section of our website as they enter their fourth week in the tournament.

Much has gone on in the VR gaming world with many exciting releases including Star Wars: Squadrons, Dash Dash World, Solaris, Until you Fall, Blaston, The Walking Dead: Onslaught, and Population: One. Some of these titles I am not a fan of, but I am sure some of you will find an interest in each one. I will not spend the time here to go over each one in detail, but I will recommend a few. If you are and have been a fan of games like Mario Kart or Crash Team Racing, Dash Dash World is right up your alley. The stylistic graphics are sure to hit your nostalgia button and give you a thrill as one of the best Kart racers out now on the VR platform. If you are a Star Wars buff who has always dreamed of entering the cockpit of your favorite space fighter, Star Wars: Squadrons is a must! This intergalactic space shooter offers an intense dogfighting experience that is sure to get you wanting more. If you are more into slasher rogue-lite titles, Until you Fall will EASILY satisfy your hunger. Currently deemed one of the best titles on Steam (10/10 with 1,235 reviews), you will hack and slash your way through tough enemies - but be warned: only the skilled will prevail as your mettle will be tested. And lastly, if you are a battle royale fan, Population: One is an absolute must. Where Honor and Duty tried, Population: One has nearly perfected. Scoring a 9/10 with 414 reviews on Steam, it is easily a must have title for battle royale enthusiast.

Lastly, I want to announce to those not in-the-know that Alvo, developed by Mardonpol Inc., has been approved for US and EU beta testing. That is right! The long awaited title is finally ready for fans and players around the world. After having spent a significant amount of time alpha testing with others, I can objectively say the majority are going to enjoy what they play and see. It is by no means a "Firewall Killer" as many hail it to be, but what it offers will surly satisfy everyone looking for something more out of a first-person shooter. Many hours have been put into mechanical optimization so the players have the smoothest and most functional experience possible, and with the future in mind, the team at Mardonpol Inc. already have content lined up for future updates. It is no secret that people have been itching for this title, and by November, they will finally be able to scratch! (Disclaimer: There is no confirmed date for beta release. Keys have not yet been received by the developers, at the time of me writing this and the November time frame is solely an assumption of my own. Furthermore, the beta is still a work in progress and may not be a representation of the final product. Be sure to join the Alvo discord to be informed when the beta goes live).

Thank you for tuning in to read another Amateur Hour blog. As always, we at AHC appreciate your support as it is because of you that we exist.

See you in the next blog!