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Using this guide:

Each game contains a broad description of the gameplay, the type of game, and a brief from the coach in a section titled "The Bottom Line". In this section, we will try to point out some of the action items to look out for when watching a match!

Tip: You can click the Game Type to be shown an example of what that game type will look like (opens a new tab)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (CoD: MW2)

Game Type: First-Person Shooter (FPS)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter, and its gameplay revolves around fast-paced gunfights against enemy combatants. The player controls a soldier who can perform several actions, including jump, sprint, crouch, lay prone, and aim down their gun's iron sights. When the player is shot by an enemy, red marks will appear on their heads-up display (HUD), denoting that they have taken damage; if the player avoids gunfire by taking cover, their health will recover. The HUD also displays other information, such as a compass, a mini-map, and the player's current ammunition count. The game features traditional guns, including assault rifles, shotguns, handguns, and sniper rifles. The player will be given specific guns at the beginning of each level but may switch them out with another gun they find. Some guns have attachments, such as suppressors, and heartbeat sensors. The player can use grenades and flashbangs when faced with a large group of opponents, as well as a knife for close quarters combat. 

Multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in team-based and deathmatch-based game types on various maps. Each game type has an objective that requires unique strategies to complete. If the player kills three or more players in a row without dying, they achieve a "killstreak", which gives the player a tactical advantage during a match. These include a Predator missile, a sentry gun, and a "tactical nuke". Alternatively, if the player dies several times without a kill, they will be rewarded with a "deathstreak" bonus, which evens the match for the player. A match ends when either a team or player has reached a predefined number of points, or the allotted time expires in which case the team or player with the most points wins. The player's performance in multiplayer is tracked with experience points, which can be earned by killing opposing players, completing objectives, or by completing a match. As the player gains experience, they advance in level, unlocking new weapons. The player will also unlock perks, which modify gameplay elements such as unlimited sprint and increased bullet damage. 

The Bottom Line

Multiplayer matches in CoD: MW2 are 4v4. Modern Warfare 2 is a new addition to the NJCAAE game rotation this Spring. I'll be back to add some details here as soon as I have a few matches under my belt!

Rainbow 6 Siege (R6)

Game Type: First-Person Shooter (FPS)

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege is a first-person shooter game, in which players utilize many different operators from the Rainbow team. Different operators have different nationalities, weapons, and gadgets. The game features an asymmetrical structure whereby the teams are not always balanced in their choices of abilities. Players can pick any operator from any unit that is defending or attacking before a round starts, choosing spawn points as well as attachments on their guns but are not allowed to change their choices once the round has started.

When a multiplayer round begins, the attackers choose one of several spawn points from which to launch their attack while defenders do the same from which to defend from. A one-minute preparatory period will then commence where attackers are given control over wheeled drones to scout the map in search of enemy operators, traps, and defensive set-ups in addition to the target objective(s), while the defenders establish their defenses and are encouraged to do so without having the defensive and target objective(s) details being discovered, chiefly through destroying the drones. Maps in the game are designed to encourage close quarters combat, and players cannot respawn until the end of a round. Players who were killed by opponents can enter "Support Mode", which allows them to gain access to drone's cameras and security cameras so that they can continue to contribute to their team by informing them of opponent locations and activities.

The game features a heavy emphasis on environmental destruction using a procedural destruction system. Players can break structures by planting explosives on them, or shoot walls to make bullet holes. Players may gain tactical advantages through environmental destruction, and the system aims at encouraging teams to utilize creativity and strategy.

The Bottom Line

If that description wasn't enough, I will emphasize that R6 requires tactical knowledge of both defense and offense. In competition, teams are playing in the "Bomb" game mode, which requires attackers to defuse one of two bombs while defenders seek to prevent them by defeating them or running the time out. The number of gadgets and tools that are available to each player is too many to try to list and describe, but over time you can pick up on the common themes and use-cases for each of them. When you're watching this one, my recommendation is to focus on how the teams are doing as opposed to what they are doing. Skilled players move very quickly to set up defenses and prepare offensive maneuvers, until you get a feel for the game, plan to keep your eyes on the action. During streams, we'll do our best to explain the set ups and items to help our viewers learn.

Hearthstone

Game Type: Card/Deck Building

Set within the Warcraft universe, Hearthstone is a turn-based collectible card game which pits two opponents against each other. Players select a hero from one of ten classes. All classes have unique cards and abilities, known as hero powers, which help define class archetypes. Each player uses a deck of cards from their collection with the end goal being to reduce the opponent's health to zero. There are five different types of cards: minions, spells, weapons, hero cards and locations.

Turns are set on a timer. During a turn, players play cards from their hand using "mana", a budget each player must abide by which increases by one each turn with a maximum of ten, and with cards having various mana costs. This invokes strategy as the player must plan ahead, taking into account what cards can and cannot be played.

The Bottom Line

This is another new addition to the Samsons Esports repertoire. I'll be back to add more, but for now I'll mention how excited I am to be able to add this to our roster. Deck-building strategy games are often enjoyable to watch as players seek to outsmart their opponents with layered tactics and card-abilities akin to chess. When you're watching this game, the cards will have certain "keywords" which denote special abilities of those cards. Our commentary will include how those interactions will play out for the cards and should be somewhat easy to pick up for newcomers.

Valorant

Game Type: First-Person Shooter (FPS)

Valorant is a team-based first-person tactical hero shooter set in the near future. Players play as one of a set of Agents, characters based on several countries and cultures around the world. Similar to R6's Bomb game mode, players are assigned to either the attacking or defending team with each team having five players on it. Agents have unique abilities, each requiring charges, as well as a unique ultimate ability that requires charging through kills, deaths, orbs, or objectives. Every player starts each round with a "classic" pistol and one or more "signature ability" charges. 

Other weapons and ability charges can be purchased using an in-game economic system that awards money based on the outcome of the previous round, any kills the player is responsible for, and any objectives completed. The game has an assortment of weapons including secondary guns like sidearms and primary guns like submachine guns, shotguns, machine guns, assault rifles and sniper rifles. There are automatic and semi-automatic weapons that each have a unique shooting pattern that must be controlled by the player to be able to shoot accurately.

Valorant currently offers 20 agents to choose from. They are Brimstone, Viper, Omen, Cypher, Sova, Sage, Phoenix, Jett, Raze, Breach, Reyna, Killjoy, Skye, Yoru, Astra, KAY/O, Chamber, Neon, Fade and Harbor. Agents fall into 4 different categories based on their signature strengths: Duelists, Sentinels, Initiators, and Controllers. Duelists live up to their name by excelling with quick skirmishes and aggressive play. Sentinels focus on defending their team from. Initiators are responsible for breaking down opposing defenses, and Controllers utilize broad skills to create favorable conditions for all the above. 

The Bottom Line

The name of the game is speed and reflex in Valorant. Teams use their heroes’ unique abilities to gain tactical advantages and put their team on the point, but without accuracy, precision, and speed it is nearly impossible to win a match. However, this also makes it an easy game to pick up and enjoy watching. The rounds are brief but do require teams to win 12 rounds (win by 2). Not every ability's effect is clear, but there is in-game help which we will occasionally show on screen as well as verbally describing each Agent's ability as they are used.

Mario Kart 8

Game Type: Racing

The beloved franchise is now an official Esport. 

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing video game; players control characters from the Mario universe to race in go-karts around a course. They may hinder their opponents or improve their performance using power-ups found in item boxes throughout the course. It includes four different difficulties, each differing in speed, which may be selected before the race. Racers can customize their vehicle to suit their play style and get an edge on their opponents.

The signature new feature of Mario Kart 8 is anti-gravity racing, in which certain parts of a course allow racers to drive on walls and ceilings. In these sections, players who collide with other racers or special bumpers will trigger a speed boost. There are also some new items introduced in Mario Kart 8. The game features 32 courses spread across eight cups, with an additional 16 courses later released as downloadable content (DLC) in four additional cups. The DLC is not currently included in competitive play.

The Bottom Line

Mario Kart has been a staple video game for a long time. If you're new to the franchise, Mario Kart 8 is a great introduction. Many different racers, tracks, and vehicles make this game a totally customizable experience, BUT DON'T BE FOOLED. There is a surprisingly high skill cap to being the fastest on the track. Players must utilize techniques like drifting, drafting, and trick boosts to gain a competitive edge. Timing is everything.

Game descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia (with edits for brevity and clarity)