Moral has improved. Local Ditch Gaming is out of maintenance mode.
The Local Ditch is back in action. We’re on a new host, faster server, and everything on the back end is upgraded. The site theme has been tweaked for the year 2024 (should look a little cleaner on tables and mobile now) and all of the old content should be up and running. With all that taken care of, now the focus turns to the most important thing: new content!
That being said, if you find anything missing, broken, not working, etc., then contact me and I’ll get it fixed. Hey, I’m only human and mostly building this site in Notepad++, so I’m sure there’s something that’s slipped past me.
Updates:
I ’76 – Poems – updated with writer Zach Normans commentary (WIP)
I ’76 – Has its own Q&A Page
I ’76 – Pre-release pictures – captions in image box for easy viewing
I ’76 – Articles – Gamasutra article archived
I ’76 – Links – All the dead sites are linked via Archive.org
I ’76 – Trivia – source for Krager’s writing credentials
Mechwarrior – The Clans – New info and images
Mechwarrior – History – Updated with more screenshots and up to MW5:The Clans (WIP)
Mechwarrior – Mercenaries Walkthrough – Started to reimage the mission flow charts (WIP)
There’s a slew of items on the to do list, including finally updating the Deus Ex and Heavy Gear pages to match the current formatting. The Battlezone pages are cooked, but I’d like to get the latest blog posts to show up on them if relevant.
While the world plays Mechwarrior 5: The Clans, I’m revisiting Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat. So, expect some Mechwarrior 2 updates and info popping up.
Also, thanks to Art of Battletech for archiving years of awesome Battletech imagery. The featured image comes from them!
Site maintenance will continue until moral improves.
Hey, everyone. I’m doing some much needed maintenance on the Local Ditch at the moment. I’m not sure how long things will be in maintenance mode, so in the meantime, here’s a direct link to nearly all of the pages on the site. These update issues should really only affect the front end, like the news, Q&A,and contact sections, so everything else should be alright. (I hope!)
Hit the jump for the site map.
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Mechwarrior Online introduces the Tourmaline Desert map, consumables, missile issues, and grants a double-XP weekend, where the Local Ditch decides to check out Spiders and Ravens.
Every time a patch rolls around, I feel a bit like I’m playing “Let’s Make a Deal.” You might win big or you may get zonked. Which will it be? No one knows. And of course, there are usually some other zany things to happen along the way.
Update #13 saw the introduction of a new map: Tourmaline Desert. I’m pretty happy with it. It’s a big map, littered with jaggering scenery that provides ample areas to both hide and ascend. The map is bright; there’s a lot of light bouncing around in it, which gives the mechs a nice sheen. (more…)
Hey, Local Ditch Gaming looks different. Or rather, it will very soon. For now, you’ll have to settle for just the Mechwarrior section.
Yesterday, the Mechwarrior section received a a new splash of paint. I’ve been working on something a bit more modern for a while now, and I think I’ve got a nice look that should last for a bit.
For a while, I’ve been wanting to get a more uniform look for the site. The news and I ’76 section were already blended a bit, while the Mechwarrior branch had some commonalities with the two.
I’ll probably get the I ’76 section to match the new look next, then get the front page up to snuff. After that, my plan is to get the Deus Ex and Heavy Gear sections matching.
Also, I’d like to get some MWO online info up. I’ve been playing the thing since June of last year, so you’d think it’d be about time for me to ramble on about the game. Should be happening soon.
In the basement of Picus media lurks the influence of strange and mysterious group – the Illuminati. Perhaps even more strange and mysterious, though, is lead Picus report Eliza Cassan. What’s her secret? Time to find out.
Illuminati – with cloaking technology. Me – in an airvent. Sounds about right. I hide in the airvent and take potshots at the invisible assailants in the basement of Picus TV. With a bit of timing and patience, I manage to take them all out, using a combination of my trusty shotgun and combat rifle – the shotgun for close range and the rifle for longer range. I even use my upgraded, laser-guided pistol for a little accurate shooting. (more…)
Out of Hengsha and back to Detroit. Scratch that, there’s a change in plans. Instead, it’s off to Montreal to visit Picus media, the largest infotainment company in the world, to find their lead reporter, Eliza Cassan.
“Back to Detroit,” says Malik.
“No,” Jensen interrupts. “Montreal.” (more…)
After finding Van Bruggen’s tapes, it’s time to pay a visit to the head of Tai Yong Medical herself, causing mass chaos along in the way in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
Upstairs are cubicles and the wonderfully decorated offices of Tai Yong’s head honchos. The offices have very modern, IKEA-styled furniture, adorned with wood laminate floors and stone masonry on the walls for good measure. I spend most of this time hacking computers and perusing e-mails, eventually working my way to the final elevator that leads directly to the penthouse and VP of the company.
I’m struck. Not by a bullet, but by the view. It’s a modern palace up here. Blade Runner inspirations abound, as a a soft warm light radiates through the windows and onto large polygonal statues. As beautiful as the place is, I have a sinking feeling; there’s no way that there’s a big open space with conveniently placed hiding spots unless a fight is coming. (more…)
