Post by Carolyn on Jun 9, 2014 8:48:35 GMT -5
Hey, all!
I wrote this up around a week ago and wasn't sure if it was... missing something. Well, that and if it's strong/interesting enough to be published. I've been meaning to write something like this, and am thinking of submitting it soon.
I rather like the social side of the cup, as you'll see quickly, haha.
GOAL! A Guide to Enjoying the Altador Cup:
The ninth Altador Cup is well under way and with it another year of excitement and fun. If you’re like me, the Altador Cup (henceforth referred to as the “AC”) is one of your favorite events of the year. Part of this enjoyment—and I’m sure the neoboard users will agree—is seeing your friends come together once again. Realistically, however, a month of playing can have its moments of tedium. As such, my goal for this article is to propose effective ways to bust boredom as well as to provide general tips for a happier, more memorable AC experience.
Embrace your creative side:
Between many rounds of Yooyuball, you’ll need some down time.
Do you love your team? Consider supporting it with the arts!
From the Art Gallery to the Poetry Contest and even the Beauty Contest, there are many ways in which you can creatively express your dedication. Banners for your Neohome, a plate for your cookies, perhaps even a mug for your coffee fix; everything you make will add joy to your life, even during the off-season.
But why stop there? Neopians that consider themselves to be writers (or generally enjoy the craft) will find the Neopian Times to be a great creative outlet. If you’ve ever wanted to see one of your favorite Yooyuball stars interact with another team or even wanted the honor of speaking with Tandrak Shaye for a personal interview, your imagination can make it possible.
The Neopian Times accepts all sorts of submissions both written and artistic, so what are you waiting for? Help your team come alive through the written word!
Learn to multitask:
One of the best ways to enjoy the AC is by doing more than one thing at once. While slinging slushies, consider listening to your pets as they practice their violin solos or interpretive dance moves. Not only will you get points for your team, but you’ll also become more cultured in the art of musical appreciation. If this method of AC enjoyment is not to your liking (especially if you think listening to music is what “artsy” Neopians do) there are many other ways to keep your mind busy.
If you’re the type who loves to stimulate their mind through flashing lights and distracting colors, why not couple AC games with Neovision? Catch up on all of your favorite episodes of “The Code Myncis”, “My Best Friend Sloth”, “Usuki Hoarders”, or a fan favorite, “How I Met Your Meepit”. Not only will you be the fount of geek knowledge at the lunch table (“did you see the part where Brad accidentally dyed all of Sloth’s robes pink?”) you’ll also be able to finish all of those shows you never thought you’d have time to watch. Anything is possible if you have a goal in mind and plenty of free time!
Make the games more interactive:
If you’re the type of person who thrives on some healthy competition, these options will make the AC all the more enjoyable for you.
Racing (for fun, of course):
If you’re a neoboard person (and even if you’re not, it’s fine!) the best way to make Yooyuball fun is by competing with neofriends and teammates. Whether you are aiming for a certain number of goals (first to 100 wins!) or want to spice things up with Yooyu based races (first to 25 fire goals wins!) racing keeps one motivated and focused on the goal. Not only will you help your team, but you’ll also be increasing your own rank without the stop-and-start monotony of playing alone.
Disclaimer: the only prize one can get for winning such races must be the joy of winning. No items or Neopoint betting is allowed.
Rank Racing:
Ever wanted to hit Rank X? Does your friend want the same goal? Try rank racing! Combined with the method above, one can rank up so fast that even the fastest of Neopia’s Poogle racers will be impressed. A little healthy competition never hurt. In fact, if you’re really bent on winning, it could push you (and your friend) to greater heights. The best thing about it? You’re both winners. When the prize shop opens, you’ll both be reaping the rewards of your hours of hard work.
Inter-team boards:
One of the best ways to keep motivated is by playing against another board of players. This method of racing requires some planning, some charismatic skill, and a scorekeeper. It also helps to be actively involved with one of the many AC groups on the neoboards.
If your own teammates are up for some racing fun, perhaps to a collective 2000 goals, start by politely asking one of the other team boards if they’d like to race. If they accept, create a board, set a starting time, and watch those Yooyus fly!
Some of my fondest memories of ACs past are the multi-team boards, mostly because of how much we enjoy playing directly against each other. In the process, we’re come up with team combo names such as the Krawk Citadel (Krawk Island vs. Darigan Citadel), Darigan Desert (Darigan Citadel vs. Lost Desert) and the Haunted Citadel (Haunted Woods vs. Darigan Citadel). Our friendships with players from all over the Neopian world have only grown as a result of these user-made events. It’s a win-win all around!
Practice Good Sportsmanship:
Winning is nice. Is it everything? Not a chance!
Sure, you win some and lose some, but no matter the outcome, it’s important to have fun. The Neopians inhabiting your seventeen rival lands are just that—rivals. Not sworn enemies, but friendly competitors. In some cases, as it is for me, many of these Neopians have become close neofriends. Year after year, they make the AC the wonderful event that it is.
Even during the heat of the match, it is important to wish the very best for your opponent or for any team that passes your way. After the dust clears and the champion named, linger do the words spoken throughout weeks of intense play. Leave an impression on others that you can be proud of months after the last slushie has been slung, the last goal scored, the last shout heard above the rafters.
Conclusion:
All in all, I wish you the happiest of Altador Cups. Using the above tips, it’ll surely be a memorable one—perhaps even one for the record books. Sling your slushies, shoot your goals, and shout your heart out. Make your team proud, perhaps even fangirl here and there, but never forget the spirit of the game.
Happy AC IX!
This article is dedicated to the many Neopians with whom I have had the pleasure to chat with these past nine years. Each and every year, I feel like I’m reuniting with old friends. Thank you for being the kind, warm-hearted people that you are.
I wrote this up around a week ago and wasn't sure if it was... missing something. Well, that and if it's strong/interesting enough to be published. I've been meaning to write something like this, and am thinking of submitting it soon.
I rather like the social side of the cup, as you'll see quickly, haha.
GOAL! A Guide to Enjoying the Altador Cup:
The ninth Altador Cup is well under way and with it another year of excitement and fun. If you’re like me, the Altador Cup (henceforth referred to as the “AC”) is one of your favorite events of the year. Part of this enjoyment—and I’m sure the neoboard users will agree—is seeing your friends come together once again. Realistically, however, a month of playing can have its moments of tedium. As such, my goal for this article is to propose effective ways to bust boredom as well as to provide general tips for a happier, more memorable AC experience.
Embrace your creative side:
Between many rounds of Yooyuball, you’ll need some down time.
Do you love your team? Consider supporting it with the arts!
From the Art Gallery to the Poetry Contest and even the Beauty Contest, there are many ways in which you can creatively express your dedication. Banners for your Neohome, a plate for your cookies, perhaps even a mug for your coffee fix; everything you make will add joy to your life, even during the off-season.
But why stop there? Neopians that consider themselves to be writers (or generally enjoy the craft) will find the Neopian Times to be a great creative outlet. If you’ve ever wanted to see one of your favorite Yooyuball stars interact with another team or even wanted the honor of speaking with Tandrak Shaye for a personal interview, your imagination can make it possible.
The Neopian Times accepts all sorts of submissions both written and artistic, so what are you waiting for? Help your team come alive through the written word!
Learn to multitask:
One of the best ways to enjoy the AC is by doing more than one thing at once. While slinging slushies, consider listening to your pets as they practice their violin solos or interpretive dance moves. Not only will you get points for your team, but you’ll also become more cultured in the art of musical appreciation. If this method of AC enjoyment is not to your liking (especially if you think listening to music is what “artsy” Neopians do) there are many other ways to keep your mind busy.
If you’re the type who loves to stimulate their mind through flashing lights and distracting colors, why not couple AC games with Neovision? Catch up on all of your favorite episodes of “The Code Myncis”, “My Best Friend Sloth”, “Usuki Hoarders”, or a fan favorite, “How I Met Your Meepit”. Not only will you be the fount of geek knowledge at the lunch table (“did you see the part where Brad accidentally dyed all of Sloth’s robes pink?”) you’ll also be able to finish all of those shows you never thought you’d have time to watch. Anything is possible if you have a goal in mind and plenty of free time!
Make the games more interactive:
If you’re the type of person who thrives on some healthy competition, these options will make the AC all the more enjoyable for you.
Racing (for fun, of course):
If you’re a neoboard person (and even if you’re not, it’s fine!) the best way to make Yooyuball fun is by competing with neofriends and teammates. Whether you are aiming for a certain number of goals (first to 100 wins!) or want to spice things up with Yooyu based races (first to 25 fire goals wins!) racing keeps one motivated and focused on the goal. Not only will you help your team, but you’ll also be increasing your own rank without the stop-and-start monotony of playing alone.
Disclaimer: the only prize one can get for winning such races must be the joy of winning. No items or Neopoint betting is allowed.
Rank Racing:
Ever wanted to hit Rank X? Does your friend want the same goal? Try rank racing! Combined with the method above, one can rank up so fast that even the fastest of Neopia’s Poogle racers will be impressed. A little healthy competition never hurt. In fact, if you’re really bent on winning, it could push you (and your friend) to greater heights. The best thing about it? You’re both winners. When the prize shop opens, you’ll both be reaping the rewards of your hours of hard work.
Inter-team boards:
One of the best ways to keep motivated is by playing against another board of players. This method of racing requires some planning, some charismatic skill, and a scorekeeper. It also helps to be actively involved with one of the many AC groups on the neoboards.
If your own teammates are up for some racing fun, perhaps to a collective 2000 goals, start by politely asking one of the other team boards if they’d like to race. If they accept, create a board, set a starting time, and watch those Yooyus fly!
Some of my fondest memories of ACs past are the multi-team boards, mostly because of how much we enjoy playing directly against each other. In the process, we’re come up with team combo names such as the Krawk Citadel (Krawk Island vs. Darigan Citadel), Darigan Desert (Darigan Citadel vs. Lost Desert) and the Haunted Citadel (Haunted Woods vs. Darigan Citadel). Our friendships with players from all over the Neopian world have only grown as a result of these user-made events. It’s a win-win all around!
Practice Good Sportsmanship:
Winning is nice. Is it everything? Not a chance!
Sure, you win some and lose some, but no matter the outcome, it’s important to have fun. The Neopians inhabiting your seventeen rival lands are just that—rivals. Not sworn enemies, but friendly competitors. In some cases, as it is for me, many of these Neopians have become close neofriends. Year after year, they make the AC the wonderful event that it is.
Even during the heat of the match, it is important to wish the very best for your opponent or for any team that passes your way. After the dust clears and the champion named, linger do the words spoken throughout weeks of intense play. Leave an impression on others that you can be proud of months after the last slushie has been slung, the last goal scored, the last shout heard above the rafters.
Conclusion:
All in all, I wish you the happiest of Altador Cups. Using the above tips, it’ll surely be a memorable one—perhaps even one for the record books. Sling your slushies, shoot your goals, and shout your heart out. Make your team proud, perhaps even fangirl here and there, but never forget the spirit of the game.
Happy AC IX!
This article is dedicated to the many Neopians with whom I have had the pleasure to chat with these past nine years. Each and every year, I feel like I’m reuniting with old friends. Thank you for being the kind, warm-hearted people that you are.
