The Fortress/News Archive 8
Bootcamp Testimonials
Kokuzoku: April 20th, 2009
For seven months I roamed Malton moving from group to group without finding a good fit. I had begun to think that my primary account had spoiled me into expecting too much from a group. I was wrong. The Fortress is that perfect fit I was looking for and it is no wonder that the Fortress is such a great ally to my alt's group. BC allowed even an experienced player like myself to learn and help out with newer trainees while growing in the Fortress family. Great allies, great friends, great times to come.
Puppiemaster: February 19th, 2009
I only graduated from Boot Camp earlier this week, I joined Urban Dead on Nov 2008 and had quickly risen through the ranks, killing zombies, re-arming, killing zombies, re-arming, the same every day and even after 2 months I was going nowhere fast and Malton was getting kind of boring, I was on my own, had limited contact with other survivors and had no direction.
But after the first day of Boot Camp I'd already re-discovered my passion for Malton.
To me you get out of Boot Camp what you put into it, each night I'd plan where I was going to scout, writing down my route, looking at the other posts to see if anyone needed help etc.
I did my first RTS and later on in the same week planned and organised a RTS. This adds yet another element to Urban Dead.
From the previous reports that had been filed I borrowed all of their best bits to form my own reporting style and along the way I had MJ and Zeff offering support and advice, Boot Camp to me was a great introduction into the Fortress, I enjoyed it so much I'd like to go back as an instructor one day.
ORakoon: February 12th, 2009
I wasn't sure what to expect from Boot Camp. So I'd joined the Fortress, a survivor group, and part of me felt like I had thrown away my freedom. Before I was free to roam Malton, surviving as I liked. Was I now going to have to follow orders to the dot, with no freedom over my character? It turned out my fears were completely wrong. Sure, you have targets in the Fortress, but if anything, it makes you feel like you have more freedom. Remember those ruined suburbs you used to avoid, or make a quick dash through, looking on hopelessly at buildings with 3 or 4 zeds inside? Knowing you had no chance of clearing them? Well now you have a team behind you, a network of people willing to help you out. Nothing seems like too much of a challenge with such a level of organisation.
So there I was, with a whole load of other people from BC, out on a Real Time Strike. We'd been planning it for a few days, and we were all there talking on MSN. I've never looked forward to doing something so much on UD before. Then we struck; a ruined building, doors wide open, with 8 zeds inside. Before the Fortress I would have stayed well away, with not a hope in hell of taking it. But now, there seemed to be no boundaries. We struck with a level of organisation and skill I've never seen the likes of before. I managed to kill 4 of the zombies. Four! That would be near impossible on my own, before the Fortress I'd only ever killed one zed with my 50 AP. And there I was killing four in as many minutes. I was surprised, amazed, and I was having so much fun!
And that's the most important thing! Just how much more fun playing UD is with the Fortress! If anyone asked me if they should join the Fortress, I wouldn't hesitate in saying yes. It's the best thing I've done in UD!
Thanks for everything, MJ, zeff and arnie!
Da Mighty Bob: February 11th, 2009
You enter bootcamp with somewhat mixed expectations. What can they show me that I dont already know? It turned out to be A LOT! Bootcamp was the best time I have had in UD so far. The instructors are great and very helpful, they taught me a lot about reporting and effective hideouts, what to look out for, and introduced me to RTS's.
If I was to give a tip to new bootcampers, I would say don't stress it! You'll graduate when the time is right with full honors!
All in all, the bootcamp is like any other squad, so don't take it lightly! And have fun! Thanks for all this time Zeff, Arnie and Mj!
Redfields: January 30th, 2009
Well, what can I say... Boot Camp, I've just graduated so the memories are fresh!
When I started, the guidance from Miss E. and Mj was tremendous; correcting my reports, helping me and of course vastly increasing my experience. I started with a level 41 character but I was looking for a purpose, for a place to add more meaning to the game besides mindless zombie killing. The Fortress was the perfect place for me. Upon Entrance into Boot Camp, I learned about reporting, killing with a purpose, and I picked up many other useful tips along the way. This experience was certainly awesome and I loved it. Graduating from Boot Camp 2 weeks and 3 days later, I think it was most definitely helpful and necessary. RTS-ing with Peaches3 and Durnath2 was good, through linking up on msn and unleashing co-ordinated strikes. That being said, the support of others such as Zeff and T.Crowbar was also helpful, they made life sooo much easier. I am glad to have graduated and gone through the process. Now, beginning CT life as a recruit of Cold Cell, I hope to give the same, if not a superior, quality of work in Cold Cell as I did in Boot Camp.
Thank you!
Kevin Turvey: January 22nd, 2009
Boot Camp, lets see.... it was last year so its difficult to remember.....
On Arrival at BC I was given a very warm welcome by many Fortress members. The tasks were simple and straight forward; report your findings and help keep Shackleville as per the Barricade Plan. After a short while I realised that MSN was going to be an asset, and shortly afterwards I was involved in my first RTS. It proved to be excellent fun and we achieved our goal with time (and AP) leftover to sing a song (badly)! Whilst it was always hard work, I made sure I allowed time to keep my hair tidy and my toenails free of those little black bits. After a few weeks (I was already at Level 41 on arrival at BC) I was sent a PM by Mj with the Exam paper attached. Several nailbiting minutes later..(no, not my toe nails) the paper was complete and returned. The rest, as they say, is history!!
Roy Orbson: January 21st, 2009
I had been playing UD for a year, maybe a year and a half, on and off, every so often losing interest. One day I looked into the group stats page and saw "The Fortress" like fourth from the top of the list. So I clicked on the link, and sent an email that very day. I haven't really looked back since, it's been fun helping everyone in Malton and Fortress life is always interesting. Everyone's really nice and I hope we keep on keepin' on.
Glasses McLoud: January 11th, 2009
I already had the basic skills when entering BC (with the exception of Diagnosis), and was in a hurry to leave. What could they possibly teach me that I didn't know? To use the Wiki for starters. I can't say I read a lot on those pages before joining The Fortress. I learned basic tactics to keep myself alive, what I had been taking for granted when roaming the streets alone. Working in teams greatly enhanced my gaming experience. One of the biggest lessons must be not to play when drunk (which also cabbaged my chance at The Vigilance Challenge. tongue.gif Or to take the Final Exam. All in all, BC served it's purpose. Thanks and well deserved to the BC Staff.
Radmaster 5000: December 18th, 2008
I'm a noob to Urban Dead and spent the first few weeks wandering around, never sure which direction to head in, and not really knowing what to do. I sent an application to the Fortress after reading on their wiki that they could teach me the basics. I wish I had signed up straight away. I earned XP really quickly and learned what to use it on which earned me XP even quicker. I also learned how working as a team can really give each of those precious AP's a purpose. The advice and help I got in Boot Camp made the game a lot more interesting and a lot more fun!
Ieatflesh01: December 17th, 2008
Having been in the game long enough to be pretty maxed out as far as leveling up is concerned, I was kind of put off by having to go to boot camp. I mean come on, I'm a level 41. What can they possibly teach me?? But I'll tell you, it was a real eye opener. I learned a lot of new methods to do things that honestly, I hadn't thought of. Taking back suburbs with a team, working right alongside the legends, learning from everyone, it was truly an outstanding experience. The idea of going from being all by yourself, to having an entire team to back you, and learning how to interact with that team in the forums and MSN, was waaay cool. I guess the long and the short, BC was excellent. A great experience.
