First of all, I want to address the negative complaints regarding the Vegas demo.  I am truly shocked to hear people complaining about this game.  I’m even more surprised the majority of complaints are focused on the low-res graphics.  Can someone please tell me when Rainbow was known for its amazing graphics?  In my 3+ years of playing the Rainbow series, I have yet to be hooked because of its astonishing visuals.  In my opinion, the gameplay is what made the Rainbow series so successful; the same goes for Counter Strike.  Would anyone dare to mention that Counter Strike (a successful tournament FPS since 1998) was popular due to the graphics?  NO!  It’s because the game has flow.  Same with Rainbow!  Not anyone can be good at this game - it take skills.  Maybe that’s why people feel the need to complain.  Or maybe people are just getting spoiled with games like Gears of War.  There is no doubt GoW is an amazing looking game, but there is a reason it can only host an 8 man server.  Rainbow hosts 16.  Think about it!

I’m not trying to offend anyone with this blog.  Everyone has a right to their own opinion, as do I.  I just felt the need to defend my baby… For 3 ½ years I have been a die-hard Rainbow Six fan.  I’m the first to critique MY (yes, I have titled Rainbow MY own) game.  I hate change! For example, when Lockdown came out I wasn’t happy.  I didn’t hide this opinion, even though I work for the developer.  I don’t like people thinking I’m lying about my opinion for the sole reason that I’m getting paid.  The great thing about having a full team Frag Dolls is that when one Frag Doll doesnt care for a certain Ubisoft title, there is another who loves it.  It’s up to us to promote the game if we choose too.  There is a reason you don’t see me promoting simulators.  I could care less about that genre, and wouldn’t spend my time promoting it.  Ubisoft would never ask us to promote something we don’t believe in.  The fact is, Valkyrie and I were HUGE Rainbow Six 3 fans before Frag Dolls even existed; it’s one of the reasons Ubisoft chose us.  Why ask someone to promote games that they aren’t passionate about?  The truth is, I adore Rainbow.  That’s why I’m writing this blog today, NOT because I’m being paid to!

I have been fortunate enough to get an early copy of Rainbow Six Vegas.  Although I have played the demo, nothing can compare to the actual game.  I was nervous when I played it for the first time.  All I could think was, “What if this game plays like Lockdown?” Within seconds of entering the map I knew I had my old Rainbow back.  I instantly felt the flow; you know the feeling, when everything just feels right:  the speed of the reload, the quick shooting, couching for accuracy, burst firing, and (the best part) when shooting someone they actually die.  It’s amazing!  None of this unloading two clips in someone’s head until they decide to keel over. 

Face mapping. When Jinx shot me in the back of the head today, I knew it was her.  Looking through the respawn screen I swear I saw her smirk.

Customizing weaponry. When I first begin playing Rainbow Six 3 I would always mention how cool it would be to customize our own guns with different types of scopes.  Well guess what?  I have a FAMAS with an X6 scope attached to it.  I guess dreams do come true.

Rappelling. Rappeling is something you will never see me doing, but there is nothing more satisfying than shooting someone in the head when they are jumping through a window.