FAM Newsletter #10 6/17/2024 - JamesJayJameson

Greetings, FAM members and Web3 Community!

Welcome to this week's edition of the FAM newsletter! We're excited to continue our journey in the captivating universe of Illuvium. Stay updated with the latest FAM news as we explore this innovative game and its features. Additionally, join us as we spotlight another incredible member of our community, a Web3 content creator who brings unique energy and creativity to our dynamic group. Get ready to dive into the exciting insights and updates we have prepared for you this week!

Let’s Talk Strategy: New Illuvium Overworld Players

In Illuvium Overworld, new players should focus on a few key strategies to get started effectively. First, understanding and utilizing the central hub areas is crucial. This includes the Obelisk for teleportation, the Forge for crafting items like weapons, augments, and shards, and the Fusion area for upgrading Illuvials. The leaderboard will help track your progress by scoring points from various activities like harvesting resources and capturing Illuvials.

Gathering resources efficiently is vital and the main focus for anyone just beginning in Illuvium. Start by mining essential resources such as shards and gemstones, which are used to capture Illuvials and upgrade items. Curing shards in the Forge will prepare them for use in capturing Illuvials. It's also important to manage your energy wisely as gathering and capturing activities deplete your energy bar. Once depleted, you need to return to Sanctum Mesa to recharge and manage your inventory. Players can utilize energy rifts to regain energy without needing to return to Sanctum Mesa. Energy rifts offer an alternative method to replenish your energy allowing you to continue your activities uninterrupted. This can be particularly useful for maximizing efficiency when paying gas fees to access higher stages ensuring you get the most value from your gameplay sessions. Pro tip: Abyssal Basin is currently the best place to gather resources efficiently.

Capturing Illuvials involves finding singularities in regions like Crimson Waste. Scanning these singularities before engaging ensures you know which Illuvials you'll encounter helping you prepare better. Positioning during battles is crucial as it affects the outcome significantly. Successfully capturing Illuvials with the right shards will strengthen your team for future encounters.

Exploring efficiently involves using tools like the map, heatmap, and Nethersight. The map highlights explored areas, while the heatmap and Nethersight help locate valuable resources and Illuvials. Placing teleport beacons strategically can save time and energy, making your exploration more effective. Upgrading your ranger and drone with the right items before entering a region will also optimize your runs.

Managing your inventory is another key aspect. Your locker storage contains all items and resources collected, which you must carefully manage to ensure you have the necessary tools for upcoming challenges. Prioritize upgrading important items like cured shards and consumables to enhance your ranger and Illuvials' abilities in battles.

Finally, engaging in advanced strategies can significantly improve your gameplay. This includes efficient use of your daily fuel allowance for stage runs, which are divided into increasing difficulty levels. Utilizing features like slow motion for aiming and scanning singularities before battles can save time and energy ensuring better preparedness for the challenges ahead.

By focusing on these strategies, new players can effectively navigate the complexities of Illuvium Overworld, maximize resource collection, and enhance their gameplay experience setting a strong foundation for progression and success in the game. No strategy is incorrect when you are enjoying the gameplay and the experience then looking forward to the next session soon after logging off!

FAM Guild Activities Update

The FAM Stream Team now offers 24/7 content for both BigTime and Illuvium! If you're interested in learning more about these games, visit a FAM streamer live; you can find who is streaming now at https://famguild.com. They are ready to answer your questions and share in the journey providing you with immediate access to play, quality insights and shared experiences in all aspects of Web3 gaming.

The current list of FAM discord channels dedicated to supporting our interested list of Web3 projects includes BigTime, Illuvium, WorldShards, Guild of Guardians, Shrapnel, MetalCore, Nyan-Heroes, Night-Crows, Seraph, and BossFighters.

We are still waiting in anticipation for the upcoming .30 patch release from BigTime and our next FAM meeting will occur after the update goes live. We aim to reconvene one to two weeks post-launch to explore new strategies and activities that will optimize our standing, especially in light of the expected character wipe.

Always stay up to date by visiting our continuously improving website (https://famguild.com), watching the FAM Stream Team (broadcasting 24/7 on Twitch), and being a part of the FAM discord.

Spotlight FAM Community Member: JamesJayJameson

JamesJayJameson’s venture into Web3 and crypto gaming began with BigTime, the first game he encountered that utilized cryptocurrency. This new experience intrigued him because, unlike traditional games where he spent money without any financial return, BigTime allowed him to trade skins legally. "BigTime is my first game that uses crypto! It captured my interest because I had spent lots of money on games over the past 25 years, and when I heard I could trade my skins legally in this game, that was what captured me," he explained. The concept of earning tokens through gameplay and dungeon runs resonated with his extensive history of playing MMOs like World of Warcraft.

What captivated James most about Web3 and crypto gaming was the potential to sell in-game items and invest to earn tangible value. While he appreciated the pocketwatch system in BigTime, it was the economic opportunities that truly captured his attention. "There are no mechanics that drew me in... the fact that I could trade my skins and invest to earn are what got my attention. Coming from paying $100 per game and never getting any value back besides gameplay, it clearly makes this game feel much easier to play," he said. This marked a significant shift from his previous gaming experiences, where spending money yielded only gameplay enjoyment without any financial benefits.

To navigate the new terrain of Web3 gaming, James relied on resources such as Coinbase Quests and DUNE for tracking token outputs. Influential figures like WhaleDShark also played a role in his journey, though he emphasized the importance of hands-on experience by personally exploring games and monitoring markets on OpenLoot with the assistance of Dashloot.

James's journey in Web3 gaming is still in its early stages, but he aims to acquire more on-chain assets to prepare for future games and events. A pivotal moment in his journey was when he invested $700 into BigTime, a considerable sum that demonstrated his commitment and belief in the game’s potential. "My first milestone in BigTime was when I unlocked my [hourglass] slots. For me, putting $700 into a game on the promise that I can 'earn' it back is a huge leap for any gamer," he shared. This milestone underscored his dedication to the evolving landscape of crypto gaming.

Active participation in various Discord communities, particularly with FAM, has been a significant part of James's engagement with the Web3 gaming community. However, he noted a cultural divide between traditional gamer guilds and crypto guilds, with the latter often focusing more on future predictions rather than current activities. "I have joined multiple Discords and keep my eye on them and their announcements, but mostly with FAM... I have noticed that there is a split; the way a gamer guild and a crypto guild function are different," he observed.

James’s involvement in Web3 gaming has been profoundly influenced by his extensive background in beta testing for major gaming companies and his education in software design. His experience ranges from early Web2 projects to modern Web3 initiatives giving him a unique perspective on the development and potential of crypto gaming. "I have worked on lots of Web2 projects, not many Web3... I have been a constant beta tester for Blizzard, EA, Ubisoft, Paradox," he said. His technical background has equipped him to understand and contribute to the evolving field of crypto gaming.

Looking ahead, James anticipates that major gaming companies will eventually integrate crypto technology into their games. He believes that early adopters in the crypto gaming space need to secure a significant player base to withstand future competition from larger corporations. "Honestly, I'm waiting for the major gaming companies to let this get big enough until they finally take it and integrate it into their games all in the background. It might be an unpopular opinion, but that's what I think will happen eventually," he predicted. He advises newcomers to engage with games for free initially and to be mindful of transaction fees when dealing with crypto.

Outside of his gaming interests, James enjoys building computers, playing soccer, canoeing, camping, and trading stocks. His part-time work with a local ISD, helping low-income individuals, reflects his commitment to community service—a value ingrained in him from a young age. "The area I live in is quite poor compared to the rest of the country, and I like to help people come out of debt... Giving back was a big part of my childhood," he shared. Balancing these diverse interests helps him maintain a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle, ensuring that his passion for gaming is complemented by meaningful real-world activities.

This interview was not recorded but you can find out more about JamesJayJameson by joining his social medias here:
Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/jamesjamesonn
X - https://twitter.com/JamesJayJameson

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community. Your passion and engagement are what make the FAM Guild truly extraordinary. Let's keep building, exploring, and achieving together in the exciting world of Web3 Gaming.

Until next time, game on, FAM!

The FAM Guild Team