Gaming Lessons

We’re coming close to the one-year anniversary of Gaming Lessons 2.0, and to be frank, we couldn’t be happier. By any measure, the year has been a roaring success.

That said, like any good project, it could be better. And that’s what The Winter Improvement Project is focused on. So take a few moments to discover what’s coming next.

First, Site Updates

As a web developer, I often find myself in favor of subsequent realignments, where we target what can be improved upon, and take action, rather than just changing everything willy-nilly. So, we’re happy to say that there will be a bit of realigning here at Gaming Lessons.

Over the course of the next two weeks, a number of site updates will be unveiled and subsequently rolled out. While the unique Gaming Lessons style will remain constant, certain aspects of the look and feel will be updated.

The focus here is an even better user experience. And, as always, we’re open to comments regarding what is liked, and, well, what isn’t.

Second, Improved Lessons

We’ve served a few thousand students since the launch of Gaming Lessons 2.0 (which, in its own way, is absolutely insane), and have been listening the entire time.

A few weeks ago, we rolled out a new Student Profile system, returning to the one-per-service-ordered approach of before, but with an improved process and a tweaked approach to the various questions in order to facilitate a higher-quality of data entered.

So far, it’s been smashing—and our instructors routinely feel that the quality of submissions has risen. So, for that, we thank you.

Drawing on what we’ve learned from a few mishaps (one that played itself out on the MLG forums and you are free to read through for background), and a number of post-lesson surveys, we’ve set to work to improve the instructor backend for the management of lessons.

While most of these changes won’t be visible directly, the consequences will be felt with faster turnaround times, less fumbling for information, and most importantly, improved lessons across the board.

Third, a New Service

A few months ago, we teased you guys about a new service: Match Reviews.

In a nutshell, they’re lessons light. For only $5 per match (or 3 for $12, should you prefer), you can meet one of our top-notch analysts on Xbox Live to go over a match of your choosing in detail.

They make a great way to monitor post-lesson improvement, or even figure out what to focus on before a lesson with one of our pro instructors.

As an added bonus, our analysts offer 3 free reviews to lucky Club members each month, where the games are recorded, commentated, and published to the world in glorious HD quality as part of our Community Improvement Series (the reasoning is simple: being able to look at how others at a similar play level such as yourself are approaching different scenarios offers insights that just can’t be found at pro-level play).

Unfortunately, the launch of this new service was deeply delayed with Anaheim, work and school for various analysts, and other company duties. Thankfully, it’s back on track; Match Reviews will be live before MLG Orlando.

Fourth, Videos Galore

The Lunchbox video was a smashing hit, through and through. We were planning on launching the videos section immediately afterwards, but ended up re-planning it, from scratch, two additional times.

Why? Because we didn’t want to launch an MLG Gameroom clone.

We’re happy to say that our new video section will be, quite simply, the envy of the competitive gaming world.

Enjoy top-quality HD streaming video for club members (or still-spectacular SD for the general public), all 8 perspectives from every match for club members, and of course, brilliant commentary for as many of the videos as possible.

Toss in an incredibly-intuitive interface for searching through the mind-boggling video archives, and so much the better. And, while we’re at it, have it all streaming from one of the world’s fastest and most reliable content distribution networks (hold onto your pants, because it’s going to be fast).

To say that the entire process was an incredibly long and intricate one would be an understatement—we tried multiple enterprise-grade video systems such as Ooyala and Brightcove, only to reject them all and roll our own.

Coming around the time of MLG Orlando.

Fifth, Articles. Lots of Articles.

We’ll be honest: our editorial system wasn’t exactly the smoothest, and club members were the ones most affected by it. That’s part of the reason we opted not to renew memberships until early next month—there’s no point in paying for sporadic and unpredictable updates.

That’s all changing. We’ll announce our editorial calendar next week, so you’ll know exactly what’s coming and when.

Then, of course, we’ll be publishing article after article. We’ve already hired a few additional writers, and we’re looking for even more. So if you’re interested, contact us via the form at your earliest convenience. Wink, wink.

Finally, the Most Amazing & Spectacular Contest Ever

We’re a long way out from the announcement of this contest, but needless to say, it’s going to be absolutely massive—far greater, and far more interesting, than anything you’ve ever seen in the MLG community.

Other than the cryptic teaser, rest assured that we’re hard at work wrangling a number of sponsors who will want in on the action as well.

So when it’s all said and done, we’re going to have some truly lucky teams out there ecstatic for the 2010 Pro Circuit. Stay tuned.

Ok, We’re Out for the Day

Tons of work, so little time. Stay tuned to the site for more information as it becomes available, and as always, step up your game!