Gearheads of War

An Unofficial Gears of War Blog

Most Valuable Papi

posted by papi blez

Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:11:20 AM EST

Gearheads, I just wanted to make an announcement and let everyone know that I've become awarded the Microsoft MVP for 2008.

For those of you that don't know what an MVP is, here is the description from the Microsoft MVP site:

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) are exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who are awarded for voluntarily sharing their high quality, real world expertise in offline and online technical communities. Microsoft MVPs are a highly select group of experts that represents the technical community's best and brightest, and they share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others.

MVPs represent a broad spectrum of Microsoft product users. They occupy many different professions including accountants, teachers, artists, engineers and technologists. MVPs reside in over 90 countries, represent 30 different languages, and cover more than 90 Microsoft technologies.

MVPs tend to be early adopters of new technology and actively communicate their experiences to millions of other technology users. Through their extensive community activity, MVPs help others solve problems and discover new capabilities, helping people get the maximum value from their technology.

I view the MVP Award simply as that. An award for running a great site and community that happens to be centered around a Microsoft-exclusive IP in Gears of War. I wanted to thank all of you for helping make this such a great community and getting this site on the radar of the Microsoft folks. I really actually do owe it to Damn Boris who was instrumental in pushing Gearheads of War in front of the MVP people.

Any way, thanks to all the Gearheads for helping make this community a great one. I suppose I could've been sitting here just talking to myself, but I really feel like I've formed a lot of great friendships through this experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Tags: (all tags)

wow (none / 0)

That is an awesome honor Papi! Glad to be a part of such an awesome community.

Not all who wander are lost

by Zoso Fan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:15:33 AM EST
Fantastic honor, Papi! (none / 0)

Awesome! This definitely is an awesome community. I, like many of my fellow Gearheads, really miss Damn Boris playing in our weekly FFFs.

Gears is MY Star Wars!!! Wooohhh!!!

by Blankman on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:27:12 AM EST
YEAAAA!!!! (none / 0)

Congrats man! Its been an honor serving under you this last year and I am really looking forward to another one! =)
Nice work

by SweetTea023 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:31:54 AM EST
- oh and step #3 to GearHeads (none / 0)
  
  world domination complete ;)
  
  by SweetTea023 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:32:53 AM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
  - lmao (none / 0)
    
    that comment made me laugh, and congrats PAPI!! you deserve that!
    
    "Im gonna take a piss, when i come back im gonna talk about The Mighty Duck movie"
    
    by Evil Resident on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:28:09 AM EST
    
    [ Parent ]
Congratulations! (none / 0)

Great stuff!
Expect another spike in visitors when this is made fully public!

"Gears2 has legs, and they go all the way up!"

by 3Suns on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:26:23 AM EST
CONGRATS!!! (none / 0)

thats an awesome honor to have!! you deserve it! and thanks for making this awesome site :D

by RoBBins0096 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:08:57 AM EST
Congratulations! (none / 0)

Papi,
Everyone who has found the Gearheads of War website and taken part in the FFF know you are an excellent contributor to the gaming community, for Gears of War and everything else gaming. I feel fortunate to have found this site and have enjoyed my small involvement here. I beleive the role of MVP will suit you well and enhance your ability to support the site and gaming fans. Keep up the good work.
As for FFF, I am always trying to get there, so don't give up on me yet. I'm enjoying COD4 these days so, if you see me send me an invite and I'll try to join in on FFF or other nights. I'm not gone completely, just diverted away more than I would like.
Gig'em Gearheads!

Ready to finish all the Fights!

by Damn Boris on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:15:25 AM EST
- Absolutely (none / 0)
  
  and You do the same.
  
  "I do not tell lies, but I am a savage".
  
  by Kenai 91 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:19:41 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
Great job!!!!! (none / 0)

Great job pushing the boundaries. I think this site has kept me around the longest and the most educated in my opinion.
Like gamers think alike?
Hope you get it.
Poland...

You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

by Polandstyle on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:48:41 AM EST
Awesome! (none / 0)

Great job Papi! I'm glad to be a part of this community of so many awesome people!

[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/nxe/mini/GearDaddy77.png[/img][/url]

by titusdaddy on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:28:21 AM EST
sweet! (none / 0)

great stuff papi

You'll do anything for a klondike. I'll do anything for a blonde dyke.

by TexasTrap7 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 11:27:09 AM EST
Congrats Dude.... (none / 0)

This is a great site. It's found it's way into my top favorite sites and I check it everyday even if I don't post all the time like some.

I've come to kick ass and chew bubblegum....and I'm all out of gum!

by Fr33climb on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 11:55:46 AM EST
Great (none / 0)

job. Gearheads FTW. Things just keep getting better and better for you Papi and this site. So I guess that would mean things are getting better for all of us. Glad to be a part of this site/community Im very excited as to what will happen in the next year. With the anticipation of GoW2 who knows what can happen.

Oct 21/08 Nov 7/08

by carr on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:05:00 PM EST
cool man (none / 0)

awesome job and congrats on the award and hope all the best for you and all of us Gearheads'.

Im "Geared Up" are you?

by Scotty247 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 02:45:29 PM EST
Brilliant! (none / 0)

That's incredible! Maybe we can start getting HUGE publicity from this and be seen as say 1up. If that didn't make any sense in text, let me put it this way, maybe down the road with some fundage from the current Gearheads, and possibly our new members that join because of this Award, we could get different 'branches' such as 1up. That way people can come to Gearheads for Reviews, Previews, News, and all that other good stuff. And MAYBE Dev's will start giving the site an exclusive pre-release playthrough for a game so GH's can write up an exclusive Preview or something. I may be just dreaming big, but this site, and papi, deserves all the attention given.

GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!

by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:06:37 PM EST
- Sorry but.. (none / 0)
  
  That all seems a little ridiculous. Nothing against thinking/dreaming big but.. damn.
  
  NXE FTW!
  
  by Major Silva on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:11:54 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
  - Thats not (none / 0)
    
    ridiculous at all, that's called using your head and being CREATIVE, nothing wrong with that :)
    
    by GearsChrisB on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:36:57 PM EST
    
    [ Parent ]
  - So it's ridicules (none / 0)
    
    to have a site like 1up?
    
    GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
    
    by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 06:08:37 PM EST
    
    [ Parent ]
    - Yes. (none / 0)
      
      The idea of turning Gearheads into a 1up-esque professional gaming journalism website is ridiculous. I mean.. exclusive preview builds of games from developers? Seriously?
      To "have a site like 1up" in general? No. It would take a lot of work, but it's not impossible.
      
      NXE FTW!
      
      by Major Silva on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:11:56 PM EST
      
      [ Parent ]
      - well... (none / 0)
        
        if the site keeps growing, and it looks like it will, what would stop gearheads to become that popular? If there is a ton of traffic to the site, then I could see devs letting us preview games.
        I realize it's quite a long shot, but we have a great community base here, and I would love to see it grow into one of the major gaming websites on the net.
        
        Second GT: extrateresticle
        
        by captain crunk27 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:16:54 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        and to think... (none / 0)
        
        I've been here since almost the beggining. Geez.
        
        by BoxinLeprechaun on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:24:04 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        I'm not sure I ever want the site to (none / 0)
        
        be huge. I kind of like the core group of guys we have here and since I have quite a bit of experience in growing online communities, you inevitably lose that quality experience the larger you get. I'm not saying I would mind the site getting bigger, but I wouldn't mind the additions being small and not large. I just don't want all the random a-holes you run into on XBL showing up here ;-)
        
        by papi blez on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 08:44:44 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        its nice to (none / 0)
        
        know we're loved :) :as a single tear falls down my cheek:
        
        by BoxinLeprechaun on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:16:08 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        Just a thought (none / 0)
        
        Before we run to the idea of getting bigger, I know Papi will want to eventually overhaul the look and feel of the website. Let's just take things one step at a time. Besides, I enjoy the open forum into which we all get to speak. If we venture into the realms of 1up, then I think you loose that as editors and writers rule the site.
        I think what we have here for now is working well. At the core of it, it is giving us all a rally point to meet and plan for an online gaming session with other like minded persons, instead of banging your head against a wall of imature noobs and taunters.
        
        Ready to finish all the Fights!
        
        by Damn Boris on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:26:58 AM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
      - Have you seen some of (none / 0)
        
        us Write? The Reviews and Previews people do, Papi's, Sweety's for example, and Blank's and Suns are some others, they give great detail supporting their statements. I don't want to talk for them, but seeing as how much they enjoy the site, and I know I would definitely do this, would write News/Reviews/Previews for no pay. So I'm sure the only HUGE investment would be upgrading the site. And to be honest, I would even upgrade the site without a cost, but then there's Bandwith and the works. But we basically have a small portion of 1up here, but just not with "Official" Rev/Pre/News and stuff. So, with how much you're making it seem 'unreachable' just doesn't make sense to me.
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 08:43:37 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        also (none / 0)
        
        it could be just another way to organize everything. For example, we all review stuff in diaries... they would all be in one place.
        
        Not all who wander are lost
        
        by Zoso Fan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 08:48:19 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        Well, I may be thinking TOO big, as I said. (none / 0)
        
        But what I mainly was trying to get across is that some of the Reviews that guys like Blank and Suns write, are incredible! And I just think if we had, say, a "Reviews" link or something, that way people could see them without worrying about it getting buried with new Diaries.
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 08:54:23 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        That's definitely something (none / 0)
        
        I'll consider doing when we get to the re-design. I'm knee deep in a re-design and beta with my day job, so it won't be a while.
        
        by papi blez on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:01:21 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        I don't think you are thinking too big at all (none / 0)
        
        i was just giving another perspective. We already have such an amazing community though, it doesn't matter.
        
        Not all who wander are lost
        
        by Zoso Fan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:02:07 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        That's... (none / 0)
        
        Much more believeable/down to earth, I think.
        That being said, if this site is to grow any, I'm sorry to say but a redesign is probably pretty necessary. Not saying I don't like this one, but it's not the prettiest website on the web, especially the way comments are posted (kind of a stairstep).
        If the interest arose, I even know someone who could design/code a template for a new Gearheads. There would probably be a discount since I know you guys, and it's pretty quality work for a pretty cheap price (he did the template for my site, for example). He charged us only $24, if I remember correctly.
        I'm not trying to force anything down anyone's throats - I'm just putting that out there. I definitely wouldn't want to put any strain on Papi either - it's just my $.02.
        P.S. I've been wondering this for a while: the Gearheads FFF T-Shirt idea is completely dead now isn't it? Or is there still hope?
        
        NXE FTW!
        
        by Major Silva on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 06:26:42 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        The (none / 0)
        
        T-Shirts are done.
        
        by MacheteMan7 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:00:15 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        WOAH, WOAH, WOAH!!!! (none / 0)
        
        You're not Joey Leen...
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:02:46 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        I just (none / 0)
        
        got owned kid.
        
        by MacheteMan7 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:05:17 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        But speaking of T-shirts (none / 0)
        
        Wow, I wish we could have done MDK's "revive" logo, that would have been one of the very best geek t-shirts ever. Only Gears of War gamers would have gotten the reference, and thematically, it was saving lives instead of taking them. Really too bad.
        
        "Gears2 has legs, and they go all the way up!"
        
        by 3Suns on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:59:15 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
- Frickin' Awesome Grymm....... (none / 0)
  
  Probably won't happen, but we can all dream....=)
  
  by SweetTea023 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:24:25 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
- I like the idea (none / 0)
  
  of a preview, review and news section.
  
  Not all who wander are lost
  
  by Zoso Fan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 07:33:05 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
- I like your enthusiasm, but... (none / 0)
  
  I think the site would be better served transitioning from the current diary system to a forum based site. It would make keeping up everything much easier, plus all the major stories could be placed as stickies at the top of the page. This site has already become a forum type site without the efficiency that a transition to an actual forum would help with.
  
  by X David Ellis X on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:24:56 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
  - It might be because I run (none / 0)
    
    a blogging company, but I hate message boards. I checked Gaf only when NPDs are released, but other than that I avoid it. I can't seem to find anything over at Charlie Oscar Delta boards, which are the ones I check the most frequently. I find this format a lot easier. We could add things like tags and whatnot and that would probably help.
    
    by papi blez on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:27:47 PM EST
    
    [ Parent ]
    - I was thinking (none / 0)
      
      maybe under the Gearheads logo or across the top of the page as a 'banner' we could put links like "Reviews" - "Previews" - or just put it with the Menu on the top-right.
      
      GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
      
      by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:40:51 PM EST
      
      [ Parent ]
      - Damn... Posted too early... (none / 0)
        
        But I wanted to say that I actually like this setup we have here. 1. It doesn't make everyone 'post-count whores' and it's something completely different than every other community, and that's what sets us aside from other sites with Forums.
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:43:16 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        Lol (none / 0)
        
        Uday...
        
        by MacheteMan7 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:50:24 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        lual. (none / 0)
        
        Took me a second to remember him. Yea, that's *EXACTLY8 what I mean.
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:57:08 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        oops... (none / 0)
        
        EXACTLY
        
        GO BETHEL PARK BLACK HAWKS!!! 14-0 WPIAL CHAMPIONS!!! STATE CHAPS INCOMING!!!
        
        by Grymm on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:57:47 PM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
    - I (none / 0)
      
      totally agree this format is the best. I can't find anything on the Charlie Oscar Delta forums either, it's just not very organized.
      
      by GearsChrisB on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 02:18:12 AM EST
      
      [ Parent ]
      - yeah (none / 0)
        
        i don't want a forum layout
        
        Not all who wander are lost
        
        by Zoso Fan on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 02:20:20 AM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        yea me neither (none / 0)
        
        thats why i came to this site in the firstplace. because it had a different form besides the normal forum style. Thats why i like this site a lot. Plus like others have said its easier to participate in conversations on this site and find your way around. I say we just keep it the way it is.
        
        Im "Geared Up" are you?
        
        by Scotty247 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:30:04 AM EST
        
        [ Parent ]
awesome... (none / 0)

by BoxinLeprechaun on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:09:48 PM EST
cool (none / 0)

great job papi

by amato18 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:36:37 PM EST
Congrats! (none / 0)

I really didn't realize the site was known that well. I really couldn't have asked to find a better community.

by MacheteMan7 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 03:37:38 PM EST
Awesome. (none / 0)

Congratulations!

NXE FTW!

by Major Silva on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:12:10 PM EST
Felicitaciones (none / 0)

Tu pagina es el mejor medio para que videojugadores adultos se reunan a compartir sus ideas.

Sorry, blankman I only have a digital watch!!!!!

by ObiJuan on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:45:29 PM EST
- Pero, (none / 0)
  
  no todo son adultos
  
  by MacheteMan7 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 10:51:17 PM EST
  
  [ Parent ]
  - Ya lo se (none / 0)
    
    pero con la mayoria que he platicado en el FFF lo son, perdoname si no lo eres.
    Aun asi la pagina no deja se ser buena
    
    Sorry, blankman I only have a digital watch!!!!!
    
    by ObiJuan on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 04:56:35 PM EST
    
    [ Parent ]
    - verdad (none / 0)
      
      by MacheteMan7 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 05:03:53 PM EST
      
      [ Parent ]
Fuck yes!!!!!! (none / 0)

Papi you deserve it. Congrats.

Brumak porn... love it!

by HELLFIRE V1 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 04:50:43 PM EST
Congragulations (none / 0)

Tyler, if anyone deserves it, it is you. Thanks for having this great community for all of us to post our thoughts and for being able to get together and do FFF. That's truly and awesome award and again congrats to you :) Keep up the good work and can't wait to see what this year brings.

by GearsChrisB on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 05:42:21 PM EST
Congrats (none / 0)

Sweet Meat!

Dirty Filthy Rotten!

by Corpse Grinder on Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 09:03:22 PM EST
Wow (none / 0)

I don't check the site for a day or two and this comes along. Congrats Tyler.
I really think sites like this should be more integrated into the Live experience. The gamer zones only go so far in connecting you with like-minded gamers.

by johnart on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:19:13 AM EST
Congrats! (none / 0)

Chopped lunch baby! NUM NUM NUM

by B00Myourd3ad on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 07:10:11 PM EST

Comments Disabled | 60 comments

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Gearheads of War

An Unofficial Gears of War Blog

Most Valuable Papi

posted by papi blez

Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 01:11:20 AM EST

Gearheads of War Help

wow (none / 0)

Fantastic honor, Papi! (none / 0)

YEAAAA!!!! (none / 0)

oh and step #3 to GearHeads (none / 0)

lmao (none / 0)

Congratulations! (none / 0)

CONGRATS!!! (none / 0)

Congratulations! (none / 0)

Absolutely (none / 0)

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Awesome! (none / 0)

sweet! (none / 0)

Congrats Dude.... (none / 0)

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Sorry but.. (none / 0)

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Yes. (none / 0)

well... (none / 0)

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I'm not sure I ever want the site to (none / 0)

its nice to (none / 0)

Just a thought (none / 0)

Have you seen some of (none / 0)

also (none / 0)

Well, I may be thinking TOO big, as I said. (none / 0)

That's definitely something (none / 0)

I don't think you are thinking too big at all (none / 0)

That's... (none / 0)

The (none / 0)

WOAH, WOAH, WOAH!!!! (none / 0)

I just (none / 0)

But speaking of T-shirts (none / 0)

Frickin' Awesome Grymm....... (none / 0)

I like the idea (none / 0)

I like your enthusiasm, but... (none / 0)

It might be because I run (none / 0)

I was thinking (none / 0)

Damn... Posted too early... (none / 0)

Lol (none / 0)

lual. (none / 0)

oops... (none / 0)

I (none / 0)

yeah (none / 0)

yea me neither (none / 0)

awesome... (none / 0)

cool (none / 0)

Congrats! (none / 0)

Awesome. (none / 0)

Felicitaciones (none / 0)

Pero, (none / 0)

Ya lo se (none / 0)

verdad (none / 0)

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