lukems writes:
Rising above the rank and file is SmokedYeti, an internal beta veteran who recently became the first "General" in Halo 3.
While my rank hovers somewhere near Gunnery Sergeant (and likely always will), other players have played an obscene number of games, tallied an absurd numbers of kills and achieved ranks that I will only see via stalking other player profiles on the website. One of those ranks I will never see is General but SmokedYeti has – he was the first player in the Public Beta with the rank.
It took longer to catch up with SmokedYeti via email than it took for him to be the first player to reach the rank of “General,” from the time we talked to him, he added two more stars to his General’s insignia. Turns out his rank ascension wasn’t all by chance, he had a plan.
Q: Eight hundred and three games played and you’re the first general in the Halo 3 Public Beta, maybe the most appropriate first question is “how?”
A: When I first started playing the game, I planned to maximize my levels in the match making. Once I hit a level 50 in rumble pit and team slayer, I beginning working on my RP by playing many rumble pit training matches.
Q: Do you play competitively or just for fun?
A: 100 percent competitively
Editor’s translation: “I like to melt faces.”
Q: With 20,195 kills in 1161 games you’re picking up 19 kills per game. What are you doing that other players aren’t?
A: Knowing the enemies weapon selection may help you turn the battle. In general I just play smart. By playing a large number of matches, it has helped me with overall knowledge of each weapon, layout and advantages in each of the maps as well as quick response times.
Q: What tips do you have for the newbz?
A: Some people think I am newbz. I would say practice is the start.
Editor’s translation: “I am not telling you my secretz, learn2play.”
Q: What’s been your favorite medal you’ve picked up along the road to General?
A: I can’t think of one medal that really is my favorite.
Q: What’s your favorite map from the Public Beta? Why?
A: My favorite map is Snowbound. It’s a fair map – it doesn’t matter what side you spawn on.
Q: If you could change one thing about the Halo 3 Public Beta, what would it be?
A: I don’t know how I would change this but on High Ground, it seems that people that spawn on the beach have such a huge advantage. Having the sniper, rockets, shotgun and bubble shield with invis makes it so they have the weapon advantage right from the start.
(What about the two Brute Shots, removable turret, two Carbines, Spartan Laser and Power Drainer inside of High Ground’s base? – Ed.)
Q: What’s your favorite part of the Halo 3 Public Beta?
A: A wide variety of players that play very competitively.