That's right, they're staging an amazing race through the entire Half-life franchise, wacky Gearbox expansions included. Everyone is welcome to join in and experience the mind-bending intensity of two Gordon Freemans (Freemen? Fremen?) scampering side-by-side through the corridors of Black Mesa in crystal-clear, surround sound*, dual-screen Radnormovision.
For my part, I've inadvertently conscripted myself as the event's sketch artist. For every installment of the Grudemath, I've contributed a related piece of artwork, usually detailing a highlight of the evening or illustrating the contestants' progress.
The practice was inaugurated on the first night when it became clear that there were... disparities in our noble contestants' respective skill levels. Squiz was weathering the aftermath of the Resonance Cascade considerably well, making efficient work of his alien opposition and navigating the game's treacherous puzzles with practiced ease. Sarksus, on the other hand, quickly developed a penchant for madly dashing through security trip-lasers, running out of ammo after every fight, and turning himself into MIT-educated confetti with poorly placed grenades. Needless to say, Squiz soon accumulated a lead so vast that he had time to field phone calls, do the dishes, and balance his checkbook.
Strangely inspired, I grabbed a pencil and a sheet of printer paper and whipped up this sketch.
Night 2 took place a few days later and saw the contestants charge their way through the middle portion of the game. In order to level the playing field, Squiz offered to take up several handicaps -- once he was restricted to only the crowbar, another time he could only use explosive weapons, and for one fiendish stretch he mapped his movement controls to the heretical arrow keys.
For Sarksus, however, merely playing the game was something of its own impediment.
The most recent session occurred just last night. Amazingly enough, the gap has begun to close considerably; Squiz retains a bit of a lead, but his stubborn refusal to quicksave has afforded Sarksus plenty of time to catch up. Now, for the first time since the competition kicked off, both players are in the same chapter, the formidable Surface Tension.
To commemorate the occasion, I whipped up a speedpaint based on one of the more scenic views from the level.
The Grudemath continues tomorrow night at 7, and another Freeman illustration should be dropping soon after.
*Actual sound not included. Hit up Vent !
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