Thursday, November 21, 2013

Gamer Corner: SeraphimIPX

Welcome to this week's installment of Gamer Corner, where Fangirl Review interviews a gamer and gets his thoughts on the gaming world and learn what he is enjoying at the moment.


1. Tell me a little bit about yourself?

Well, soon to be 30. Been playing videogames for as long as I can remember. Also all of my consoles (and I got a ton, cause I kind of collect them) are still working, which makes me very proud. Studied a lot... got me nowhere so far. Hobby programmer, hobby writer, hobby musician, hobby gardener... we'll see where I end up. Currently I think I am kind of happy to do all these things as a hobby... on the other hand I am sure I would be a lot happier to quit my current job and live from one or more of these hobbies.

2. What rig do you currently game on?

Mostly Xbox 360.

3. What game are you currently playing right now? 

Ooh... I am currently deep into FEZ for the Xbox 360... I know, a bit late but better late than never. And who has the time, right?


4. Do you enjoy that game, why? How’s the overall game play?

I just love its retro look, the graphics, the sound and above all the idea and its simplicity. Games don't always need to be big to be fun. I just don't like it's open world aspect... you know, I am this type of gamer who likes to play "efficient". Maybe I am too old and my brain is already shutting down, but I just hate it to leave a room that I couldn't "clean" 100% before. Unfortunately FEZ is one of these games that sends me around in circles and leaves me confused, aimless and kind of frustrated. I always thought it would be more linear.

5. Would you recommend it?

Yeah, most definitely. This game simply is pure art and for me kind of everything I - as wannabe developer - could dare dreaming to achieve. You probably know the story and the struggles of Fish, the creator... Between 2009 and 2011, I spend most of my days and nights with coding, modeling, texturing and writing concepts. Sometimes with others but mostly as a one-man-show. During that time I gained like 30 pounds, became a chain smoker and easily lost 10 years of my life together with some dear friends. In the end I had to stop due to health and family reasons. I felt so happy for Fish that he made it after all his hard time and the least I could do was get his game. I would recommend it to everybody who likes games for their true artistic nature. Certainly to everyone who still lives the dream of creating a game by themselves.

6. Are there any games coming out that you are looking forward to?

Think I gotta go with Titanfall here. I just love robots... in video games that is. They scare me to death in reality. Guess it's some sort of love-hate relationship, because I watched Terminator when I was way too young. I never quite figured out whether to be fascinated or scared by them. Other candidates are: Watch Dogs, The Division and Star Citizen.


7. What kind of gamer do you classify yourself to be? ie. PC, Console, Tabletop, LARP as well as Hardcore, RPG, etc. 

I'd say console and as hardcore as my time allows. I do like PC too but I think for me gaming really has to be as comfortable as possible, which means: sofa, gamepad, and blanket. I absolutely don't play mobile stuff, cause I am always stressed when I am on the road. And seriously... I think keeping my TV off and sitting with my phone on the couch feels kind of wrong to me.

8. So with the new consoles coming out, which way are you leaning One or 4? (Ignore if you are a PC gamer) 

I decided a few months before to hold off and get them all over time. Which one is first however, I haven't decided yet. Honestly, I don't feel the rush. I think 99% of the games that interest me are current generation as well, and I really don't see the difference quite yet.

9. What are your thoughts on the gaming industry?

Wished to be a part of it. Change a few things around, make games not money... well, a bit of money of course, but what can I say, I'm a gamer... just give me 60 bucks every now and then to buy games and I am happy.

10. If you had the power, what direction would you have the gaming industry go?
I think I would force more original titles to come out and put something like a five year embargo on franchises, while introducing some laws against the fraud and ripping-off nature of the free2play model.

11. 10 years from now, where do you see the industry? Are you happy with that direction?

Hmm,...there are two options and I will tell you the optimistic one: We will have everything... We will be able to choose whether we like to sweat during playing by hoping around in front of our screens or if we'd rather remain cozy on the couch and hold a real gamepad. We can choose to play great and affordable indie games with high retro values or to play the deluxe franchises that cost more than small countries in terms of production. We can either play on our mobile devices on our way to work or put on the Oculus Rift and immerse completely at home. All this diversity is good. The more options the better.

12. Favorite Game (can include tabletop) of all time and why?

... This... question... Ok, I will give in: The Legend of Zelda (NES) - because I will never forget how much bigger that game was than me, at the time I played it.


13. Additional Thoughts and Comments?

I didn't like question 12. :) I have so many ridiculously favorite games! You might track that on my Best Games of all Times page on my blog sIPXgames.blogspot.com (self advertisement, yay!). Oh, and also keep up that Gamer Corner of yours. I want to hear more from the gamers, not from the developers!

14. Would you like to share your gamer tag and the system so others may add you? 

Sure. Like I said, you'll probably find me mostly on the Xbox 360 - still for quite a while - under the tag "SeraphimIP"... if you want I will add you as friend and play some games with you, just write something like "Gamer Corner" in the request, so I know where I am supposed to know you from.

Play more! Interview more!

Thank you to Seraphim for a fantastic interview. If you would like to be interviewed for Gamer Corner please contact me at fangirlcontact@gmail.com. 

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