Tell me a little bit about yourself? What rig do you currently game on? What kind of gamer do you classify yourself to be? ie. PC, Console, Tabletop, LARP as well as Hardcore, RPG, etc.
First of all, I'm 32 years old, married, and father of a beautiful 4-year old girl. I am an Orchestra teacher at the middle school level. I also am a violinist and keep myself musically active by playing for a symphony orchestra and more musical endeavors. Currently I own a Wii U and have always considered myself a console gamer. I played World of Warcraft actively for about 8 years before calling it quits. I have a wide range of gaming tastes but a good RPG (turn based preferrably) will most always be my weakness.
What is your first memory of gaming?
My mother owned an old Intellivision console, so we got to play a bit of Pong, that's my first memory if you will.
What game are you currently playing right now? Do you enjoy that game, why? How’s the overall game play and graphics?
I'm currently enjoying ZombiU, I really enjoy the game because of several factors. First of all, it's very immersive, the game is downright scary and you feel endangered. I get the feeling that my character never feels overpowered. As a matter of fact, I had a character with all sorts of weapons and I took a bad turn and that was it for him. Second, the game makes good use of the gamepad controller, it feels like it was designed around this peripheral and it's integral to the game. Also, it really puts the context of the game into a real world scenario. What if a Zombie infestation happened? What would you do to survive? Scary stuff indeed. As far as gameplay is concerned, it's fluid and while it's in first person, it feels more like a first person adventure, not a straight shooter. Graphically, it's very smooth and crisp, the frame rate is very steady and the actual graphics are very nice. On the downside, some of the level design can feel a bit repetitive and the Zombie design is a bit repetitive as well, plus some textures are bit bland but it's not a deal-breaker for me.
What game are you currently playing right now? Do you enjoy that game, why? How’s the overall game play and graphics?
I'm currently enjoying ZombiU, I really enjoy the game because of several factors. First of all, it's very immersive, the game is downright scary and you feel endangered. I get the feeling that my character never feels overpowered. As a matter of fact, I had a character with all sorts of weapons and I took a bad turn and that was it for him. Second, the game makes good use of the gamepad controller, it feels like it was designed around this peripheral and it's integral to the game. Also, it really puts the context of the game into a real world scenario. What if a Zombie infestation happened? What would you do to survive? Scary stuff indeed. As far as gameplay is concerned, it's fluid and while it's in first person, it feels more like a first person adventure, not a straight shooter. Graphically, it's very smooth and crisp, the frame rate is very steady and the actual graphics are very nice. On the downside, some of the level design can feel a bit repetitive and the Zombie design is a bit repetitive as well, plus some textures are bit bland but it's not a deal-breaker for me.
Would you recommend it, why?
I would recommend it because despite what the press said, it's a very solid game. The scary factor (immersion) is there, the gameplay is there, and the Gamepad integration adds to the game.
Are there any games coming out that you are looking forward to?
I'm looking forward to Watch_Dogs, Bayonetta 2, Super Smash Brothers, X from Monolith Soft, Project CARS, The Division (need a PS4 for that), Bravely Default is out already so I need that, can't think of many more off the top of my head.
If you could design your own game what would it be like?
Currently I'm trying to learn to use Unity to do precisely that. I'd like to develop a Soccer game that includes features I haven't seen even in games like FIFA. I would expand a bit on character creation and other game modes.
Thoughts on this new generation of consoles – Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One?
I believe the Wii U is severely underrated, it's a very solid console that I personally enjoy very much. It has decent power and it innovates on game design. The PS4 is a console that I do want to eventually purchase, but am not in a hurry to do so. This generation I will skip Microsoft's console. While it has plenty of raw power, I'm not interested in the forced Kinect and camera peripheral. I did own a 360 but I ended up selling it, games did not innovate enough for me.
What are your thoughts on the gaming industry?
I believe the gaming industry has suffered from the transition of gaming becoming too mainstream. In the olden days, being a gamer was a kind of underground thing, you traded games with your friends and you got to explore many different games and genres. Nowadays you have game developers popping everywhere, producing cheap games, and most requiring micro transactions. Everything is about making loads of money and appeasing investors. I believe this system is not self sustainable and I believe a change must come, and just develop fun games anyone can enjoy.
10 years from now, where do you see the industry? Are you happy with that direction? If you had the power, what direction would you have the gaming industry go?
That's a tough question, since I see two possibilities. The first choice is things keep going as they are now, which would lead to original and good ideas that may never come to fruition. Formulaic, yearly release games will rule and developers will hide behind their big name to produce sub par games that are popular and sell millions of copies. Second possibility is that developers get back to making games that truly innovate and move away from hoarding as much cash as possible. Smaller game studios with passionate gamers emerge and drive the industry away from advertising, politics, and aspects like micro transactions fade away and remain a dark time in gaming's history.
Favorite Game (can include tabletop) of all time and why?
Toughest question here but I think it's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It's my favorite because the gameplay was like nothing seen before, the transition to 3D was amazing, and the story was beyond epic. The dungeon design was clever, the puzzles tough, and there was plenty to do outside of the main quest.
I believe the Wii U is severely underrated, it's a very solid console that I personally enjoy very much. It has decent power and it innovates on game design. The PS4 is a console that I do want to eventually purchase, but am not in a hurry to do so. This generation I will skip Microsoft's console. While it has plenty of raw power, I'm not interested in the forced Kinect and camera peripheral. I did own a 360 but I ended up selling it, games did not innovate enough for me.
What are your thoughts on the gaming industry?
I believe the gaming industry has suffered from the transition of gaming becoming too mainstream. In the olden days, being a gamer was a kind of underground thing, you traded games with your friends and you got to explore many different games and genres. Nowadays you have game developers popping everywhere, producing cheap games, and most requiring micro transactions. Everything is about making loads of money and appeasing investors. I believe this system is not self sustainable and I believe a change must come, and just develop fun games anyone can enjoy.
10 years from now, where do you see the industry? Are you happy with that direction? If you had the power, what direction would you have the gaming industry go?
That's a tough question, since I see two possibilities. The first choice is things keep going as they are now, which would lead to original and good ideas that may never come to fruition. Formulaic, yearly release games will rule and developers will hide behind their big name to produce sub par games that are popular and sell millions of copies. Second possibility is that developers get back to making games that truly innovate and move away from hoarding as much cash as possible. Smaller game studios with passionate gamers emerge and drive the industry away from advertising, politics, and aspects like micro transactions fade away and remain a dark time in gaming's history.
Favorite Game (can include tabletop) of all time and why?
Toughest question here but I think it's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It's my favorite because the gameplay was like nothing seen before, the transition to 3D was amazing, and the story was beyond epic. The dungeon design was clever, the puzzles tough, and there was plenty to do outside of the main quest.
Additional Thoughts and Comments?
I would love for people to just enjoy whatever system and developer they prefer, without harassing others that think differently. Many of us Wii U gamers take a lot of heat for our preference but we are not discouraged, we love our system and really enjoy it. To those who have not tried the Wii U I highly recommend that you give it a spin, most people I encounter that used to bash it become very pleasantly surprised with it. I believe that raw graphical prowess does not make a good game, we should as gamers be more open minded to other ideas and styles. In conclusion innovation and gameplay trumps pretty graphics, in my opinion.
Would you like to share your gamer tag and the system so others may add you?
Sure my NNID is warlock815
Thank you to David 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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