Interviewing Gamers

[JesterRaiin]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

Around eighties. It started with this :
http://www.fakt.pl/m/Repozytorium.Obiekt.aspx/-580/-500/faktonline/633933793364360029.jpg
Technically, it should be considered as, eeeeeeeeee, ummmmmmmmm, portable quasi-console.
Then people moved to ZX Spectrums and such. But yep, good, old "russian games" conquered our soil first.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

For moment i thought about Baldur's Gate, but no.
Fallout. I like each and every PC title in this series. Yes, even Tactics.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

Sandbox games. Obviously cRPGs, but not only.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

PC desktop player. I'm not prejudiced against consoles.
Simply - titles i like most are exclusive to this platform.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

+ old games
+ modding, yay modding, go team mod !
- buggy, unpolished games
- one spends too much time trying to get some titles to work :|

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

Naaaaaaaaaah. Too old for joining flame war over cosmetical differences.

 

[Rebel_Raven]

I'll bite.

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

I can't remember that far back, frankly. I started off early in life with the NES.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

Yes, I've had several favorite games, and series.
To name a few: Lost Planet 2, Saints Row 2, Saints row 3 if it counts, the Dynasty Warriors series, the Samurai Warriors series, the Samurai Shodown series, the Last Blade series, the King of Fighters series, Fallout new vegas and it's DLC, the Dynasty Warriors Gundam series, the Rainbow Six Vegas games, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, the Ghost in the Shell video games, and I think I'll stop my list here.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

Action games. Puzzle Games. Third person shooters. I'll play most any game if I think I can enjoy it.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

NES, Atari (I forget the number), Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, I guess PC since i'm using one now , PS3, X-box 360.

I play my PS3 the most. Free games with plus membership, I like the games, I like being able to play with others for free. Playstation Home is a bonus. Numerous reasons.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

It's great if you have the money to sink into it it. The modding community can extend a game's lifespan immensely, and it's a definite advantage over consoles.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

I don't like either of them. I'm not the sort to enjoy playing against other people. This is especially so if I have to be a guy in the process.

Bad enough there's no playable female characters as it is.

Hope I helped! :3

P.S. I'm female, and old enough to have gotten the NES when it debuted stateside. Aside from that I'd like to remain anonymous.

 

[Voulan]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
Gaming has basically always been a part of my life. Initially however, I preferred to watch others play than actually participate myself - mostly games like Tekken, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. The first literal console I had was my GameBoy Pocket with Pokemon Red, and then later Pokemon Silver, which was my first sort of foray into proper gaming - I later got given a Sega Genesis with Sonic 1 and 2, and then a PS1. It was the PS1 that really got me into gaming as a hobby, but the PS2 brought me into the hardcore side.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
Kingdom Hearts - fantastic storyline, characters, music, gameplay, and childhood Disney nostalgia. Sora taught me a lot, and they were the perfect protagonists to a young girl - kids capable of anything, that would stop at nothing, and believed in everything.
Tomb Raider - great exploration (which appealed to me greatly because of my love for archaeology and studying the ancients) and Lara herself became my heroine as a strong and independent woman, whom I'd never seen beforehand.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
I usually play RPGs, because of the ability to pace and create my own story (rather than play as generic male guy), but any game with a strong emphasis on story and characters is fine.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
Sega Genesis, PS1, PS2, PS3, GameBoy and PC (technically). I mostly play the PS3, because of all my latest and unbeaten games being on that platform, and I've been brought up playing on consoles - especially the Playstation series. I'd play on the PC if it could handle it.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
It definitely has the advantage over consoles as being able to adapt technically where the consoles are rigid. Mods are also a huge deal in the current gaming generation, so they work well here. The only unfortunate thing is their being used for other things as well - leaving less space for saves, content, and running capacity. I still consider it to be a gaming platform, and the only reason for its becoming apparently less popular is because of the demand for it to perform other tasks making it more difficult to use, while consoles are designed for the one purpose.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
I'll side with Battlefield 3 because I know the series better and have actually owned past games from it - however, from an outsiders perspective, they are very similar. It's difficult to pit two games together, however, when they contain different gameplay mechanics or story elements. As a fan of both Tomb Raider and Uncharted, I get frustrated when people constantly compare the two, or say they copy from each other, just because they share the element of raiding ancient tombs when they play and look completely different. So, I understand that frustration, and only side with the series I know better.

I hope this helped.

Name: Rachael
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Online Alias: Rachie737 or Volan

 

[The Virgo]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

I had been playing games on a relative's NES (the game Deja Vu comes to my mind) and SNES for some time, but I first started to really get into games when I got my Sega Dreamcast, a console that I still think is one of the best ever made, failing only because of bad controller layout. (Trust me, I can explain in detail why the controller was the ruin of the console.) So, about 1999 - 2000.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

My computer is ancient and I don't have any of the latest consoles, so I've been out of the gaming loop a bit. But I would have to say Half-Life 2 and the episodes (I hated Half-Life 1), Sonic Adventure 1 (probably the last TRULY GREAT Sonic game), Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 (Best RTS ever in my opinion, been playing it since 2001), TimeSplitters 2 and 3, but mostly 2 and Rome: Total War.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

I like FPS's, but I have a soft spot for MYST-style graphics and point-and-click adventure games. The only fantasy RPG series I can get into are The Elder Scrolls games.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

An ancient PC that I'm sure the Smithsonian would be interested in (it's not THAT old, but the GeForce 6600GT lost it's edge many years ago), a PS2, a Dreamcast I don't play with enough, an XBOX and a pile of trash known as a "Gamecube". Worst mistake I ever made was buying one of those overpriced paper-weights.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

It's the best and most versatile. You have ancient classics that are still available to be played, indie classics like "Sleep is Death", AAA games that can take advantage of the PC's superior hardware, but most importantly the ability to mod games.

I remember the feeling when I got my first mod for Oblivion to work. Better than a million headshots in a shooter.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

They're two totally different games. People see that they take place in the present day and say "HEY! BATTLEFIELD IS COPYING CALL OF DUTY BECAUSE IT TAKES PLACE NOW!" or "Battlefield 3 looks too much like CoD." Well you know what? If that's so, then Call of Duty is copying and looks like Counter-Stike. CSers were playing in modern times long before CoD finally decided that shooting Nazi's got boring and went straight to Russians after a brief tango with the Japanese.

I played Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Battlefield 1942 back in the day. They both took place in World War 2, much like how they are both now taking place in today's day and age, and they were two TOTALLY DIFFERENT GAMES. If you want to see a rip-off, look at that new Medal of Honor game. No finer example of trying to cash in on what's popular and best selling.

As for me, I prefer neither. Battlefield 3, last time I heard, has Origin, which lets EA spy on your computer and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 will follow the same guideline as the previous games: [insert country or faction here] are being dicks, so player must travel through linear, tightly scripted levels to kill anyone not American. Of course, now that you can apparently play as soldiers from different countries, it will probably be "kill anyone that's Russian."

I myself am looking forward to Skyrim and getting Heroes of Stalingrad once I upgrade my PC.

----------------------------

Now, as for myself, I wish to remain anonymous, but here's what I can give away:

Name: Classified.
Age: 18 on the 20th.
Gender: Male.
Alias: The Virgo
Gamer since: About 1996 or 1997

 

[Wolfhowl the shadow lurker]

]1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby? I can't really think of a time when I was not into games
2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series? The elder scrolls
3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing? RPG
4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why? I have a pc and xbox 360 but play xbox 360 more due to the fact that my pc is to slow to run the games I like
5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine? I have played quite a few games on the pc and there nothing wrong with it maybe better for some games but I play xbox 360 more due to the speed of my pc
6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this? I never played battlefield but if modem warfare ended now they could still save themselves from selling out like halo has

 

[Wuggy]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
I've been playing games as long as I remember. I think I was something like 4 or 5 years old when I first picked up a NES controller for the first time. And yeah, my first game was the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES.
2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
Definitely. I adore the Mass Effect series. I also really like all the installations of the Metal Gear Solid series. I also was a semi-hardcore WoW player for around 5 years. My favourite game, however, would probably be the original Deus Ex.
3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
I very much like the RPG genre, although I'm not a genre-purist in any way.
4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
At the moment I own a PS3 and a gaming PC. I play most of my games on the PC mainly because I happen to prefer the platform. It's technically superior, can do what every console does and games for it are usually cheaper (compared to the prizes here in Finland). I use my PS3 mainly for console exclusives.
5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
As I mentioned, I do prefer the PC. It is superior in terms of hardware, it can do what every console does and the games are cheaper. I really like the digital market on the PC, particularly Steam.
6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
I do not take a stand. I'm not interested in playing either of them. I am just not interested in military shooters, and there's way better online experiences to be had out there: namely in the form of Team Fortress 2.

 

[Archangel768]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

First gaming device was a PC. The family PC that was bought for my Dads work. I was about 2 or 3 years old when this happened. I don't really know why we had games except that we had them. First time I 'got' into games probably wasn't until a few years ago when I really started thinking more about them and went out of my way to try to purchase and play them.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

Back on the N64 (our first home console) my favourite would have been Donkey Kong 64.
Now it's the Final Fantasy Series with Final Fantasy X being my favourite game of all time.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

JRPGs.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
N64, PS3, PS2, PSP, DS, PC

PS2, the fact that the graphics are still bearable, Final Fantasy X is on it and a truck load of other great games makes it fantastic. It also has a lot of Nostalgia value.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

Fantastic for RTS and FPS games particularly. I've always liked building computers and having my own so I really like it as a gaming platform in general. Lately however, I've become more lazy and sometimes would much rather sit in a lounge chair which is more comfortable playing with a controller on a console rather than sit up at a desk.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

I'm not really interested in online FPS games but, both look like good games. Battlefield 3 is really impressive in it's presentation and I'm really interested in it because of that. I'm interested in COD MW 3 because of Captain Price. Ever since I saved him in COD 1 (the first cod game) he's stood out as a cool character to me and I'd like to see what happens.

I live in Australia, 18 years old. What else did you want to know about me?

 

[DanielBrown]

DanielBrown, 21 year old man!

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
I got my first console(a Playstation) when I was six or seven years old. You could probably call it a hobby back then since I played like insane, but I didn't really get into gaming until around the age of 15-16.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
Uncharted and God of War are pretty high up on my ladder.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
Mainly RPGs and shooters.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
Playstation 3
Xbox 360
Playstation 2
Gamecube
Gameboy/Gameboy Advanced(do they count?)

The PS3 is definetly my favorite. Don't want to start a flame war, but I consider it to be superior to the 360 in every way.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
Well, I play tons of MMO games on my computer and I used to be a PC gamer before I got my 360 - but overall I've never really seen a computer as a gaming machine.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
Not intrested in either. I prefer single player games(had enough of online shooters), and with especially CoD's standard of worthless, four hour long campains I've never gotten into either of the series.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

You know, I wonder, will we get to see the article? I wonder how all those interviews will be condensed and if a general theme common through most of them is going to be drawn or if the unusual ones that stand out will be the ones mentioned instead. What say you, TC?

 

[Blue Hero]

1.) In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
My neighbour got me into gaming when I was young. He was about 17-18, and I was maybe 7-8. Maybe younger. Maybe older. Whenever my mother had to go to work or just had to go out, he'd take care of me. We'd just play Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc all day (we'd also watch Beavis and Butthead). When we eventually moved away, he gave me his Playstation, NES, and all his games.

2.) Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
Not really.

3.) Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
Action-adventure, action RPG, and platformers.

4.) Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
SNES, NES, Wii, PS1, PS2, PS3, and Gamecube. I mostly play my PS3.

5.) What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
What with my PC being an absolutely piece of shit, I don't do a lot of PC gaming. The little PC gaming I have done has been very enjoyable though. Loved TF2, loved Minecraft, loved Battlefield 1942.

6.) Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
Will buy both. Will try both. Will choose which one I like more then.

 

[Vault101]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

first started with the old computer and my cousins SNES (much to their annoyance) I would play games like ski free and rodents revenge, and some SNES titles whenever we would visit the family, I got an N64 at some point, and played a few more games on PC, I skiped a generation and relaly got into gaming last year when by luck I got a decent PC


2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

definetly Mass effect and assasins creed


3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

I prefer stuff in 3rd person, generally action or shooter but Ill play anything good

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

my main platform was PC untill I got a PS3, nowdays I play the PS3 more because I get more games for it, because theres less risk involved


5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

great, controlls the best, very vesatile, especially if you have laptop (dont look at me like that) asdie from the obvious down side is not as much stuff gets released for it, which is only a problem if youre dying to play that certain game everyone keeps raving about

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

I dont care

 

[SSoSFAGTiaCaGwaP]

In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
I've been into gaming ever since I was about four. My brother (who is two years older than me) had a computer that he was constantly playing games on. He always told me that "games are for boys, not girls", but whenever he wasn't around, I'd sneak onto his computer and play games.


Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
I've always loved stealth games, the Thief and Splinter Cell series' would be my favourite.


Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
As I answered previously, stealth is my favourite. I also enjoy role-playing games.

Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
I've always loved the PC the most, as it's what I grew up on, but I also own an Xbox 360 and a PS2. I've found that PC's controls feel more natural to me, and it actually took me a while to get used to dual-wielding sticks when I played and FPS for the first time.

What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
Personally, I think that PCs are the best platform. My main answer whenever asked why is because they better graphics, and you can mod games.

Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
I've never been into FPSs. To me, they both look exactly the same.

Name: Sorry, I like to keep that information private.
Age: 13
Gender: Female
Alias: TheAztec

 

[Craorach]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

The first games device I owned was the C64 released in England as the Terminator 2 Judgement Day pack.. which included a cart with that game. I was 11 I think. Before that I'd played games on computers at school and my friend's consoles.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

I've probably sunk more time over the years into the Diablo series than anything else I've done bar working, school or traditional tabletop RPGs. Blizzard games in general I really enjoy.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

Action RPGs, FPS and Action Melee games (God of War, etc)

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
In my house we have... 2 Desktop PCs, 2 Laptops, 1 Mac, 1 Ipad, 2 Iphones, 1 360, 1 PS3, 1 PS2, 1 Wii and a DS, all of which we use to game... mostly I play on my Desktop because I prefer mouse and keyboard.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

My hands down favourite platform. I prefer mouse and keyboard over most control schemes for most games, and can use controllers if I want. Steam and similar platforms allow me to live without a huge pile of boxes cluttering up my house.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

I will likely play both as they offer different experiences, but I am unlikely to buy either at release, I don't have as much time to play games anymore as I used too and prefer to pick them up when they get abit cheaper and have had bugfixes. I'll likely buy BF3 first, because I prefer the more open battlefields that series provides.

Just as with platforms, there is no "which is better" there is only "which do I prefer".

Name : Yeah.. no.
Age : 30
Gender : Male
Alias : PsychoPuppy or Craorach

 

[tombman888]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

1. With a Nintendo 64 and Super Mario 64.... first game i owned and got to 100%. Round the age of 7 i believe
2. Kingdom Hearts series, Sly Cooper series, Ratchet and Clank series, Team Fortress 2.
3. RTS and FPS games are my main types i play. I am looking for a good fantasy exploration RPG, and Skyrim looks nice
4. Wii, Xbox360, PS2, N64 (handhelds count?) NDSLite (PC?) and a PC. And i use the PC the most, followed by probably the PS2, then Wii, then Xbawx
5. IT'S GLORIOUS!
6. Don't intend to buy either, and have only ever played Call of duty. EA seems to be getting alot of hate for BF3, so i think MW is going to probably do better.... although i could be completely wrong like always

 

[staika]

Spoiler: Questions

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?
-I got my first console when I was about 5 my family got a SNES and the first game we got was super mario. My older cousin said at that time he'd knew I'd grow up to be really good at video games as I beat Super mario on my first run through >.>
My hobby with gaming really started about a year later when we got more games and once the N64 came out I was hooked to that forever.
2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?
-I like the Saints Row series a lot and if I had to choose it would be saints row. I also enjoy the halo and gears of war series.
3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?
-I usually play FPS' and RPG's I do sometimes go into horror games ^-^
4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?
-I have a WII and a 360 and I mostly play on the 360. My computer isn't good enough to play games on it >.>
5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?
-It's ok, I don't really play on it and I like a controller over a mouse and keyboard because I grew up using a controller and it feels a little awkward to use a mouse and keyboard. But I have nothing against PC gamers.
6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?
-I enjoy the COD series more because one of my favorite shooters was the first call of duty and I've been with the series since the beginning but I don't really like where its going to be honest. In a sense of the words I am a call of duty hipster >.>

Name-Jeff Kennerknecht
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Online alias: Staika when available Staikaman at all other opportunities and prof sn1pe for XBL.

 

[Use_Imagination_here]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

Can't even remember. Got an xbox for a christmas present when I was a kid, and before that I'd plaid some of my dads games on the computer for as long as I can remember.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

Absolutely, the half life series.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

Really anything but sport games is good for me, although most of my favourite games were fps's

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

I own an xbox, pc, xbox 360 and a ds. I mostly play on the xbox because halo reach has my favourite multiplayer.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

Very solid, it has many advantages compared to consoles and a condiderable library of good exclusives.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

Definately Battlefield 3, Lately I've begun to feel like the call of duty series needs to calm the fuck down. There is a limit to how action packed it can get before it becomes just a bunch of meaningless explosions.

The battlefield series shows much greater restraint.

Age: 16

Name: I don't really see how you'd benefit from that information.

 

[Stall]

1. It was the N64. I was like 6 or something.
2. SWG (pre-cu) if I had to pick one.
3. MMORPGs
4. PC and PS3. The PC, since its convenient, more powerful, has a better library, and I own more games on it.
5. It's objectively superior to consoles. It isn't "opinion" about which is better, but simple, cold fact. Which you PREFER is an opinion, but you cannot deny the PC is superior on every criterion you would judge a gaming platform on.
6. They're both samey, generic, modern warfare FPSs. I don't prefer one over the other.

 

[ronald1840]

1. I remember vaguely starting on the NES playing Super Mario Bros 3 over a cousin's house. The first console I owned was either the N64 or Super Game Boy (big gray one). Nintendo kinda ruled my childhood for a point, until one christmas when I bought a PS1 and learned that other people make games. Since that point, I've made it my goal to always own both Nintendo and Sony's portable and home console devices

2. My favorite gaming series would be in no particular order: Uncharted, Final Fantasy, Persona, Kingdom Hearts, Mass Effect, Sly Cooper, and Ratchet & Clank.

3. My two favorite genres would be Action/Adventure (Uncharted) and RPG (SMT: Devil Survivor). I can't really put one over the other since I go to each style with different expectations, but I enjoy an experience that gives me full control over my characters and actions.

4. I own a PS3, 3DS, Wii, and have pre-ordered a WiFi PS Vita. I play the PS3 and 3DS equally depending on if I'm at home or on the go. I prefer the PS3 because due to its social features like Home, and the PSN which lets me chat, shop, and interact with all sorts of people.

5. If they weren't so expensive I'd save and make one, which I will do at one point. As of now PC gaming isn't really a big deal to me because most titles are multiplatform now the ones that matter to me (Bioshock, Mass Effect, Rage, Portal 2, Skyrim). These titles play just fine on my PS3 and I could care less about maxing out HD. The idea that a PC has to be upgraded every couple of years (2-4) kind of seems counter intuitive to me and I'm satisfied with Sony at the moment.

There are PC titles that are very strong to me, and are firm in my choice to eventually construct my own to play. Star Wars: Old Republic, the Steam games, the GoG, and titles I've played previously like Bioshock and Borderlands just to get a different experience. PC gaming is cool for those who can afford it and have time


6. Battlefield 3 and CoD: MW3 seem so similar to me it gets on my nerves when I see it top frequent "Games Most Wanted Lists". CoD is starting to get really lazy and I just can't see how a series can have so little advancements to change things and still be eaten up in the tens of million? I thought gamers wanted something fresh and new, but we're all just a bunch of hypocrites that let titles like El:Shaddhi (spelt right?), and Mirror's Edge just go to the bargain bin. Personally, I enjoyed the zombie mode from CoD and Battlefield: BC story was pretty cool, but I really hope these series flop in the future or their publishers go into fresh field.

EA - Mirror's Edge 2 (Frostbyte Engine?)
Activision/Infinity Ward - Anything but another FPS. I just don't care anymore.

 

[Speakercone]

1. In terms of your first consoles and games, how and when did you first get into gaming as a hobby?

My grandmother bought me a GameBoy, then later an SNES when I was around 7 or 8. She was a rather competitive lady and if there was an amazing new toy she was going to make sure her grandson had it. I first knew this was something special when I started playing Super Mario World and realized that this was just about the greatest thing I'd ever experienced. Long Canadian winters made for great after-school gaming sessions.

2. Would you say you had any favourite games, or series?

My favourite game tends to be the one I'm playing at any given time. Games I revisit a lot would include Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect 2, Master of Orion 2, Chrono Trigger, Pokemon, and probably a few more I've forgotten.

3. Any genres you tend to prefer playing?

I tend to really enjoy puzzle/platformers, action/platformers, spectacle fighters, RPGs of all kinds, and anything which involves a lot of exploration.

4. Regarding platforms, which do you own? Of those, what do you play most and why?

I own a PC and a Wii. I play my PC most of all because just about every game I want comes to PC anyway and I can use a 360 pad if I want to. The wii tends to be just a box I keep around for whenever a Mario/Metroid/Kirby/Zelda game rolls around.

5. What do you think of the PC as a gaming machine?

Excellent by just about any metric you care to name except for price. Modding in particular is often really awesome.

6. Finally, with the imminent release of Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, there's a lot of debate amongst the online FPS crowd as to which is better. Where do you stand on this?

I'm indifferent to these titles. They appear to me to be very similar in most respects. Frankly I prefer CS and Team Fortress 2 as competitive multiplayer games and the single player isn't interesting enough to earn my money.