Gamer Interview - the artist88

[jackx289]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i38/ai3rocks57/Forum/GamerInterviewscopy.png

http://card.mygamercard.net/INZOMNI4C.png (http://profile.mygamercard.net/INZOMNI4C)

What is the story behind your gamertag?
It's a simple story really. When I first started working, a lot of times I'd get out late. So I'd come home and play til all hours of the night, depriving myself of my 8 hours. So I came up with the tag INZOMN14C. Derived from my premature insomnia stages and my awkward interest in zombies. :)

How long have you been gaming and what drew you towards the xbox 360?
I've been gaming since I was very young. I started out watching my uncle play a lot on Atari. I shared a Nintendo and Sega Genesis with my brothers. Favorite games on Sega where Comix Zone, The Lost Vikings and Sonic vs. Knuckles. I was drawn to Xbox 360 by the achievement system. Also, the first time I played Elder Scrolls: Oblivion.. I was like, "Holy Hell!" I was actually going to go with the PS3. Glad I didn't purchase a $700 paper weight. (at least that's what it was when it first came out).

When did you start getting into achievements and why?
I'd play a lot of CoD2 online, when it was released. I started to compete with my brother when we noticed our GS was about the same (2k gamerscore lol). So I finished off CoD2 for the full 1k and starting trying to nab every achievement I possibly could. The rest is history. I still love the sound of the "bloop-bloop". :)

What was the most difficult achievement you ever earned?
It's a tie between Superstar - Attain a Time Trial star rating of 90. [Pure Time Trials] - 100G - Mirror's Edge and Unstoppable Drift! - 50,000,000 point drift! 150G - Juiced 2.

How did you find the site and what made you stick around?
I found the site from a cover story OXM did on it. What really kept me around was the game forums and meeting new people to play online with. To be honest, the game forums are what still keep me around. :p

What is your proudest gaming moment?
My brother and I were challenged to a game of CoD4 from a couple of guys at work. What really built it up was all the crap they were talking. Well, long story short - It was 2 vs. 5. We had about 70-80 kills a piece. That was a fun night.

What is your occupation and what do you do in your spare time other than gaming?
Right now I work for an art store and do some framing as well. I'm a free lance artist & aspiring to be a concept game artist in the future. I'm looking to hopefully get into Ai (Art Institute) soon.

What's the worst game you have played on the 360?
ShellShock 2, hands down!

What is the best game you have played for the 360?
I'd have to say Bioshock or Mirror's Edge. First off, I've never played something so well put together as Bioshock. The story just really captures a gamers interest and doesn't let go. And Mirror's Edge, just because I've never played another game like it. It's the first of it's kind and very challenging as well.

What is your target gamerscore for the end of 2009?
Well I'm at 61k right now and have yet to update my gamercard. My initial goal was 80k. We'll see.

What improvements would you like to see made to the xbox 360 console/system?
I'd like to see more customization with the themes and settings of the dashboard. It should be more personal. Something that sets yours apart from the rest. Other then that, my wish was granted with the party chat system.

What would you most like to see on a360p?
A good percentage size of members being active. Other then that, the site is pretty well put together and the community seems like it's getting more involved with each other by holding gaming events. The Mods have been doing a pretty good job of keeping it together.

What do you like most about the site?
The game forums. You never know who you're going to meet by helping someone out with a certain achievement, etc. You might be the one to keep them coming back to the site and that's good for the community here.

Tell us a little about your life past and present:
Well, I was born and raised in Southern California. I've always had an interest in art since a very young age. Although, I never took any courses during high school. I'm more of a self-taught person. I remember taking some classes when I was little and didn't like the critiquing I received from my teacher, LOL. You learn to grow a couple of extra layers of "tough skin" I guess. Anyways, my life consist of working, drawing and gaming right now. I'm pretty content with things at the moment and I'm hoping to combine both my passions and make a career out of it.

How old are you?
21

What is your favourite film/song/book?
That's a tough one. Favorite film would have to be between Saving Private Ryan, Fight Club and The Bourne Identity. Favorite song would have to be QWERTY by Linkin Park or Hurt by NIN. My favorite book...I'm reading "America's Hidden History" by Kenneth C. Davis and have yet to finish it. I can tell you my favorite comic book series. The Walking Dead. If you haven't read it. I highly recommend it. :)

What do you see yourself doing in the future?
Game artist/programmer.

How long do you think you shall be a gamer?
Til the fat lady sings! Seriously though, til I die. :)

If you could have one dream holiday what would it be?
Gamers day. Every retailer, bank, etc. would be closed. We'd all head to our local football/basketball stadiums where there would be gift packages for select systems free of charge. There would be great games, beautiful women, good food and hopefully we'd all remember the night.

If you could have one dream job what would it be?
Well it's safe to say I'm going for that job. I guess I would wish for a higher paying salary to go along with it.

Do you prefer to play single player or multiplayer?
I love multiplayer, but I'd have to say singleplayer. I feel like singleplayer stories are the best, i.e. Bioshock. It's the developers center focus when the game is being created. After all, it's singleplayer games that got me plugged in the gaming world.

Do you own any other games consoles?
Well, I'll be investing in a PS3 possibly quite soon. I think I have some old consoles stashed away. Like Gamecube, Sega and Nintendo. Other then that my main console is my 360 Elite.

What's the best food/drink combo when gaming?
Low-carb blue Monster and Jack Link's Beef Jerky. Other then that, I don't eat or drink much when I'm gaming. MUST CONCENTRATE.

What question would you like to see added to the next interview?
I think I've seen this in another interview, but What's your favorite game of all time?

And how would you answer this question?
Shadow of the Colossus


http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3949/56245631.jpghttp://img200.imageshack.us/img200/4315/56565657.jpg

Interview by Jackx289

[Pedle Zelnip]

Very cool interview! Always fun to learn more about the people on here.

How about we start a new trend with these: people who post in the thread have to answer the question the interviewee says should be asked next (since half the time they never get incorporated into the next interview)?

So to answer the question: "What's your favorite game of all time?" Mine would be DOOM. I've never seen a game that was so absolutely ahead of its time and completely above and beyond anything that had been previously seen. Now it looks dated, but back in '93 when everybody was playing Wolfenstein 3D and Blake Stone, DOOM looked pretty badass by comparison.

Anyways, like I said great interview, I wish you the best of luck in getting the dream job of a game artist.

[jtmoniz]

Great interview.

Favorite game? Oblivion!!

[the artist88]

Just wanted to thank jack & the staff for asking me to be interviewed. I think it's a great idea and adds some spark to the site. Can't wait to see who's next. Keep 'em coming! :)


Very cool interview! Always fun to learn more about the people on here.

How about we start a new trend with these: people who post in the thread have to answer the question the interviewee says should be asked next (since half the time they never get incorporated into the next interview)?

So to answer the question: "What's your favorite game of all time?" Mine would be DOOM. I've never seen a game that was so absolutely ahead of its time and completely above and beyond anything that had been previously seen. Now it looks dated, but back in '93 when everybody was playing Wolfenstein 3D and Blake Stone, DOOM looked pretty badass by comparison.

Anyways, like I said great interview, I wish you the best of luck in getting the dream job of a game artist.

Hey thanks a lot for the feedback. Actually that's not a bad idea for a new trend. It kind of gives everybody an opportunity to get in on the discussion. Now that I think of it, a good question would have been "Who is your all-time favorite video game character?' Oh well. Maybe I'll see that Q in another interview.

[grayed]

Very cool interview! Always fun to learn more about the people on here.

How about we start a new trend with these: people who post in the thread have to answer the question the interviewee says should be asked next (since half the time they never get incorporated into the next interview)?

Well I was just going to say "great interview", but Pedle had to go and come up with one of his fantastic ideas again BOOOOOOOOO :(. It's freakin hard to pick a favorite game, too - Super Mario Brothers (3, 4, 64) The Legend of Zelda (1, 3, 4), Call of Duty (2, 4), Dead Rising, Portal - there's just a bunch that are milestones in gaming and my life. The glory days might push SM3 over the top though - to know a game backwards and forwards just by playing it, and to love every minute of it? That just doesn't happen very often anymore...

[the artist88]

Well I was just going to say "great interview", but Pedle had to go and come up with one of his fantastic ideas again BOOOOOOOOO :(. It's freakin hard to pick a favorite game, too - Super Mario Brothers (3, 4, 64) The Legend of Zelda (1, 3, 4), Call of Duty (2, 4), Dead Rising, Portal - there's just a bunch that are milestones in gaming and my life. The glory days might push SM3 over the top though - to know a game backwards and forwards just by playing it, and to love every minute of it? That just doesn't happen very often anymore...

Agreed. For me, it's Shadow of the Colossus just because I played it in & out so many times and didn't grow tired of it. I don't know what draws me to that game so much. It had such an epic feel, lol. I still have so many favorites. I guess you can never truly say what's your favorite game of all time. :p

[homerunhitter B]

Nice to know more about you. Like the picture too. Way too hard for me to pick one game, lol.

[kellydee]

Great Interview! Enjoyed reading it.
Any particular Art Institute that you got your eye on?

lol I remember you were the first of the very few that responded to my first "hello" thread. Made me decide to stick around and check out the community more.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Well I was just going to say "great interview", but Pedle had to go and come up with one of his fantastic ideas again BOOOOOOOOO :(.

Pppphhhh! :p

It's freakin hard to pick a favorite game, too - Super Mario Brothers (3, 4, 64) The Legend of Zelda (1, 3, 4), Call of Duty (2, 4), Dead Rising, Portal - there's just a bunch that are milestones in gaming and my life. The glory days might push SM3 over the top though - to know a game backwards and forwards just by playing it, and to love every minute of it? That just doesn't happen very often anymore...

That doesn't happen very often, period. Even back in the day there were very few games I could say that I loved enough to play through more than once, let alone so often I knew the game inside and out (the only ones that come to mind are the classic Id shooters: Wolf3D, DOOM 1/2, and Quake 2).

And at the risk of ruining my gaming cred: I have never played any of the Super Mario or Zelda games, nor have I played Dead Rising yet (though I do own it, just one I've never gotten around to).

[kellydee]

And at the risk of ruining my gaming cred: I have never played any of the Super Mario or Zelda games, nor have I played Dead Rising yet (though I do own it, just one I've never gotten around to).
Really?

Although i have only tried the Zelda games. Never have played a whole one.

I have played almost every Mario game though. Well not the Gamecube or Wii ones. Mario was about all I ever played on my old Gameboy.
As for Dead Rising, it lost its appeal very fast for me.

Choosing a favorite game is tough, I have one/two for each console I have played. Jetset Radio Future and Battle Front though are still up on my top two when I have to make a decision.

[the artist88]

Thanks for all the replies guys/gals. Glad to see you enjoyed it. :)

Great Interview! Enjoyed reading it.
Any particular Art Institute that you got your eye on?

lol I remember you were the first of the very few that responded to my first "hello" thread. Made me decide to stick around and check out the community more.

Not sure yet. There's an Ai in LA & San Francisco. Tough choice of location though. I rememeber responding to your "Hello thread" as well. Glad I was the one and only that kept your interest. :p

[grayed]

Pppphhhh! :p

Pshhhhhhhh!

And at the risk of ruining my gaming cred: I have never played any of the Super Mario or Zelda games, nor have I played Dead Rising yet (though I do own it, just one I've never gotten around to).

Well, now I feel better about not yet playing Bioshock...

[saunders cowie]

Good work guys, I enjoyed reading that.

[Pedle Zelnip]

As for Dead Rising, it lost its appeal very fast for me.

Careful, grayed's going to nag you now about how great that game is. :p


Choosing a favorite game is tough, I have one/two for each console I have played. Jetset Radio Future and Battle Front though are still up on my top two when I have to make a decision.

You and my nephew would get along great, as he *loves* SW Battlefront. It's backward compatible on the 360 and whenever I visit that's all he wants to play on my 360. I put in Halo 3 once and we played it for maybe 5 minutes before he was like "hey Adam can we go back to that Star Wars game...." :p


Well, now I feel better about not yet playing Bioshock...

Well one difference there is that you own a 360 (the system that Bioshock is on). I never owned a Nintendo gaming system aside from the gameboy I had in the early 90's (which only got used for playing Tetris). :)

[sabuc]

Great read. Thanks for sharing man.

I like the idea of asking the thread the question. Jackx sounds an update to the next interview.

[PSYCHOTOMMY]

good read guys, keep 'em coming. ;)

[chino86]

Cool interview.

And in answer to the question: Zelda Ocarina of Time. Hands down. I still play it on occasion, and I still know the location of every single item, skulltula, and heart piece.

[Saikred]

Great interview I love reading these. Maybe one day I'll be in the spotlight myself but who knows.

As for favourite game of all time... wow thats a hard one.

Goldeneye perhaps?

[beta angel]

Yeah, Medicore* Interview!!!!!

Great interview! :D Love these things and hope they keep going on.

*I just wanted to be different.

[BlackMagik]

And in answer to the question: Zelda Ocarina of Time. Hands down. I still play it on occasion, and I still know the location of every single item, skulltula, and heart piece.

I am going to have to agree with this as my game...or any of the Mario series on the Nintendo or even Mario 64 was cool. Of course, I also remember hours and hours of Goldeneye and watching everyone else's screens too. lol.

Anyway, I liked the interview. It is always fun to learn more about the people around here.

[NorseForce28]

Great read, Artist. Don't think i've known a bigger Prototype fan, at least if you still are.

As for my favorite game, I played alot of the Medal of Honor series before I had any internet connection and before Airborne ruined it all, so Frontline or Rising Sun would have to be up there.

[the artist88]

Thanks for the responses people. :)

Great read, Artist. Don't think i've known a bigger Prototype fan, at least if you still are.

Of course I still am! :p It's still in my top 5 favs. Just haven't got that 1k yet. And you'll have to hold me to that when I'm back online.

[MightierToaster]

Another great interview, and another way to learn more about the community. Game on Artist.

[action frampton]

Well, now I feel better about not yet playing Bioshock...[/QUOTE]

Wow, you really should play this... great game !!

And great interview - I do enjoy these...

Oh, and LOW CARB Blue Monster? Never even seen it - Im a Monster RIPPER man myself ;)

[Dsella]

Lol Dragunz.

[Billj1s]

Nice interview. Good to know more about you.