Cannot Be Tamed

So it's time to jump on the bandwagon of Jasyla's Gaming Questionnaire:

When did you start playing video games?
We got an Atari 2600 when I was a kid—early 1980s, I'm not sure what year. Before that, I may have wasted a few quarters on Space Invaders or something similar at local pizza parlors.

What is the first game you remember playing?

Combat is the first video I can remember playing for sure.

PC or Console?
PC, definitely.We don't even have a console in the house anymore.

XBox, PlayStation, or Wii?
Given these choices, I'll say PlayStation. I've never even owned an XBox or Wii.

What's the best game you've ever played?
That's hard to say. I enjoy them for different reasons, and they also all have flaws. I have several favorites, but none stands out as the single best game.

What's the worst game you've ever played?
Also a hard question, because what I considered horrible games, may be someone else's absolute favorite. I am going to say Myst. The game did not appeal to me at all when I tried to play it.

Name a game that was popular/critically adored that you just didn't like.
The aforementioned Myst. I also couldn't get into Warcraft 3, though I tried it after I'd been playing World of Warcraft for a while.

Name a game that was poorly received that you really like.
The Secret World. I almost named it as the best game I'd ever played, but I am not sure it is. However I do really like it, despite the fact that it can be incredibly frustrating to play at times.

What are your favourite game genres?
MMORPGs, followed closely by RTS games.

Who is your favourite game protagonist?
ME! It's why I prefer MMOs to other games where I am essentially playing someone else's character.

Describe your perfect video game.
My perfect video game would have an open character development system like TSW's ability wheel, combined with a fantasy/sci-fi scenario that is more . . . cheerful. Certainly less unrelenting horror. It would have fairly realistic graphics, but not be a brown world. I would use TSW's gear/wardrobe system, as well, where stats are not tied to the look of the character. Though the actual clothing would fit the scenario. Controls would definitely be PC mouse/keyboard oriented, similar to WoW, TSW, and a host of others, but the option to use a console controller would be available for those who would like. Combat would be kinetic, enabling and requiring motion by all players: active dodge, cast while moving, etc.

Better yet, where's my holodeck? I'd love to step into a world as beautifully realized as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, or Joss Whedon's Firefly. Could you imagine learning "spells" by perfecting hand gestures? Or actually wielding a sword and board or dual pistols? We'd all be a lot more fit, thats for sure.

What video game character do have you have a crush on?
Call me egotistical, but I really liked my Mirialan Trooper, Achillea, in SWTOR. She was tough, tried do the right thing, bucked authority when she thought it was wrong, and was just generally badass. I wish I had gotten to play her more before I got fed up with BioWare's management of the game. Achillea is perhaps the direct predecessor to Samantha "LoneStarBelle" Hawthorn, my no-nonsense, brilliant, and tough-as-nails Lumie character in TSW (shown above). Perhaps for obvious reasons, I make my female characters as attractive as I can. My male characters are generally attractive, too, I think. For their species.

What game has the best music?
I love the original World of Warcraft soundtrack. The expansions have their moments, as well. But WildStar's intro/login music is currently running through my head.

Most memorable moment in a game:
Hitting 60 and stepping through the Dark Portal several months into The Burning Crusade. I was still so amazed at the spectacle of WoW back then. What the graphics engine was capable of. I spent several minutes at one point just admiring the sky.

Scariest moment in a game:
I honestly don't get scared in games, but I'd say running through the underground garage missions in The Secret World.

Most heart-wrenching moment in a game:
SPOILER ALERT
Lately? The destruction of Sadie Brightland's rescue ship in WildStar.
SPOILER OVER

What are your favourite websites/blogs about games?
I don't really follow regular gaming sites, because they're not accessible from my office. Blogs I follow religiously include Syp's Bio Break, Belghast's Tales of the Aggronaut, and Scarybooster's blog. I hesitate to just name a few, because I read several different posts though my gReader app. Basically, check out my blogrolls on the sidebar for the latest, greatest.

What’s the last game you finished?
Like finished, finished? Rise of Nations, I guess, back before I started playing MMOs, which don't really have a "finish."

What future releases are you most excited about?

I suppose Dragon Age Inquisition, but I need to actually finish Origins. Oh! I am also interested to see Firefly Online next year.

Do you identify as a gamer?
I suppose I do, although my "gamer cred" is fairly shallow, I think.

Why do you play video games?
Video Games help me relax; and at the same time, I feel more involved with my leisure time than if I were watching TV or movies all the time. I've made lots of friends in my years in gaming. But most of all I enjoy spending time with my bride in virtual worlds.


This questionnaire was brought to you by Cannot be Tamed in the Spirit of Blaugust!

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