Well I'll be posting my interviews with the various people I get to intervie in here. Hope you guys like it. I'm learning aas I go, and I hope they get better with time.
Paul Charchian is the host of the weekly video game radio show "Video Games Weekly" on KFAN radio & is also the guy behind one of the best fantasy sites on the web with his site fanball.com
First I'd like to start by thanking you Paul for being the first of what I hope will be a regular interview section for the BAR website. With this I'm looking to continue working at getting more interviews with people from all areas of the gaming industry.
1. Xboxbar Paul as a gamer and fan of your radio show I'd like to know what it's like to be one of the first (if not the first) people to be doing a video game specific program on broadcast radio?
Paul C. I'm tremendously fortunate to be in this position. Most sports talk stations don't have a program director like KFAN's Chad Abbott, who was willing to take a chance on niche programming that falls outside of the station's comfort zone. I'm also blessed to be working with Andy McNamara from Game Informer. He's as much of an insider as anyone in the industry, and he's very good on the air.
When Abbott gave us the green light to start the show, we had to decide if we wanted a show that was going to skew toward the station's usual listeners' interest in sports games (Madden, Tiger, etc), or if we would talk about everything happening in the video game world. We decided upon the latter, believing that our listeners were serious enough gamers to want to hear about everything happening in the industry.
The show has been on the air since May, and we've already tweaked the formula for the show significantly. We've added some reoccurring topics, and dropped a few others that weren't resonating. My favorite addition is the "30 second review" feature, in which callers have exactly 30 seconds to give a review of a recently release. It's very fun, and our listeners are getting very good at cramming a lot of thoughtful opinion into 30 seconds.
I really enjoy the show, because Andy and I can cover anything that we feel is important to our listeners. We are unconstrained . We can rejoice in greatness (Bioshock) and deride mediocrity (Lair).
I should also give a tip of the hat to Activision, which had the foresight to sponsor our show, even before we were on the air.
2. Xboxbar How long have you been connected with the gaming industry? Has it only been since the inception of the radio program?
Paul C. Formally, this show is my only sorta-direct connection to the video games industry. I've published some fantasy sports-related PC titles, and I've put a lot of fantasy games into the marketplace. Andy threatens to let me write a review some time, but it hasn't happened yet. I suppose when the next Barbie's Horse Adventure comes out, he'll come knocking.
3. Xboxbar Knowing that you have some "Connections" with the cool folks at the Game Informer magazine/website and other places I'm sure. Have you been privileged enough to get your hands on any games that we have not seen on the store shelves yet? If you have been that lucky can you give us an idea what some of these games coming down the pipeline that you have been "Hands on" are? *side note* if yes you want to hook me up?
Paul C. The guys at the GI office are tremendously cool and friendly with me. Even though I'm not there often, I feel like part of the family, or at least a second cousin. I try not to overstep my bounds with them, and only on rare occasion will I try to look over someone's shoulder to get a sneak preview. For the most part, on the show, Andy plays the role of the insider, and I play the role of the everyday gaming geek.
4. Xboxbar I've been seeing more and more hype and talk on the various sites I read and I've seen many people thinking that this coming holiday season is going to be the start of the Sony comeback. Do you think that they can overtake the 360 by the new year, and do you think that Microsoft will counter this by finally giving the consumer a real price drop?
Paul C. Sony's arrogance and hubris led them to make a variety of poor choices for the PS3 that continue to hamstring the console today. That said, getting to $399 was critical for the system, and will significantly help sales. But, the PS3 will never be cheaper than the 360 or Wii. Microsoft and Nintendo can always undercut Sony on price. So, Sony remains stuck in the same situation that they're in now: they've managed to couple the most expensive console with the least appealing lineup of games. And, that doesn't appear to be changing.
Sony is further hurt because developers don't want to spend millions on a game with a low install base, which further perpetuates a low install base.
5. Xboxbar There are a good deal of fans of the Call of Duty series at BAR and I'm wondering a couple things. First did you have the chance to spend time on the Beta, and if so what did you think of the game at that stage of development? Next what would be the one thing you would like to see changed or altered in the game?
Paul C. I really enjoyed the COD4 multiplayer Beta. The game feels "tight". The controls work well, and the game responds the way that I want it to. The graphics are great, and the feel is gritty and immersive. I've heard a rumor that one magazine (not GI) is going to give it a perfect score in the next issue.
6. Xboxbar Is there any one game coming out for the 360 that is maybe a bit of an unknown, but you think can be a sleeper hit that we all should keep our radar set on?
Paul C. For starters, the hyper-addictive Puzzle Quest just came out for XBLA. It's expensive by Live Arcade standards, but it's much cheaper than its DS or PSP counterparts. I've finished it on my PSP twice, and I'm restarting it on my 360 now. Here's a promising title that has slipped waaaay under the radar: Culdcept Saga. It's a cross between Monopoly and a collectable card game, like Magic: The Gathering. You and your opponents move across a board, gaining controls of each space on the board. You leave behind monster cards to protect the spaces you control. When an opponent lands on your space, he has to either battle your creature for control of the space, or pay rent. The PS2 version was very fun, and the prospects of playing multiplayer over Live is exciting.
7. Xboxbar I'm not sure if you're a parent, but many of us here at BAR are. I'm wondering what your take on the ESRB pretty much forcing some games developers to pull content from the games to keep them all within the lower ratings? Do you think that we as adult gamers should have the right to choose if we want to play a game that is rated "Mature/Adult Only"?
Paul C. I'm disappointed with ESRB and the movie rating system. The ratings systems currently in use are very simple, which is undeniably important, but they don't do enough to explain why a game or movie has received its rating. Did a game get an "M" rating because it's an adventure game with a love story that shows a pair of boobs? Or did it get an "M" rating because the main character saws victims' heads off and eats out of the brain pan? A parent with a 15-year-old should be really sensitive to a game that glorifies casual drug use. Consumers are given words like "Violence" in the rating section, but that's pretty vague. I'd like to see consumers presented with more information about the reasons for ratings, so they can apply their parenting values to each game they allow their kids to play.
8. Xboxbar With the record setting debut of Halo 3 of over $300 million in the first week. Is this the sign that the world is finally taking the gaming Industry in a much more serious light? Or is this just an epidemic of fan boys running wild?
Paul C. There aren't enough fanboys to account for 5,000,000 game sales in a week! Halo's appeal shows that if you meld high production values with well-refined gameplay that appeals to a wide band of gamers, you can build a phenomenon. GTA did it on the PS2; Halo did it on the original Xbox. Rockstar and Microsoft will be challenged to find ways to evolve those franchises as gamers' interests grow and change with time.
9. Xboxbar Finally I'd like to ask the one overplayed question in just about any gamer to gamer interview. If you were stuck on a deserted island, and could only have one game with you to play what game would that be?
Paul C. The key gameplay element here is replayability without multiplayer. Civilization 4 is my winner. Because of its random maps, varied terrain, and plethora of leadership styles, it's got unlimited replayability.
That's all for now, and I'd like to again give a very big thanks to Paul Charchian from KFAN radio and fanball.com for taking time out to answer these questions.
From the staff, members of BAR, and myself I'd like to say Thank you again for taking the time to answer these questions.
Sir Snootch
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Video Games Weekly every Wednesday from 9-10:00pm on KFAN. Fantasy Football Weekly every Saturday from 10-Noon on KFAN. Or for those in areas outside of the KFAN listening area check out the podcasts, and streaming audio @ www.kfan.com
Industry Insider interview 2 W/ Randy "N0M4D" Fitzgerald
Today's Xboxbar industry interview is with Randy "N0M4D" Fitzgerald. Randy is a member of the Major League Gaming (MLG for short) professional video game league. Randy's the captain of the team "First Strike", and also the founder of the EOG (Equal Opportunity Gaming). He's currently attending the Art Institute in Pittsburgh, PA. Majoring in Game Design. He's also attended Brown Institute in Mendota Heights, MN. And he majored in Game Design and Development. Randy is maybe most well known for his gaming skills on the Xbox 360 while only using his lips and chin. He's recently made more news with his connection to Infinity Ward and their upcoming release of COD4. His connection with IW is from his desire and calling attention to the developers of the game to make a control scheme geared towards people with the need for an alternate control setting like he uses. In fact IW has designed a control setting for those in need like Randy. First before starting with the questions I would like to thank Randy for taking timeout of his schedule to answer these questions for us.
1. Xboxbar: My first question is one I'm sure you may get often. What is it like being a part of the MLG, and how did you get started in the league?
N0M4D: Major League Gaming is great. My view on MLG is kind of a unique standpoint. Because of my physical disability, I have never been able to compete in a sport. Well, with MLG I finally can. I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Every man needs to have competition in order to feel complete." That statement is very true for me. When I was younger, my friends would be like, "let's go play basketball!" And of course I couldn't join them. So MLG for me, is like taking that ball, giving them that devilish grin, and saying, "It's my ballgame now." To answer your question about how I started. I was part of the H2O/PMS Clan and they helped sponsor my team to compete because they acknowledged we were good enough to compete at a professional level. Unfortunately, we are no longer affiliated with PMS/H2O due to political reasons.
2. Xboxbar: When did you realize you had the skill to get yourself into he next level of gaming, and what game was it that you started with in the MLG?
N0M4D: Again, I realized it after many people were like, "Damn N0M4D! You should go pro!" The game we started in was Rainbow Six Vegas. We kicked a lot of ass in Charlotte, NC earlier this summer!
3. Xboxbar: With your current education (And on-going schooling) in game making. What is your ultimate goal in the gaming industry?
N0M4D: Wow that's a tough one. I guess I have several goals. One is to continue being a recognizable figure within the industry. Two, help developers think outside the box when it comes to accessible options. And three, make the best First Person Shooter of all time.
4. Xboxbar: If you could work for any company in the gaming industry right now what company would it be, and why?
N0M4D: At this moment in time? Infinity Ward. Because during the public beta of Call of Duty 4, they showed their fans that they really do care about them. I'd love to work for a compassionate company like them.
5. Xboxbar: With the current acquisition of Bioware and Pandemic studios by EA. In your opinion do you see this as an ever-growing problem for the industry? Does this kind of move by this or any other company take away from the overall creativity of these development houses?
N0M4D: EA is already a tremendous powerhouse within the industry and constantly gaining momentum. That being said, I think buying out those two studios was not necessary. Do I think their future titles will be uninspired and watered down after joing under the EA corporate umbrella? Most definately. I believe in the future,a large part of the industry will be independant games and developers free from publisher powerhouses such as EA.
6. Xboxbar: What's the level of gaming in the MLG like, and is it harder than most gamers might think to be competitive at that level?
N0M4D: The competition at MLG is extremely stiff. Farthest my team has ever made it was like 5th round. I believe there are 8 rounds altogether. We make it far though. Only advice I can give is if you attend a pro tournament, be prepared 6 months in advance. And buy professional headphones with microphones. The crowd can be distracting.
7. Xboxbar: I've looked a little at the EOG site, and I have to say that it's nice to see someone out there that's not just in it for the dollars. You are trying to give back to society. With the EOG. How did that get started, and how is that going right now?
N0M4D: EOG is going great! 412 members and growing! EOG was founded by my good friend Matt Kasharian and I. The reason we started it was because some clans claim they are fighting for equality. When the truth is they are actually fighting for elitism. EOG stands for real equality in gamers. We think of EOG as more of a belief system than a clan. We want to break the stereotype that gamers are no good couch potatoes. Anyone who joins EOG, all we ask is to do something in your community that helps out. And if you ever join a pro league, to give a small amount of your winnings to the make a wish foundation.
8. Xboxbar: With your time spent on the COD4 beta you came to the conclusion that for gamers like yourself there needed to be a better control scheme developed to allow for a easier and better way to play. How did you go about getting IW to make that change for not just you, but many gamers and fans of the COD franchise?
N0M4D: Alot of people in the beta knew who I was already. I told them I was going to write a letter asking for the control change. I posted that letter on the charlieoscardelta.com forums and that post quickly turned into a petition with 23,566 hits and 450 replies. Plus, Robert Bowling, the community manager at Infinity Ward, knew me from E3 2006. Microsoft had a promotional thing going on about doing live blogs from the E3 show floor. Robert and I were among several who were chosen to bring E3 to the consumers living room. My articles were chosen the best of E3 2006!
9. Xboxbar: Honestly I've checked out the pictures on your Myspace, and I have to say it sure looks like the life of a Pro Gamer is pretty nice. Is it everything it seems or is there some deep, dark, terrible things you elite players have to deal with?
N0M4D: We definately are not Elites. I will never think I am better than another human being. But pro gaming definately has its moments! It can be expensive though. If you're not winning and you don't have sponsors, you won't last long financially. The only bad thing that I've personally had to deal with is stalkers. Normally I'd love to have girls stalking me. But oh my god! This one girl, half my age, was telling me she loved me, and wanted to marry me and would send me provacative pictures. Not that I mind all that, but you could tell she was obsessive. Freaked me out. Another thing I have to deal with is discrimination. Some players down play my skill level because I beat them. I hear, "He's not that good, I went easy on him." At an $8,000 tournament? Yeah right. That aside though, Pro gaming is great. You make about 50 friends and 4 enemies per event haha.
10. Xboxbar: I noticed you have a link on the EOG site for "The Make a Wish Foundation". Do you work with them helping grant wishes? Also if you do what kind of things have you done with them?
N0M4D: When I was 16, I had severe scoliosis. I had an extensive surgery to correct it that left me in a 4 month coma. I was in the hospital almost an entire year for rehabilitation. I was a Make-a-Wish recipient. They gave me a Sega Saturn with 12 games, a new tv, a stereo, imported speakers, and an entertainment center. So now, 12 years later, I want to give a child the same happiness I was given. Some of us EOG guys volunteer at Mayo clinics Childrens Hospital. We play video games with the kids who are dying of cancer or aids. We rent them movies, throw them pizza parties. Anything we can do to make their hospital stay more pleasant.
11. Xboxbar: Finally I will make this as easy as I can. I've seen all of these hot chicks on your Myspace profile, and I have to ask. Do the hot chicks really dig gamers, or is it all just your smooth and suave style? J
N0M4D: It's both haha. All the girls on my top friends are part of EOG. Also, they are on the MLG Pro Circuit. I'm hoping some of them love me though!
--- For myself, the staff, and all the members at Xboxbar.com I'd like to again say thanks to Randy "N0M4D' Fitzgerald for doing this interview, and also for being a breath of fresh air in the gaming world.
Sir Snootch
For more information on the MLG, EOG, and Randy feel free to check out the links below.
