Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fanterview: Eric

Eric

Name or your preferred online alias: Eric
- online hero code: Major Mortal, Guns A Blazin’, Ally K Zam
- online villain code: Tall Dark and Scary, Master Workshop

What do you for work in real life?
I manage a business systems configuration team for a major energy company. We are involved in supporting our field devices, testing process and system improvement solutions, managing change, adhering to audit guidelines and communicating updates to stakeholders… (dang I need a raise!)

What is your favorite food?
Pizza… and meatloaf…. ooo pizza meatloaf… or meatloaf pizza.

Favorite movies?
for a long time it was Brokeback Mountain.
More recently, the Incredible Hulk and Captain America: the First Avenger

Any big events in your life this year you want to give a shout out about?
My parents recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, a good time was had by all.

Still mourning the loss of my fav online game.

… went to the zoo the other day?

What would boundaries do you think MWM can push with their first MMO project?
There are many ways to maintain the playability that we all enjoyed in COH, but with a modern spin, making the avatar creator available as an app on iphone and android would satisfy my innate alt-itis, I’d be able to work on my alt toons anytime or place, not just conceptualize them until I could get to the avatar creator.

There was a link to a kickstarter called Occulus something or other that a member posted, the concept would be brilliant, a truly immersive experience once the game has matured.

The key I believe is to maintain the spirit of the community, understand why we love the genre, and build on that.

The possibilities are only limited by our imagination.

What was your reaction to seeing the KS campaign explode in the first three days?
Mixed emotions, excited that the funding was becoming a reality, hesitant because a project like this is huge, concerned that NCSoft might take notice and pull a Galactus on the new world…. but mostly just really proud of our community for once again coming together.

Where do you think the campaign is likely to finish at?
hmm.. calls upon the mystic powers of Ally K Zam…. crystal balling it at about $700,000
(if she is wrong, its because she’s been out of practice for a year)

I know we’ve leaked very little so far about the game, City of Titans, but what are things you’d like to know about?
Big question…. game play, the landscape, power animations, mostly the lore.. I have yet to see an ingame model of one of the iconic NPCs, there has been some artwork, but I’d like to see the Statesman and LR of the new world. I’d love to see some online comic work focused on the lore background closer to launch. And I’d love to see more artwork!

Did you read Cube’s update about instanced content? If so, what do you think about the plans for an immersive environment experience? Link
Its all very exciting stuff, I enjoyed the interactive approach.. its like shooting an arrow at the dynamite that the trolls were moving around and doing damage to them in the process… with so many years of advancement in engine technology, it makes sense that this would be the next step.

Did you read the update on some of the first zones coming out? Link
I’m very excited for the zones (give me a dino zone and I’m yours! with dino mutant mobs, a dino AV and a weapon blinged GM T-Rex...sigh)

For me the key to becoming engaged with a new world and new mythology is choosing the correct names for the towns, the mobs, the NPCs, so far everything I have read feels right, like you have a team dedicated to the lore that feels as passionately about this genre as I do.

What will be the first thing you do in Titan City when the game launches?
likely spend a weekend creating characters and bases.. although if those are pre launched anyway.. I’ll be looking for my old team and getting the gang together for new missions.

What is it that attracts you to the Superhero genre?
Apart from the obvious.. spandex and capes… the whole concept of the Superhero genre is one of inclusion. You can introduce elements of fantasy, aliens, future tech, monsters, mythology… it really is endless. There is no realm that can’t be introduced into a Superhero universe. Other worlds can be very enjoyable also, but when you can play with the entire menu, why limit yourself? All of this being anchored by the heroes that you create to live your life through their amazing experiences.

What is your favorite super power and why?
There was at one time a universe called the Ultraverse, and within that universe there was a character called Hardcase.. typical superman type… interesting backstory… he had a love interest, a superhero called Choice…. she had the ability to choose any superpower she needed.. but only one power at a time.. that concept always fascinated me.. in many ways, COH was like that.. some of the powers seemed very random and unrelated giving some of my toons that ‘Choice-ish’ feeling. so in conclusion… Choice’s power of choice… is my choice.

What do you think defines a hero (or a villain?)
Thats a good question, I guess for me, understanding their motivation point. At what historical point does an individual make the choice to become a hero or villain… or to walk that fine line in between.

If you had them, do you think having super powers would be a blessing or a burden?
The closest analogy I can think of to answer this question.. if today, every single person in the world were given a million dollars.. what would happen? To some, it would make very little difference, to others it would vastly change their lives, either for the better or for worse. Many would choose to do evil with the money, many would do good, many would make selfish decisions, others wouldn’t know what to do with it and it would be gone in no time.

So to answer the question.. I’m not sure too many people would know what to do with their superpowers.. it would likely be a burden.. just watch ‘Chronicle’ for the closest and most true interpretation of how I think it would turn out.

Have you witnessed any acts of heroism lately that have inspired you?
I believe there are heroes all around us everyday doing the right thing for the right reasons. From the obvious cops and firemen, doctors and nurses, teachers and mentors. To witness them we only have to open up our eyes.

What is your favorite quote and why?
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent - Maya Angelou

If you are going through hell…. keep going…. - Winston Churchill

If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything - Unknown

all of these quotes are about inner strength, its the way I live my life and partly why I am drawn to the superhero genre.

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