IRGRL

This interview was done in email as @WeFlySpitfires was in Japan on vacation with his lovely wife. I appreciate the time he took, and the interview is fantastic! A funny and interesting person that I am glad to follow on twitter!

So, tell  the readers a bit about yourself?

My name is Gordon, I’m 27, I live in Edinburgh, Scotland with my wife and I work as a developer for a web company.

How long have you been gaming?

Forever! I think I was born with a computer controller in my hand. I remember my brother having a ZX Spectrum back in the late 80s and then he got NES and I got an original Gameboy for Christmas one year. I must have been about 8 years old when I got it and I remember opening the box and having absolutely no idea what it was. It was like receiving something from the future and it captivated me immediately. After that we went through every computer imaginable, SNES, Commodore, several PCs, Megadrive, MegaCD, Saturn, Dreamcast, N64, GBA. Right now I’ve got a PS3, PSP, DS, laptop and, of course, a PC.

What type of gaming do you prefer? (computer, console, etc.)

I prefer my PC for MMORPGs and strategy games and my PS3 console for multiplayer games like Guitar Hero or Tekken. I can’t really play the PS3 by myself as I find it kinda dull but it’s a blast with my friends. My PC on the other hand is my lifeblood and fuels my internet addiction and MMO habits. I barely use my DS or PSP now that I have an iPhone.

How does your wife feel about it? Do they game?

My wife is incredibly tolerant of all the time I spend in front of some of computer screen especially considering she’s not at all a geek (well maybe just a little). She does get pissed when I overdo it though so I have to work a careful balance of gaming and blogging and yet still making sure I give her enough attention.

When did you decide to blog your gaming knowledge?

Christmas Day 2008. Strange, I know.

In reading your blog I notice that you pack a lot of info in about 3 paragraphs, keeping each one relatively short and sweet, is this intentional or unintentional? By the way I think this works best in blogging, whats your feel on it as well?

It’s intentional. I prefer reading short articles over long ones so I try to make sure I write that way. It’s actually pretty difficult to try and pack a lot of info into a few paragraphs (I try to stick to about 500 words) as it’s easy to get carried away but I find that limiting myself focuses me and forces me to stay on topic which, I hope, makes for a better read.

Whats your (to date) best experience in gaming? Worst experience?

Best gaming experience is probably the first time I played Everquest. It was 1999 and the concept of online gaming was still pretty new, let alone the idea of playing in a large, persistent online world. I remember walking around with my first character, bumping into someone and saying ‘hi’. They said ‘hi’ back and I was utterly thrilled! It was so cool to be existing in a virtual world.

My worst experience was with HOME on the PS3. In case you don’t know, HOME is a free virtual world for PS3 users to socialize in. After months of delays it was finally released so I eagerly downloaded in, created an avatar and jumped straight in. Immediately after walking into the main lobby area, the first person I met took one look at me and called me a “c*nt”. I never logged back in.

Are you currently playing anything now?

I currently playing EVE Online mainly although I still dabble around in World of Warcraft with some of my work colleagues.

Has any game had you completely addicted, to where you planned other real life events around it? IF not, have any come close?

I’ve fortunately never succumb to the full onslaught of gaming addiction but I’ve come close. My most intense period was during the summer of 2001 when I playing Everquest and put in about 8 hours a day. I never planned real life events around it – I always maintained my motto of “RL > EQ” – but I do recall once cancelling some event I didn’t really fancy going to just so I chill at home and play.

Besides your obvious passions, what other things interest you?

A lot of stuff. I love reading and writing, Japan, world history, US politics, photography and internet technologies. I also love squash (I think it’s called racquetball in the US) and long boarding (long skateboards) although I haven’t done the latter in a couple of years, mainly because I’ve developed a healthy fear of breaking the bones in my body. Turns out both my regular boarder buddies had broken both their arms (one simultaneously) and it kinda puts me off. I don’t relish the idea of having to get someone else to hold my appendage whilst I urinate.

What is one thing the readers would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m exactly the same height in cm as I am weight in pounds (lbs) and both my feet are exactly one foot long.

If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you want with you?

A satellite phone, a solar powered battery charger and my laptop.

Thank you soooo much Gordon! I only wish I could of had the opportunity to do this on messenger, such a lovely personality that you are