This month I got to sit down and have an interesting chat with Shockwave22. One of XbA's relatively new members, Shockwave hails from Minnesota, and fits in with XbA's ever-growing population of "Gamer-Dads". Currently, he is playing Phantasy Star Universe and Unreal Tournament III.
Hektic: Thanks for sitting down with me this month, Shockwave. So, being a new member, could you tell XbA a little about yourself?
Shockwave22: Well I'm currently unemployed due to health issues. I'm an only child, and I have just one son. I also have a 5yr old cat named Salem. We call him psycho Salem sometimes, lol. My Dad passed away when I was 16, and it was hard on me. I don't drink or smoke. I seen what it did to my dad and I dont want that to happen to my son.
H: I'm sorry to hear about your father, but that is a good decision you've made. Tell me, do you have any hobbies besides gaming?
S: I collect Transformers and baseball/football cards, but not as much as i used to. I love music, too: I listen to Hip-hop, Pop, Rock, Metal, Alternative, Country...
H: Ah, a varied taste just like mine
Why limit yourself, I always say. So do you have all the old 80's transformers? That would be awesome!
S: No I don't. When I was younger, my mom made me sell them at a garage sale >:I However I do have an original Shockwave and Omega Surpreme, as well as alot of the re-issues.
H: Well, at least you still have an original Shockwave
So what games are you currently playing?
S: I play alot of FPS and RPGs with some action and platformers here and there. I am playing Unreal tournament 3 and Gears of War the most right now. If they update PSU (Phantasy Star Universe), I play a lot of that with family and friends.
H: I'm curious; how did you get your family to game with you? I may need to know this for future reference...
S: Well, when I was playing Phantasy Star Online on the dreamcast, my wife played sometimes. My son just watched me and wanted to play, lol. Now we all have a 360! I have a PS3 also: Its a great paperweight, lol.
I never convinced them to play, they just started too. My wife doesn't play a lot though, but I'm ok with that, lol!
H: So your family has some quality time with PSU? I played the beta for it, but never got too involved in the game when it was released.
S: We used to, but now not so much due to Sega's pathetic updates. When they do update, we normaly hop back on until we need a break again, lol.
H: Well, do you find yourself trash-talking your family members alot
S: Yes we do. I do it to both of them and they return the favor, lol. But we all know we're kidding around
H: It sounds like your 360 gets a lot of attention; any idea what your favorite console was/is?
S: Well My 360 does get used a lot, but so does my son's (Starscream v22)! My wife (Shamrock30) works at 6 a.m., so she plays when she can.
As for my favorite console; right now its the 360, though I did enjoy the Dreamcast a lot.
H: Yes, I have fond memories of the Dreamcast as well. Looking at the future of the 360, have you looked into the info on the new Xbox Experience releasing this fall? Any strong feelings toward any new features that may be coming? The graphical revamp, the avatars, the achievement "medals", etc?
S: I have seen it. I like the new look with themes now, but I am not big on the Avatar thing. I think it will be cool for the game show feature, but I'm still hoping we can use our gamerpics. I like my Shockwave pic! Lol.
H: So, can we see the whole family streaming differenent movies from netflix on different tvs in the house, while talking on their xbl headsets? Lol!
S: Nope. I don't have a netflix account, but maybe someday
H: Well, out of all the new releases coming up, which is the next game you think you are most excited for? Barring Gears 2, of course
S: I guess Infinte Undiscovery, but Gears 2 would be my first choice.
H: In your opinion, what features/values does a game have to have in order to make it a really great game? Customizable multiplayer, in-depth story, etc.
S: It has to have a good Story, for sure. I would also have to be enjoyable, of course. And Challenging, too, as far as multiplayer. I guess it really depends on the game.
H: Very true. Well Shockwave, I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank you for talking with me and letting the XbA community have a look at the man behind the Tag. As always, if you have any questions for Shockwave feel free to post them below. I'm sure he would love to answer them, assuming he's not too busy getting fragged by your's truly in Unreal Tournament III
Hektic: Thanks for sitting down with me this month, Shockwave. So, being a new member, could you tell XbA a little about yourself?
Shockwave22: Well I'm currently unemployed due to health issues. I'm an only child, and I have just one son. I also have a 5yr old cat named Salem. We call him psycho Salem sometimes, lol. My Dad passed away when I was 16, and it was hard on me. I don't drink or smoke. I seen what it did to my dad and I dont want that to happen to my son.
H: I'm sorry to hear about your father, but that is a good decision you've made. Tell me, do you have any hobbies besides gaming?
S: I collect Transformers and baseball/football cards, but not as much as i used to. I love music, too: I listen to Hip-hop, Pop, Rock, Metal, Alternative, Country...
H: Ah, a varied taste just like mine
Why limit yourself, I always say. So do you have all the old 80's transformers? That would be awesome!S: No I don't. When I was younger, my mom made me sell them at a garage sale >:I However I do have an original Shockwave and Omega Surpreme, as well as alot of the re-issues.
H: Well, at least you still have an original Shockwave
So what games are you currently playing?S: I play alot of FPS and RPGs with some action and platformers here and there. I am playing Unreal tournament 3 and Gears of War the most right now. If they update PSU (Phantasy Star Universe), I play a lot of that with family and friends.
H: I'm curious; how did you get your family to game with you? I may need to know this for future reference...
S: Well, when I was playing Phantasy Star Online on the dreamcast, my wife played sometimes. My son just watched me and wanted to play, lol. Now we all have a 360! I have a PS3 also: Its a great paperweight, lol.
I never convinced them to play, they just started too. My wife doesn't play a lot though, but I'm ok with that, lol!
H: So your family has some quality time with PSU? I played the beta for it, but never got too involved in the game when it was released.
S: We used to, but now not so much due to Sega's pathetic updates. When they do update, we normaly hop back on until we need a break again, lol.
H: Well, do you find yourself trash-talking your family members alot
S: Yes we do. I do it to both of them and they return the favor, lol. But we all know we're kidding around
H: It sounds like your 360 gets a lot of attention; any idea what your favorite console was/is?
S: Well My 360 does get used a lot, but so does my son's (Starscream v22)! My wife (Shamrock30) works at 6 a.m., so she plays when she can.
As for my favorite console; right now its the 360, though I did enjoy the Dreamcast a lot.
H: Yes, I have fond memories of the Dreamcast as well. Looking at the future of the 360, have you looked into the info on the new Xbox Experience releasing this fall? Any strong feelings toward any new features that may be coming? The graphical revamp, the avatars, the achievement "medals", etc?
S: I have seen it. I like the new look with themes now, but I am not big on the Avatar thing. I think it will be cool for the game show feature, but I'm still hoping we can use our gamerpics. I like my Shockwave pic! Lol.
H: So, can we see the whole family streaming differenent movies from netflix on different tvs in the house, while talking on their xbl headsets? Lol!
S: Nope. I don't have a netflix account, but maybe someday
H: Well, out of all the new releases coming up, which is the next game you think you are most excited for? Barring Gears 2, of course
S: I guess Infinte Undiscovery, but Gears 2 would be my first choice.
H: In your opinion, what features/values does a game have to have in order to make it a really great game? Customizable multiplayer, in-depth story, etc.
S: It has to have a good Story, for sure. I would also have to be enjoyable, of course. And Challenging, too, as far as multiplayer. I guess it really depends on the game.
H: Very true. Well Shockwave, I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank you for talking with me and letting the XbA community have a look at the man behind the Tag. As always, if you have any questions for Shockwave feel free to post them below. I'm sure he would love to answer them, assuming he's not too busy getting fragged by your's truly in Unreal Tournament III
