Gamer, photographer, father, Community Spotlight organizer. Xbox America member Iskateboard, Steak, Stake has made his mark on the community - in a big way. I had a chance to ask him a few questions over a longer period of time than normal 
and got to find out a little more about the man with the weird gamertag.
Mini: First off tell us a bit about yourself.
Stake: My name is Tyler, but people on Live call me Stake. I've been gaming since the days of the NES, which is roughly about 20 years. My fiance and I had our daughter back in May and I've been enjoying the wild ride of parenthood ever since. When I'm not gaming or spending time with family, I practice honing my photography skills. I have a website that I sell my prints from for extra money and I've been skateboarding since I was 14... oh, and I work for UPS.
Mini: Very nice, well one of my "standard" questions is how did you find out about Xbox America?
Stake: I noticed people on other forums with their state ranking in their signatures and I wanted to know mine. After a little searching I stumbled upon XBA and the rest is history.
Mini: Alright man, what is with the gamertag? You like to skateboard but you know its spelled incorrectly right? What is the story behind that?
Stake: Whenever AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) first came out I registered and needed a user name. The only name I wanted to use at the time was "iskateboard." Unfortunately I couldn't use the name because it had already been taken by someone else. After thinking about using a completely different name, I decided to switch the letters around in 'iskateboard' to get 'istakebroad.' This name stuck and I've used it ever since.
Looking back, I'm happy that I have such an awkward tag or username. Whenever I set up an account anywhere, I'm guaranteed that no one is using that name.
Mini: Ahh, I guess I shouldn't sound so harsh "oger" is technically spelled wrong, but I do understand no one else having the name used, it makes it easy to set up an account! Skipping back a subject or two.....from what I have seen your photography is fantastic, and plans for a career in that field?
Stake: Thanks! As much as I'd like to pursue a career in photography, it remains a hobby for me at the moment. Lately I have considered going back to finish college, but I'm still not sure which direction I'd like to go. I would definitely be happy to work in the gaming industry. Whatever I decide to do, I can't stress enough how important a college education is. I don't sound like a parent at all!
Mini: No, not at all, being a parent is fun! I have a 9 year old son who is already a gamer and a little girl on the way, any plans for your daughter to be one of the gamerchix perhaps?
Stake: Congratulations on the addition to your family. If my daughter enjoys video games when she's older, that would be wonderful. I would definitely tell her to join the Gamerchix. Whatever she likes to do in the future I'll support her 100%.
Mini: I'm not sure how I would feel about my daughter playing some of those girly games, but yeah I'll probably be the same way they can do or play what they want. On a gaming note - its the start of 2010, are there any games coming out this year that YOU want to get your hands on?
Stake: To be honest, there are some games from 2009 that I still want to get my hands on. I have yet to play Assassin's Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. For 2010, I'm looking forward to Bioshock 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and the new Medal of Honor.
Mini: I loved AC2 (shameless plug!!) and L4D2 was a blast, but yeah 2010 looks good as well, I could add about 10 other games to your list of games to play in 2010. However, in 2009 Xboxamerica got to have its first Community Playdate on XBL, playing Modern Warfare 2. From all accounts it looks like the CP was a big success, any idea of how many non-site members you had the opportunity to play with?
Stake: I don't have exact numbers, but I invited all the non-members that sent me friend requests and messages. If I had to guess, there were about 35 non-site members join up in the room Ralph the Rogue and I were hosting.
Mini: Awesome. I have to take the time to shout out to Crooklyn at this point for his huge part in setting up the CS as well! Thanks Crook! We love you too!
Back to the interview....any particular moment you want to share that went on during the CP? Like maybe some owning of noobs or just a funny moment during the games?
Stake: We played several private matches with a full room (9 on 9) and weapon-specific rules which made for some great moments. One particular match was played with knives only and it ended with iDetroitSniper throwing a knife at the enemy from about 50 yards uphill. The knife bounced off of the ground and struck the opponent in the back to get the match-winning kill. The KillCam had everyone 'awed' for several moments. I also want to send a big "thank you" to Crooklyn as well!!
Mini: Wow, that would have been awesome to see. I guess that will teach me to buy games other than MW2....lol. So what are the odds that we might see XBA back in the Community Playdate in the future?
Stake: Count on it! There is talk of arranging another as we speak.
Well that is a wrap folks, please remember to send me nominations for the February Community Spotlight and get them in soon, see ya next time!
and got to find out a little more about the man with the weird gamertag.Mini: First off tell us a bit about yourself.
Stake: My name is Tyler, but people on Live call me Stake. I've been gaming since the days of the NES, which is roughly about 20 years. My fiance and I had our daughter back in May and I've been enjoying the wild ride of parenthood ever since. When I'm not gaming or spending time with family, I practice honing my photography skills. I have a website that I sell my prints from for extra money and I've been skateboarding since I was 14... oh, and I work for UPS.
Mini: Very nice, well one of my "standard" questions is how did you find out about Xbox America?
Stake: I noticed people on other forums with their state ranking in their signatures and I wanted to know mine. After a little searching I stumbled upon XBA and the rest is history.
Mini: Alright man, what is with the gamertag? You like to skateboard but you know its spelled incorrectly right? What is the story behind that?
Stake: Whenever AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) first came out I registered and needed a user name. The only name I wanted to use at the time was "iskateboard." Unfortunately I couldn't use the name because it had already been taken by someone else. After thinking about using a completely different name, I decided to switch the letters around in 'iskateboard' to get 'istakebroad.' This name stuck and I've used it ever since.
Looking back, I'm happy that I have such an awkward tag or username. Whenever I set up an account anywhere, I'm guaranteed that no one is using that name.
Mini: Ahh, I guess I shouldn't sound so harsh "oger" is technically spelled wrong, but I do understand no one else having the name used, it makes it easy to set up an account! Skipping back a subject or two.....from what I have seen your photography is fantastic, and plans for a career in that field?
Stake: Thanks! As much as I'd like to pursue a career in photography, it remains a hobby for me at the moment. Lately I have considered going back to finish college, but I'm still not sure which direction I'd like to go. I would definitely be happy to work in the gaming industry. Whatever I decide to do, I can't stress enough how important a college education is. I don't sound like a parent at all!
Mini: No, not at all, being a parent is fun! I have a 9 year old son who is already a gamer and a little girl on the way, any plans for your daughter to be one of the gamerchix perhaps?
Stake: Congratulations on the addition to your family. If my daughter enjoys video games when she's older, that would be wonderful. I would definitely tell her to join the Gamerchix. Whatever she likes to do in the future I'll support her 100%.
Mini: I'm not sure how I would feel about my daughter playing some of those girly games, but yeah I'll probably be the same way they can do or play what they want. On a gaming note - its the start of 2010, are there any games coming out this year that YOU want to get your hands on?
Stake: To be honest, there are some games from 2009 that I still want to get my hands on. I have yet to play Assassin's Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. For 2010, I'm looking forward to Bioshock 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and the new Medal of Honor.
Mini: I loved AC2 (shameless plug!!) and L4D2 was a blast, but yeah 2010 looks good as well, I could add about 10 other games to your list of games to play in 2010. However, in 2009 Xboxamerica got to have its first Community Playdate on XBL, playing Modern Warfare 2. From all accounts it looks like the CP was a big success, any idea of how many non-site members you had the opportunity to play with?
Stake: I don't have exact numbers, but I invited all the non-members that sent me friend requests and messages. If I had to guess, there were about 35 non-site members join up in the room Ralph the Rogue and I were hosting.
Mini: Awesome. I have to take the time to shout out to Crooklyn at this point for his huge part in setting up the CS as well! Thanks Crook! We love you too!
Back to the interview....any particular moment you want to share that went on during the CP? Like maybe some owning of noobs or just a funny moment during the games?Stake: We played several private matches with a full room (9 on 9) and weapon-specific rules which made for some great moments. One particular match was played with knives only and it ended with iDetroitSniper throwing a knife at the enemy from about 50 yards uphill. The knife bounced off of the ground and struck the opponent in the back to get the match-winning kill. The KillCam had everyone 'awed' for several moments. I also want to send a big "thank you" to Crooklyn as well!!
Mini: Wow, that would have been awesome to see. I guess that will teach me to buy games other than MW2....lol. So what are the odds that we might see XBA back in the Community Playdate in the future?
Stake: Count on it! There is talk of arranging another as we speak.
Well that is a wrap folks, please remember to send me nominations for the February Community Spotlight and get them in soon, see ya next time!
