Sunday Sit down with Shrivasta "A (Grievance)Girl Gamer"

A (Grievance)Girl Gamer

Hello Exiles and Dominion of the planet Nexus and beyond! My name is Zilvis. This is my end of the week community spotlight that I’ll be doing each and every week to delve a little more into who a certain member of the WildStar community is, learn the what and why of their choice to migrate to Nexus, and maybe some surprises along the way. The way I looked at it we're all community bound like brothers and sisters in this game of WildStar. Why not get to know someone a bit better? Once again welcome, sit back, and prepare to meet this week's community member. She's very busy all the time on Twitter,FB, and her streams, a proud member of The Grievance Girls, Shrivasta! Welcome to Sunday Sit down. 

I’ll let you write a little introduction. 

If you have other monikers some may know you by, feel free to throw them out there. Mainly just tell where people can find you online and any background you'd like to share we might not know.

 Thanks Zil, I'm very honored to be on this weeks Sit down.

I have been a member of the Grievance Community for two years prior to becoming the Marketing Director.  

Question 1:As this is a WildStar themed project, we'll get those underway first. As most of us at one time or another have asked ourselves, what is WildStar?

WildStar is hopefully going to be my last stop in the long line of MMO searching.

Question 2: What is one thing in the game you’re most hoping to be perfectly done, whether because it's needed or just something for your experience specifically?

Guild mechanics- other games have very limited control or interface.  Also very much looking forward to warplots and PVP with the twist that Carbine has included its going to be not only very competitive but fun overall. Well, who are we kidding anything that can get me a clean head shot lol

Question 3: I did a blog post discussing maybe why someone might pick one race over another in WildStar. What race do you think you identify with and why, even if it won't necessarily be your main?

I will be rolling the saucy but classy Aurin..  How do I identify you ask? Looks innocent but very deadly!

Question 4: I'm sure everyone has their WildStar moment, as I call it, that quintessential thing that cinched in your decision on the game.

One word Rowsdower!

In all seriousness I love the over all theme of the game. What really drew me in is the innate sense of community the Carbine team has and is keeping to in the development of this game.  For me it feels like home

Question 5: What aspect of WildStar are you most excited about and feel you'll spend the most time on such as Questing-Housing-PVP?

I'm excited about the Warplots, housing, PVP and the promise of incoming content on a regular basis . As for spending my time well I have to get in there to decorate my house, as well post a sign for "Roommate Wanted" to start the search for the perfect person to share my home.

Question 6: Out of everyone from Carbine that you've interacted with, who has surprised you the most for one thing or another by what you have seen that they have said or done so far?

I just love Jon Wiseman's sense of humor. Jen Bardic has designed the Arena Game play in WildStar just for me lol. Love that feeling when you can suggest something and it actually gets considered and put in a game.

Question 7: If you were given the power to either alter the game in some way or add something to it that has not been mentioned or rumored, what would it be and why?

Flying spacecraft mounts that players could craft with artifacts. If you find an artifact that matches your race bonus stats!

Question 8: What is the one thing you want Carbine on a personal level or business level to know that you yourself have enjoyed from them?

I have enjoyed the stance Carbine has taken with the community in sticking to there guns on the vision of the game.

OK, that's it for the cross section on WildStar Q's. Next is a few Q's to get to know Shrivasta a bit better besides her amazing exploits across Nexus!

Question 9: What originally had drawn you to Grievance and specifically The Grievance Girls?

Grievance Global Gaming is about Family Honor and Loyalty above all. We understand that everyone has real life obligations and family time comes first.  With the GGGirls we have fun in everything we do, there is something to be said about playing a game and everyone is all about the accessories and dye colors.

Question 10: How long have you been gaming and what are your top 3 moments you'd say you remember in your own personal gaming history?

I have been gaming for over 10yrs, most memorable moment would be when my husband first approached me to game.  I tried my hand at healing knowing nothing about an MMO. .  Death after death after death I promptly changed to tanking.

Question 11: Besides Gaming and Internet goodness do you have any other interests or hobbies you find fun?

I spent my first 20 years as an executive chef. So I'm a true foodie at heart.

Question 12: Your super active in talking on twitter with various people, live streaming, doing charity work, and guild related things,have you always been community oriented like this or is it something new for you?

I have always been an active community person. I love meeting new people and hearing their views on games. 

Question 13: Shrivasta, is there any hidden talents or trade skills you'd like to share? Is there something new you'd like to learn?

I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar.

Question 14: Simple one now I promise. Do you have any pets? If you could have any real or made up pet, what would it be?

I have two dogs one is a Jack Russel the other is a Jack Russel Shitzu mix

Question 15: Finally, If there were one person living or dead, real or fake that you could sit down and have a long discussion with, who would it be and why?

Abraham Lincoln or Napoleon- They both were great men of there time.  I would love to get there views on how our laws and government structure has changed in 2013.

OK, Shrivasta, I hope that wasn't too painful for you. I appreciate you being a guest for the Sunday Sit down. Now, I’ll let you have free reign. If there's anything else not asked here that you'd like to get out there that you think would be interesting for us to know, feel free to share. Things like plugs for your twitter or anything, and of course feel free to give shout outs of any kind!

I have started a fund to fulfill a goal to establish a Non Profit organization. This organization would be centered around the two things I'm passionate about Gaming and Charity.

With the support of the community in which I belong to we would use our passion for gaming to raise funds for charities such as Children's Miracle Network, Make-a-wish, Autism speaks, and more.

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/fb6x7

That's it Folks. Everything you'd want to know about Shrivasta and hopefully more! I thank her again for putting up with me as well as you the reader. Each and every week we will have a new and fascinating community member to learn about and see what really does make the WildStar community tick inside and out. Feel free to contact me anytime on twitter @zilvis78, comment below, or if you bump into me on the interwebs say hi!

Saturday Night Sketch: Grand Theft Autotoon!

Gamers have heart too.

"Gamers have heart too"

     Hello all Nexians and non Nexians, I will forgo this weeks rant on games, industry, and general craziness for a little bit of reality at hand. I could have easily made this my first post on my semi-professional site but felt sharing it with you all who are such a great group of people was much more appropriate. It snuck up on me as it usually does but Sept. 11th is upon us again. Now I won't go into a 40 paragraph retelling and say alot of the typical things that are important yes but already said many times over. I will simply state that while it was a trying event we have bounced back as always we do no matter the problem.

      What I wanna talk about is why it matters to me, I don't have family involved, I knew absolutely zero directly impacted or even in the entire state of New York. I'm not super patriotic, I admire the military and anyone who has served but I can't say I attend parades or events to be perfectly honest. Now every year I tend to do something different, I've written poems, did art, signed virtual cards, even something simple like making  an in game character for 24 hours red white and blue in their outfit. 

       It's natural that now as I am blogging regularly this is a logical next step in my annual rememberance of this day. My story is like many,but maybe with a tiny slight twist making me not only remember that day and year but an edge of a happy memory as well. It start as I woke up to the dj on the radio talking about the first plane crash. Now I listened to a comedic morning show so hearing that my first thought was "Weird Joke dudes".I honestly thought it a morning show sketch,I meandered around the house,turned on the computer and sat down. I then turned on the tv and saw the news reports saying a second plane had hit.

       Now I'm not one to start freaking out and thinking the worst but I began wondering what could drop 2 planes out of the sky like that. Now I had gotten online and messaged who is now my wife(we had only spoke online and the phone at that point) and we watched together and discussed it. As the towers finally fell it was the first time I actually wrote a poem, oh I had for classes and such but those were forced assignments and never meant a thing. This was different and kind of a turning point in how I looked at writing. 

      Now while all of that was dark and dismal across the country as I stated this is when I was first really talking to my  future wife, it was nice having someone/anyone to talk to about what was going on, later that year was when we finally met face to face and decided I would be moving to where I have now lived for 12 years. So while it was a rough time I think alot of healing has happened for the country, as for me I focus on the good often so that year had a terrible event but an amazing beginning for my current happy life. 

        I will say -hugs- to those affected though and thoughts for you and yours as many gamers have expressed across the net over the years, we may not all game but we all have the same emotions. Be excellent to each other!

"I want to hold your hand"

"I want to hold your hand"

     Greetings all, welcome to another batch of rambling goodness from me Zilvis as always. This week I thought I'd go into hand holding in games,not just MMO's (although it's a problem at times).So what is hand holding you may ask? To me if a game makes it just overly easy to accomplish the simplest of things that's hand holding. If it seems like the game is telling you, "hey here ya go, I know your not smart enough here's a clue"....that's hand holding. 

     What I question is where exactly did this start? I understand things like guides and websites have been out for ages but those are fully 100% optional. Games taking away things like true exploring, true puzzle solving, and experiencing the unknown may be fine for those seeking zero challenge but some of us encourage it.Console games this can be bad,buy a game and so many signs and map indicators and such let you kill the game in just a few hours was it worth the money?

     In the case of a MMO maybe slightly different reasoning apply but the hand holding can still be overbearing and not a great mechanic. I understand some of you enjoy it, maps with 40 icons pointing here and there, npcs giving blatant tips on how to achieve a task or kill, autopath running to  each quest. These are all examples and some like them...I do not. I think something like an MMO can be perfectly fine with out tons of helpful clues, 25 minute tutorials, and something flashing saying "Here I am" every 5 minutes.                

     I know in some cases MMO companies have said it was due to people complaining of the difficulty in finding a quest or mob or quest item. I get this in some ways but what if people want a bit more difficulty then say a million signs or flashing dots on a map? In alot of cases it's not optional and that's when I have a problem. If every aspect of things like this were optional, able to be turned off that could be some of a solution. The thing is when people are presented with options it's rare you won't go for the easy route. That has to do with time and effort and basic lazy qualities we've been hand held now into the ground. Is it impossible to fix? I doubt it as all a game has to do is not put those features in and stick by their convictions.

     So will the days of hand holding go away? I never see that happening because between younger gamers, (I won't say because someone's ten they need more help,let's say it's on a basis to basis situation) those with less time then others but want to keep the same pace, and the ones who love the tells and hints it will stick around. I just think options to go basic, go dark, make things less point A to point B would be a nice thing for those of us truly wishing to explore and discover unhindered. 

      Just my opinions as always but leave comments below if you like or hit me up on twitter!

     

Zat Thing You Do

“Zat Thing You Do”

Hello Exiles and Dominion of the planet Nexus and beyond! My name is Zilvis. This is my end of the week community spotlight that I’ll be doing each and every week to delve a little more into who a certain member of the WildStar community is, learn the what and why of their choice to migrate to Nexus, and maybe some surprises along the way. The way I looked at it we're all community bound like brothers and sisters in this game of WildStar. Why not get to know someone a bit better? Once again welcome, sit back, and prepare to meet this week's community member, Zatiann my wife. Welcome to Sunday Sit down.

 I’ll let you write a little introduction. 
If you have other monikers some may know you by, feel free to throw them out there. Mainly just tell  where people can find you online and any background you'd like to share we might not know.

Hi there, most online or in games call me Zatiann or Zat for short, just a  gamer playing one game at a time!

Question 1:As this is a WildStar themed project, we'll get those underway first. As most of us at one time or another have asked ourselves, what is WildStar?

Hopefully another great MMO to dive into at launch! Been through a few and looking forward to WildStar being another great!

Question 2: What is one thing in the game your most hoping to be perfectly done, whether because it's needed or just something for your experience specifically?

It usually always comes down to  PvP and endgame PvP for me in MMO, nail that and I'm happy!

Question 3: I did a blog post discussing maybe why someone might pick one race over another in WildStar.What race do you identify most with even if it won't necessarily be your main?

Although for my main I will be running a Cassian Esper being from the south I'd more likely identify with the Exile humans in the southern aspect. Doesn't mean if you play an Exile human though I won't whip ya in Pvp!

Question 4: I'm sure everyone has their WildStar moment, as I call it, that quintessential thing that cinched in your decision on the game.

Well I was told about it over and over and had no clue but then was shown various Dev Speak videos and such and knew I'd want to play it.

Question 5: What aspect of WildStar are you most excited about and feel you'll spend the most time on such as Questing-Housing-PVP?

Once again it comes to PvP, I will go out and quest, craft, and whatever else there is but mostly you'll find me in some sort of PvP while gaming.

Question 6: Out of everyone from Carbine that you've interacted with, who has surprised you the most for one thing or another by what you have seen that they have said or done so far?

All seem very cool and nice to even interact but the ones who frequent Turntable often are extra awesome,cool to answer what they can or just chit chat,it's a fun time.

Question 7: If you were given the power to either alter the game in some way or add something to it that has not been mentioned or rumored, what would it be and why?

 

A spectator mode for various PvP would be nice, to see how others strategy works or simply just chill out and watch some matches.

Question 8: What is the one thing you want Carbine on a personal level or business level to know that you yourself have enjoyed from them?

Their professionalism and Interacting go a long way, No other company I have experienced yet can say they come close to what Carbine is doing, keep it up and we'll keep enjoying it!

OK, that's it for the cross section on WildStar Q's. Next is a few Q's to get to know Zatiann a bit better besides her amazing exploits across Nexus!

Question 9: Zat, Like myself you enjoy Turntable. Have you always been big on music?

Yes indeed, music was always a huge part of my family. From my grandmother singing on a radio show before television was invented to singing in school, then going to college for music. It's always been a big impact on my life.

Question 10: How long have you been gaming and what are your top 3 moments you'd say you remember in your own personal gaming history?

I started way back at an early age with the Atari and for years moved from one console to the next. I have played some form of game or another online quite a few years but got into MMO's about 7 years ago after I'd seen Zilvis playing World of Warcraft. For the top moments a big one was the first time playing WoW and actually interacting with other gamers, something I'd never done before.

Question 11: Besides Gaming and Music do you have any other interests or hobbies you find fun?

Yes well for quite a few years no I have really been into family Genealogy. I've research many many years on both sides of my family going way back about a thousand years,I find it all fascinating.

Question 12: If there was one place in the world you could live where would it be and why?

Ireland is the first place that comes to mind. It's a beautiful country, have strong familial ties to it and love the history of it.

Question 13: Zatiann, is there any hidden talents or trade skills you'd like to share? Is there something new you'd like to learn?

Well I've always wanted to learn Gaelic or any dead language, Yodeling always seemed like something fun to try someday, and I'd love to learn to paint and see what real artistic painters see.

Question 14: Simple one now I promise. Do you have any pets? If you could have any real or made up pet, what would it be?

No pets at the moment as I am allergic to most outside of a enclosed tank that is, as for anything I'd want to have is some sort of a Chimera, whether traditional or unique it would be a cool pet to have.

Question 15: Finally, If there were one person living or dead, real or fake that you could sit down and have a long discussion with, who would it be and why?

My first idea would be William Shakespeare as not only a great literary figure but to find out if the rumors are true that he never wrote most of his plays,something that intrigues me.

OK, Zatiann, I hope that wasn't too painful for you. I appreciate you being a guest for the Sunday Sit down. Now, I’ll let you have free reign. If there's anything else not asked here that you'd like to get out there that you think would be interesting for us to know, feel free to share. Things like plugs for your twitter or anything, and of course feel free to give shout outs of any kind!

Thanks for the interview, my Twitter is @Zatiann and I do most of the editing on the Protostartopia site here  so @protostartopia can be added in there as well. I hope everyone community and Devs included keeps up this pace after launch and we make this game great!

That's it Folks. Everything you'd want to know about Zatiann and hopefully more! I thank her again for putting up with me as well as you the reader. Each and every week we will have a new and fascinating community member to learn about and see what really does make the WildStar community tick inside and out. Feel free to contact me anytime on twitter @zilvis78, comment below, or if you bump into me on the interwebs say hi!