Interview is up!

[excaliburps]

I'll apparently have the very good chance to interview someone in the army (US) about gaming!

 

We're still working out the kinks but both parties agreed on it.

 

Now, what would be good questions to ask? The interview will be Battlefield/FPS-centric as that's the genre they like playing the most.

 

So, what do you guys suggest? Please nothing scandalous, about on-going wars that they can't and won't divulge anything about.

 

Purpose of the interview is to know more about them and why they like playing games, etc.

 

Hit me up and help out with the questions. I'll post a link here in TAY once the interview is up online.

 

[uPDATE]: Interview is up!

 

Go here to read it! http://bit.ly/fWcjJd

Edited March 14, 2011 by excaliburps

[Akuam4n]

Well, I think you should just figure out how gaming lets them escape from reality while deployed; especially in since most of the games they prefer are about wars, and killing people.

 

Cool that you get to interview someone from the Military though, I can't wait to see this.

[excaliburps]

Well, I think you should just figure out how gaming lets them escape from reality while deployed; especially in since most of the games they prefer are about wars, and killing people.

 

Cool that you get to interview someone from the Military though, I can't wait to see this.

 

Yeah. I'll delve into that a bit. I did ask him what subjects we can't talk about. I mean I know there are a couple of things they don't want the general public to know. But at the same time, their gaming habits might show some peculiar behavior as well.

 

Thanks! I'll be posting a link here whenever it drops. I do have some questions in mind, but I want more. Hopefully, this can be a semi-regular thing.

 

I've seen them discuss FPS' shooters, tactics, gear, etc. And they share some very good observations that we know nothing about. From guns to belt placement, etc. Top-notch stuff.

[Pirandello]

What sorts of games do they play? When do they play them? Do they have a lot of time to play them? Do they ever host their own tournaments? Is there inter-ranking rivalry of the sort between the soldiers sorted by rank, detachment, etc? What are some of the most popular games they have? Do they usually stick with what games they have or request new ones close to launch day.

[Akuam4n]

I've seen them discuss FPS' shooters, tactics, gear, etc. And they share some very good observations that we know nothing about. From guns to belt placement, etc. Top-notch stuff.

This is what I'm actually most interested in.

 

You could ask them what the most realistic FPS or Third Person shooter they have played is. I'm curious is he would say Socom, or Arma.

Edited February 20, 2011 by Iamaquaman

[excaliburps]

What sorts of games do they play? When do they play them? Do they have a lot of time to play them? Do they ever host their own tournaments? Is there inter-ranking rivalry of the sort between the soldiers sorted by rank, detachment, etc? What are some of the most popular games they have? Do they usually stick with what games they have or request new ones close to launch day.

 

 

Whoa! Lots of questions there.

 

Genre they like the most is FPS. A couple of insightful questions there as well.

 

We're mostly going to be talking about the shooter genre. As that's their "specialty" and favored genre. And there's a good chance it's going to be about Battlefield as well. As a ton of 'em play it.

 

Of course I'll keep an open-mind about everything and see how it goes.

[CorgiShinobi]

Well, the important thing is to treat them like any other individual if the topic is gaming. Military affiliation is the unique perspective, so it's in the answers you'll that characteristic. Make sure to ask open-ended questions so you can build upon their responses and get to the bottom.

 

Once someone has given you the proper responses, you could then get into military specific conversations. I dunno, something like, "How do video games assist you when deployed," or "Do any FPS games remind you of previous service, perhaps memories?"

[excaliburps]

Well, the important thing is to treat them like any other individual if the topic is gaming. Military affiliation is the unique perspective, so it's in the answers you'll that characteristic. Make sure to ask open-ended questions so you can build upon their responses and get to the bottom.

 

Once someone has given you the proper responses, you could then get into military specific conversations. I dunno, something like, "How do video games assist you when deployed," or "Do any FPS games remind you of previous service, perhaps memories?"

 

 

The thing is, there's just so many things I can ask. I mean I've gotten a fair number of questions already sent my way bu other people. Be it from the simple like "What games is the most realistic one you've ever played"

 

To other, more deeper ones. No question is wrong or something. I already told the people if I could do it in segments as I think it's going to be a bit longer than I anticipated. Even without the deluge of reader questions.

[slatz_grobnik]

The soldiers playing a FPS is almost cliche, but I always wonder about the popularity and perception of Strategy & 4X (Civ, EU, et al) games amongst the soldiery.

 

Actually, as an extension on that, are there any intra-military gaming stereotypes?

[excaliburps]

The soldiers playing a FPS is almost cliche, but I always wonder about the popularity and perception of Strategy & 4X (Civ, EU, et al) games amongst the soldiery.

 

Actually, as an extension on that, are there any intra-military gaming stereotypes?

 

 

Yeah, it is a cliche, no? But one does wonder how they like it so. Repressed rage?

 

Hmmm. Stereotypes? I think that they don't like RPGS? I seem to have read that somewhere before.

[staySICK]

Thoughts of the excercise / Kinect / Wii gaming fad for soldier rehabilitation?

 

Thoughts of current gaming (COD, BFBC, MOH, etc) trends and audiences suffering from PTSD?

 

The latter would be very interesting to me, with my father suffering from Iraq induced PTSD.

[excaliburps]

Thoughts of the excercise / Kinect / Wii gaming fad for soldier rehabilitation?

 

Thoughts of current gaming (COD, BFBC, MOH, etc) trends and audiences suffering from PTSD?

 

The latter would be very interesting to me, with my father suffering from Iraq induced PTSD.

 

 

I'm thinking of asking something close to this "Thoughts of current gaming (COD, BFBC, MOH, etc) trends and audiences suffering from PTSD?" But it might open a can of worms that I don't want to even be a part of.

 

I mean I told them it's going to be more about their gaming habits, the Battlefield franchise as a whole, etc. I might try and slip that in there as well.

 

I might throw it at 'em and add in a disclaimer that if they don't want to answer it, they can have that option.

[slatz_grobnik]

 

Hmmm. Stereotypes? I think that they don't like RPGS? I seem to have read that somewhere before.

 

I mean in the sense of "Minecraft? Pshaw. Only people in the 10th tank play Minecraft."

[peteer01]

I'll apparently have the very good chance to interview someone in the army (US) about gaming!

 

Now, what would be good questions to ask?

Has the person been deployed overseas?

 

Ask them about geofencing, and how it affects them.

 

Whether a military person is in Japan or Afghanistan, if they're not in the US, they can't download geofenced content. That means that map packs, like World at War, Gears of War 2 and Black Ops can't be downloaded, even from an on-base connection.

 

Treyarch posted about how you need to download the map packs for the game sold in your region, but if you're deployed military, buying the game on-base, you still can't download DLC on base, because your IP shows your connection as originating outside of the US.

 

Basically, a lot of the military people I've talked to (who are all in Japan), use multiplayer video games to play with their friends and family back home, and it's a great way to stay connected when friends and family are on the other side of the planet.

 

Unfortunately, when geofenced content is released, you either have to jump through VPN hoops to download it, or go without, which can put a crimp in social gaming when everyone else has the map pack.

 

So yeah, my ideas for talking to anyone who's been deployed overseas:

 

- Using online gaming, and especially Party Chat in group games like COD, to socialize with friends and family back home

- Geofencing and their frustrations with it

 

I also know that depending on where you're deployed, and who you're trying to game with, multiplayer games can be difficult/impossible. Depends on a lot of different factors.

 

Hope that helps.

[excaliburps]

I'll apparently have the very good chance to interview someone in the army (US) about gaming!

 

Now, what would be good questions to ask?

Has the person been deployed overseas?

 

Ask them about geofencing, and how it affects them.

 

Whether a military person is in Japan or Afghanistan, if they're not in the US, they can't download geofenced content. That means that map packs, like World at War, Gears of War 2 and Black Ops can't be downloaded, even from an on-base connection.

 

Treyarch posted about how you need to download the map packs for the game sold in your region, but if you're deployed military, buying the game on-base, you still can't download DLC on base, because your IP shows your connection as originating outside of the US.

 

Basically, a lot of the military people I've talked to (who are all in Japan), use multiplayer video games to play with their friends and family back home, and it's a great way to stay connected when friends and family are on the other side of the planet.

 

Unfortunately, when geofenced content is released, you either have to jump through VPN hoops to download it, or go without, which can put a crimp in social gaming when everyone else has the map pack.

 

So yeah, my ideas for talking to anyone who's been deployed overseas:

 

- Using online gaming, and especially Party Chat in group games like COD, to socialize with friends and family back home

- Geofencing and their frustrations with it

 

I also know that depending on where you're deployed, and who you're trying to game with, multiplayer games can be difficult/impossible. Depends on a lot of different factors.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Hmm...A couple of good questions there. I'll try and see what I can compile later. I might be doing part 1 this weekend.

 

Of course this all depends on if how my work will be treating me for the rest of the week.

 

Been liking the questions I've been getting so far.

[excaliburps]

Hey!

 

Interview is now up!

 

http://bit.ly/fWcjJd

 

It's a bit long but it's cohesive enough and it's nowhere near Tim Rogers long.

 

So, hopefully you guys read it and tell me what you think.

 

Part two will be up this week as well. It's lighter reading and I think most people would appreciate it more.

 

Feedback is appreciated, but please keep the flames to a minimum.

[Enervation]

Wow, you got quite the lineup of interviewees. Usually I expect no more than three in an interview, but you got five? Dang.

 

Their opinions are pretty reflective on why people like FPS, and I do especially like their views on the correlations between gaming and violence. It would make sense that military folks above all else know best, and they definitely have the authority to say so.

[excaliburps]

Wow, you got quite the lineup of interviewees. Usually I expect no more than three in an interview, but you got five? Dang.

 

Their opinions are pretty reflective on why people like FPS, and I do especially like their views on the correlations between gaming and violence. It would make sense that military folks above all else know best, and they definitely have the authority to say so.

 

Yeah. It's a blessing and a curse. It sadly wasn't as well-viewed as I hoped. Although I might plug it this coming weekend. I think the piece was a tad too long and people didn't want to read that much.

 

Good thing part 2 is way shorter and asks the good questions like "which FPS game is the most realistic?" or something to that effect.

 

Kinda odd not seeing anyone reply to it here. Was expecting a few people to rip me to shreds or something.

 

I actually edited a lot more questions out. It would have made the interview way longer. Was thinking of doing it in segments. say 4 parts? Would have been better, but it's the editor's call.

 

Yeah. Know what you mean. They really do know their stuff.

[deanb]

Well if it's quite long what I'll see sites like MCV do quite often is post the interview then post up like an article piece/summary taking some of the quotes and providing a snippet of info then a "full interview here" at the end.

e.g

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/42278/Sony-talks-future-handheld-innovation

http://www.mcvuk.com/features/831/INTERVIEW-Sony

[excaliburps]

Second part of my US military interview is now up!

 

http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/84753/exclusive-interview-with-off-duty-gamers-part-two/

 

For those concerned, it's way easier reading than the first one.

 

Cheers and I hope you guys enjoy it.

[excaliburps]

Well if it's quite long what I'll see sites like MCV do quite often is post the interview then post up like an article piece/summary taking some of the quotes and providing a snippet of info then a "full interview here" at the end.

e.g

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/42278/Sony-talks-future-handheld-innovation

http://www.mcvuk.com/features/831/INTERVIEW-Sony

 

Did not see your post. If only I was editor, dean. If only...

[Enervation]

Just curious, what power do you have as a contributor over the layout or distribution of your article? I don't see any problems if you just post snippets of your interview and linking it to the full one. Maybe if you ask the editor he'll let you do it; gives more meat to people who want to read it.

[excaliburps]

Just curious, what power do you have as a contributor over the layout or distribution of your article? I don't see any problems if you just post snippets of your interview and linking it to the full one. Maybe if you ask the editor he'll let you do it; gives more meat to people who want to read it.

 

Honestly? Not much. I'm hopeful and thankful my EIC doesn't know about this site...I think. I can do whatever with the layout but the system we use pretty much relegates it to what I just did. Distribution-wise, I tried to have the next part up next week or have it in chunks for easier reading, but no dice.

 

Actually amazes me that "fluff" pieces I post garner way more hits than original content. I asked the other contributors and they say it's the same with them. One of 'em interviewed Uematsu. Final Fantasy music legend and it barely scraped over a 1000 hits! Fuck it!

 

From my understanding, everything I write on the site is exclusive to them for 6 months before I can post it somewhere else.

 

I actually told the other contributors that I'm already dreading that my Jaffe interview will be bypassed for the latest console, etc. argument post.

 

Kinda disheartening to be honest. I mean doing original content. Mostly doing it for a few fans and for myself. Hopefully, that's not always the case. Otherwise I'd stop doing articles and just post random Call of Duty crap everytime.

[deanb]

Yeah that can happen.

Also I was gonna give a leg up with your interview, but seems someone already had for Part one, so I did part 2.

btw I assume "John Carmack: Xbox 360 > Playstation 3 > Everything Else" got a few hits

[excaliburps]

Yeah that can happen.

Also I was gonna give a leg up with your interview, but seems someone already had for Part one, so I did part 2.

btw I assume "John Carmack: Xbox 360 > Playstation 3 > Everything Else" got a few hits

 

I hate it that it happens often. I mean not just on the site I work on, but other sites as well. Sad but people would rather see another console argument than see original content. It's like most people are averse to reading an article longer than two paragraphs. I'm serious. It's like every article on most sites are trying their best to be a big headline and a few quotes and that's it.

 

That John Carmack thing, I didn't title it that way. My editor did. Although my title was in the same line of thinking.

 

Unfortunately, but fortunate for me, yes. It did get a lot of hits. I mean it's certainly adding to the fanboy console argument fire, but at the same time, We do need those things.I mean hits of course. I need these kinds of stories to help me earn money while I write something insightful that will only get 1,000 or less views. Sucks that it works that way.