Tuesday
Feb102009
Xboxless - Xerxdeej Interview
February 10, 2009
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For this weeks Xboxless, I thought I'd take a little detour and do a interview with one of the many pillars of the Halo community, Xerxdeej. If your unaware of who and what Deej is about, please read on. And even if you are aware of Deej and his (and many other people's) efforts please read on. This interview is less about Xerxdeej the gamer and more about Xerxdeej the man (who happens to be a gamer). I hope you enjoy.
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For the first question lets start off easy, who are you and what do you do?
Gamers know me as XerxdeeJ. I play online multiplayer games via Xbox Live with some of the finest ladies and gentlemen you could ever meet in Cyberspace. For over four years, I have maintained an infrequently updated blog that documents our campaign and spreads the gospel of playing a game with a recreational mood of respect and enjoyment for all. During that time, I have worked with a cadre of webmasters, strategists, and class-clowns to form a thriving online community. When none of this is happening, I am a loving husband, devoted German Shepherd owner, and respected professional.
Have you found any perks to Organizing your gaming time and limiting yourself to only 3 nights a week?
Absolutely. The added benefit to planning my gametime is that the quality of the experience improves. I may game less than some people, but I would argue that I enjoy it more. When I sit down to game, there is usually a full party of Gunslingers at the ready with boots on the line. We have set a time, picked a game; even conspired to determine who is on offense, defense, or serving in a specialty role like sniper or pilot. Planning my "play dates" keeps things harmonious on the home front and tactical on the war front. Gaming turns into something I look forward to, instead of some rote activity I do every day... just showing up and hoping for the best.
Obviously you've found a great group of people who agree with you on this topic, what can you suggest to the "Hardcore" gamers about taking this routined approach to gaming?
I am actually surprised that more people don't approach their gaming pastime in this way. Too many gamers will tell you that they are "Hardcore!", when their approach to playing the game is as casual as channel surfing - with a gun. I can understand the allure in picking up a few free-for-all matches on a whim, but there is no substitute for joining old friends and trusted allies to play in an arranged challenge against another clan. If one is really into softball, one joins a league. A player does not simply cruise the diamond with their bat and glove, hoping they will be drafted to play first base. If online gaming deserves the same amount of love [and I think it does] it requires the same amount of organization.
What are some other drawbacks to casual gaming?
Casual gaming is the goal for which I strive. My Xbox Live zone is "Recreational". I have very realistic expectations set for myself and my six hours of trigger time each week. As men of family, we simply are not going to topple the adolescent MLG Pro with no distractions in his life. Because I am a casual gamer, I get organized so that I can maximize the enjoyment I can reap from the precious time I have in the game. Having played with the same community of gamers for going on 4 years, I have seen the downfall in spending too much time in-game. If someone is just picking up their controller whenever the mood suits, they can only hope that people will be active on their Friends List. And let's face it, as gamers, our moods are suited to game all the time. If you don't lend some structure to your hobby, you will either burn out or start neglecting the other things in your life that are important.
Any more advice to those gamers out there who are married?
Of course, none of what I am describing is a silver bullet. I am extremely fortunate to have married a woman who appreciates my pastime as a gamer. She gave me my first Xbox as a birthday gift. I still ask her if its okay that I will be gaming on Wednesday night, and she always says something like: "Yes. Of course. Do I ever tell you that you can't game?" It might be redundant to communicate with her about my hobby as much as I do, but it is a far far better error than taking her patience for granted. Oh, and buy some headphones. She will think you are an idiot for barking war talk at your television, but at least you aren't filling your house with the sounds of gunfire.
..
Thanks to Deej for taking some time out of his week and answering my questions. I've left links all over this article, but incase you missed then please click down here:
Deej's TTL Blog and the Gunslingers Site
...
*image from TTL's own El Burrito
For this weeks Xboxless, I thought I'd take a little detour and do a interview with one of the many pillars of the Halo community, Xerxdeej. If your unaware of who and what Deej is about, please read on. And even if you are aware of Deej and his (and many other people's) efforts please read on. This interview is less about Xerxdeej the gamer and more about Xerxdeej the man (who happens to be a gamer). I hope you enjoy...
For the first question lets start off easy, who are you and what do you do?
Gamers know me as XerxdeeJ. I play online multiplayer games via Xbox Live with some of the finest ladies and gentlemen you could ever meet in Cyberspace. For over four years, I have maintained an infrequently updated blog that documents our campaign and spreads the gospel of playing a game with a recreational mood of respect and enjoyment for all. During that time, I have worked with a cadre of webmasters, strategists, and class-clowns to form a thriving online community. When none of this is happening, I am a loving husband, devoted German Shepherd owner, and respected professional.
Your mention your a husband, being married myself I know that balance between relationships and thriving in and with an online gaming community can be stressful, what is strategy for success and how well do you think you balance the two?**
Routine. Organization. Gaming is one element in my life. I am passionate about the pastime, but I still try to keep it in balance with everything else that is important. I deliberately plan my game time; the same way I plan time to exercise, hang out with friends, enjoy a date with my wife, or do my laundry. My wife and I are committed to spending quality time with each other on no less than three evenings a week. On those nights, the only action the Xbox sees is streaming the occassional Netflix.
Have you found any perks to Organizing your gaming time and limiting yourself to only 3 nights a week?
Absolutely. The added benefit to planning my gametime is that the quality of the experience improves. I may game less than some people, but I would argue that I enjoy it more. When I sit down to game, there is usually a full party of Gunslingers at the ready with boots on the line. We have set a time, picked a game; even conspired to determine who is on offense, defense, or serving in a specialty role like sniper or pilot. Planning my "play dates" keeps things harmonious on the home front and tactical on the war front. Gaming turns into something I look forward to, instead of some rote activity I do every day... just showing up and hoping for the best.
Obviously you've found a great group of people who agree with you on this topic, what can you suggest to the "Hardcore" gamers about taking this routined approach to gaming?
I am actually surprised that more people don't approach their gaming pastime in this way. Too many gamers will tell you that they are "Hardcore!", when their approach to playing the game is as casual as channel surfing - with a gun. I can understand the allure in picking up a few free-for-all matches on a whim, but there is no substitute for joining old friends and trusted allies to play in an arranged challenge against another clan. If one is really into softball, one joins a league. A player does not simply cruise the diamond with their bat and glove, hoping they will be drafted to play first base. If online gaming deserves the same amount of love [and I think it does] it requires the same amount of organization.
What are some other drawbacks to casual gaming?
Casual gaming is the goal for which I strive. My Xbox Live zone is "Recreational". I have very realistic expectations set for myself and my six hours of trigger time each week. As men of family, we simply are not going to topple the adolescent MLG Pro with no distractions in his life. Because I am a casual gamer, I get organized so that I can maximize the enjoyment I can reap from the precious time I have in the game. Having played with the same community of gamers for going on 4 years, I have seen the downfall in spending too much time in-game. If someone is just picking up their controller whenever the mood suits, they can only hope that people will be active on their Friends List. And let's face it, as gamers, our moods are suited to game all the time. If you don't lend some structure to your hobby, you will either burn out or start neglecting the other things in your life that are important.
Any more advice to those gamers out there who are married?
Of course, none of what I am describing is a silver bullet. I am extremely fortunate to have married a woman who appreciates my pastime as a gamer. She gave me my first Xbox as a birthday gift. I still ask her if its okay that I will be gaming on Wednesday night, and she always says something like: "Yes. Of course. Do I ever tell you that you can't game?" It might be redundant to communicate with her about my hobby as much as I do, but it is a far far better error than taking her patience for granted. Oh, and buy some headphones. She will think you are an idiot for barking war talk at your television, but at least you aren't filling your house with the sounds of gunfire.
..
Thanks to Deej for taking some time out of his week and answering my questions. I've left links all over this article, but incase you missed then please click down here:
Deej's TTL Blog and the Gunslingers Site
...
Reader Comments (1)
Nice interview Mondo! I learned some things even I didn't know.