Better Know a Gamer: #34: OneOfSwords

It’s another milestone for me. Today, on NuAngel.net, I get to interview a legend. Activision’s own OneOfSwords! That’s right, it’s Dan Amrich, former Editor in Chief of World of Warcraft Magazine, Senior Editor for Official Xbox Magazine, and GamePro’s Dan Elektro & Bad Hare. This is a big deal for me because I can remember being a teenager in the late 90’s and reading Dan’s work in GamePro – then hearing him for the first time on the Official Xbox Magazine Podcast and following him on to his current project as OneOfSwords. You may have known him as a ‘writer’ but he’s officially the author of his second book, read on for the details of his brand new publication!

NuAngel: What’s your Gamertag, and what’s the story behind it?

OneOfSwords: When I took the job with Activision, I was asked to pick an identity along the lines of fourzerotwo or Major Nelson — a nickname that was unique, but didn’t have my real name in it or overt references to Activision in it. I thought back to when I used to try to read Tarot cards in college, and the Ace/One of Swords means “intellect over emotion; clarity.” I thought that was perfect for jumping into a role where I’d be dealing with angry gamers — I should be that source of clarity, that person who says “calm down and think about this, here’s some information that will help.” Continue reading “Better Know a Gamer: #34: OneOfSwords”

Special Announcement & Dan Amrich Interview Tomorrow

Back on WinBreak.com, there was a short lived “STAR LIGHT” series of interviews. The goal was to interview people who were influential in the games industry, famous in some form or another. For all intents and purposes, it was almost identical to the Better Know a Gamer series of articles. The Star Light series had a few questions that were targetted toward these special interviews, but were otherwise the same thing as BKAG.

Therefore, I’m doing away with Star Light in the interest of growing Better Know a Gamer into a longer running series. And tomorrow, the series gets its 34th installment, its first here on NuAngel.net. And what a special occasion it is. I will be interviewing Dan Amrich, Activisions OneOfSwords. Stay tuned, it’s only a few hours away!

Better Know a Gamer: #33: Jessibaby1986

Hold your applause, and don’t forget to breathe. She’s not the first one we’ve had here, but she’s another “rare specimen” – we have a Girl Gamer for the 33rd iteration of Better Know a Gamer. I’ll let her tell you who she is…

Nu: What’s your Gamertag, and what’s the story behind it?
My Gamertag is Jessibaby1986, one of my nicknames is Jessi baby, and 1986 is the year I was born

Nu: Where are you from, how old are you, and what do you do (school, job, family, hobbies)?
I’m from South East Pennsylvania, I work at a local grocery store, paint custom faceplates in my spare time, and collect vintage gaming systems.

Nu: I own a VirtualBoy – is that vintage, yet? Or still just crap? How long have you been gaming in general?
I’ve been gaming since the age of 3 started with the Atari and NES, and from there it was love 😛

Nu: How long have you been a 360 owner?
I’ve had the 360 for 5 years now…only been connected to Live for 3 years though.

Nu: The 360 hasn’t officially had it’s 4th birthday… time travel!? Somone check her gamercard tenure number! What was one of your favorite Xbox / Xbox Live moments?
Hmm…well that is a tough one to answer…there have been so many. Though if I have to pick one it’d be getting to know people that I’d have never gotten to know other wise.

Nu: Which Xbox 360 Achievement are you most proud of?
That would have to be my “All 4 Dead” on Left 4 Dead got that 11/2/2009 but it was just so awesome to get it 😀

Nu: Are you currently working toward any achievements?
I’m currently working toward one that has been avoiding me for the past 3.5 years… Guildmaster, Thieves Guild. I should have had it but for a corrupted game file… I missed it. So it’s now my goal to get it by the new year.

Nu: Yikes, goodluck on that! Some Oblivion achievements just seem better left alone, to me! What game(s) are you playing the most now?
Halo 3 ODST, Left 4 Dead, and Oblivion. Those are my current top 3.

Nu: What’s playing now (what music do you listen to when away from your Xbox or when listening to music ON your Xbox)?
I’ve actually been building a playlist of music recommended to me by friends…its got a little bit of everything.

Nu: Do you try to stick with one Gamerpic, or change it frequently?
Everytime I change my avatar I change my Gamerpic

Nu: What is your current favorite Xbox related website to visit?
I guess it would be www.DeltaChronicles.com they are a pretty good Halo 3 machinma!

Nu: What upcoming game are you looking most forward to?
Most definitely Left 4 Dead 2… I know its in a few weeks only… but I can’t wait to use the AK47!

Nu: Do you have an all time favorite game, for any console or the PC?
I guess it would be a toss up between The Legend Of Zelda series and the Halo series.

Nu: Excellent choices. People give a lot of flak about the Halo series, but they really have stepped up some story telling aspects of video games! Do you have any gaming buddies you frequently play with / want to make almost as famous as you?
The one I’d like to mention here would be MASSACRE001 he’s the one behind Delta Chronicles, a really cool guy!

Nu: Any parting words for the droves of readers?
Live, Laugh, Love, Game!

Nu: Words to live by… and laugh by… and… you get the idea. – Well, many thanks go to today’s guest, Jessibaby1986.

As always, you can nominate yourself or someone you know to be featured in Better Know a Gamer.

Better Know a Gamer: #32: LegionNinja

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since we’ve highlighted another member of the great Xbox Live community, so I’m here with LegionNinja to get things done with our 32nd installment of Better Know a Gamer!

Nu: What’s your Gamertag, and what’s the story behind it?
LegionNinja – not really a story, but I wanted something that I thought sounded good.

Nu: Where are you from, how old are you, and what do you do (school, job, family, hobbies)?
I’m 25, from Urbandale, Iowa. I am currently not employed. I like being on my computer and Xbox 360.

Nu: How long have you been gaming in general?
I have been gaming since I was 4 years old.

Nu: How long have you been a 360 owner?
Since it launched, in 2005.

Nu: Early adopters take risks, but I think we can safely say the 360 was a good choice! What was one of your favorite Xbox / Xbox Live moments?
Killing Desynch (a moderator at #chat on MajorNelson.com‘s irc channel) in GTA multiple times.

Nu: Excellent choice! There are just some days when you feel warm’n’fuzzy after killing someone! Which Xbox 360 Achievement are you most proud of?
Acheivements don’t really matter to me.

Nu: You’re certainly not the first person to think that. More of a gaming purist! I can respect that. What game(s) are you playing the most now?
Grand Theft Auto IV, and forza Motorsport 3.

Nu: What’s playing now (what music do you listen to when away from your Xbox or when listening to music ON your Xbox)?
My selection is different every time.

Nu: Do you try to stick with one Gamerpic, or change it frequently?
I tend to stick to one.

Nu: What is your current favorite Xbox related website to visit?
MajorNelson.com of course!

Nu: What upcoming game are you looking most forward to?
1vs100. I was in the beta for that.

Nu: Great answer! It’s way more fun than people give it credit for, Do you have an all time favorite game, for any console or the PC?
There.com, and SecondLife.

Nu: Do you have any gaming buddies you frequently play with / want to make almost as famous as you?
Shadowedghost, Jessibaby1986, and Desynch.

Nu: Any parting words for the droves of readers?
LEEEEEEEEROY Jenkins!

Nu: Couldn’t have said it better myself. 😉 Thanks for taking part in BKAG, and don’t forget that you, too, can nominate someone to be interviewed in Better Know a Gamer!