So here we are again, with yet another interview after yet another extended break. Monotonous? Perhaps. Boring? Well I was allowed to insult someone who only knows he got mentioned in the article, so no.
In any case, it took about three weeks of planning to bring this article about, as my semi-notorious lack of planning, and even more infamous neglect to show up on time when scheduling actually occurs led to frequent procrastination and cancellation. But our nonsensical subject, Psychoduck, went along rather well and eventually dragged me into the interview I had promised him. I decided to play the piece rather straight, with as little Seussian or Carrollian logic as possible, since jokes seem to swing over your collective heads like a Cirque de Soleil performer. However, as little as I tried to retain that feeling all through the process, it didn't last long.
FH: Around the time I interviewed Tusk, I got (maybe) two random recommendations to interview you. I'll admit I totally forgot and only remembered when you were in the shoutbox yelling about Yoyo's fail (which I don't particularly recall anymore.) Furthermore, I still don't exactly remember why I was meant to interview you. Like seriously, they just said "psychoduck" and that was that. Why?Well, I was fighting this bad guy... and anyways, by threatening to slit his throat with a rusty spoon, I forced him to create not one, but two accounts on Forge Hub, nominating me for this interview on both.FH: You do realize admitting to having proxy accounts can get you banned? Well yes, of course this bad guy does not realize that. I would not create proxy accounts in the first place.
FH: But you just said you were behind him makin- whatever. Who is Matt Kestrel? I believe Matt Kestrel is, in fact, a figmentation of my imagination. He's a great person to have tea with actually. My doctor says that it isn't really healthy for me to spend so much time conversing with Matt, but I don't think he really knows what he's talking about... Matt was quite helpful in the completion of the map Cargo Port as well.
FH: "Figmentation" is a process (and not even a word for that matter). The word you're looking for is "figment," or "fragment." Fragrant? FH: Flagrant vagrant? Are you combining words or referring to smell? Words? Smell? I don't think O understand the difference, to be honest. They both involve your nose do they not?
FH: I believe you're referring to synesthesia, you should get that checked out, psycho. Whoa I made a pun. Moving on...
I'm going to have to censor myself for the sake of professionalism. But, why the do you have so many maps. I say many because I have zero. Do I have a lot? I haven't even released a map since Cargo Port back in February. I suppose I do like to experiment with different ideas. I like to try different things with each map. I wouldn't say that I rush through, trying to release as many as possible.
FH: Well, I went through your list of maps like 10 minutes ago and there were like nine. Sure, one of them is an MLG rendition of a previously released map, but it still stands. Mmm, I suppose. If you count my co-forges like Toadz and Frontier I do have quite a few. I've slowed down my design and build process as of late though, I try to spend a large amount of time testing each map as well. It's just that prior to releasing Cargo Port, none of my maps went through a very long testing period and were released rather often.
FH: The one that's currently in your signature (Scimitar) looks like Sword Base, was that intentional? Yes it was. I like a lot of things about Sword Base, which I wanted to capitalize on, but also dislike several aspects of the map, which I wanted to stay away from. It's worth mentioning that the map in question is going through a complete rebuild in the future that will likely cause it to look a bit less like Sword Base.
FH: So it's going to be something completely different? Well, it will be the same map at heart, but will have some fairly major differences.
FH: Were you not happy with the current version or did you just want to create something else stemming from the same idea? Also, Monty Python. It's just a flesh wound! Anyways, the map's co-forger, Erupt, wasn't happy with a few aspects of the map, which we plan to change. We want to keep the map's strengths in areas like One-Flag, but change it in some other areas. We also hope to fix the frame-rate and lighting issues the map currently has.FH: I was going to say "lol Erupt" but that would be unprofessional, and I think a vague mention would suffice.
But on what you were saying, you seem to only make competitive maps (I don't know if you've any of other sorts in the making at the moment), did you make any for Halo 3? I believe he wanted his name on the forums changed to "Hi I'm Poop" anyways...
FH: Sensible. Indeed. If you could get that changed for him, I think he would really appreciate it.
FH: Now answer the question Ah yes, the question. I do have some Halo 3 maps also. These included Awesome Town (a name which Ladnil has made much more popular in the Reach era), along with a few others. I don't think I really had a firm understanding of how to design a good map until more recently... if I do have an understanding of such things at all, that is.
FH: How decidedly humble, unlike the previously mentioned poopieman that will go unnamed. Well, despite not having a solid understanding, in your words, do you prefer Reach over Halo 3 in terms of game-play mechanics? I find Reach's core game-play to be more enjoyable. However, things like armor lock, and poor warthog physics deter from the Reach experience in my opinion.I definitely enjoy returning to Halo 3 from time to time.
FH: So does that mean you like the classic playlist or MLG? Because I loved Squad Slayer for removing armor lock. Then, I discovered MLG and loved that even more. And yeah, I preferred the driving mechanics in Halo 3 over Reach. I definitely prefer the classic playlist. I'm not a very competitive gamer, as I have very poor eyesight. I still enjoy some of the design philosophies in MLG maps, but I really don't enjoy the game-types very much.
FH: I've only played slayer, but I love it as much as I'd hate having poor eyesight. Do you play a lot of matchmaking? Or do you mainly forge? I play matchmaking from time to time, but I can't normally get hooked for more than a game or two. I spend most of my time in forge and custom games. FH: Fair enough. Are customs mainly competitive though? Yes, although I do enjoy some mini-games as well.
FH: Any preferences?In mini-games? I played one that I thought was really great once, unfortunately I don't know what it was called. Stealin' Your Flags is always a good choice though.
FH: How wonderfully vague. (I swear that phrase comes up more than "on that note," at least in my head). Anywho, we're at an end of my line of questioning. Anything else you'd like to discuss publicly? Well I could give a shout-out to everyone who's helped me out at Forge Hub. That would take far too long however. I can't say I have much more than that. I'll just end by saying "popsicle."
FH: Well we're not at the end of the interview, just the questions I did not plan to ask. Now to the ones I wrote down! Should I be asking you anything else? You probably should.
FH: What would that be? Well, I thought you should ask if I 'd like to be in on that AWSOME bacon restaurant you're opening with Tusk.
FH: You can fund it, but you won't get paid back nor will you be considered an investor. Is that to your liking? (I spelled AWESOME wrong).
FH: At least you didn't minimize it. And that sounds like a pretty good deal to me...
FH: Good, I'll draw up the contract. Excellent
FH: I must commend you for your professionalism, as you said you would be, as ducks are. Which is odd considering you aren't a suave platypus... a dashing, debonair platypus. Close enough though, I suppose. Professioduck is professional.
FH: And now the actual last question, from Mr. Darth Human, "which do you prefer, CoD4 or MW2?" Oh dear... I really dislike Call of Duty. However, I thought CoD4 was a good game. I just think they've gone downhill from there.
FH: You're totally allowed to give me free money for my restaurant after that comment. Good job. And now I need a question for the next person. Pray tell. Hmm... do we know who the next person is?
FH: I never do. Do you have a recommendation? Not particularly, the community is full of great people to interview. I suppose you could ask someone what their favorite armor ability in Reach is, and why.
FH: Alright then. That shall conclude the interview meant to take place two weeks ago. Adios, and thanks. XD Good day Sir.
HE SAID "GOOD DAY!"
As wacky as parts of that were, and resplendent with references as some of the subtext may be, that was it. So if you were expecting more, too bad, I'm sleepy and this is long overdue.
Furthermore, I still need recommendations on who to interview, but if I find you particularly annoying I probably won't take what you say seriously. Then again, whoever recommended Psychoduck clearly wasn't in his right mind, so we'll see. Message me and find out.
And in a similar, cheap pseudo-rhyme, I too, am out.
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