Gamer Spotlight: bs angel
Last Updated (Wednesday, May 13 2009)
Tuesday, May 12 2009
Written by Ramel Hill
!
by bs angel
Welcome back gang! We have another spotlight on a female gamer who I'm proud to say is fellow Halo fanatic! She is a gamer / mother/ blogger/ and also has a secret identity on the side that no one knows about (her real world responsibilities!)
I want to give a warm welcome to bs angel who also runs a VERY popular blog entitled Hawty McBloggy Invites You to Play. The blog serves up some good reading for anyone who has played on xbox live for nice length of time. She also use to be a part of a Halo Clan called TTL Gunslingers (Tied The Leader). Her topics of choice is always fresh and what is nice about her blog she serves up two updates daily. She has a wicked sense of humor and the writing isn't catered towards male or female gamers at all..just the sane ones! Without further hold up let's get the interview started!
Could you start with a brief bio about your online persona- bs angel and the world of Hawty McBlogger!
Bio tidbits for your intro:
* started gaming at two years old with Pachinko (which is probably why I'm thoroughly addicted to Peggle, LOL)
* first game I played on Live was Star Wars Battlefront
* my two year blogging anniversary is in about one week!
great first game to play on line...
There is no doubt that you are a HUGE Halo Fanatic...nothing wrong with that.(that is how my wife became a hardcore game fanatic as well) What is it about the Halo series that draws people in...there are games that boast better visuals and controls...etc..but Halo still kills them in sales and recognition as the Killer FPS.
I live, breathe, and dream Halo. That's normal, right?! While other games have comparable (and sometimes better) campaigns, story lines, and character development, Halo shines in multiplayer, replayability, and community. The ease of the multiplayer arena is top notch and has yet to be replicated in my opinion. Campaign begs to be played again and again, presenting a unique experience with the availability of a variety of skulls, scoring options, and additional features such as Forge. And community, ... utterly amazing. What other game has such a strong fan community that is lovingly fueled by the developers? There are numerous fansites, statistic-analzying programs, and small communities housed under the larger umbrella of the general Halo community. And all of these separate entities are regularly recognized by Bungie themselves, both on their blog and through more personal avenues as well. It keeps people passionate and coming back from more. The majority of us play other games as well, but we always come back to Halo. I like to compare it to a spouse and mistress. I keep other games on the side, and enjoy them as the flavor of the week, but I always, always go back to Master Chief. He's my one true love. Oh gawd, I'm not normal, am I?
The stats back her up..she is good!
With your very busy schedule how often do you get a chance get some good gaming session time with your husband?
I would say unfortunately my husband and I rarely game together, but that is the way I prefer it! His gaming interests focus on sports and war-themed shooters, neither of which I play. I do enjoy working next to him and listening while he plays Madden though as the commentary is beyond hilarious. A plethora of statements about tight ends, getting pounded hard, and other things that, when only listening and not watching, could totally be about sex. It makes me laugh to no end! Otherwise, sometimes we attempt to game together but our playing styles are less than compatible. He is more relaxed and casual while I am ridiculously competitive. One time we were playing Aegis Wing and we failed the final level four times in a row so he put his controller down, said he was done, and started walking upstairs. Near hysteria I shouted after him, "WTF?! We can't quit now! Progress doesn't save in this game! WE MUST BEAT IT!" He gave me a look that clearly said I was crazy and continued on his way. I still haven't beaten that game. And I totally blame him for that.
screen by bs angel
Years ago developers wouldn't have guessed at the number of woman who play games. It really has become common place to see girl gamers online and in stores purchasing titles for themselves. Is there anything developers could do to better market to these women who love hardcore games as much as the guys do? (I mean more than just provide pink controllers)
I think developers could use different strategies when trying to pull in females to the general gaming market but as far as how to appeal to the gals that already love the hardcore titles? Make a good, quality game. That's all we care about.
The social networking of Xbox live and the Playstastion Network is remarkable. The sad thing about it is people can hide behind these gamertags and make some of the cruelest sexist/ racist comments ever spoken. Do you think there should be more guidelines met before going online to better monitor the gamers?
I think more needs to done with these services as far as holding people accountable for their actions that are clear violations of the preset Terms of Service but how to go about this, I really don't know. I don't feel females are singled out any more than any other group, but the more general harassment and ignorance that every niche group, including but not limited to gender, religious preferences, sexual orientations, and race, is forced to face is definitely tiresome. Until the higher-ups who run the networks figure out a better way to police their service, I recommend people develop a thick skin, utilize their mute functions, create a strong network of like-minded gamers to play with instead of having to rely on the random douchebags of the gaming world for their playing experience, and above all else, just play.
...this is what microsoft offers to people...fun and friendly right?
...unfortunately sometimes it feels like this...
What are three things female gamers Do Not want to hear from male gamers...
As a parent gamer, what are some tips you could give to other gamers who are parents to balance your love of gaming with good time spent with your child(children).
I say give the passion of video games to your children by sharing the experience with them! My opinion is that gaming, assuming it is monitored both time and content wise, is a fantastic hobby for any age. Pick up Viva Pinata Party Animals or Fuzion Frenzy and spend some time indulging in mindless minigame fun! Grab Castle Crashers and furiously button mash the afternoon away! Pick up Scene It! and put everybody's movie knowledge to the ultimate test! Kids love when you indulge in their age appropriate activities, and there is an incredible selection of games that are family-friendly that both children and adults will adore equally. Plus, they can take a hint from you and develop good sportmanship along with learning how to win, and lose, gracefully. One of my favorite things to do with my kiddos is download the XBLA demos every Wednesday and take turns trying them out. We pass the controller around, everybody gets a turn, and half the time we have a new title when the playing session is over. We all win! And by we I mean the kiddos as they usually beat me. Curses.
not bs angels' real children! (they would never play playstation!)
Are there any games coming out that you are looking forward to this year?
Halo 3: ODST anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? And as a child of the 80's, I have to include Ghostbusters, especially with Alyssa Milano voicing one of the characters. I've never been so excited about crossing the streams! I guess I should also say any game that ends in 2 just to cover all my bases.
bs angel's gaming wish list for 2009...
Ok...10 years from now females dominate the gaming world in everyway possible...from marketers to developers to artist, down to the players themselves. Now males are in the minority as gamers....as we look into this crystal ball of a alternate universe explain what changes you see happening in the interactions online between gamers...male and female.
I still see 99% of online gamers being total and complete douchebags. My glass is half full, what can I say?
When you are not blogging, playing video games, reading about video games, or reading about blogging...what do you do for fun? (there is a myth that girl gamers can't have a normal life and enjoy video games as well)
Wait, what do I do when I'm not blogging or playing video games? I'm confused, ... there are other things? Oh, I'm just kidding! I love to make cards (but they are mainly video game-related so does that still count?!), watch deliciously gory horror movies, indulge in late night talk shows (I'd lick that, and you don't even have to pay me $10!), and discover new independently owned restaurants. And I also like to play video games. Have I mentioned that yet?
relaxing television for most gamers...
While playing online what is the best way for a girl gamer to handle rude comments from guy gamers?
I think that's an individual decision that varies from person to person, but my strategy is simply muting those individuals that have the potential to negatively impact my gaming experience. I've learned it isn't worth it to say anything back. I mute and happily go on my way. Skipping, none the less, and probably shitting glitter and rainbows as well.
Have you ever played with any rude girl gamers?
I've played with rude males, I've played with rude females, and I've played with rude people that I suspect had both sets of genetalia (they attempted to spin me right round, I declined). I think a universal truth is that ignorance and stupidity knows no boundaries.
Jerks can wear pink!
Are guys more competitive than girls when it comes to games in your opinion?
I would say that's definitely an accepted stereotype, but as far as how accurate it is I really don't have a clue. All I know is that sometimes at the end of a game I have to mute my mic as a loss is difficult to swallow. I'm extremely competitive in nature, however I attempt to keep the negative aspect of that in line.
Would you accept my challenge to you in a Halo 3 in a 1 on 1 vs match? You pick the map and weapons? (just had to throw that in there!)
Guardian. Shotties and stickies. Invisibility on. Crouch walking only. BRING IT!
oh snap...she is serious about that one on one match!
Excellent interview bs angel! I will be in contact with you regarding that match in Halo and post the results here whether I win or lose! (Hopefully not lose...)
Thanks again for everything. And everyone go check her blog out. It is an amazingly fun read! Link
