Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Cats and dogs! I was fortunate enough to be able to have the legendary Turbo_Toaster sit down and talk with me for a little community interview. It was was super fun, turned out super great and super long. SUPER SUPER SUPER. We didn't do an audio recording of this one, but do not fear, there will be audio interviews as well in the future. Here's my chat with Turbo_Toaster that confirms a shocking Giant Bomb Star Trek secret of epic proportions.
Edit: You can keep up with past and future interviews here.
The Quests & Art
GP: For the two people and a rock that don't know who you are, what's your username and level in real life? GP: You certainly know more about WoW than me already. Thanks for sitting down with me today, I might just faint in your presence. Let's just jump right into the belly of the beast. The GB community has been dying to know: do you like chocolate ice cream?TT: Username and level in real life? Kat Smith and level 5. I don't get out much which makes grinding kind of a problem. And that's the extent of any kind of WoW knowledge I might have. If that even qualifies.
GP: On a more serious note, you did the quest icons at Giant Bomb. How did that process come about?TT: YES. It is in fact the most superior of all ice creams; this includes chocolate ice cream modifications such as rocky road. It does not, however, include mint chocolate chip. That is a different organism though delicious in it's own right.
GP: For some reason this makes me imagine Dave crawling to you and begging you to take some of his workload off of him. Is illustration something you just got into as a hobby or are you looking to pursue a career in it?TT: Well, in the days of yore I had a friend bug me to keep checking out this site called Giant Bomb. So I did. This was July of 2009. Had a few QLs under my belt when I decided to take to the forums and subsequently started a weekly art blog. A couple months later I received a message from Dave via Twitter asking if I was interested in some icon work. I tried to suppress my excitement and agreed. This happened about mid October of 2009, by the way.
TT: Well, I've been drawing seriously for a few years now. When I work normal jobs I tend to zone out and find myself doodling when I should be working. Working with Whiskey these past 6 or so months has made me think that I might actually have a chance. Note that I have no misconceptions about how intensely difficult it is to make a career out of something like Cartooning or Illustration in general. The internet is a great way to get exposure, but there are also thousands of other people who are gunning for attention. It's definitely a process to get anywhere.
GP: Well said. Did you ever attend any kind of art class or did the skill sort of come to you?
GP: One more art related question: What software do you use when you're doing your stuff on the computer?TT: This is kind of a neat story, I think about it a lot. My dad drew really well, so did my grandma, and apparently as my grandma tells me, her dad as well. He was in WW2 so he couldn't explore it much but I hear he did portraiture, however I digress. I would say I'm almost 100% self-taught, save for whatever bits I may have picked up in elementary and high school classes. A lot of trying to free-hand draw game concept art out of old Gamepro's and PSM's as a kid. That was one of the main ways I practiced
TT: That'd be Photoshop CS3.
The Games
GP: Alright Ms. Toaster, now's the time for some nitty and gritty questions. What games are you currently playing?TT: I was heavy into Borderlands for a long while there, I still love it but all I have left to do is Mad Moxxi and Crawmerax so I'm taking a break for awhile. Deadly Premonition I started some weeks ago but I have to be in the right mood for it, and Just Cause 2 most recently.
GP: You just reminded me of my copy of Borderlands that got destroyed *tear* I saw you tweeting some about JC2. Safe to say you're having a good time with that?
TT: I am sorry to hear of your loss, that's terrible. JC2 is one of the better fuck-around games I've played in awhile, it isn't without it's flaws of course (babysitting missions aplenty!) and the combat isn't anywhere near optimal. It makes up for that in looking great and flowing nicely. You know a game grabs you when you step outside and feel like you can almost see the "You can grapple onto this" target icon on everything. Man, I want one of those hooks.
GP: Amazon probably has a sale on them as we speak. What do you play most of your games on these days?
TT: Don't toy with me like that. I started out with a Wii, then moved to a PS3 and finally I got to the bowl of porridge that was juuuust right in my 360. I really loathed the marketing for the original xbox, almost to where I hated it so it was a big 180 for me to fall so hard for the 360 [180 AND 360, I C WUT U DID THUR KAT]. You'll have to excuse me, my coffee and gum breakfast has diluded me into thinking that that was amusing.
GP: Did your coffe predict anything for today?
TT: YES. It told me that it would give me a stomach ache later. The prophecies came true, it was foretold.
GP: Your coffee is truly amazing whereas my coffee can't even keep me awake. How are you with nerdrage? Ever get super angry at games?
GP: Wait, back up. How many points ya got?TT: Oh I have rage-quit many a game in my day. Last one I can think of that really got me to where I had to shelve it was... Tomb Raider Legend mostly due to fighting with the controls. But let's be honest, I was playing it solely for those delicious Achievement points. Also I should note that I will curse up a storm, but for the most part I grit my teeth and exhale strongly. Then I resolve not to play the game further as it is affecting my blood pressure. I will not allow a terrible game to alter my physical state.
GP: Do you ever rage at other players online?TT: As of now I have a modest 8,220. I got my xbox last June so I'm tryin' to catch up.
TT: Not usually, mainly because I exclusively play online with my friends. Though I do curse at them a lot, if that counts.
GP: You mentioned some of the games you're playing earlier. Do you have a go to single player and/or multiplayer game that you can fall back on whenever? I'm not really sure what purpose the first sentenced served there.
TT: Fallout 3. I emphasize this with an unnatural passion.
GP: Is your character good or evil? More importantly, are you good or evil?!
TT: I think right now she's neutral, as for me... I think we can all relate to being a bit of both. I'm not perfect but I don't do things with malicious intent
GP: Except for blowing up Megaton?
TT: I didn't blow up Megaton! I killed everyone myself. And you can take that to the BANK.
GP: What got you into gaming and what are some of your favorite games right now?
GP: Did... did those monkeys ever find their skulls?TT: My dad was a big reason for why I like games. Aside from the staples like Mario, we used to play Double Dragon together when I was really young. The games that were too scary for me at the time like Sewer Shark, which I can laugh at now ("DOGMEAT!") I would watch him play. My top games are SMB3, Resident Evil, and my all-time number one is Skullmonkeys.
TT Get THIS: they already had skulls.
GP: Truly a product ahead of its time.
TT: It was a real passed-over PS1 game. A claymation side-scroller, it's probably directly responsible for the person I am today, for good or ill.
GP: I notice the Giant Bomb page for it is kind of empty. Shame on you!
TT: God I know! I'm a terrible monster, I'll hopefully get to it someday.
GP: So we're in 2010: the future. What games are are you interested in seeing/playing this year?
TT: 3D DOT GAME HEROES. I have to actually make a point of looking up the 2010 releases. From what I saw, EA didn't have a whole lot besides sports which is their bread and butter these days.
GP: Their FIFA series is responsible for my limited edition gaming razor valued at $9. Respect!
GP: I’m just yankin your chain, no worries. What do you think of everyone jumping on the motion control train?TT: Hey man, I do not speak ill of sports. I enjoy swanky free razors and also Hockey. Also they know that gamers are unkempt ANIMALS!
TT: The idea certainly has potential, I think Nintendo lost their way almost out of the gate. I remember when their motto was "Quality over Quantity", the N64 and GC shelves quite clearly exercised this as opposed to the PS1/PS2 catalogs. It'll be interesting to see how/if Playstation Move and Natal change the game.
GP: At this point and time, do you think you are going to run out and get Natal for your 360 when it comes out?
GP: Do you think there's room for so many control variations (Move, Natal, Wii Remote, calssic ass controller)? Personally, I'm looking forward to motion controlled Rock Band instruments. That are also tracked by a camera.TT: I'm probably going to sit back and see how it fares, also I think the general consensus is it'll be standard with the next iteration of Xbox. I'm not adverse to snagging it sooner if it's good though.
TT: Good question. I know I'm running out of space. I was unaware of this development!
GP: Rock Band 3 exclusive right here. Do you have any favorite game characters? If so, why?
TT: Hah, oh boy. Give me a moment here I know there are some choice picks swimming around this brain of mine.
GP: I heard you like Mudkipz. Sorry.
TT: THIS INTERVIEW IS OVER *awkwardly fumbles with the mic* Mudkips are good but they aren't so much a character as a fictional species. Therein lies your folly, sir
GP: I have seen the error of my ways thanks to you.
TT: Croc from the old Croc games I always found adorable with his gobbledygook dialogue. Lara Croft was a character I adored mainly because she wasn't a typical mary-sue, she was flawed in a lot of ways and made mistakes (Angel of Darkness isn't a character flaw but it bears mentioning). Klaymen from Skullmonkeys reigns King. He's so deliciously weird.
The Secret Confirmed!
GP: I wonder if people are still reading this. Let's take it home for a sec. Team VJ or BR?
TT: I refuse to pick a side, they are all my friends. I think. I'm trying not to read too much into that restraining order. Also I haven't seen an episode of this ER as I'm going to try and get through the game once myself.
GP: That's the spirit! Do you have any minions on the forums that you wanna give a quick shout out to? Or talk some smack?
GP: Please film it for the follow up interview. Do you have any favorite Giant Bomb moments?Yes I do. Kouerson, you are a no-talent ass clown and I hate you. When I see you at Wrestlemania I am going to rip your esophagus out of your tailpipe.
TT: I don't know if this counts, but I'll settle on the Star Trek Online Beta Closing Party. I was working at Brad's empty desk when Ryan handed me a beer and we all proceeded to the TANG couch area. Best vacation ever and I became a teensy, giggly part of GB histor
Duder, its over!
GP: Sounds like a great time was had by all. Giant Bomb mystery #347 revealed! We should probably start wrapping this up. Got any plugs or anywhere people can keep up with you?TT: Oh sure. My Tweetah can be found here. And I have a little art blog that I try to maintain with regularity here.
GP: Alright, now this is the part where you say WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT!
TT: PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER
GP: Thanks a million for your time Turbo_Toaster, if that is your real name!!!!!!!!!!!????????
TT: I wish! And you're very welcome, it's been a pleasure.
Hope you all enjoyed our interview half as much as we did!
Thanks again Turbo_Toaster!
Edit: Stang interview has been delayed (the man wants to bless you with his voice!) so lordofultima is next! Stay tuned.
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