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An Interview with Armado By Bradford Sneems BS: Armado is one of the most beloved players on 7DoF; when he enters the game, everyone takes notice, whether they like it or not. Beyond making several of the top player lists, he sharpens many a dull moment with his wit and antics. In fact, they practically worship him. He's fantastic. What is it that makes Armado tick? We have the great player here to ask him the questions everyone has been waiting to know. BS: So Armado, welcome, by the waywhat is it that draws attention to you? A: That would be me. I make my presence felt, you could say. BS: Do you like being the center of attention? A: I suppose so. It's not about the attention; it's about being amused and amusing others at the same time. I don't play just for myself. Games of this sort require a holistic sense of play that is often forgotten. BS: How do you mean? A: Well, 7DoF is a game. But when you log on, you see the others sitting there, idling, as if they're just waiting for something to happen. BS: And you happen. A: I do. I try to make things exciting for everybody there. It's not just the frantically typing 'kill orc' and the trying to solve puzzles that is the game part of the game; every aspect is game. The purpose of a game is to play. So why should the chat line not be playful? It's often treated so seriously. It should be for fun. Verbal play and general silliness is needed. People in a game should be enjoying themselves in every facet of it. Sometimes this takes some hyperactive energy, because apathy tends to reign. But I try to charge people up and extract some fun from every part of the game for everyone. BS: Is that how you see your role? A: Yeah, sort of a court jester. To be sure sometimes the mood isn't right. Usually, though, others start to participate in the nonsense, the anarchy. It depends on who's around. BS: Anybody in particular? Do you have favourites? A: I like mostly everyone. They all bring something different. BS: Why do you play on 7DoF? A: Well, for one, they tolerate me. I can't imagine being put up with on other games to quite the same extent. Also for the people: they're patient and usually end up enjoying themselves and so I enjoy myself more. BS: How about the name, 'Armado'? A: It's from a Shakespeare comedy, Love's Labour's Lost. Armado is a great comic character; a sort of glorified commedia del'arte creature. I originally started with a jester-type persona, with quasi-Shakespearean language. However, that was never really intended as a lasting conceit, I don't think. BS: What brought you to 7DoF in the first place? A: I just sauntered in and started making an ass of myself. BS: You must have found out about it somehow? A: That sounds like truth! BS: Surprise, I'm you! A: Whoah! A: Amazing. All this time the Bradford-suit fooled you. A: How do I know you're really me and not in a me-suit? A: Surprise, I'm a balloon full of raisins! A: But which one of us is the balloon full of raisins? Am I the real Armado or are you? BFoR: I ask the questions here or do I? |