Interview [Issue 26] Meet... The New Reporters

[hogree 4,179]

 
As most of you readers have gathered, the newspaper welcomed four new Reporter Candidates into it's midst last issue. Although unable to publish an interview with all of them last issue due to holiday season, it seemed fitting to get to know a bit more about these four "new guys". And so, I managed to get hold of them this issue and have a chat with them.

Fen-Harel
Ever-present in the XP Battles of Server 1, and having formerly gone by the nick of Achilles1233, Fen is now a highly-esteemed, and of course highly-skilled member of the English community, well-settled with many popular members of the community of today.

 
hogree: Evening, Lord Harel. Pleasure to be your interviewer today. Firstly, could you tell us a bit about yourself, who you are...?
 
Fen-Harel: Good evening to you as well, Hoggie. My name is William, but most people call me Fen. I'm from Serbia and I'm 15 years old. I don't have any special hobbies, perhaps rubik's puzzle solving and reading. Also a bit of table tennis.
 
hogree: Ah, good old Table Tennis. Just saying, but you'd never beat me. Anywaay... about when did you join Tanki and what made you want to apply for the Reporter job?
 
Fen-Harel: Psh, go 1-1 ok. I joined Tanki last year I think, I don't even remember to be honest. I joined with some older friends from previous games. One of them being Brandy. After a while Brandy and others left the game and I decided I'd get more into the Tanki community. I'm not really much of a forumer and I post little, but I got friends by chatting. Now about the reporter part, I made a break from reading and writing for a year or so, and started reading again. And... I got a bit carried away, reading 5 books in a little more over a week. Then I got my passion for writing back and decided to test my luck with the reporter job.
 
hogree: 5 Books? Lightweight. Just kidding, that's pretty impressive. Right, since we started talking about Tanki, what do you normally use in-game? Also, what maps, gameplay, modes do you particularly enjoy?
 
Fen-Harel: I just started my passion for reading ok, no cry... I use the all powerful hornet rail power. The true harmony for a tank. I fell in love with it on the first day of 2014 when I first bought it. Started practicing in various ways, and now I pretty much only play XP battles, with the classic maps- sandbox, barda, bridges, tribute etc. CTF of course. I also sometimes go for a drugging DM to waste a bit of my supplies and have some fun.
 
hogree: Sounds like fun. Right, well, if you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?
 
Fen-Harel: Let me think...
See what I did there?
 
hogree: Oh i see what you did there on so many levels. Anyway. If you could pick a reporter as a mentor, who would it be? (Pick Wisely)
 
Fen-Harel: I feel I should say Lhamster... but I just can't do it. I'm not really sure, I never thought I needed one. I prefer learning writing techniques and storytelling by myself.
That sounded less self centered in my head.
 
hogree: That's fair enough, I guess. Well, as you clearly seem quite confident in your ability, what can we expect to see from you in the next few months? What sort of stuff do you specialise in?
 
Fen-Harel: I am a storyteller. I write what I want to read and then share it with others. I enjoy writing stories the most, I try to make memorable characters, unexpected events and different perspectives. More variation allows the reader to experience the same story in different ways. Other than that, I will probably write XP guides or something similar, tactics related most likely.
 
hogree: Awesome! Cant wait. Well, it's been a pleasure. Thanks for talking with me today.

 kirby2008
His entries in contests and common comments on the "What to Buy" topic have given him a presence in the community, and he somehow manages to balance writing several articles each issue with 5 A-Levels and an ambition of a career in medicine!
 
hogree: Yo Kirby. Great to be able to speak with you today. Could you start by just briefly telling us a bit about yourself and who you are?
 
kirby2008: Yeah sure! So my name is Roy, live near London, and am an aspiring medic :) I've been playing Tanki for almost a year now, and it is the one and only game I actually love and have time for.
 
hogree: Great. Well, what made you consider applying for the job of Reporter?
 
kirby2008: Well since I discovered the forum, I've been active on it regularly. The English community is great, and I've made a lot of new friends. Being a reporter would allow me to become even more involved in the community, and also it allows me to give something back to it. Finding out there was crystals involved too was a nice surprise and an added bonus!
 
hogree: Yup. Well, you say Tanki is the only game you really enjoy, so what's the secret to your enjoyment? What combination do you normally play with and what sorts of maps and modes do you enjoy most?
 
kirby2008: I first got into it because it was easily accessible. I don't have any consoles... So an online multiplayer game seemed perfect. I love the fact that it really seems more of a career than a game. Collecting crystals and building up my arsenal over time is really satisfying. I play in quite a wide range of maps and modes, and I think this has given me good insight into the game. My favourite has got to be TDM, primarily because it's much harder for a team of druggers to come in and steal a fund! As for my favourite combination, Viking is my favourite hull, and I use it almost all the time. I switch between Rico and Fire, and emerald and inferno, which gives me some flexibility. I can usually find a good combo for the game at hand.
 
hogree: It's got to be Fire... ;) Well, if you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what do you reckon they would be?
 
kirby2008: Hmm, good question.... Firstly I'd say I'm social - I try and keep as many friends as possible, and invite them or join their games. Secondly, I'd say I'm fair. I hate to see druggers ruining games, and will do anything I can to stop them. Lastly, I'd say I'm a bit reckless! My determination to stay in a game and drug to the end does sometimes end badly!
 
hogree: Mm-hmm, cool. Okay, so as a new reporter, if you could pick any of the current Reporters to be a "Mentor", who would it be?
 
kirby2008: I think the whole reporter group is a nice bunch, all very friendly. I have a lot of respect for all the current reporters, but if I had to choose one, I think I would pick GoldRock. His articles really impress me.
 
hogree: Got to agree with that. Right, finally, what do you think we can expect to see coming from you in the upcoming few months? Do you specialise in anything in particular?
 
kirby2008: Well currently I'm working on a series to compare some of the weapons, as you may have seen. What inspired me to do this was the frequent questions posted on the forum about which of the weapons was better.
 
Another thing I hope to continue is the ongoing 'continue the story' contest. Hopefully, we shall have a complete, chapter by chapter story by the end!
 
As for new ideas, I'm always up for a challenge. If anyone really wants something to be included or written about, I'd be very happy to take requests!
 
hogree: Awesome. Thanks for chatting with me today, it's been great. Looking forward to see more of your produce in the near future!
 
kirby2008: Thank you for the interview!

 MadDog21
"The definition of a real veteran", MadDog is one of the most renowned members of the English Community of all time. With seemingly endless knowledge and rather indomitable use of the English language, MD21 is looked on with great respect by many, especially having been part of the army in his eyebrow-raising career!
 
hogree: Hi there MadDog. Great to speak to you today. Firstly, could you just tell us a bit about yourself, and who you are? I know you've done an interview with the paper before, but could you just briefly sum up yourself?
 
MadDog21: I'm an adult Tanker. I'm a retired educator, former Chief Warrant Officer and gunship pilot veteran of the Vietnam conflict, jack of [many] trades and master of some and an ardent fan of Tanki for leisure competition. I live in America's middle west, in Iowa, a richly fertile land that feeds much of the world.
 
hogree: Right you are. Well, when did you join the game - and what made you apply for the Reporter job?
 
MadDog21: I don't keep a timeline diary. Best guess was late 2010. That data surely exists somewhere in the digital annals of Tanki. I didn't apply; I was recruited, but I'm happy to help. Prior to being a chat Mod, I'd applied for that job, my intent was to help make the game more civilized since it was overburdened with vulgar twerps and cheats.
 
hogree: Fair enough... Well, when you do play Tanki, what is your primary combination, and what sorts of maps and styles do you like engaging combat in?
 
MadDog21: Combinations vary based on mood, effectiveness and chosen maps. I used to favor Rico, but I tend to linger too long on the fire button since they modified it. Har! Map preferences matter less than where "friends" play. I like playing with ones I know won't quit and will play hard and predictably. I play lots of Kungur by virtue of all that.
 
hogree: Cool. 'Kay, if you were to have to describe yourself in 3 Words, what do you think they would be...?
 
MadDog21: You're a word crafter, hence you have to know how foolish and difficult that query is. Still, in the spirit of cooperation, I'll give it a go. I'm moral, honest and ethical. I don't lie, chat, steal or exploit, and I don't endure such with even a sliver of tolerance. After all, I was a Boy Scout. I guess the ethos stuck. :)
 
hogree: That's great. :) Well, I know this question may not be particularly suitable, but if you could pick any of the Reporters to be a sort of "mentor" to you, if any, who would you pick?
 
MadDog21: Me! I taught writing among other subjects for my career. I know how it's done. :) Somewhat more directly and a bit more humbly, I've already received consul and advice from a few, and it was all good and helpful. While I know how to write, I sense there is a Tanki way, and I'll learn that with help from fellow reporters.
 
hogree: Haha. I thought I would see that coming. :) Great, I know most people would like you to mentor them, I just thought I might as well ask the question. Well, finally, since you've joined the team, what can we be expecting to see from you in the upcoming future? What sort of articles do you specialise in?
 
MadDog21: I don't fancy myself as any manner of techie. I am something of a moralist, so some of my writing will focus on how each Tanker who cares to can help Tanki be better, more civil. Nobody goes out for a social night hoping to encounter thugs, bullies, profaners and general malcontents. Mods and Admin cannot be everywhere. I hope to help Tankers understand and actualize the great merits of being civil and demanding civility from fellow Tankers. The object of games like Tanki is to achieve and enjoy. When achievement overwhelms manners and ethics, it's like being in a dance club with a 300 pound jerk. One must either confront the thuggish mass of protoplasm or leave. I rarely leave.
 
hogree: That sounds awesome! Well, thanks for talking to me today, it's been a pleasure interviewing you.
 
MadDog21: Thanks, Josh.
 
Note: If you want to read an extended interview with MadDog21, Vikingsrall interviewed him a couple of issues ago, and you can read that here.

 williew
A parkour fanatic, Williew is a respected member of the community with a strong work ethic and a real commitment to his job. Although perhaps not boasting the greatest knowledge of the English language, his articles show off a degree of "Raphael2-style" writing with very relevant and simple-to-read material a main feature.
 
hogree: Hi williew! Firstly, could you just tell us briefly about a bit about yourself and who you are?
 
williew: Hi hogree, well I'm williew and I've been a tanker since 2012. I joined the game after I spoke with my friend about 'Tanki Online', didn't know that I was going to play this game weekly or even daily. I liked the game and of course, I wanted to rank fast to beat my friend. I found some other Dutch tankers and started playing with them daily in server 13 (which later would change to server 11). Also enjoyed doing little tricks and parkour, though I never had thought I would start my own parkour group since I was such a noob in parkour at the beginning.
 
A while later I met @Zero-nl and @x24storm, while I was in a Dutch clan searching for a few new members. The clan was getting inactive and we decided to set up our own clan 'The Dangerous White's'. It was a fun period where I met a lot of new friends and of course, GoldRock too! After the clan got closed, I have been in several other clans, though nowadays I'm more focussed on parkour. This was just the story of my Tanki career, though who I am in real life? As you might know I come from the Netherlands where I was born and grown up. In my spare time I'm trying out several programs on my computer (graphics programs, gamemaker programs and some more). Beside that I'm still going to school, so that takes a lot of time as well. Don't think I have any more to say. :)
 
hogree: Great to know, thanks for telling us. Well, what made you interested in applying for the job of Reporter?
 
williew: . I always loved the job and thought it would be fun if there are a few Dutch articles in the newspaper aswell, This altogether made me apply.
 
hogree: Uhuh. As for Tanki, what do you normally use, what sort of maps do you like and what type of gameplay and modes do you primarily enjoy?
 
williew: I normally use Wasp and Railgun, I love the speed of Wasp and I've been playing with the gun almost since my career started. But once there is a gold box notification, you'll see me with dictator: since I always press directly 'delete' and change as fast as possible. The maps are different every time. If I'm bored and just want to hunt for some golds, I prefer the maps Polygon, Lost Temple and Stadium. If I want to play a good other game, I normally join a CTF battle, I love to capture flags with my Wasp. If I'm playing CTF, I'm joining any battle which looks fun to me, I usually start tanki then with 'www.tankionline.com/lucky.html' – as by this way you join a random server and you'll find random maps. Also CP battles can be fun, especially Stadium CP (I actually don't join any other CP battles).
 
hogree: Coooool. Now, three words to describe you best - what would they be?
 
williew: Difficult.. :L
Just Willie. <-- I think that's the best :)
 
hogree: Isn't that just two words? Or is the Difficult Included? :P
 
williew: Yeah, included :D
 
hogree: Lel ok. Right, back to the subject, if you could pick any Reporter as a mentor/teacher to you, who would you pick?
 
williew: Definitely Ilia (ArchangeI).

 

hogree: Okay. Well, finally, since you've joined the team, what can we be expecting to see from you in the upcoming future? What sort of articles do you specialise in?

 

williew: You can expect articles about parkour for sure, parkour is one of the things I love the most in this game. Also you can expect articles about Tanki Online's cybersport, free sport and starladder too. Beside that I'll come up with guides about this game and of course Dutch articles. This is what I have planned for now, though I'm always thinking and might come up with totally different stuff too.

 

hogree: Mm-hmm, sounds good. Thanks for chatting today, it's been great. All the best for the future.

Well, that's the interviews over, but you guys still can play a part in the future articles coming from the pens of these new reporters. Do get involved by suggesting articles for the upcoming issues, over on a new "Newspaper Requests!" Topic linked here. And whatever you do, make sure you keep reading and giving feedback! It's you readers that keep us writing. And please make sure that you post your opinions on the articles, especially the ones from the new guys among us; to help us get better and spur us to keep going. 

 

[aBdUlLaHkInGg 39]

Welcome new reporters,I hope they will perform their job nicely.

[I.WalkAlone 548]

The interview were awesome. Great job!

[GG_reg 1,521]

Great interview, good questions asked and answered. Welcome "new guys" :)

Edited September 5, 2014 by Makhlas

[lordmostafa 3,821]

Welcome guys, glad to have you ^_^

I really liked your questions, and the answers where really nice too, but I have to admit, this is the best one :lol:.

 

 

 

hogree: Sounds like fun. Right, well, if you could describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?
 
Fen-Harel: Let me think...
See what I did there?

[Superlative 500]

Nice of you to take an interview of three new reporters. It's been great knowing the life of the reporters.

[Mr.I3oSS 557]

A warm welcome to thee new Reporters of Tanki Online :)

[Meliora 1,652]

Guys... Why do you keep using Lord Harel? I made that up and now everyone's using it - it's actually getting on my nerves now...

 

Anyway... Very good interview, aside from the above...

[Thekillerpenguin 1,731]

Congratulations to the new reporters! Hopefully we will have larger newspapers now.

 

The Reporter paint is EPIC, so enjoy that too.

[eminemrapgod 16]

Doughnut2100 can be a good mod

[Pathfinder 1,690]

Guys... Why do you keep using Lord Harel? I made that up and now everyone's using it - it's actually getting on my nerves now...

 

Anyway... Very good interview, aside from the above...

You should be happy :) it's only cause it was a cool name that it's being used...

[TheLonelyEpic 212]

Nice of you to take an interview of three new reporters. It's been great knowing the life of the reporters.

4...

 

Pretty good article. 

[jazz20 1,181]

Wow and they're still mods to this day  ^_^ mad props to them :)