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Community Spotlight: Xaphod
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| Xaphod |
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What brought you to PotBS originally?
It was so long ago! You expect me to remember that far back?! I believe what happened was that I was feeling like trying out some MMOs, and wanted to try something that wasn't all swords and fantasy - this was back in 2002. I stumbled upon Pirates of the Burning Sea in it's very early stages, found it all very interesting sounding but I think I just went away to look for something that was actually finished (and didn't really find anything interesting in the end anyway). Over the next year or so I came back a couple of times, and eventually registered on the forums in November 2003. What kept me coming back was the vision Flying Lab have, and the openness with which they've always been willing to discuss things, and their willingness to talk to the community made me really want to be part of the community. Being very interested in getting into game creation myself I've found watching Flying Lab work fascinating over the years. The other big thing that kept bringing me back here was the User Content Program - which was just flags and sails in the early days.
What sorts of contributions have you made to the game and the community?
I'm the one that nagged Rev and Augustus about allowing for User Content ships until they said they would put them in the game if somebody actually made one that they could use. That old thread is a great example of the axiom 'never underestimate your fans', because I've so far had four ship models approved. The Atlas Bark was my first - it's based on HM Bark Endeavour, which was Captain Cook's ship when he found Australia - and Cook was born not far from where I live so it was a natural ship to start with. I also made the Agamemnon Bark, which is an upgunned and re-rigged version of the Atlas with pirate themed decoration; the Leviathan Bark, which is one of the biggest haulers in the game but sails a little bit slower than the island of Tortuga; and the Bahamut, which is an upgunned and rebuilt version of the Leviathan, with pirate themed decoration. I love my pirate refits!
Regarding the community, I've been involved in some capacity since 2003, posting on forums and generally just being as friendly and helpful as I can be. I joined PotBS Coldfront as a content writer under Rhaegar and became a regular of the community IRC channel, which later became the official IRC channel. As a content writer on Coldfront I was in the position to write news articles about Pirates, and began with writing a preview of what I thought were its unique selling points. Shortly thereafter I got into the beta and we were given the enviable position of being allowed to write an article about our experiences in Beta - effectively making us the first legally 'outed' beta testers. Rhaegar went on to become Aether's underling, and I became the site manager of PotBS Coldfront. Recently, I'm getting involved with The Boarding Party and keeping on sailing.
What recommendations can you make to someone who wants to be active in the community, but doesn't know where to start?
Post on the forums, but post constructively and in a friendly way, and only when you have something useful to say. In particular, come up with new ideas, comment on ideas others have made and help folks out that are struggling. If you find it hard to find interesting threads to post to, I find it's a good idea to look at a dev tracker and respond to what the devs have said. Replying to a thread about a recent devlog would be another excellent place to begin.You've also met a number of FLS staff, correct?
Some - I met Rusty and Fraxl, who were really great and easy to get along with - it was in a naval-themed pub in London, back before open beta. Being stuck in England makes getting to places like PAX difficult, so unfortunately I've not met more.
What makes a good community member, in your eyes?
Well really it's all about being friendly and helpful, and bringing that attitude onto the forums, onto IRC and into the game itself. Also a willingness to not take yourself too seriously. And an unwavering desire for Delicious Cake.
What's your favorite nation/career combination?
Well I play a Pirate Cutthroat most of the time, but I'm leaning towards Pirate Buccaneer so that I can sail a Bahamut. I'm not totally sure either way though to be honest.
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