Banshee Q&A Here is finally Jelan's long awaited interview with Banshee - Nihilistic Board Moderator, dedicated WomenGamers.com writer and Grit Maker Extraordinaire. Jelan: How did you first start playing Vampire? Banshee: It was a pretty roundabout path, the full version is too long, so I'll give you the summary here. A friend of mine was leaving for a summer internship, and we wanted to see each other one more time before he left, but he had a gaming session scheduled. He asked if I wanted to come along, and I said yes. I was familiar with gaming, but was very busy volunteering as an HIV counselor at that point in my life, so I didn't really have time to play on a regular basis. Anyway, they were playing a crossover WoD campaign, and I watched but didn't make a character because at that time I couldn't commit to it. Coincidentally, that was also the night I met my husband, who happened to be in the play group. :) We stayed with that play group for a bit, but they never wanted to play Vampire, I think in part because they were just finishing up with that crossover campaign at the time I arrived on the scene. So although I'd read all the books (my spouse has a ton of them), I didn't get the chance to actually play the game. I finally got to actually play it with a different play group at the beginning of 2000, in January. It was an interesting experience. I felt lucky to have another player in the group who was totally new to the game. At the time, Jennie knew next to nothing about the background of Vampire, and she played her character accordingly. She hadn't read eight zillion books, and it was neat to see things through her eyes, through her fresh perspective. I wouldn't have changed all my reading, though - that's just how I am. I like to research and find out everything I can about whatever is occupying my interest at a given moment. Jelan: And, how did you first find out about Redemption? Banshee: Caine told me. ;) No, seriously, I found out about it from post-E3 press coverage in May of 1999. I lurked for a little bit, and then became a member June 2nd. I'll admit to going in with a mission: I was quite ticked about not being able to select your character in single player, and at that time, I hadn't heard anything about multiplayer mode. Jelan:How did you end up being a revered board mod? Banshee: I don't know about this revered business, but you're mighty kind, thanks. :) *wink* I don't have any ghoul positions available at the moment, but we'll certainly keep your application on file. ;) I think it was around November of 1999 when the boards started getting a real influx of new members in anticipation of the game's release. Most board members prior to November had been around for months, and it was the best board I've ever been on: the sheer quality of posts, the topics we discussed intelligently, the input from the NSI team and Activision's John Heinecke, all of it. That level of debate and fellowship kept all of us coming back for more. However, in November, new folks started coming on the scene. Now, it's not that we didn't welcome new blood -- that's great, you need new people to provide an infusion of fresh material and insights. The problem was that we had all of these very bright early adopters, and then a lot of casual, trend-of-the-hour folks started rolling in. It wasn't that we wouldn't let them in the club or that we minded hearing questions that had been asked before - I certainly didn't mind that. After all, everyone has to start somewhere, and I've been the newbie before, many times. We all have. What caused friction was that many of these new folks really, frankly, didn't even seem that interested in the game, and just came in and started spouting whatever expelled from their id at the moment. Now, as you know, I'm not exactly shy about sharing my opinion. ;) *laughs* Even when it gets me in trouble, I'm generally pretty honest: people know where they stand with me. If I love you, I tell you, and if I'm mad about something, well, I say that, too, though I probably still like you. It takes a lot for me to dislike someone. Anyway, one day I voiced my opinion about the decline in the boards, and said that I'd stick around, I'd be there long after these trend-hoppers were gone, but that in the meantime, I wasn't going to stand by and let them ruin what had been one of the most remarkable cyber communities ever. Later, Trail, the Big Board Guy, He Who Controls The Hardware, asked Ferret and I if we'd like to be moderators. We accepted - our role was pretty much equivalent to the forum leaders (or Inconnu) for most of that time, then later we got "promoted" to Antediluvians, which means we have some access to the UBB management tools - ban lists, stuff like that. We haven't entirely succeeded in keeping the board at the level of the early days, and I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that it's not going to be like that ever again. However, we've done far better on keeping our old members around than I ever thought possible. I can't believe how many have stayed - it's terrific. They're what makes it one of the best boards on the web. We've encountered a few technical hurdles of late, but *fingers crossed* those appear to be fixed for now. Just growing pains, I guess. :) Jelan: Have you ever felt better and more special than the other mods because you got an easter egg and they didn't? Banshee: *laughs* Jelan, what a crummy question! (See, I told you I'm direct.) But really, though! *laughs again* There is absolutely no good answer to that! If I say no, then it looks like I don't appreciate the NSI team's thoughtfulness, Ray, Rob and Brent especially. I mean, they braved the grits, and put up with all of my fussing, and they're nice about it! I love those guys! If I say yes, I look like an arrogant, egotistical jerk with an inflated sense of self-importance over something that's really pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. I mean, it's not like the polio vaccine was named after me or anything! So the phrasing of the question is not good, mister! :) I guess I can say that I really am tickled and delighted to have an Easter egg. I've certainly never had one before, and I was definitely surprised and thrilled. What really meant the most was what it represented - that across the miles, a good relationship had developed. I mean, I personally love seeing the human face of the project, the people who are really behind this great game. It was cool to hear in IRC that they were in the middle of doing laundry, or that Innerloop had to go on a food run for the gang, or that Drizzle was playing Counter-Strike. After a certain point, I wasn't looking for information or hints about the game, I just cared about how they were doing as people, just touching base. We became good acquaintances, if friend is too presumptuous a term considering that we haven't yet had the chance to meet face-to-face. So that's what makes me feel special - that I get an e-mail from Ray or Rob now and then, hearing that they've just gotten back from vacation and time with their families and whatnot. But it's not just me that gets that - not at all. They are so friendly and kind to all of their fans - that kind of treatment is a regular thing with them for everyone. I'm not really singled out. They're just very nice people, honestly. Though I do wonder exactly what meaning I should take about what they think of me considering my Easter egg involved a Malkavian! :) Jelan: How long do you spend on the boards every day? Banshee: Whew. Now? Maybe an hour and a half, two hours, somewhere thereabouts. It depends on the traffic, and on if the board software is having a problem. I usually check it at least twice a day. Back when the game was first released though . . . *shudder* Ferret and I would average around four hours, then five, then at one point it was eight and ten hours at a stretch just to get through everything. It was that busy. We couldn't keep up. Thank goodness all the people we asked to be forum leaders said yes - we desperately needed the help. Nexus, Gilchrist, Tipharette, Kerensky, Weremuppet, Tagplazen, MilkmanDan, everybody who helped - I can't thank them enough. And I just don't know what I'd do without Freaky Ferret. He is a friend, but if I may be forgiven for saying so, Trail really showed foresight when he asked the two of us, in particular. We work so well together, I swear, it's like we share a brain sometimes. He always seems to know what I'm thinking. And he is the IRC Gawd, after all. :) And Gil, and Ker . . . they take good care of me, too, not to mention the fact that Gil's a terrific ST and supports the community in that way as well. Tiph is a phenomenal role-player. Nexus absolutely floors me with his dedication. So many great people, all supporting the game. All hail the ModLuvQuad! Jelan: Are you a goth? Banshee: *laughs* No, but I've always been quite different, for a variety of reasons. I probably would at least dress like one occasionally, if it weren't so much trouble. I mean, I rarely wear makeup - and whether you're normal or goth, you're still investing the same amount of labor in makeup, it's just different colors. Black lipstick or pink, you're still putting on lipstick. *shrug* I'd rather get a few more winks of sleep or be working on an article for WomenGamers, or doing something productive or fun. Sometimes I dress up, sure, but I don't feel a real need to identify as belonging to a specific crowd. We're all different, and if you're "rebelling against the establishment" by conforming to a goth dress code, you're still conforming, so that's not exactly nonconformist. ;) I wear what I like. I have worn black leather pants and enjoyed them, while my wedding dress had a train on it that was almost as long as Princess Diana's. I've worn black lipstick outside of Halloween, and I still like wild clothes, but that's part of my theatre background: I like the concept of clothes as costume. I just don't fuss with it as much as I used to - comfort is key. For that, nothing beats a trusty pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. :) If folks just feel compelled to classify and label me, and since that's what humans do, they categorize, I'd say my primary public identification right now is as a female gamer, but we're a pretty diverse group. I'm very proud to work for WomenGamers.com, and I've really enjoyed meeting all the developers, all the gamers, all the journalists and fans I've come into contact with because of that, especially my fellow Vampire fans. It's a wonderful experience, and I'm savoring every minute of it. What's that brilliant quote from Neil Gaiman? Not that there's a shortage of brilliant quotes from him, but there was a photography book of fantasy authors, The Faces of Fantasy, and in his section, he was talking about someone coming up and telling him that he didn't look like what they expected him to look like. He tells them "this is not my real face," and explains that no writers show their real faces except through their work, with an interesting story he was told about a little girl who once saw a writer with his true face on and she was never seen again. :) Anyway, I very much agree with the point about real faces. There was another board member a while back, Tonsils, who also sometimes goes by the handle BrainInVat. And I understand what he's saying, too. I mean, bodies are nice, they can look nice, they can be dressed up, they have good and bad smells, they feel pleasant and all that, but sometimes they seem to get in the way of seeing the real personality. The body is part of that, but it really comes from the brain. That's another thing I like about being online - you focus less on the exterior and more on the content. So, am I a goth? I have some interests that would probably be classified as gothic, but you can't judge many books by their cover, as the saying goes, me included. I have something in common with almost everyone - it's just the degree that varies. Jelan: In what ways do you think Nihilistic failed with Vampire? Banshee: I think firewall support needs to be improved dramatically. I think the Storyteller interface needs to be reworked so that it is more intuitive and ST elements can be shifted between more easily. My husband is the information architect for a top 25 web site, so I'm especially sensitive to usability issues. I also think they need to add multiple ST functionality to help ease the burden on one person. Multiplayer game stability could be improved, and there's been quite a bit of outcry, as you know, in the Vampire community about wanting an option in addition to WON, cutting out the middleman, as it were. A player search function is greatly needed, as well as other tweaks to the online chat part of the game. Also, I still wish the tools were simpler to use "for the rest of us," but more importantly, for those talented folks in the editing community, I wish some of the code were more accessible for the tweaks they want to do. I know they've encountered some limitations on what they can adjust. I'm not saying anything I haven't already said to the guys personally, not saying anything they haven't heard, so there's certainly nothing that's going behind their back. Oh, and I would have liked to see the Sabbat clans as playable options in MP. I think it's also important to state that I don't think they failed - I've listed a few things they could adjust, but I think the game is remarkable. I mean, the list of improvements that BioWare made between Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II is no shorter - they improved the interface and tweaked quite a bit. This is a pretty average laundry list, I think, for a first release. There's always room for improvement in any game - nothing's perfect, and you're always racing against time to get the product out before the look and appearance is totally obsolete. Look at the problems that delays caused for Daikatana. So I think the game is absolutely terrific - it's certainly better, I think, certainly exceeds expectations for the amount of time they put into it. They have an amazingly tight ship, and a truly dedicated team. Jelan: In what ways do you think they excelled? Banshee: So many areas! First off, originality - there's never been anything like Vampire's multiplayer before. It's almost certain to be the primary aspect that the game is remembered for, and I'm still enjoying it with my weekly play group. Totally groundbreaking, and very ambitious. And the game is, in my opinion, the most visually-stunning to be released this year. The graphics and the levels are beautiful. I think the way in which they excel most is in their accessibility and willingness to interact with and listen to their fans. They really don't seem to be egotistical: if people don't like something about their game, they're willing to change it, fix it, and move on. I think that's fantastic, and hope more developers follow their lead. I just wish some of the reviewers for the game had done a "Before" and "After" look at Vampire, particularly after the save game feature was added. So, their adaptability and commitment to doing whatever they can to make things right for consumers of their product is their #1 asset with the game, as far as I'm concerned. If they keep that through future products, and I have no reason to think they won't, they'll be around a very long time. Jelan: What's the toughest part about being a moderator? Banshee: Trolls. Explaining to people why we've closed threads. Explaining to people why they've been banned. It's not something we do lightly - we know that every poster is a person, an individual, with feelings and interest in the game. Every time we have to ban somebody, I feel like we've failed - that we've tried really hard to communicate clearly and politely, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Even with really bending over backwards to keep an open dialogue, there are some folks you just can't reach, but in all this time, I've only gotten one threat, so that's pretty good, I think. I try hard to reach peaceful resolutions and work differences out. But we do have to enforce the "polite dinner party" atmosphere for the good of the community, else the boards would be littered with personal attacks and spam. Worse, there'd be a lot more hard feelings, and we'd lose the general sense of friendliness that exists now. Also, the sheer time invested during the first month of the game's release - I don't want to go through that again. Good grief. *shakes head* That was not fun at all, and when it stops being fun, as an unpaid mod, you really think about quitting. But I stayed, because I believed it would pass, and it did. Things are much better now. :) Jelan: How long do you plan to stay active in the community? Banshee: Good question. It's more fun for me to be there right now than it has been in a while just because things aren't crazy anymore, I'm glad to say. But much depends on how WomenGamers continues to progress: WG is my #1 priority right now. Both WG and the Vamp community are fun, but if push came to shove, WG is where I'd have to allocate my time because I really feel like I'm working for positive change over there. It's important to me to feel like I'm making a difference. Of course, I think I also make a difference in the Vampire community. Darnit, I like both! :) However, I don't see any conflict or problem in the foreseeable future, and I enjoy being an active member along with so many other great people. You have to understand: some of these people are friends now. We've been together a long time, and this game brought us together - I mean, even if we weren't playing, I care about keeping up with their lives, knowing that Tag's got a new job or that Ferret may have met somebody new. Little details like that. So the plan for the foreseeable future is to stay with the Vampire community, simply because it's fun and I enjoy so many of the people in it! Jelan: What's your favorite mod out for redemption? Banshee: Hmmm. I've collected quite a few maps from the Map Depository, made several skins and acquired many more, but a favorite? Proud though I am of my WG skin, I'd say the most useful, must-have addition to the game is The WhiteRabbit's add-on that allows NPCs as playable skins in multiplayer. I also really like the Central London Hub that Krypt did. TEschenbach has done some great work, too. I don't know that I have a very favorite or one that I most enjoy - it depends on what I'm doing in the game. However, I am extremely excited about Yith's upcoming Mage mod. From the screenshots I've seen, it looks fantastic. Jelan: What's your favorite non White Wolf vampire book, your fav WW vamp book, and why for both? Banshee: I'm embarrassed to say it, but do you know that I haven't even read Dracula yet? I know, I know, shame on me! I'll get to it eventually, and hey, modding the boards is time I could be spending catching up on my reading, so there. :) But at least I'm not defensive or anything. *laughs* I need to read Salem's Lot, too. I am drawing a blank - I'm trying now to think of vampire fiction I have read, but brain freeze, I just can't think of a single story right now. I know if you were to start naming things, I'd shout out "Oh, yeah, that was great!" So, now I'll look like a ninny because I can't think of anything right now. I'm sure I will the minute this interview is over. :) As for a favorite White Wolf vampire book, hmm. I was wholly disappointed with the inconsistent quality of the clan novel series, and wish I could get back the hours of my life I spent reading it, except for the Setite and Giovanni books, both of which were decent. Oddly, those aren't clans I particularly like - I don't find the Giovanni particularly interesting, so I suppose it's a testament to Achilli's storytelling. I think the clan novel arc was an interesting idea with imperfect execution. Favorite White Wolf book on vampires . . . I've read a good many. I really liked Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand[Editor's note: DSotBH], except for that nonsense about Vicissitude and space aliens, even though White Wolf has mostly disavowed it with the Revised editions. But hey, they say break any of the rules that don't fit your ST game, so I continue to use it because I think some of the elements of DSotBH are very useful. I also like the main book, as well as the basic Dark Ages book. As for why, I think all of those establish a lot of the mythology, the basic background of the Kindred world. I like the way they set the tone for clan interactions and for breaking out of the molds and forging new political alliances in-game. Oh, wait, I know! I really liked Blood Magic very much, and I'm also partial to Berlin by Night, but that's partially because my hubby's character is mentioned in it because he helped to play test it. :) Jelan: What is your favorite clan? Banshee: Camarilla - Tremere; Sabbat - Tzimisce (though I'm liking Lasombra more and more); Independent - True Brujah and Kiasyd. I also think the Samedi are very interesting, and playing a Caitiff in VtMR has given me some of the richest role-playing moments I've ever had. I don't think I can pick just one as a very favorite, but I suppose if I were faced with a vozhd that would stomp me if I didn't name one . . . oh, heck, I'd probably get stomped! This week, it's the True Brujah - ask me next week, you might get another answer. :) Jelan: Why? Banshee: I get frustrated with people who choose the Tremere just to be twinks. They are so much more than that. They have a unique structure, they have a specific clan enemy - the Tzimisce want them obliterated, and with good reason. They offer a lot of role-playing options. The Tzimisce are intriguing as well: the clan split between Old Clan and the modern-day Tzimisce of the Sabbat. They're excellent candidates for spying on the Camarilla, without the liability of the Nosferatu in not being able to Mask above a certain attractiveness rating, so they could look like anyone. Do Tzimisce exist in the Camarilla? Almost certainly . . . but how can you tell that they're there? As for the True Brujah, I just really like the concept, as outlined in DSotBH. I like the idea of the philosopher aspect not being entirely lost to the Brujah, and they make an interesting foil to the overly passionate younger portion of the clan. I like the idea of neither being complete without the other - they are the head to the childer's willful heart. I don't know if their absence in vampire society (almost to the point of extinction) is a subtle comment of some sort by White Wolf, perhaps on how knee-jerk emotion often triumphs over reason, often to the detriment of society. In the Brujah's case, cooler heads did not prevail, it seems. I think they could be great teachers, and that Temporis could be very useful in showing the current Kindred powermongers the mistakes of the past that they are repeating, if they could be bothered to listen. I like the Kiasyd just because they're the clan I'm probably most like. I think the description in the Revised Storyteller book is funny: "You come out of torpor. You read for another 300 years. You go back into torpor." I'd definitely read more as an immortal. Probably terribly selfish of me, but even with all of the negative consequences of the Embrace, and the visceral loss of those dear to me, one of the silver linings would be that I could finally catch up on my reading. :) Jelan: Any ideas on Nihilistic's next project? Banshee: Ideas on what it might be, or on what I think it should be? I do think a ferret should be in it somewhere, but other than that, I trust their judgment, and look forward to seeing whatever it is. Jelan: What would you like to see Nihilistic do next? Banshee: Make a game? :) Really, whatever they put out next will have advantages and disadvantages. If they make an expansion pack, say with new clans and new MP levels, then that gives a great infusion to the community. If they make a new game, then they have more flexibility: they can change the interface easily, tweak the code a bit more and not have to worry so much about working within the confines of compatibility for the first game. Practically speaking, considering the maps, skins and goodies that are being made by the Vampire community, I'd say that a new game would probably be the more sensible route, but then, I'm making that assessment without knowing all the details of contracts, licensing, and other relevant information. I would like to see more of Vampire, and I would like to see the multiplayer aspect emphasized more and refined, as that's what seems to be giving the game "legs" in terms of longevity. I'd like to see that enhanced. But I'll be interested in seeing whatever their next project is, even if it doesn't have a thing to do with Vampire. I'd really love to see them, BioWare, or any other talented, enlightened group of developers tackle White Wolf's Trinity RPG. That could be stunning, if done well. Jelan: What's your favorite video game other than Vampire and why? Banshee: Thank you for asking. Talk about a favorite subject for a gaming journalist! *laughs* I think I almost have to divide that question into "All Time Faves" and "Faves of the Moment." On the all-time list, Master of Magic is one I can always play. As for the current favorite other than Vampire, if somebody doesn't get me the copy of Baldur's Gate II I've been promised, I am simply going to spontaneously combust. I mean it! I played the advance press copy, but that wasn't the full version, and I am craving more. I am watching the mailbox. The mail carriers are going to sue me for tackling them! *laughs* I haven't been like this since waiting for the Vampire beta to arrive! The "why" is different for each of them, but they do have some aspects in common. For example, the pleasure of exploring a large world and discovering things, as well as customization of your character, especially in BG I and II. I appreciate being able to choose the sounds and images for my character and easily pop them right into the game. You can do that for Vampire, too, but some of it isn't as easy. Also, I like that there are female characters in proper armor in BG. The whole game appeals to me - I like the designers' sense of humor splashed throughout, too. Jelan: What do you do when you're not doing vampire things? Banshee: That's a hilarious question! *laughs* Vampire things? :) I've never been a sun worshipper - always been pale to the point of transparency, and I'm a dreadful night owl, though I'm trying to do better about that. But I certainly don't ingest human blood or anything. But what do I do when I'm not playing the game? Lots of stuff - spend time with my husband, research and write articles for WomenGamers, read good books, write e-mail, cook, spend time with family and friends, host parties, play *gasp* other games on the computer, play with our cat. I also do public speaking engagements. I love those. Definitely one of my favorite activities. I truly enjoy meeting other fans and swapping stories and thoughts. I was so proud of the Women in Gaming panel I participated in this past summer. I'm hoping *fingers crossed really tightly* to have a big one coming up in the future, but I don't know yet whether that will pan out or not. Also, I like to travel when I can afford to - I mean I really like it. That's something that's very significant for me to do with my wonderful, supportive spouse - I love discovering new places with him, marking new experiences on our journey together. Jelan: What's your favorite vampire movie? Banshee: I've seen plenty of those, more bad than good, unfortunately. I don't have a favorite movie, but I do enjoy the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's not deep, and it will never touch my beloved Babylon 5, but the writing on it is quite entertaining, and they've had some excellent performances. A panelist, probably David Hines, said exactly what I've always thought about the show: it's worthy because it captures true moments. Sometimes, the show gets it right, so much so that it is real in that the audience member has honestly experienced situations exactly like those in the plot. It's not TV land anymore when you connect with and empathize with the characters on such a personal level. Unfortunately, well, I wouldn't say the vampire aspect of it is what draws me to the show - I think White Wolf's world is more appealing in that regard. I don't think I've found the "perfect" fictional vampire universe just yet, and maybe it doesn't exist. BtVS is just a well-written, appealing show, and that's enough for me. Jelan: So, Banshee, what's the best Vampire: Redemption web site out there? Banshee: Nihilistic :) Where else can you talk directly with the people who made the game about it, get your toe bitten by a ferret, and get great recipes for grits at the same time? ;)