I got asked soon after I became Cherub for an interview by a blog. Here are the results:
Age Of Mythology Interview
Hi Thangbrand Aesirear (How can I call you?), please tell us some words about yourself.
-Expert, AoM Expert, or Thangbrand Aesirear are the names that I go by. I'm an Age of Mythology fanatic. Always have been. I first got on AoM two years after its release, and as I played it more and more I began experiencing a certain feeling... something I had never experienced before with any other game. It just seemed to click with me. The freedom and capability that the game offers was fascinating, and I actually found that it was improving my thinking capabilities, so I would not be surprised if I am more intelligent today because of my engagement in AoM. I joined AoM Heaven (aom.heavengames.com) as a regular user several years later, and now that I have just become a moderator on the site, the ability to be involved with one of my greatest passions has just increased dramatically. AoMH remains THE top website for AoM lovers alike.
How long have you been part of the AoM community?
-Well I joined the site in 2007, but 3 years before that I was hanging around the downloads section most of the time, downloading a lot of custom maps made by other users. Once my knowledge of the game had reached the point where I understood the terminology and tech, I joined the site under the name "aom expert". To this day I remain an active and frequent user on the site.
What made you feel like to join the game’s biggest fan site?
-If you're referring to when I joined as a regular, I really wanted to experience what it was like interacting with other AoM players, as I had not before because I could not get onto the game's multiplayer server. My internet at the time was extremely slow. I also had some questions about the game that needed answering, questions that I could only get the answers to if I asked them myself. If you're referring to the concept of moderator, I really can't say what I was. Excited? Of course. But more-so satisfied that I could contribute even more to the game that has been a passion for me since my childhood.
How would you describe the AoM community?
-A couple people on the forums had one time expressed that AoM players are your above average individuals, as far as intelligence and creativity. I firmly believe that. You need to have the ability to multitask and strategize if you want to play this game. And that's not even counting the game's mission editor, which takes a lot of logical deduction to create your own maps, due to all the code-like concepts. So the community is a good one, in that aspect. We know how to have fun too, as we have many interactive events on the website, sometimes regarding the game, sometimes other things. And I can't forget about being able to play the content that other people have made with the game. Some of the work that is put into these maps and tools is mind-boggling. It's amazing to see things like this.
Are you keeping an eye on the fan’s works?
-I have been keeping an eye on them since 2004, downloading and enjoying a lot of material, but if you're talking as a moderator I will probably be keeping eyes more on them because it's what I've been designated to do.
Can you tell us the highlights from the fans creation since you joined the site?
-Oh my goodness. There is just too much to count. What I can tell you is the most popular type of content are the things that revolutionize the way we see the game, such as a breakthrough in a technical aspect, or a concept we have never seen before that is fascinating to admire. The most popular type of custom content are recorded online battles, multiplayer missions, and single player missions. Modeling (for the game) is actually beginning to become a popular trend as we speak.
What do you think, which is the better: making a mod or playing the final product?
-Both of these are equally important. That's it. Creating something with or for the game I'm sure is a great feeling, but when you get to the point where it becomes a reality that's where the real excitement comes. Of course, you can't get to this point without taking the steps towards it first.
Which is your favourite God and why?
-Currently I play online as Poseidon. As with any RTS, it's always a race, and the features this particular god has suit me well when it comes to speed and efficiency. The "Lure", in the game, for example is a way get one of the resources (food) when there is none, which is quite helpful as you need it to advance later.
What about a nation?
-I would have to go with the Atlanteans, which are only in the expansion pack of the game. They're actually tied to the Greeks as far as history and mythology goes, and the Greeks already are an innovative civilization. Their gods in the game are also among the top and most powerful gods in mythology, and they have many unique and interesting powers in the game. I don't play as them though because they can be difficult to master.
Have you ever thought of creating a project to expand the available nations with new major gods and smaller ones or is it technically impossible as the required developer tools were so far not made public?
-This is totally possible, but if you're asking me, no. However, you would not believe your eyes when you see a modification for this that was made by a team of several designers. If you're familiar with The Lord of the Rings, there was a huge project based on this that was released to the community. It comes with its own civilizations and units.
How do you see the future, as the Steam system works quite different than the old one, so mods before this era may not be useable?
-It has been confirmed that virtually all of the game's content will be transferable to the new system, and there will even be new and useful tools to help the users be more efficient in designing, so you can imagine how excited the community is about that. The only thing I can say about the older system is that it was great... while it lasted. It became deactivated a couple years ago, so AoM players are excited about this upcoming server host.
What was the purpose of releasing the new edition besides making tons of money in your opinion?
-I remember reading somewhere that a player believed the reason was kind of like an experiment - to see how much of an interest people still had in the game, and that if the new edition was a success, we would be seeing even more work put into it by the leaders. I stand by this; I think it makes sense, and with how loyal the fans are, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this put into action.
May they release new expansions or DLCs with maybe new civilizations in your opinion?
-Age of Mythology, unlike its predecessors Age of Empires and Age of Empires II, relies on a completely different engine, which is more complex. Not only that, but the original game's team of creators have long been disbanded. If we talk about a civilization, there would probably have to be new art and animation, which I don't believe the game's current leaders are up for yet. The huge modification I was talking about before relies on most of the game's current models and animation.
Please tell us one tipp that is essential to become a pro.
-Watch recorded matches by the pros. I was going to say "Practice", but if you don't know what you're doing, how can you practice correctly? It's also difficult sometimes to understand just by worded instruction.
Thanks for answering my questions, I wish the AoM Heaven staff and you good luck in both in- game and real life.
-No problem, and thank you for taking an interest in the game and its community.
Interview was made by House Of Ilosz (House Of Ilosz is an already known blogging atmosphere/creative organisation. We are continuously making projects for the game called World Of Tanks. Our motto is Simple, Stylish, Seductive. This represents how our works are. Our World War themed Blog can be found here:http://houseofilosz.blogspot.hu/ , if you have further questions please email to houseofilosz@gmail.com )
Age Of Mythology Interview
Interview was made by House Of Ilosz (House Of Ilosz is an already known blogging atmosphere/creative organisation. We are continuously making projects for the game called World Of Tanks. Our motto is Simple, Stylish, Seductive. This represents how our works are. Our World War themed Blog can be found here: