Taken From: Community Spotlight: Zoom Demon

Community Spotlight: Zoom Demon

Posted by KPaul at 10/24/2006 4:12 PM PDT

<KP> I have a sandwich.

<Zoom> I have rice and orange chicken

<KP> Damn, trumped

<KP> Interview?

<Zoom> We can do the interview during our virtual lunch.

<KP> Alright. Who are you? What do you do in “the real world?” Remember? That place with fall damage?

<Zoom> Are we starting the interview now?

<KP> Yes, yes we are.

<Zoom> My name is Tasha but everyone calls me Zoom. In the real world, I am a 24 year old college student who is close to obtaining a degree in marketing.

<KP> Who are the Cavegirls? What is your role in the Cavegirls?

<Zoom> The Cavegirls is a group of females who play Halo 2 on XBox live. We were founded by our leader Cayote back in December 2004 when she wanted an all female group to join so she made her own! We have been growing ever since, and mainly just play for fun. We have been able to remain small so that all the girls in group know each other. I am the Co-Leader of The Cavegirls.

<Zoom> My job is to pretty much help Cayote run the group.

<KP> Help Cayote run the group.

<Zoom> Ah, by helping with recruitment, running the forums, organizing challenges, planning events, and brainstorm ideas in which will help our group run better and continue to grow.

<KP> How long have you been a part of the Bungie community? Where did you get your start?

<Zoom> I started with the Bungie community way back when Marathon 2 was out. I use to go on the message boards at the time and helped people who had trouble getting past some levels. I took a long break, and did not get back into Bungie games until Halo 1 came out. During Halo 1, I was not active in the community. I did not start becoming active until when Halo 2 came out. Shortly after Halo 2 came out,

I found Cayote’s Cavegirls group, and have been active ever since.

<KP> Cool beans.

<KP> Which Marathon message boards, if you remember?

<Zoom> Back when “Bungie” was an AOL keyword.

<KP> Heh, nice. What year was that, roughly?

<Zoom> Wow… I was young… probably… 1996?

<KP> Hm.

<Zoom> Yea, you probably weren’t even born yet, KP.

<KP> Hah, no, I only pull the, “Wow, mister! I wasn’t even born then!” line on Marty. That’s responsible for 40% of my firings. Breaking Achronos’ site another 50% and provoking Noguchi’s rage the other ten. [Ed. note. Failing to acknowledge Frankie's mastery over your existence is a good way to go, too]

Explain the Fight Like a Girl tournament to me. How’d it go, what did it achieve, why did you bridge me out?

<Zoom> Fight Like A Girl was a tournament idea by one of our lovely Cavegirls, THE DON WAN. Basically, she came to us with the idea of hosting a tournament on Xbox Live that would raise money for breast cancer research since October is breast cancer awareness month. It was a FFA tournament with a maximum of 64 players. Each entrant into the tournament was required to donate at least $10, but many people donated more, or for their friends to play.

<KP> How much did you generate?

<Zoom> It went very well, with almost every participant showing up. We raised $750 [edit- the total just mysteriously rose to $777]. And I had to lag you out, how else was I going to advance?

<KP> Naturally. But in all honesty, you gots da mad skillz, don’t sell yourself short. What were the final standings?

<Zoom> LOA Taco won, MaesterGXL 2nd, me 3rd, LOA Johnny Dutch 4th

<KP> Exactly. Can you explain what’s kept the Cavegirls community running for so long?

<Zoom> Well, we started off as Bungie.net group. We have since expanded to our own off-site forums which has helped us get to know other communities and have other communities get to know us. We are always finding ways to improve the group and make changes when necessary.

<KP> Like banning stalkers?

<Zoom> Did we ban you?

<KP> ssssssnap! This interview is over

Actually, no, it’s not. I’ve got more questions. Sit back down. Changing tone now, to very serious matters at the heart of the community and in fact society. Joseph Staten wants to get the new Macbook but he’s torn between ordering now and waiting until Macworld where he’s sure they will start shipping them with Mac OS X Leopard pre-installed. Should he wait or get one now?

<Zoom> Good things come to those who wait. I say wait!

<KP> Lamecakes.

<Zoom> Oh fine.

<KP> I feel that the more Joe Staten rushes things, the more we have to benefit as fans.

What’s your favorite level in Halo 1 and why?

<Zoom> In campaign, I would have to say the final level, The Maw. I am the worst warthog driver, but trying to escape with the warthog as quickly as possible with all these obstacles and convenant surrounding you is just awesome.

<KP> Hells yes. Did you like fighting the Flood?

<Zoom>As long as I have a shotgun, the Flood are fun to fight.

<KP> Do you envision any ways in which Bungie could further facilitate the creation and ultimate success of a community?

<Zoom> I think adding more features and options with the Bungie.net groups would help communities expand and grow. Features that include more networking with other groups, and more options to help customize a group so they can differentiate themselves from other groups. The Bungie.net groups are such a great launching pad for communities.

<KP> So some sort of new new hotness? Hm… that would be cool, wouldn’t it?

<Zoom> NEW HAWTNESS

<KP>

<KP> Alright, we’re done. Thanks!

<Zoom> woo! Thanks KP.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 24th, 2006 at 11:47 pm and is filed under Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.