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Kingdom of Loathing Owns My Soul So...this is a column dedicated to one of my favorite on-line addictions: Kingdom of Loathing.
Kingdom of Loathing has drawn me in to a world of spoiler-ific websites, player made art and music, chat, hysterical references, great people, odd philanthropy, forums and a radio station, KoL Radio, that rocks my socks. Or...actually? 4nd 4 r4d10 574710n 7h47 r0ck5 my 50ck5.. (I have no idea what that means - but I'm trying. If you have a clue, do let me know so that I can be impressed with your coolness.)
Anyway, those of you who do not play may or may not be bored by this next bit - though I think it’s been simplified enough that it’s still a fun read. And players of KoL will hopefully enjoy this interview with Bashy, one of the Kingdom’s most well known players.
(Please keep in mind that Bashy is not from America - and I prefer not to edit his responses as I am seduced by their charm.)
If you had to explain to a non-player what the Kingdom of Loathing was, what would you say?
It a stripped-down internet stick-figure adventure game more naked and full of pop-culture references than Dennis Miller in hot tub.
What brought you to the Kingdom of Loathing?
Casual online acquaintance of Bashy link to it, and Bashy instantly become addicted to spartan nature and references of game.
How long to you plan to stay?
Bashy, of honestness, not sure, and have pondered giving up of Kingdom of Loathing due to increased duties of fetus and losing of interest of Bashy. Bashy tend to get into things and then grow bored, which incidentally same reason Bashy have trouble with long-term relationships. Since Bashy not very seasoned of gamer, it actually quite a wonder Bashy still take to return to Kingdom of Loathing after so long of time. It certainly time-filler -- perhaps continued presence indication that Bashy have free time, and free time thus indication Bashy doing good job of keeping fetus warning level at "Blue: Guarded." Interestingly, fetus warning level system exact same as American terrorism warning level. Just with more fetus.
Do you think you will ever be bored with the game?
Bashy already at times have grown bored, but they’re specific people and things within game that keep interest of Bashy. One of things, oddly, be traumatizing Jick. Something about traumatizing of Jick really please Bashy. (Jick is is half of the team that created the Kingdom of Loathing. He is revered, as is Mr. Skullhead.)
Why do you think certain RPGs engender a sense of philanthropy?
Not being regular gamer and being new to RPGs, Bashy unable to answer question of that from educated perspective. It like asking reclusive Star Trek nerd why doing hot sluts get boring after while. Therefore, Bashy answer question in alternate way.
Philanthropy in reality emerge from sense of duty, ego, self-righteousness, and sometimes (sadly in rarest of case) just out of genuine goodness. Real-life philanthropy almost always involve things that have intrinsic value, such as money, physical goods, or providing service such as soup kitchen or giving sexual favors to disabled. In world of realness, it also not instant nor at times easy to be philanthropic.
In virtual word, property amassed often have no real-life value, and even in-game value usually fleeting to player, as level advance and old goods become no longer most desired. It also very easy and instant to give in virtual world, and recognition also instant. If there anything about human nature Bashy know, it that most people love instant reward, and even moreso, persons loving of instant reward from giving away something that have almost no value to them anyway. Bashy feel most RPG generosity likely akin to person in real life finding way to press button and instantly donate unwanted trinkets, worthless junk, or even garbage to starving poor from third-world countries. Very few players likely give away things that truly of much value to them. That understandable, but also somewhat of sadness.
Do you find that KoL players engage in this behavior more or less often then players of other games?
Bashy honestly not know, having not previously played other game like this. Game seem to have more tightly-wrapped, small-town sense of community and greater reward for community spirit, though, so it quite possible KoL players more likely to exhibit behavior of this.
Does KoL being a computer based RPG change this in any way?
Bashy have no idea. That which coursing through mind of Bashy right now not answer to question, but instead be Regis Philbin shaking ass and screaming "Salsa, salsa." Bashy have no clue about that, either.
How has your experience on KoL affected your attitudes/actions in real life?
It enrich it a bit. Bashy have improved negotiation and diplomatic skills, and learned more about effective leadership and group dynamics. Bashy have bit of renewed sense of self confidence of sense of humor of Bashy and ability to be wrangling of bull of joy. Finally, though no one Bashy know in real life know Bashy play game of this, Bashy find self occasionally pondering things said (often by self) in game, and smiling, laughing, or growing rather aroused in life of realness.
How much time do you spend playing KoL?
Bashy try to spend as minimal time playing as possible in order to carry out "duties" in game and stay abreast of breasts. Usually, around half hour to 2 hour in day. It extremely of rareness for Bashy to play more than four hours in day. Bashy figure Richard Simmons have intercourse at about same rate of that.
Has it ever interfered with real life?
Keeping separate of real-life and virtual world is something Bashy work very carefully on. Therefore, game have never interfered with real life of Bashy, and Bashy have solemn vow never to be letting of it do so. Bashy either work activities into schedule or simply not do of such. Never will Bashy allow game to too negatively interfere with life of Bashy. No game fetus is worth price of that.
Do you feel that donating money to the game is necessary?
Bashy feel all persons should donate to causes based on true feeling of them. Bashy realize Jick enjoy monetary support and thus offer "incentives" which pretty much just clever wording of "allowing people to buy stuff with but being able to say you can’t buy stuff with money." That most certainly okay, because Bashy feel persons often need carrot or stick. Sometimes one, then other. Certainly, donating to anything become necessary at point when not doing so result in obliteration of something person want to be of saving, and have realistic chance of doing so through donation.
Do you feel that belonging to a clan gives you more of a �œfriends and family” environment from in which to play the game…or do you think it isolates you from other players?
Bashy feel clan environment definitely give more exposed environment which is place in which to make friends and enemies. Bashy feel there a clan to meet styles of most persons in game, so recommend looking around for clan to suit needs, since it likely enrich experience.
It possible Bashy no longer be playing game of this if not made, through situations of fate, leader of Noblesse Oblige. Sense of duty and amazing qualities of members keep Bashy coming back to stare at fine asses of them, over and over.
Are there any other on-line games that you play?
No. Internet activities of Bashy pretty much limited to reading news sources, getting information, and using as communications center with acquaintances of Bashy.
Do you play RPGs in real life?
No. Aside from very brief exposure to Diablo II, Bashy have never played RPG, and find self feeling very cold and alone when in-game chat take train to Talking-About-RPGville.
And finally, there’s been a hope that you would answer this one:
Who are your three favorite KoL players…and why?
Bashy not really have clear favorites -- there more like one giant orgy of sexiness. It sort of like having many women with attractive yet different of qualities. One be scaldingly hot, one have perky of boobies, one have large of boobies, one have nice of boobies, one have medium of boo-- AGH!! What of hell? For some reason, Bashy pretty sure inner female of Bashy just slap Bashy! ... Anyway, yes, also having of nice personality, great sense of humor, cutting wit, or other such wonderfulness. There just so many aspects of amazingness that it rather pointless to choose best overall. Still, Bashy hate persons of too little spine that be of dodging question like certain Presidents, so answer.
In no particular of order, and considering in-game performance as much factor as normal personality:
Gigs
TechSmurf
Chubbles
Please note that pretty much any 3 of perhaps dozen persons could have been on list of that, and many others have personalities Bashy love aside from game mechanics and stat whoredom. There also a very select few Bashy want get into pants of that not make list.
Bashy glad to have been being of interviewed. Thank you for complimentary pretzels. Bashy hate fetus, but love you!
Article by ADeadHeart
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