Featured Gamer: Ann Sison

A design engineer and an anime lover. Ann Sison is also a gamer by heart. She's our featured gamer for today.

Could you tell us something about yourself? How old are you? Where are you located and what are you currently engaged in?


Can i we skip the age part? Haha! Let's just say i'm a true-blue Manileña in her mid-20's currently addicted to Facebook, K-pop, J-Manga and some computer/arcade/video games. =)

When was the first time you actually played a video game? What's the name of the game and game system? What or who made you play?

My very first memory of playing a video game was wayyy back when i was around 11-12 years old. My grandma just came back from her short trip to the US and brough back with her a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which looks like this:





With it were (if i remember correctly) 5 cartridge type consoles: Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Tiger-Heli, Castlevania and a race-car game which i happen to forgot the name...Being young and curious, i had my first "addiction" to Super Mario, much to the disdain of my mom (love you mama!) but my dad also really enjoyed playing The Legend of Zelda so much, he could sit at the front of the NES from 8am till 6pm (breaks in between for lunch, CR but the game is on "PAUSE" mode only XD)


Do you own a video game console? If yes, what system? Was it your very fist console? What video game platform do you prefer? (PC, Consoles or Handheld)

Does game n watch count as a console? hahaha! kidding aside, my last handheld console was the Nintendo Gameboy (the one with the green screen...heck, am i revealing my age already?! XD) with Super Mario 3 for its cartridge. After being introduced to the Personal Computer in my Grade School life, i was never the same. Of course way back then, it was all 16/32 bit, with pixelated animation...but it was no less fun i assure you!

Personally, i prefer PC games to handheld consoles...for the simple reason that it keeps my addiction at bay (and also because of greater graphics!) Much as i love slaying evil minions in Diablo 2 or pawning creeps in Warcraft, i believe that life is more than just computer games, don't you think? And also, playing PC games has a more relaxed feel for me, since i only get to do it within the confines of my messy house, with no fear that some random "snatcher" looting my oh so damn expensive PSP or DS-Lite. =)



What is your favorite video game? Why?

I'm more into RPG games, so i think i would have to say Diablo I and II. The irony is that, i'm really scared of zombies, undead and horror movies, but for some reason, playing Diablo just makes me wanna hack and slash all 'em evil minions! That's dark-fantasy for me. Not to mention that Diablo's gameplay is also very interesting...it always leaves me wanting to finish just one more quest...and then just another more...and then maybe just one little more....

How about a particular video game character, who's your favorite? Why?

Lara Croft. Curves, Brains, Kick-ass Character. Need i say more? =)


Do you play online games? What are your current and all-time favorites? Are you part of a clan or guild? If yes, can you give us some info about your guild?

I played Ragnarok online for some time during college, though i didn't have any guild or clan. I just enjoyed building my character and collecting all those cute and rare items. For me it was my all-time favorite, simply because of the cute characters which really appeal to closet-otakus like moi. =)

If you were to convince a friend or co-worker to play video games, how would you do it? Would you do crazy stuff just to convince him or her?

Hmmmm..maybe i'd be able to coerce my friend or co-worker to play video games by betting with them. I believe most people love a good challenge. Like i'd bet to shave myself bald, if you are able to beat me in Starcraft within under 10 mins. =))

Did playing video games make any difference in your life?

Playing video games definitely helped boost the dexterity of my fingers..hahaha! But seriously though, it made me appreciate the talent that comes with creating such games. Its no mean feat to develop those jaw-dropping graphics, and it definitely takes alot of creative juice to come up with a great gameplay. I know that the unsung heroes behind these video games are just ordinary people who are extraordinarily passionate with their work...and that has inspired me to become the same. =)

Do you have any personal video game related story that you can share with us?

When my boyfriend and I we're dating back in college, one of our favorite past times was playing DOTA at one of the computer shops near the university. One time, i challenged him to play Starcraft. Not to brag, but my guy has plenty more experience playing online and MMPORPG games than me (and he is really good at it), so i honestly thought i would get beaten easily...unfortunately for him, i beat him in less than 10 minutes! Because of that i won the bragging rights for that day and his friends think he has the coolest girl ever! ~_^


Have you ever bought (or played) a pirated copy of a video game?

Guilty as charged! Just my practicality getting the better of me. ^^;

Any last message you wish to impart to our readers?

Life is like one great video game...you win some, you lose some, but who cares?! It rocks!!! So just keep playing! =D

Any greetings and link-love to your friends?

Hugs and Kisses to Lorenzo Angelo Choa who shares my passion with video games in a manner which is not confined to the four corners of a PC shop. He is also the one who taught me to play DOTA! And also to my siblings, Abby, Tin2, Angelo, Apple, Andrei, Paula, AJ and Anthony...you all we're and always will be my greatest gaming rivals. =)