Interview

Mary McQueen
Danville Illinois

This is one of the friends of Audri that she convinced to be interviewed by me. Now meeting the various UFS pros in the last year I was looking to see if I could associate each interviewee with a certain UFS player I have meet.  Now if we ever had Matt Kohl's type person who didn't care about winning and was in it for the fun of the game Mary would take the cake. For those of you who haven't met Matt before he is just about the most stone cold CCG player you will probably ever meet and I would say Mary is the female version of Mr. Kohl's.

All right Lets Start with some background questions for those viewers who haven't had the pleasure of meeting or knowing you yet.

1. Have you ever played a CCG before UFS? 

MTG and Yu-Gi-Oh

2. Are you a fan of any of the games and/or licenses?  Or, do you just like the UFS engine? 

3. If you did play one of these games does that sway you to that license for choosing a character when in the deck building process?

I just like UFS it doesn't affect me which license the character comes from.

4. How did you hear of UFS and STG?

Audri Sampson introduced me to it.
 

Ok enough background information now that our viewers have a general idea about you lets see your input on girls in the CCG world.

General Questions:

1. Of girls who play UFS do you think it is better for them learn from guys/girls? 

I don't think it matters too much girls might be more encouraged if girls show them how to play UFS.

2. Depending if another girl or a guy teaches a girl do you think it holds an advantage one way or another?  

No, I don't think there is an advantage.

3. Do you think girls have enough girls to play against in a general playgroup or do you view this as a current problem? 

I think we definitely need more girls in CCG's

4. Do you think sometimes a reason a girl won't get into a CCG like UFS is because they aren't comfortable playing against a group of guys being the only girl?

I don't know I haven't had a problem fitting in with the guys.

5. Would you feel comfortable showing someone else how to play the game, why or why not?  Does the answer change depending on the gender of your student? 

I will teach anyone once I understand the mechanics gender doesn't matter.

6.Do you prefer your opponent to play to their full potential, or let you feel like you're in the game?  Do you want cat-n-mouse, or reality?  Does the answer change if the opponent is willing afterwards to give you their tips on plays and deck building and how they were able to win (if they won, that is, hehe)?   

I would rather them play to their full potential but give me feedback after the match.

7. If you ever lose a match do you ever ask your opponent for some help and what is the general answer?  

If they are knowledgeable then I would ask them if not then I would ask a more experienced player.

8. Do you ever go to a local tournament or travel to a tournament?

No, I only play locally.

9. Do you only play with 'pretty' characters? (I know guys that do this, so don't be offended) Have you ever used, for example: nightmare, Hugo, Cervantes, or Astaroth?

No, I play pretty characters I have only been playing for a month.

10. What kind of hobbies do you have outside of playing UFS? 

MTG, D and D, reading, crossword puzzles, PC games.

11. How often do you get harassed by male players when you play against them and how do they take it when you beat them? 

A guy doesn't often harass me and they don't take it too bad even if I win.

12.  Do you try to bring other friends who are non-gamers (Guy/Girls) to play the game?   

I try to encourage people who have played other CCG's. I even encourage everyone at my job to play.

13.Did you get dragged into gaming by a significant other or was it always one of your callings?  

Yes my boy friend eventually introduced me to MTG and D and D. then Audri introduced me to UFS.

14. Who do you think is the strongest player in your area? 

Audri Sampson

15. Do you feel comfortable approaching this person and asking for advice? Why or why not?

Yes, she got me into the game.

16. Do you ever feel intimidated?  Why? 

No I don't usually go to bigger events I'm not a serious CCG player.

17. How much do you buy?  If you're in a relationship with a gamer, do you ask said gamer to build you decks, or do you take initiative and acquire your own cards?  

My boyfriend and me play the game and we buy 5 packs every week.

18. Do you have other girls that game in the group or are you the only girl in the group?  

Yes, we have 3 girls.

19. Do you think there is a different play style between males and females?   

Yes but it's not something I notice if they do things different.  I think girls use mind games when guys are straightforward and use intimidation.

20. Do you think it is possible for men or women to step out side the box and try to think like one another to get in their heads or are we just too different?  

I think are brains are the same but I'm not serious enough to try something like this.

21. Knowing that guys strongly dominate the CCG world do you ever use that knowledge to your advantage? 

No, I don't use it to my advantage.

22. Do you ever try to play mind games with your opponent thinking that will underestimate you?  

Not intentionally they often do anyways though.

23. Do you ever intentionally act like you're new at the game to get your opponent to take match lightly? 

No, I don't.

24. How do you play in your normal playgroup compared to the matches you might get at a Nationals or Worlds event?

I will not be going to Nationals or Worlds.

25.Do you think the general CCG market is affect by groups like MTV?  Do you think that CCG's are viewed as dorky and that inhibits people from trying the game?

I don't really like T.V. so I wouldn't know.

Closing thoughts:

Just play and have fun.

If you have any questions about any of the topics discussed or anything in general contact me on the boards or email me This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Thanks,
Scubadude