Joy is a new player to UFS, which was made evident when she said the Dark Stalker Characters scared her. But honestly, who wouldn't be sacred of them hehe. It was great interviewing someone new to the game. It tells us more than interviews with the veteran female UFS players.  As hard as it is to associate, I think she reminds me of one of my friends again in my playgroup; John Barber (or JB).  When he first started playing UFS, he was nervous playing against players like Vik and Tag.  But he shortly became one of the better players in our playgroup.  One main reason for this is because he would continually ask questions about our decks and playing ability.  His knowledge has paid off. He has been Swiss Champ at an AOP and had built one of the best Yun Seong decks I have played against. So in short, new players out there should ask as many questions as you can. It's a great way to advance your game.

1. Scuba--Have you ever played a CCG before UFS?

Joy-Pokemon and Yugioh.

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

Joy--Street Fighter.

3. Scuba--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? 

Joy--Yes, I lean more towards the female characters from Street Fighter. 

4. Scuba--How did you hear of UFS and STG?

Joy--From my boy friend.

General Questions:

1. Scuba--Of girls who play UFS do you think it is better for them to learn from guys or girls?

Joy--I don't think there is gender difference. I think it is all based on experience.

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

Joy--No I don't think there is an advantage one way or another. I think experience is the most valuable tool.

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

4. Scuba--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? 

5. Scuba--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? 

 Joy--Yes. I would show anyone how to play. Gender doesn't matter. I am currently trying to get my sister to play UFS right now.

6. Scuba--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)? 

Joy--I would rather they play to full potential. I will learn more and build better decks that way.

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

Joy--Yes, I do ask for help whenever someone beats me and it happened today. I asked my opponent for help.

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

Joy--Yes, I play locally but I have never traveled. Today was my third tournament. 

9. Scuba--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 Astraoath?  

Joy--It doesn't matter to me as long as I know how the deck works, but I am attracted to certain neat looking characters. 

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

Joy--Video games, surfing the net, and online RPGS.

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

Joy--I don't get harassed in UFS. They think it's funny when I beat them.

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

Joy--Just my sister. My other friends are into video games but don't like CCGS.

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

Joy--I have always been playing CCG'S. I have been playing Pokemon since it came out.

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

Joy--Will (Last name not known).

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

Joy--Yes, he freely offers advice after our matches.

16. Scuba--Do you ever feel intimidated?  Why or why not? 

Joy--Yes, I think the Dark Stalker characters are tough and they scare me.

17. Scuba--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? 

Joy--Yes, I buy cards with my boy friend.  We only buy singles typically, but we will be buying a lot from SNK cutting edge.

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

Joy--I am the only girl.

Joy--Yes, I think guys are more aggressive.

20. Scuba--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 our brains just too different?

Joy--No, I think typically guys play more aggressive agro and girls play more mitigation and control decks.

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

Joy--No

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

Joy--Yes, I usually just let them think whatever they want and they often will underestimate me, but that's their fault.

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

Joy--No, I don't pass myself off as inexperienced like that.

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

Joy--I think I would play faster at a nationals event. I think that they would become impatient. I don't want to see them angry.

Joy--Yes, I think they are often seen as dorky and people, especially girls, won't give them a shot.

Closing thoughts:

Scuba--I would like to thank you for your time and insight on UFS and the CCG world. Are there any closing thoughts you would like to share with new players?

Joy-- Don't take it too seriously. It's a fun game and everyone should play it for the fun of the game.

Thanks,
Scubadude