Interview

Dani Carpenter
Oregon, Wisconsin

If I had to sum up Dani in 2 words, James Hata would come to mind. From the first time I talked to Dani to set up the interview the last week or so we started talking about the cards in Set 8, and I felt like I was talking with James. I think they have a similar mind set in the deck building process (of course not exactly the same, for no one can be exactly the same). Another thing they shared was the out spoken confidence with encountering a meta I know how James is with that with the various matches I had at him while in NY and Gencon. After hearing Dani's insight and knowledge of the game they seemed quite similar. The dead ringer I think they had going for them is the fact they take the jankyness of a random character and will be determined to win with it. We know Hatas experience with this and Dani did the same thing with Sogetsu* in her local Meta. The other reasons the interview with Dani and I went so smoothly was perhaps that she was interviewed by STG earlier this year. So once again, thanks so much for your time and insight Dani, and I can't wait to meet up with you during Nationals or Gencon this year.

All right, let's start with some background questions for those viewers who haven't had the pleasure of meeting or knowing you yet.

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

Dani-I have Yugioh, Pokemon.

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

Dani-I like SNK and Soul Caliber

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?

Dani-Yes I go for SNK and Soul Caliber

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

Dani-When Focus the soul promoted UFS.

Ok enough background information. Now that our viewers have a general idea about you, let's see your input on girls in the CCG world.

General Questions:

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

Dani-I thinks it depends on how well the individual person can explain the game.

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

Dani-I thinks girls are more comfortable being taught by girls I think with guys it doesn't matter to them.

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

Dani-I think there could be more but I don't think it is a huge problem right now.

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?

Dani-I thinks it varies with the person, but I don't have a problem playing with guys.

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?

Dani-I am not very good at explaining things, but it doesn't influence me on a guy or girl that teaches.

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)?

Dani-I would get annoyed if my opponent didn't play to their full potential.

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

Dani-I don't usually ask someone else for help unless they are a well-known player.

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

Dani-Yes I have gone to Gencon and events for AOP's.

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?

Dani-I usually go for their abilities. The appearance doesn't always make a difference.

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

Dani-Video games, anime, hanging out with friends.

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?

Dani-I rarely gets harassed by male players, and they get annoyed when I beat them.

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

Dani-No most of my friends are gamers.

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

Dani-I has always been into UFS and CCG's.

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

Dani-Stesan Maurar

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

Dani-Yes, we taught each other how to play when the game first came out.

16. Scuba-Do you ever feel intimidated? Why?

Dani-Sometimes, it depends on what character they are playing. Ex: Top tear characters like Nakaruru, Yun Seong, Dhalsim, and Tira I might feel intimidated.

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?

Dani-I buys a box of every set.

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

Dani-There is one other girl besides me

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

Dani-I think there is a different play style between everyone. I don't think we can determine it by gender alone.

20. Scuba-Do you think it is possible for men or women to step outside the box and try to think like one another to get in their heads or are our brains just too different?

Dani-I think we are too different.

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

Dani-Yes.

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

Dani-I will play mind games, but not thinking they will underestimate me. It's more of if my opponent failed to kill me and thinks they're going to lose, I won't ever give them a yes answer.

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

Dani-Nope

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

Dani-In my playgroup I will play with just casual deck. Nationals and Gencon I will play with top tier decks.

25. Scuba-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?

Dani-Definitely, I was trying to talk my friend about UFS and wouldn't hear me out because she had a reputation to keep.

Closing Thoughts:

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 new players out guy/girl? None

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