Interview

STG's Customer Support Rep,
Amy Pierce

All right Amy. Let's 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?

No, but I like to play poker. 

2. Did you play UFS before working for the company?

I joined Sabertooth Games right when UFS was launching.... 

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

I like the mechanics of UFS, and any time you get to wail on an opponent, it is good! I didn't play the fighting games growing up, though. 

4. 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?

When I am building a deck, I look at the abilities of the character and the resource symbols regardless of what license it comes from. 

5. How did you hear of UFS and STG?

I heard about STG through a friend of mine that was already working for the company, and when they had an opening, I went for it! When I joined the company, we were just launching UFS. So, I've gotten to experience the cards from the very beginning. 

6. How did you get into working for such a great company?

I knew someone who was already working here and jumped on the opportunity when it arose.

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. Of girls who play UFS, do you think it is better for guys or girls to teach them?

I don't think it matters whether a girl or a guy teaches the girl how to play the game. Once the chick learns how to play, she'll take it and make it her own very soon. Although, I do like to cheer other chicks on when they are learning!

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

No, I don't. Either way, once the chick learns the mechanics of the game, she'll take ownership over it.

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 that girls might be hesitant to jump into card gaming because it's so male dominated. So, no, I don't think that girls have enough other girls to play against in a general playgroup. I don't see it as a problem, but it is a shame.

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?

Yes.

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 feel very comfortable and enjoy teaching people how to play. Every time someone sits down to get a demo, I'm really excited about teaching them the game. I'm opening them up to a new experience that I find really fun, and I hope that I can spread that excitement over to the person that I am giving the demo to. It doesn't matter if it's a girl or a guy, but I do like to encourage girls especially to take it and smack the guys down!

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)?

If I am on my game, there is no question of "letting me in the game." I wouldn't ever want anyone to play down because they are playing against a girl, though. That promotes stereotyping and is an insult on top of it.

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

I don't hesitate to ask for advice if I'm looking to up my game. Often times you don't have to ask, you can just be attentive to how your opponent plays. Whenever I've asked for advice, I've been treated with the utmost respect and have been given good advice.

8. Outside of playing in the office do you ever go to a local tournament or travel to a tournament? If yes do you ever feel awkward from any special attention from the other players?

I have been a part of tournaments all over the country, and it doesn't make me feel weird about any special attention. The situation is a little different for me, though, because I work for Sabertooth. If I am at an event, I'll be given a certain amount of special attention because I am a staff member.

Haha! Well, I tend to play certain characters based on their abilities, even if they are ugly.

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

I play poker and love tons of different games. I am into video games, and I'm starting to learn how to play the game Go. I also love practicing yoga.

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?

I'm pretty easygoing about most things, and I like to kid around with people when I play against them. I like to joke on guys about being beat by a girl, but I'm only kidding. Guys like to give me grief, too, but they are only playing around. That's part of the fun.

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

Yeah because I think it's fun!

13. Did you get dragged into gaming by a significant other or was it always one of your callings (Is this also a reason you decided to work for STG)?

I've always been into gaming of some sort or another. It started with video games, and I'm relatively new at card games (besides poker). This is not why I decided to work for Sabertooth.

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

That's a tough one since I am surrounded by extremely strong players!

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

I'd ask anyone for advice because that's just how I am. However, I'd probably first try to figure it out on my own by careful observation.

16. Do you ever feel intimidated?  Why?

No, because I'm comfortable playing with many different people.

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

I do. Women are no less competitive than men are, but the way we approach things is just different.

18. 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 the brains of guys and girls just too different?

Hmm, I don't think that it's a guy / girl issue. There are many different situations where it's a good idea to try to think like your opponent.

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

Well yes and no. If a guy assumes that a girl isn't going to know how to play well, he is giving her an advantage.

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

Any time you underestimate someone, you are opening yourself up to failure.

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

Haha - no, but I'm pretty sure that people have done that with me in a demo. You know who you are!

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

The same.

23. Do you step up your game during a staff challenge compared to when you are just playing someone who isn't interested in winning your card?

I try to win. Period. If someone has traveled from a long distance to get my card, then I will probably end up giving it to them regardless of what happens in the match.

24. If you play someone new to the game at an event and they lose do you ever give out your card knowing you might never see them again?

Yep.

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?

No I don't think that CCG's are viewed as dorky. I just think that a bunch of people are missing the opportunity to experience something totally new.

Closing thoughts:

Amy 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 there (guys and girls)?

Go out and play hard, and have a good time!

Is there any advice you would like to give to anyone out there who is looking into break into the CCG market?

Go for it!