PSNP Interviews: ERICVOLTAGE

[Wavergray]

Hello and welcome to PSNP Interviews. Today's interviewee is @ERICVOLTAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Stock questions.

 

• How did you come up with your PSN name?

I'm a big fan of the thunder-from-down-under, and I had used the name as my old AIM account amongst friends. When it came time to strike a PSN title, I figured, hey, why not?

 

• What games convinced you get your PlayStation 3, Playstation Vita, and PlayStation 4?

It's gonna sound dumb, because it is, but I'll keep buying Sony's consoles until it isn't an option regardless. I've always had a PlayStation in the house, and it came first and foremost over anything else. Though, I have bought games with the console purchase; those being Rock Band band bundle for PS3, Alien Isolation for PS4.

 

• What are your top 5 game series and why?

I love adventure, whether it's fictional or gripped in reality/history. Okay, maybe history, more-so, but I'm a sucker for some shooters and rhythm games. Anyways;

 

Metal Gear Solid - This is the series that got me into playing games regularly. The titular entry showed me that games could give you the satisfaction of a movie narrative, but you could have your own experience in between the lines. After The Phantom Pain, which was wonderful, my interest will be retired. My absolute thanks, Mr. Kojima.

Assassin's Creed - I just love getting soaked into whatever time period is offered. Some are better at suspending my disbelief than others, but I've played every main game and there's no jumping off now.

Driver - Another series I've followed since PS1. There's just a fun arcade-style goodness about these games. Though it has it's super lows, interest in the series had been peaked with its latest entry, though already dated, but I hope this trend continues.

Grand Theft Auto - Might be basic choice, but it's a standard every other dev looks too when a new title drop for a reason. Been keen to follow since GTA2. 

Rock Band/Guitar Hero - Though I've since stopped playing, there's a huge era where I played nothing but. Playing so much and so proficiently I climbed to #33 in Rock Band guitar. Met a lot of good people that I still speak to today. 

 

• What are your top 5 games and why?

My favorite games are ones with the most lasting impact, period. Games that I can reminisce about and chat to friends and other friends about experiences. 

 

Bully - Something magical here. Some sincere kind of schoolyard brutality mixed with whimsy and satire. Only game i can think of that I've purchased three separate times, and if there is ever a successor, I'm head-over-heels in on it. 

Fallout 3 - Probably beaten this game a dozen times, and it'll always fun to explore the same ol' places over and over. The Capitol Wasteland is just fascinating to me, and GNR will always have my fingers snappin'. 

Red Dead Redemption - Definitely the most stern and grown-up in the over all feel and tone of recent R* games, though not without it's silliness. A lot to soak in, that, by the end of it all, you can almost feel the sunrise over the horizon yourself. 

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - The peak of narrative for the whole series. Just a high dive into the dark rabbit hole of the series, and a great why to lead the beginning of a wildly entertaining series. 

Papers, Please - Something I can't tire of. Just chip in some time here and there, no big deal. A game that's much deeper than it seems, but still easy to pick up and play in almost any mood whatsoever. 

 

• Top 5 TV shows, Movies, and/or anime, why, and would you recommend them to people?

There are a ton of movies I'd like to put down, but these are movies and shows I consider lightening in a bottle, so obviously recommended;

 

Back to the Future - A wonderful combination of sci-fi, adventure, romance and comedy with one of the tightest screenplays ever penned. Everything about this is memorable which has ironically become a time capsule itself. 

Ghostbusters -  All about chemistry. The four leads are a fantastic watch, and it makes the believability of the supernatural an unforgettable ride. Whether you're a casual viewer, or you're building a proton pack (which I have, don't judge) there's that warm enjoyment that, in any other hands, would be lost. 

Die Hard - Extremely well paced, rewarding and fun. An explosive movie for the every-man, and easily one of the greatest action pictures of all time; certainly the best set during Christmas.

The Simpsons - The early seasons are some of the most dense pieces of sincere comedy ever written. Just oozes with clever situations, but still very aware and full of heart.

Whose Line is it Anyway (US) - If you absolutely want to bust a gut laughing, please, by all means, look up clips on YouTube. This is, what I believe to be some of the greatest improv ever, and it's always welcome to cheer me up on a bad day.  

 

• Top 5 favorite music bands/group/artist?

Anything with good guitar work, the kind that make ya' wanna move your feet or take the time to learn and absorb. 

 

AC/DC - Angus & Malcolm are rock n' roll beasts.
The Black Keys - Dirty, dirty, roots rock, though very poppy. 
The Beatles - Musical grit every rock musician should pour over. 
Tommy Emanuel - Super underrated super-guitar player.
Greta Van Fleet - New Zeppelin.

 

• Your favorite platinum?

#100, The Last of Us. Just didn't think I'd have the patience to do it, and it felt amazing when it popped. I had been going back to PS3 to clean up a bit and to crown this on such a big milestone was fantastic. 

 

• Your least favorite platinum?

Tie between Alone in the Dark: Inferno & Splatterhouse. Just irritating. 

 

• Have you ever been tempted to switch over to the Xbox/Nintendo/PC gaming ecosystems?

I enjoy my account, so no point to fix what isn't broken, ya' know? Though, I play on PC from time to time, and there's almost always a Nintendo console hiding somewhere in the house, but to switch to a new main? Not likely. 

 

• If you could have one game from any gaming generation be remade or re-released what would it be?

Ghostbusters: The Video Game. I missed the opportunity because of my own laziness and I regret it. Had ample opportunity, and I let it pass by.  

 

• How far are you willing to go for a platinum?

 I used to be super gung-ho about trophies. Gathering help from everywhere I could from forums, friends and peripherals. Nowadays, I just put the time in, and try to enjoy myself. It's much more fulfilling.

 

PSNP community questions.

 

 

• How many hours do you play a day or week? by @PermaFox

Not a terrible amount. I usually bounce from game to game with periods of nothing in between. So if I have a new game, I really settle in and play, otherwise it's nothing. So maybe 0-6. Though if a game is fantastic, I dig wayyy deep and veg until my eyes bug out. As I get older, I can't do that anywhere near as often, but hey, it's still fun. 

 

• Are there a games that bored you, or that you didn't think you would complete? @PermaFox

There have been a handful of games that turned into day-jobs, with their grinds or multiplayer. I can jot down the one's had jumped back for on PS3 before moving on for good, like; Call of Duty: Black Ops II, The Last of Us, maybe even some long MP grinds like Red Dead Redemption and Tomb Raider (2013). 

 

• What do you like most about trophy hunting? @Shinobi

The conversation. I have a few real-life friends that play like I do and it's fun to just talk about games and shoot the shit over a drink or something. There's the thing of instant gratification, but a giant collection is worthless if you can't share it. 

 

• Where did your PSN name come from? @Shinobi

Went over this earlier, old AIM name. 

 

• I'm always curious when it comes to people with high percentage profiles, how to you decide which games to play? Do you just stick with one game until you get the plat, or do you screen games with another account and only plat games you want to? @ExHaseo

I wouldn't say I have a high percentage. I'd probably award that to the folks with 90%+, that's pretty impressive. Myself, I just play games that look appealing, no matter the outcome. If I see something neat, and I have the extra cash, I'll play it until I platinum it. No alt-account required. 

 

• At what age did you start trophy hunting and how many years have been doing it so far to amass that collection? @Lava_Yuki

Well, the first platinum was an accident, but onward I really dove into it in late 2010 when I was 19. Do the math, and it's been going for 7+ years as of this interview; 8 in the fall. Wild, huh?

 

• What was the hardest platinum for you so far? @Lava_Yuki

That's a bit hard to quantify. There's difficulty, which can be subjective, but also time consumption is a big factor. Umm, I'd have to go with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, because it had both. It took a lot of research and planning to make sure I was heading in the right direction for most of the game, but it paid off. Playing nearly every day for months paid of in spades, and I can;t believe it's in my collection. 

 

• Do you play guitar or any other musical instruments in real life? (asking because I see a few Rock Band games, Greenday and Guitar Hero.) @Lava_Yuki

Oh yeah, I've been a guitarist since i was 11. I have a small collection of gear, now whiddled down to only four guitars and a banjo. 

 

• What is your dream car? @Beyondthegrave07

I actually owned my dream car, it's crazy. For a short period, I owned a 1982 DeLorean DMC-12. I found a steady job just to have money to put towards refurbishing it. Unfortunately, life has a way with things, and money talks. I sold it to a gentleman who'd contacted me through a local newspaper ad, and off it. Maybe some day I'll find another, or even have the honor to own mine again. Who knows? But hey, paying off students loans almost makes up for it...almost.

 

• What are your other hobbies outside of gaming? @Beyondthegrave07

Music is a big one. I enjoy learning new things; songs or improving technique. Recently I've put my hands to other uses and found this niche group called Makers on the internet. These are people who just use their minds and tools to fashion anything and everything. Folks like Adam Savage and the like inspired me to build movie props just for my own amusement. There's just something about holding or wearing something that used to be imaginary. 

 

• I just have one question for my old friend, are you really Marty McFly? @Feral

McSuperFly*

 

• What are some of your favorite Science Fiction films besides Back to the Future? @Super Sand Virginia

I'll give you 5 of my favorites that I haven't mentioned;

 

Blade Runner & 2049 (More of the latter)
The Thing
Alien
Interstellar
The Terminator/JD

 

• What is your favorite and least favorite Assassin's Creed game and why? @Super Sand Virginia

Black Flag has had that crown for a long while, but Origins hit very hard. The world Egypt is just the most jam packed and alive recreation period. Black Flag made me feel like a pirate, but Origins made Egypt feel like a new home.

 

On the oppisite side, Unity is the lowest of the bunch. Big, empty, boring. Uninteresting characters, very grindy and bland. It looks beautiful, though. That's about it.

 

• What is your favorite and least favorite Call of Duty game and why? @Super Sand Virginia

Since Call of Duty has so many tangents now, I think the best collination of campaign, multiplayer, even zombies goes to Black Ops. Solid all around and just plain addictive. 

 

Worst goes to Modern Warfare 2. If anyone was around when the support for that game tanked, you know exactly why it's here. Mess of a game that's probably still being broken to this day. 

 

• Is Eric your real name? What is the significance of Voltage in your name? @Super Sand Virginia

Yeah, it's my real name, not with some silly K at the end of anything. Also Voltage is from just enjoying some high voltage rock n' roll. 

 

• How did you like Mad Max (PS4)? @Super Sand Virginia

Much better than I expected it to be. A hurdle that sandbox games have to overcome is making sure all these samey things to do don't get boring, and it very much achived it. The vehince combat is rediculously fun and the wasteland is at its best when it's bleak. 

 

• You played almost all the Dead Space games. I can understand you not playing Ignition, but why skip Dead Space 3? Is it because you think it sucks because of others' opinions? @Super Sand Virginia

I do this a lot in game series, where I just stop. It's not because of word-of-mouth entirely, I just feel like it's over. Issac did it, he beat his demons inside and out and I love him and the games for it. 

 

• Why the generic mellow blue face avatar? You a mellow guy Eric or are you a party animal eh eh eh? Heheh yeaahhhhh bwoiiiii... @Super Sand Virginia

Shit, they're on to meeee.

 

• How much of your parents money would you say was spent on your video gaming in your lifetime? @DaivRules

Not a terrible amount, I suppose. I grew up in a not-so-privileged household, so not having every game didn't really bother me. There were times where I'd be surprised on my birthday or something, but really, games before I could support them on my own were few and somewhat far between.

 

• How much money would you say you’ve spent already on games you haven’t even gotten around to playing yet (aka your backlog) and if you could get all that money back would you spend it the same way again or would you change things? @DaivRules

I have zero backlog. I get one game at a time, and play to my heart's content, finish and move on. Though, during the holidays, I do seem to get a small stack of games from friends and family, but other than that, I play it safe because I don;t want to feel overwhelmed or get burned out completely. 

 

As for how much I've spent? Man, not a clue, definitely up there though. I feel if I saw the actual figure, I'd probably stop, lol, and if I had it all back, I'd probably buy more guitars again. 

 

• Seeing as you have several shooting games, has you always been a fan of shooter games? If not, what made you go down this route? @GarciaFever

Kind of, they've always manged to be around. The one that got me the most interested at first is Ghost Recon for PS2. Quick and fun tactical shooter, whose successors have completely diverted from. 

 

• Where does your screenname/PSN name come from? @starcrunch061

Third time's a charm, right? Old screen name I'd re-purposed, rock n' roll, yada yada...

 

• Is your goal simply to keep it high, or are you aiming for a 100% profile? @DrBloodmoney

Nope, haven't even given it any thought. I just play my game, finish it, move on. Also a perfect account would be impossible because of...-travels through time-

 

• Is 100% still attainable for you on a practical level, or are there games you simply never want to touch again? @DrBloodmoney

-reappears-...Stupid server closures. So no. 

 

• Do you select the games before trying the plat or you just play whatever you want and focus on that game until you get the plat? @Uchiha_Snake__

Well yeah, I have to pick what I think I'd like. But yeah, just one game at a time. Keeps me sane with a full time job and relationship to tend to. Adulting,amirite? 

 

• What is/are your favourite genres of games? @Uchiha_Snake__

I feel like it's action/adventure. Sandbox games have been growning on me in that regard too, and they go hand-in-hand, really. 

 

• What game/s would you not even try to play/100%? Both because difficult or because you don't like the game @Uchiha_Snake__

If I wind up with a game I don't like, I'll still complete it, it'd be a waste of money if I didn't at least give it a chance. On the flip side, not a big fan of MMOs or anything fantasy related. More of a sci-fi guy too. Kinda like Fallout over Elder Scrolls thing.

 

• Why don't you play more indie games? @GravityQueeen

I've been playing more recently, actually. Those flash sales have put games I've had on my watch-list on deals I can't pass up. More recently games like Jazzpunk and Virginia, but in reality I enjoy my physical copies, and unfortunate, most Indie games are without.

 

• You have cool milestones! Did you plan those milestones? @GravityQueeen

Nah, not really. The exception being platinum #100. I made up my mind; The Last of Us or bust.

 

• Vaaz or Pagan Min? @GravityQueeen

Vaas. Far Cry 3 > Far Cry 4, all day. Though when I visited Ubisoft MTL the first time, their elevator was wallpapered with his giant face. 

 

• Whats your favorite Fallout game? Why? @GravityQueeen

Fallout 3. I picked this game up because the cover art looked cool. I remember playing it for the first time and having no clue what to do, or where to go. Never played anything like it up to that point. Slowly, but surely, my mind opened and I let the game take me away. A gaming experience I'll never forget. 

 

• Will you come back to your unfinished games and DLCs? @GravityQueeen

The PS3 games are long since retired, but I might pick up some DLC here and there. I completed Just Cause 3 because the Season pass dropped to, like, $7. So there's always a chance. for returning to a game in the future, in that sense. 

 

Last but not least, big thanks to everyone who let me go on about my nonsense for as long as i did. and a thank you to @soultaker655 for letting be apart of this series, and for trying to revive the concept all together. 

 

Take care everyone!

 

Thank you again @ERICVOLTAGE for being the a interviewee in the PSNP Interviews series.

 

The next interviewee will be revealed soon. 

 

@Parker can this be moved to the Member Interviews section.

Edited March 16, 2018 by soultaker655

[Lorajet]

@ERICVOLTAGE Great interview and love your answers to the questions.  Nice to meet another diehard PS devotee, plus you like my favorite franchise, GTA.  Interesting as I have never played Bully, but now you've piqued my interest.  I have looked up Whose Line is it Anyway and laughed so hard; those guys are quick and witty!  Also an AC/DC fan along with Soundgarden.  Thanks for a great read!

Edited March 14, 2018 by Lorajet

[Wavergray]

@Lorajet did you mean to ping @ERICVOLTAGE?

 

[Leaderboards]

Great interview. Thanks for answering my questions @ERICVOLTAGE You're ELECTRIC!!!

 

Nice on Bully being one of your favorite games

Edited March 14, 2018 by Super Sand Virginia

[GT__Jedi]

@ERICVOLTAGE  Nice read!  Your interests are similar to mine and I really enjoyed your answers! 

[ERICVOLTAGE]

Ah shucks, guys. 

Edited March 14, 2018 by ERICVOLTAGE

[donut_plz]

Good stuff @ERICVOLTAGE  Bully was a favorite of mine too and I bought and 100% that game on 3 different consoles as well. ?

[GravityQueeen]

Great interview! Thanks for answering my questions, Eric! In a couple years Id love submitting myself for an interview, maybe when my new account gets more interesting stuff to cacth up others attention ? 

[Lava_Yuki]

Thank you for answering my questions! A zero backlog, that's amazing!! So I'm guessing you don't download all the free psn plus games every month perhaps

[Shinobi]

Great Interview! It was a satisfying read.

[ERICVOLTAGE]

43 minutes ago, Lava_Yuki said:

Thank you for answering my questions! A zero backlog, that's amazing!! So I'm guessing you don't download all the free psn plus games every month perhaps

 

If I see something that I might like, usually Indie titles, I'll throw it in my library.

 

I don't consider it a back-log because in reality, I have very little urge to play any of them. 

 

But hey, free is free.. 

[Beyondthegrave07]

 @ERICVOLTAGENice read. I can never play one game at a time because I get bored playing the same game too much unless it's really good.

 

Also, I didn't think that TLOU was that bad trophy-wise, even the multiplayer, until they killed it with new guns.... I may also be biased because it's still my favorite game!

Edited March 14, 2018 by Beyondthegrave07

[CJ_Mystery]

5 hours ago, soultaker655 said:

Back to the Future - A wonderful combination of sci-fi, adventure, romance and comedy with one of the tightest screenplays ever penned. Everything about this is memorable which has ironically become a time capsule itself. 

Ghostbusters -  All about chemistry. The four leads are a fantastic watch, and it makes the believability of the supernatural an unforgettable ride. Whether you're a casual viewer, or you're building a proton pack (which I have, don't judge) there's that warm enjoyment that, in any other hands, would be lost. 

 

I've seen all of the movies in these series as a young man and I loved them, before video games were a thing. I even bought a short novel based on Back to the Future 2 and the writer did a great novelization of the movie's script. I enjoyed the time travel theme of the movies and how time travel has to be taken very carefully lest you mess up history. (Unfortunately, I am not playing the game because it's a TellTale title and I don't like those.)

 

Ghostbusters was funny when it needed to be and grim when it needed to be. The first movie is still a meme today and the second had a real terrifying villain who used the pink slime to terrorize New York City so he could be reborn. This really had a great vibe and I still sometimes conjure up scenes from the movies to this day.

[Wavergray]

@Parker I'm guessing you didn't see my first mention, but can this thread be moved to the Member Interviews section of the forum? 

[dermarx]

On 14.3.2018 at 8:21 PM, soultaker655 said:

For a short period, I owned a 1982 DeLorean DMC-12.

 

ok, I'm jealous. Want to drive one of those, too. Even if they may be a little bit impractical with those doors.

Nice interview, by the way. Think about getting interviewed as well 

[ERICVOLTAGE]

8 hours ago, dermarx said:

 

Even if they may be a little bit impractical with those doors.

 

Not really at all. The hinges are set towards the center of the car's roof instead of the edge.

 

It gives you way more room to open them than a regular side mounted door. 

 

Seven seconds of goodness.