Bungie.net Community
This topic has moved here: Subject: Community Spotlight 2 Shishka
  • Subject: Community Spotlight 2 Shishka
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • of 4
Subject: Community Spotlight 2 Shishka
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I'm "D king"
Posted by: King Karp
I would never eat a pet, as in an animal.
Now, if it was a pet cake or pie, then Hell YEAH! I'd eat that -blam!- man!

Hey guys Sorry about the long gap between spotlights, ill try to find the time to do them more often.
This week I interveiwed Shishka.
Enjoy.


What have you been up to ever since you escaped the shackles of Bungie.Net?

I still lurk around. Mostly I just quietly shaking my head at the antics in the Halo 3 forum. Occasionally I'll post a chiding remark, but largely I just watch the train wreck and eat popcorn.

I'm still technical artist for Certain Affinity, so most of my time is spent with work-related stuff, none of which I can really talk about. Suffice to say, we're really busy down here, and things are going really well!

What is you favorite Bungie.Net memory to date?

The Bungie.Net Webmaster referred to me with a vague sort of respect in response to a letter, once! If it wasn't respect, then it was at least tolerance. Either way, there aren't many people that can say that. In fact, I'm pretty sure there aren't any other people.

What is your impression of the flood compared to the halo 3 forum?

True story; I've been to the Flood only once or twice since I retired as a moderator. The Flood to me has represented the group of people that have never quite figured out what this site was about. The "New Hotness" of '04 didn't even start with The Flood. It was added later when it became clear that some people couldn't grasp that this was a website about Bungee and their games. The flood exists much in the same way the "This is not a Halo forum!" sticky did in the Underground: It's an attempt to divert posts that are better off somewhere else.

I wouldn't say the Flood compares any differently from the Halo 3 forum than it did to the New Mombasa forum back in its heyday. The Halo 3 forum is full of spam, sure, but is at least most of the time it's spam that's relevant to the site (even if tenuously so). Ultimately, it makes sense to come to Bungie.net and talk about Halo 3. But if you want to talk about something other than Bungie or Bungie's games, why do it here?

Do you have any pets? Dogs, cats, younger siblings?

Two kittens that I adopted back in June. I don't seem like the kitten adoption type, huh? They exist to make me feel a bit more ashamed at myself when I catch myself swearing at a video game.

How would you describe your life at the moment?

Extremely busy. Work is pretty hectic these days, and November was a bomb from which many great games exploded. It was inconsiderate, really. How the hell am I supposed to play Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect at the same time as Guitar Hero 3, Call of Duty 4, while maintaining in Halo 3?

What are your hobbies / interests?

I'm a big gamer, and I'm not making jokes at the expense of my girth. These days most of the games I play are on 360, though once I've burned off the stack of games sitting on my coffee table I'll probably get Mario Galaxy.

Outside of that, I still doodle here and there, but since I flex the artistic muscles at work on a fairly regular basis, I haven't had the energy to commit myself to anything more than just doodles.

What advice would you give someone trying to become a technical artist like yourself?

Ha! I'm sorry, but this question is so very cookie-cutter. ;)

Anyway, I don't think being a technical artist is necessarily something people aspire to. Not saying it's bad; I have a lot of fun. It's more sort of the kind of job that find yourself fitting into.

Imagine a Golden-Axe style game where you can choose one of three characters at the start. One character is heavy on one set of stats, the second character is heavy on the opposite stats, and the third character averages between them. The third guy is the technical artist. I don't specialize in any particular task. I've modeled, textured, animated, designed, and more. I tend to play a support role, but I also catch a lot of tasks when we don't have someone else that specializes in that particular role.

Technical artists have to be flexible, capable, and quick to adapt. Expect to wear a lot of hats.

When is your birthday? (I want to get you a cookie.)
October 29th. I'll gladly accept 26 belated cookies. Keep in mind I will be forcing your mom to poison taste them.

Do you look up to anyone? Do you have a hero?
I don't really "look up" to anyone. There's a lot of people out there I respect, though. I suppose my infatuation with the work of Craig Mullins borders on the edge of worship, though.

Where do you see yourself in three years?
Doing something involving kp's mom.

Er, I mean, in three years I imagine myself deeply invested in the development of an awesome game. Also, doing something involving kp's mom.

Where did you get the name Shishka from?
Back when my friends and I played Marathon all the time, I thought I was a comedian. I started calling myself "Shishka-BOB." Eventually, I realized how painfully lame that was, and the "-BOB" fell off.

And finally tell us a joke.
Here's a lame one: What do you call a blonde that dyes her hair brunette? "Artificial Intelligence." Hold the applause, throw money instead.

Thanks for reading guys. I would like to think I have improved from my last attempt.


[Edited on 12.07.2007 8:27 PM PST]

  • 12.06.2007 6:25 PM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"

Posted by: Shishka
Two kittens that I adopted back in June. I don't seem like the kitten adoption type, huh? They exist to make me feel a bit more ashamed at myself when I catch myself swearing at a video game.


Ha! Truly amused! Nice job, Mike.

Oh, and who's next on the To Interview... list?

[Edited on 12.06.2007 6:31 PM PST]

  • 12.06.2007 6:30 PM PDT

Formerly known as BASs13 and One Point Three

Self-made nickname...... cool.....

I am just kidding Shishka. At least it is "unique".

Nice interview

  • 12.06.2007 6:38 PM PDT

Halo3Planet, the place for all things Halo 3..

Need help finding skulls, make sure to go here.

I like the choice for the interview. I haven't seen Shishka too much, and it's nice to hear about him.

  • 12.06.2007 6:47 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

I like to Rollick

haha shishka just sonned the entire flood forum, nice.

Good Interview.

  • 12.06.2007 6:48 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Destinypedia - The Wiki for Bungie's Destiny
Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Mike, this is by far the best interview you have done yet. Marvelously done and thanks to Shishka for the entertaining answers and insight! I agree that some of the questions could have used follow-ups, but everybody has their own interviewing style and I disagree with YourUncleTom's opinions regarding "questions you should have asked." UncleTom, I mean no disrespect, but the interview belongs to Mike and the specific questions he chooses to ask or not ask should not be Monday-Morning-Quarterbacked. If you have questions for Shishka, then you should be doing the interviews. That said, I do agree with you regarding follow-up questions in the general sense.

So Mike -- Bravo! Please keep it up, your writing and interviewing style are getting better and better with every one of these that you do and I'm very proud of you!

  • 12.06.2007 7:15 PM PDT

Posted by: Your Uncle Tom
Youre doing a lot more open ended questions and thats really good, you just need to get follow up ones as well.


I would imagine the questions were PM'd to Shishka to answer at his convenience, not a running real time Q&A. That's why there were no follow up questions.

Good job Mike.

  • 12.06.2007 7:18 PM PDT

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK...
Posted by: Langley
--on another note, I think MLG Chewhatever is an idiot.

Posted by: Achronos
There is a reason I am user ID 1 and my account creation date is before this site came online.

This interview instantly wins for the sole reason that it mentions Golden Axe!!

And I always thought that "Shishka" was short for "Shishka is a pegb....."

Nevermind, I don't think even the kittens will save me from his wrath if I finish that sentence.

Good interview Mike, I'm sure The Chad is rather busy to answer many more questions.

~B.B.

  • 12.06.2007 7:19 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

Mourne not your comrades who must dwell / too strong to strive -
Within each steel-bound coffin of a cell, / Buried alive;
But rather mourne the apathetic throng / The cowed, and the meek -
Who see the world’s great anguish and its wrong / And dare not speak.

[group]167741|Diner|Where's the food?[/group]

That was an excellent interview. The questions and answers were entertaining, and the spelling ang grammar are seriously improved.

As far as follow-up questions, I agree that those would have been nice. From the format though, it looks like this may have taken place over PM, in which case it would be understandable that follow-ups are a bit impracticle, especially for an interviewee who talks about being busy a lot. Either way though, just something to keep in mind for next time maybe.

Should we call the humane society? I seem to remember something about Shishka killing kittens for fun. :/

  • 12.06.2007 7:31 PM PDT

Posted by: WolfmanMaverick
You people have just sent my sides into orbit. A bunch of MLG try hards sucking the dick of some supposed pro half the thread hasn't even heard of. Classic.

Damn fine interview. Best one yet. Keep them coming.

  • 12.06.2007 8:36 PM PDT

Posted by: WolfmanMaverick
You people have just sent my sides into orbit. A bunch of MLG try hards sucking the dick of some supposed pro half the thread hasn't even heard of. Classic.

Posted by: Recon Number 54
I also remember getting a PM warning from Shishka in response to my first ever post on Bungie.Net. I was not off to a very good start. He scared the hell out of me and changed my direction.

I still have that PM.

Pics or it didn't happen.

  • 12.06.2007 9:33 PM PDT

Posted by: WolfmanMaverick
You people have just sent my sides into orbit. A bunch of MLG try hards sucking the dick of some supposed pro half the thread hasn't even heard of. Classic.

Posted by: Recon Number 54
Oh ye of little faith.

Oh I had faith in you Recon. You have yet to do anything to shake it. Now I have a copy of that just in case you want to take down that link and try to hide it.

Why are there black SUV's pulling up outside right now?

  • 12.06.2007 10:07 PM PDT

You say tomato; I say potato.

I wish I had the messages I sent him when he banned me years ago. I think I commented on his girth in one of them. I used to be such a jerk on these forums.

Posted by: Recon Number 54
And just so you know, it was WAY more scary when it was his old avatar. You know, the one where someone was using a laser pointer on his face?
I never thought of it that way. The Terminator must have been blind by the end of the movie.

  • 12.06.2007 10:30 PM PDT

don't take me too seriously..


<3

Good spotlight. Glad to know Shishka is not dead yet. :P

Kittens? Didn't see that coming..


Posted by: Recon Number 54
Oh ye of little faith.
I call photoshop.

  • 12.06.2007 10:41 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Location: Outlaws' Summit.

Excellent interview Mike! Definitely your best yet.

On a side note, Shishka banned me the very first time I posted on Bungie.net lol.

........It was .....kinda deserved ;-)

  • 12.07.2007 12:43 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

And the Shadow fell upon the Land, and the World was riven stone from stone. The oceans fled, and the mountains were swallowed up, and the nations were scattered to the eight corners of the World. The moon was blood, and the sun was as ashes. The seas boiled, and the living envied the dead. All was shattered, and all but memory lost, and one memory above all others, of him who brought the Shadow and the Breaking of the World. And him they named Dragon.

Great interview, Mike! Kudos :)

  • 12.07.2007 4:34 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

Mourne not your comrades who must dwell / too strong to strive -
Within each steel-bound coffin of a cell, / Buried alive;
But rather mourne the apathetic throng / The cowed, and the meek -
Who see the world’s great anguish and its wrong / And dare not speak.

[group]167741|Diner|Where's the food?[/group]

Posted by: Toothpick
Posted by: Recon Number 54
Oh ye of little faith.
I call photoshop.

No way. If Recon had bothered with Photoshop, you wouldn't have that horrid Paint jpeg compression.

Though... he does have an oddly high number of moderators in his inbox during that time period.

  • 12.07.2007 10:00 AM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Do you have what it takes to become a ninja? Join Ninja Academy
Prepared to learn the way of the jedi? Join
KOTOR

Shishka has a great sense of humor.

  • 12.07.2007 10:26 AM PDT

-Quaere verum.

Got a report? Use the report tool or send a pm.
Chairleg Productions presents: 'Console Wars' and 'Games as Art?' (also on Halo Waypoint).

Ok, now interview Shishka's cats; they're so darn cute. I'm also surprised 'Shishka' has nothing to do with pinecones.

  • 12.07.2007 10:43 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Mythic Member

Bungie listens to its fans! ^.^ | Ninja .II./ You
RCG: In ur base, steelin' ur flagz. | Watch the demo, then join the carnage!

Brilliant, Mike, it looks so much better with formatting and everything. A brilliant interview, too! Kittens was waaay left field.

  • 12.07.2007 10:56 AM PDT

  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • of 4