Show Media Item - The Complete Interview - GnerphkThe Complete Interview - Gnerphk
Here is the complete interview as seen in the Planets Newsletter - Enjoy!
PN: Tell us a little about yourself.
G: I'm a recovering used bookseller who is trying to make a new start in life as a freelance writer. The ramen noodles taste the same but the hours are better.
PN: When did you first start playing?
G: We had this set up on a local BBS while I was in high school. By the time v3 came out, the BBS had shut down and we were hot-seating at a Tandy 1000 TX.
PN: What's your favorite race and why?
G: I really enjoy the original Fascists. With the worst battleship in the game, they really really suck, but their shiplist is so broad and the poppers (d19B and the Saber) are so very useful that they're very fun to play. Fast-beam Fascists are quite fun too, but that extra point penalty is painful.
PN: What do you build on first three turns with them (or your general opening strategy)?
G: My general opening strategy is pretty standard: It's tough to have too many freighters. The game is called "Planets" for a reason; in order to succeed, you've got to pound out as many useful colonies as you can as fast as is practicable, so I'll build two LDSFs followed by an MDSF for expansion and exploration. LDSFs and MDSFs are tough to beat -- though, of course, every race has its own best move. As Rebels I like to start with Falcons; as Colonies it's Cobols; as Privateer it's Meteors.
PN: How many games do you play at the same time?
G: Once I get past three serious games, it starts to feel more like work. I like to have one that's ending, one that's challenging, and one or two just beginning. Can't get better than that.
PN: What types of games do you like playing most?
G: Depends. I love Classic, but Standard can be very fun. I'm useless at Blitz and don't much care for Melee. But the Mentor vs. Midshipmen games are really the most rewarding and interesting.
PN: What's your most memorable game, and what made it so interesting?
G: The most memorable so far has of course been the Capricorn War, but since that's not over yet you can't see it. My most enjoyable defeat was early in my Nu career, Tanascuis 44790; I learned a lot from both friends and foes.
PN: Name a memorable friend and/or a memorable foe, and what made them stand out.
G: There are too many to single out. I've greatly enjoyed being Ted's enemy in Capricorn because he's the perfect comic-book villain. Siggi is always fun; Battle Toast is loyal and reliable; Jobo is deadly; DungeonMaster is terrifyingly fun; Halion is staunch and true. But there are so very many that I can't possibly name them all, especially the Capricorn crew.
PN: Give an example of excellent tactics you've used or seen (w/ details so readers can view it, if possible).
G: I'm not a great tactician, so instead I'll give my favorite example of strategy. Home Sector, 75058 I joined up to play around with Birds and figure the race out, and I spent the game avoiding battle. Turns out, I won it through applied diplomacy, keeping my agreements and appearing to be far more powerful than I really was at any given point in time. It was great fun. (Never did learn much about the Birds, though.)
PN: What do you think is the most important skill for a Planets player to succeed?
G: A capacity for taking infinite pains.
Look, most games, your enemies will die because they make a dumb mistake at exactly the wrong moment, and you'll defeat them at that point only if you're ready for them. So build starbases, develop worlds, create a sustainable outward colonist flow, and set every base up to make a heavy carrier if you can manage it. Do that better than anyone else in the game, and you can lose every battle and still win the war.
PN: Describe the process you use to make a turn.
G: I start by checking battles and reports as soon after Host as I can manage. Then, I make the most important and obvious moves, shifting fleets and reloading those starbases which have built. After that, I do diplomacy, coordinating with allies and enemies, and sometimes I log off for a day to wait for replies. Then, whenever I have time, I cycle through every world, checking builds and the ships in orbit. Next come ships and starbases. Every turn I like to set eyes on every object in the game and make sure it's doing what it should be.
Thing is, if you do it well enough, after a few turns getting things set up, you can click through and hit all the main points of a turn in about fifteen minutes, just doing the thorough complete turn one time in three. As long as your enemies don't upset things, that is.
PN: What is your favorite thing about Panets Nu?
G: I'll tell you plain: I love the people. For the most part, our player base is made up of some of the most amazing people you'll ever meet: Intelligent, well-spoken, reasonable, and informed on almost every subject. As a rule, I can't imagine hanging with a better group.
PN: Is there anything else you would like to add?
G: Get into each game. Invest some time naming your ships and talking with your fellow players. Get excited when you win your battles and get upset when you lose. You'll never win a damn thing if you don't care.
Having said that: Real Life comes first. Always. No exceptions. Good hunting, people!
Thank you to Gnerphk!
You can view Gnerphk's profile here.