Show Media Item - The Complete Interview - The Green KnightThe Complete Interview - The Green Knight
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Here is the complete interview as seen in the Planets Newsletter - Enjoy!
PN: Tell us a little about yourself.
TGK: I am married and moved to Sweden a year ago. We have a one year old daughter, two dogs and cat. I'm a jack-of-all-trades. After a almost two years of trying I managed to get my wife to play planets as well, which probably makes several of you envy me. I worked as a psychologist, project manager, programmer and spirituality teacher (www.forgottenway.club). Currently looking for a job and learning swedish.
TGK: I played a bit in the 90's with swapping disks, but found it too much micro-management so I stopped. I rediscovered the game after the death of my best friend (Red Vader is his account name). When I met my old university buddies whom I played with in the 90's at the funeral they told me about the webversion.
PN: What's your favorite race and why?
TGK: The Lizards. I always enjoy playing something which has clear weak and strong points. Due to their economic boni and cheap vessels I don't have to feel so bad when I make a stupid mistake.
PN: What do you build on first three turns with them (or your general opening strategy)?
TGK: I alternate between sending out mk4 cruisers to enforce any border agreements and prevent sneak attacks and building LDSFs.
PN: How many games do you play at the same time?
TGK: 2 or 3. I prefer 2 turns pw to have more time from diplomacy and coordination with allies.
PN: What types of games do you like playing most?
TGK: Standard and campaign because of the diplomacy involved. I prefer smaller maps, managing 100+ ships takes too much time and adds little to the game for me.
PN: What's your most memorable game, and what made it so interesting?
TGK: http://planets.nu/#/sector/103588. I stepped in as a replacement starting out with the Lizards in the last place to challenge myself a bit. Even though I lost the game I managed to struggle up to second place after a titanic struggle between me and the privateers (Ikester) versus a Crystal(Lckylad)-Borg(Drbeardz) juggernaut.
PN: What do you think is the most important skill for a Planets player to succeed?
TGK: Logistics. The situation is quite fluid. You never know who will drop or who will be attacked. If you are ready to take advantage you can benefit from such opportunities and being caught unable to respond is disasterous.
PN: Describe the process you use to make a turn.
TGK: Check VCRs. Look at the score board and explosions. Diplomatic messages, idle planets, idle starbases and finally idle ships per region adding notes all the time so I won't have to remember for next turn. If I have time I look at the other reports as well.
TGK: I like the battle of wits. Trying to trick your opponent and being tricked yourself.
PN: Is there anything else you would like to add?
TGK: I am hosting an in character game with lots of stellar cartography features (http://planets.nu/#/sector/160827) and it is great fun using the race specific advantages and likes and dislikes. I hope I will manage to get a set of more experienced players for a second game with similar settings.
Thank you to The Green Knight!
You can view The Green Knight's profile here.
PN: Tell us a little about yourself.
TGK: I am married and moved to Sweden a year ago. We have a one year old daughter, two dogs and cat. I'm a jack-of-all-trades. After a almost two years of trying I managed to get my wife to play planets as well, which probably makes several of you envy me. I worked as a psychologist, project manager, programmer and spirituality teacher (www.forgottenway.club). Currently looking for a job and learning swedish.
PN: When did you first start playing?
TGK: I played a bit in the 90's with swapping disks, but found it too much micro-management so I stopped. I rediscovered the game after the death of my best friend (Red Vader is his account name). When I met my old university buddies whom I played with in the 90's at the funeral they told me about the webversion.
PN: What's your favorite race and why?
TGK: The Lizards. I always enjoy playing something which has clear weak and strong points. Due to their economic boni and cheap vessels I don't have to feel so bad when I make a stupid mistake.
PN: What do you build on first three turns with them (or your general opening strategy)?
TGK: I alternate between sending out mk4 cruisers to enforce any border agreements and prevent sneak attacks and building LDSFs.
PN: How many games do you play at the same time?
TGK: 2 or 3. I prefer 2 turns pw to have more time from diplomacy and coordination with allies.
PN: What types of games do you like playing most?
TGK: Standard and campaign because of the diplomacy involved. I prefer smaller maps, managing 100+ ships takes too much time and adds little to the game for me.
PN: What's your most memorable game, and what made it so interesting?
TGK: http://planets.nu/#/sector/103588. I stepped in as a replacement starting out with the Lizards in the last place to challenge myself a bit. Even though I lost the game I managed to struggle up to second place after a titanic struggle between me and the privateers (Ikester) versus a Crystal(Lckylad)-Borg(Drbeardz) juggernaut.
PN: Name a memorable friend and/or a memorable foe, and what made them stand out.
TGK: Friend: Ikester. I started out attacking him and then demanded a host of planets to leave him alone. But when we became allies he was extremely generous and helped me to get my economy up and running by handing over a host of ships and sending ships to help out on my front.
Foe: Ace Rimmer.
(game http://planets.nu/#/sector/123850). Using typical Rebel trickery he got me to reveal my situation and then launched a lightning offensive with all he had. Ultimately it was no match for Robotic minefields and Firecloud logistics, but he really gave me a hard time.
PN: Give an example of excellent tactics you've used or seen (w/ details so readers can view it, if possible).
TGK: Lot's of little tips. Keeping freighters without fuel so a cloaker towing it away or intercepting won't be able to attack. Alternating capitals for ATT and NUK to prevent sneaking through minefields. Keeping Fireclouds in the warp well to prevent ships chunneling in with shields down from being attacked would be my favorite though (http://planets.nu/#/sector/147598).
PN: What do you think is the most important skill for a Planets player to succeed?
TGK: Logistics. The situation is quite fluid. You never know who will drop or who will be attacked. If you are ready to take advantage you can benefit from such opportunities and being caught unable to respond is disasterous.
PN: Describe the process you use to make a turn.
TGK: Check VCRs. Look at the score board and explosions. Diplomatic messages, idle planets, idle starbases and finally idle ships per region adding notes all the time so I won't have to remember for next turn. If I have time I look at the other reports as well.
PN: What is your favorite thing about Panets Nu?
TGK: I like the battle of wits. Trying to trick your opponent and being tricked yourself.
PN: Is there anything else you would like to add?
TGK: I am hosting an in character game with lots of stellar cartography features (http://planets.nu/#/sector/160827) and it is great fun using the race specific advantages and likes and dislikes. I hope I will manage to get a set of more experienced players for a second game with similar settings.
Thank you to The Green Knight!
You can view The Green Knight's profile here.