Welcome to the Lasombra Files, PSU’s weekly hit program. Follow the story of Lasombra and V as they try to stay alive in Shadow City, unraveling its secrets, while at the same time shining the spotlight on gamers around the world and in our community.
Seconds feel like minutes and minutes feel like hours as I stealthily make my way to the NGN Studios, or whatever bizzaro version it is in this place. I never knew watching so many movies would give me lots of ideas about how to infiltrate a news studio when you are an internationally wanted criminal, but don’t tell the critics that or else they would think movies create killers instead of making them more creative. Somehow, someway, I make it to the news room floor and it is business like usual in Episode 23: Splatter House Training. No gunshots, no alarms, no fists to the gut, just a couple heads look up at the elevator door before going back to work. Not exactly the welcoming party I was expecting, well, until The Boss waves me into his office. He kinda looks like my Boss, but this is a different world so why is the other me not me?
Name: Ed (SplatterTrigger)
Age: 33
Gender: Male
Occupation: I work in the Aerospace field.
Country: USA
Disclaimer: This interview is reproduced as written by the interviewee. Pictures copyright of their artist/photographer/owner. All likenesses used are for parody and/or satirical purposes.
Lasombra: How long have you been gaming?
Splatter: Since 1984/1985
Lasombra: Do you have any gaming goals for this year?
Splatter: I hope to find the time to finish Ni No Kuni with my daughter.
Lasombra: Are you a Trophy hunter, and what do you think about Trophies overall?
Splatter: I’m not a Trophy hunter at all. Though there are times I will go the extra step to accomplish some of them. I do think that Trophies overall are actually good for a game. They add a separate challenge for the individual or party that is not really needed to complete the game’s core focus. Added replayability is always a bonus.
Lasombra: Do you have a favourite era of gaming? The SNES/Genesis war? The reign of the Playstation Reich? Hail to the NES?
Splatter: The first system I ever played was an Atari and the first game was Pitfall, but it wasn’t until I played Super Mario Bros. on the NES that I really fell in love with video games. Even then nothing could prepare me for the sheer awesomeness of the 16 bit era. I was hooked on the SNES and Turbografx-16. Not too much Sega back then. When it came to the SNES/Genesis war I was with the SNES all the way. I actually remember not liking Sega’s ads against Nintendo back then! As I mentioned the Turbografx-16, even though it is not a true 16-bit machine it was quite an underdog here in North America. I loved its uniqueness back then when everything was mainly focused on Sega and Nintendo.
Lasombra: Is there a lot of gaming culture in your area of the world? Unique stores, conventions, etc?
Splatter: Not particularly in my immediate area. However there are two retro video game stores within my area. However geographically I’m a short drive from New York City and Boston, so conventions (i.e PAX East, New York Comic Con, Anime Expo) are within reach.
Lasombra: Have you ever been burnt out from a gaming session?
Splatter: No. I don’t allow myself to get to that point.
Lasombra: I found your videos on YouTube. From watching them it is obvious you love the Lunar series. What is it about that series that has you star struck?
Splatter: The story! The characters! Graphics! Iwadare’s music. You name it. Truly though it was the growth of Alex and Luna’s relationship. I’m a sucker for a good love story in RPG’s.
Lasombra: How did you create the name and brand SplatterTrigger?
Splatter: When I first conceived SplatterTrigger it was for my YouTube channel. Since the channel was going to be based on video games I sat down and just asked myself what my two favorite systems had been, Super Nintendo and the Turbografx-16, and the first two games (one for each system) that popped into my head were Splatterhouse and Chrono Trigger. I just combined the respected Splatter and Trigger and that was it!
Lasombra: As a Lunar fan, and a fan of Working Designs, do you ever hope the company will make a comeback? Why do you think no one took their place to bring niche RPGs over to North America?
Splatter: Well they have sort of made a comeback. They’ve released some of their PlayStation 1 titles on PSN with the help of Monkey Paw games. Victor Ireland (former head of WD) runs a company called Gaijinworks with his son, and they actually have a translation in the works for Class of Heroes 2 for the PSP. There was a Kickstarter for it with a proposed physical collector’s set that didn’t pan out. Thankfully though, they have a limited quantity of standard physical copies that will be produced regardless, along with the PSN digital release of Class of Heroes 2. But I’m starting to go off topic a bit here. As for no one filling their place when WD closed? Well Atlus, NISA and XSEED Games have done a fine job! I loved Working Designs because during the 1990’s they brought over many titles that other companies didn’t or would not. They personally opened my eyes and interest to what was going on over in the gaming scene in Japan, and their box sets and merchandise was unheard of then.
Lasombra: What got you motivated to make videos for YouTube? Can you give us any details of how you make your videos and the time and effort that is needed to create them? Do you have a favourite video you have made?
Splatter: I actually started making videos on YouTube because a friend that I had made on there wanted to see my collection. Since it was in storage at the time I basically just pulled it out and showed it on camera. It was a bit before I realized that other users had made videos of their collections, personal reviews and such. I loved the scene and the community.
I usually do my videos in a vlog (video log) approach. I just like to talk and keep it simple for the most part. I usually use a set of topics and points that relate to the subject of the video. They are written down and off camera and can be seen to help keep me focused. When it comes to editing I’m still very green after all these years! I like to keep it simple like I said but even then it can take 2-3 hours for a 6 minute video sometimes. My personal favorite video that I made is my Cool Gaming Stuff video. I received a lot of personal messages on that one pertaining to my favorite piece in my video game collection.
Lasombra: You have done numerous unboxing videos to show off your collecting exploits. Can you go into detail the life of a collector, the trials and tribulation? Are a lot of your gaming friends collectors as well?
Splatter: I like the chase or hunt of finding a collectible whether online or in the wild for a good price. Unboxings work best on camera I think. So the majority of those are shipped goods. I like to give a brief explanation on the items as well. All I can say as a collector is that you must set a concrete budget for it and ALWAYS stick to it. Yes the majority of my gaming friends are collectors as well.
Lasombra: Sadly a new video hasn’t been posted on YouTube for a long time. Why has there been a hiatus?
Splatter: Life. I work almost 70 hours a week now a days, and my daughter is older (5). My family takes up much of my free time now. Whereas before our schedules had been much more flexible and I had some free time. Any free time now that was formally used for YouTube and gaming is strictly used for gaming when possible, and that gaming time is spent with my daughter.
Lasombra: Watching any of your videos it is obvious in the background you have an extraordinary collection. Is collecting just as fun or more fun than actually playing the games themselves?
Splatter: Collecting is fun but not nearly as fun as actually playing the games. I buy my games to experience them.
Lasombra: For viewers reading this, do you know of any other collectors’ YouTube videos you would recommend as great viewing?
Splatter: That’s a tough question to answer! There are so many great collections and collectors on YouTube. I can only say if your specific collecting bug applies to a system, genre, etc. you will find somebody on YouTube who has what you are looking for.
After sitting down I feel an arm grasp my shoulder. I wait for the pain but it never comes, allowing me to look up and see my twin. If they wanted me dead he’d have done it long ago before I reached here so it must mean I win some kind of prize. The Boss tosses me a folder that looks the same as Captain Li gave me. “The Omni Project, so what?” I say, irritated at this being brought up again. “If you wanted to kill me over this, why the dog and pony show? Why so many jaw fractures?” The Boss grabs a remote and turns on the TV in episode 24: Oration Undercover. Pictures of fellow reporters flash across the screen, followed by their horror movie dead appearance. I just thought they got fired but then again who fires a Pulitzer winner? “You passed the test and now you’re going undercover” The Boss tells me. “Wait, when could you talk in this program, or anyone for that matter?” He pulls out a badge and a gun and puts it on the desk, pushing them towards me. “Since you are no longer going to be you but are going to be him” saying as he points to the man. “Him? The guy who made Casino Royale look like Pulp Fiction? Do you know how much he must spend on hair dye and gel every day?” I retort, thinking it would have been better to stay an international terror suspect.
Check out Splatter’s YouTube page and show him some support. His videos are definitely interesting and knowledgeable for those wanting to be a hardcore collector or are one already.
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