The F1 2010 championship seems to be a big favourite for almost everyone that took part. Do you think there’s been a competition that we’ve run on TSA since that rivals it?
Not that I have been involved with. A few have come close, like the two Gran Turismo 5 tourneys; in some ways they were slightly better because of the online replays, so you could go back and watch your race again to relive the joy or anger of certain moments. Where I felt F1 was better was with competitiveness.
It would be good to get the TSA racing regulars out for a Go Karting session and see who is fastest in real life.
An intriguing idea… That, along with the proposed real life TSA meet at Eurogamer Expo, makes me wonder who the TSA member you’d most like to meet is?
Hard to pick, as they are an interesting lot on TSA. If I had to pick one I would have to say Freezebug, as he is the person I have interacted the most with on TSA over the years. He convinced me to buy Burnout Paradise, and even sent me a game for beating a time on the GT Academy from GT5 Prologue.
We seem to be working through my questions in reverse here, but we’ll go with it! You’ve spoken plenty about the people of TSA and the community, but when it comes to the front page, what’s your favourite regular feature? Old or new.
Peter did a great job with TSAtv, and it was something that I would love to see back. It always helps if you can see what someone is talking about, and hopefully he can find a way to streamline the process and bring it back someday as I know it took a lot of time to produce.
Ooh, and bring back the Time Travelling Microwave!
I used to love reading the microwave ones, back when I was still a bit of a lurker. What was it that got you to sign up to TSA and start taking part in the community?
I came across the site while looking for news on a GT5 Prologue update. I liked the writing style and used to check back for news and eventually started looking at the forums. I signed up to post in a thread expecting not to post again, but I started posting more and more things and getting to know the other forumites. There were always people who would help with things or make you laugh, and I hadn’t come across that anywhere else. The easter egg hunt from a couple of years ago also helped to get me more involved as I started reading back on older articles and threads and seeing some of the memes.
Ah, memes. Best internet meme of the century. GO!
I actually cant think of anything! I don’t really keep up with that sort of thing.
Not even Lolcats? Lies about Cake? You haven’t lived! Speaking of which, what do you do with yourself outside of TSA and gaming?
Lolcatz, as if I didn’t think of that!
I like to be creative and I enjoy making animations for peoples birthdays, or ringtones for my mates. I’m not particularly good at it but its still a lot of fun. Basically anything where I am creating is what interests me, be it music, videos or gaming.
That sounds cool. Is there anything you’ve put on the internet along those lines?
Not really, most things are just little projects for my mates or to celebrate a birthday and usually just go on a disc. I have a few of them on Facebook but not publicly on the internet. It’s mainly just family photos where I make them do something stupid to go with the music.
It’s pretty easy to say that you, like many TSA regulars, love a bit of F1 in the real world too, but there’s many more motor sports out there. What others do you try and actively follow?
I do like F1, as it’s the pinnacle of motor-sport, but its not my favourite form of racing. The BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) is my absolute favourite, as its such an unpredictable championship with so many potential race winners throughout the field. It’s something I have followed from the early 90’s. It’s always exciting with some very close action all the way down the grid, and if anyone caught the last round at Oulton Park they will know what I mean by unpredictable after the events between Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden at the last corner of the last lap.
The TV coverage is epic now, as it covers all the support races live as well and lasts for 6-7 hours, although I’m hoping to get to Brands Hatch in October and see them live, as I haven’t been since I was a kid. Now if only we could see the BTCC back in a game, as I think TOCA Race Driver 3 was the last console game to include them. With any luck they will be in GRID 2, but I cant see it happening sadly.
And with that, I think we can wrap things up. Do you have any parting words?
Captain Planet rocks.
Thanks to Manorhowze for giving up a couple hours to answer questions. You can still sign up to take part in these, but there’s a hefty list of names already. Come back next week for what will hopefully be a surprise interviewee.
tom_lord
Whoo, Manor, I’m reading this and setting up PlayTV to record the BTCC today. My favorite series too, by far! But oh yes, games, is that my red scooby pictured…?
teflon
15 mins until a whole day of crazy racing. Good stuff :D
I’m not sure anymore which car belonged to which driver from the GT5 championship. I kind of just guessed in the end, but I think you might be right…
Manorhowze
Yeah thats toms scooby. That pic is shortly before a coming together at the last corner I believe.
ProjectJAY
I’m not a footie fan, but I loved PES6 as well. Mostly because you could dress everyone up as penguins. And then they’d make funny noises as they dribbled the ball.
I believe there was also a game in there somewhere.
blackredyellow
Hah! I remember that, and it was even more funny if you played in double speed… Freakishly fast penguins is a terrifying yet hilarious sight!
freezebug2
Great read, and a good insight into a like minded gamer. Yup, me and Manor go back a bit on PSN and TSA, I think that we both joined TSA around the same time a few years back….thanks for the mention fella.
That’s some prize haul you have there and to be honest until the likes of Ash, Jambo and co. came along you were often the favourite to win most things race related…..even so though you are still the Time Trial favourite every time.
On a last note! I drive better in real life {:0)
Blayney
Great read. Manor is an awesome racer online ;)
Also I DID see the oulton park incident and also Plato’s outburst in the interview afterwards. Such a great championship.
gazzagb
Good read, and thanks for reminding me of the time traveling microwave! That was epic, Lewis and Kris should bring that back!
MadJunkBoy
great read=) i think i have seen that picture of u somewhere else… where was that?? can’t remember…
but im pretty proud that i have beaten Manor in a racing game=) even though it was ModNation, but still… so im gonna give it a *proudface* :P
but i like the idea of doing a real life kart race=)
Manorhowze
I still hate you for that, lol ;)
The pic is from the what do you look like forum thread in the chat archives.
MadJunkBoy
haha, =D
ohh yeahh where we posted pictures of ourselfs=) gotta have a look… *goes to the chat archives*
ProjectJAY
I also have that honour :D
Manorhowze
I hate you as well Jay. :P
MadJunkBoy
and on the same track too!! =) haha
R1MJAW
I too have bested Manor at MNR … lol XD
matthangzhou
Interesting read. Nice to find out some back story to the screen names.
spooferbarnabas
Nice to meet a fellow Southendian….i would challenge you to real life go-karting but i have a bad feeling you’d kick my ass :D
TSBonyman
Interesting read, thanks for sharing Manorhowze.
Nice TSA Tshirt too – who do i have to threaten/kill/shag to get one of those! :)
MadJunkBoy
yeahh i want one of those too…
it looks awesome=)
teflon
If you’re desperate to have one now, the link to the site (which still works, according to Cb) is here: http://colossalblue.spreadshirt.co.uk/
That’s an older TSA logo, but he also, quite tantalisingly says that he’s “Still looking into ways of getting t-shirts made for a reasonable price.” and that it “Might be better for them to wait a few weeks though!”
TSBonyman
Ooh – Hoodies too – cool, cheers tef! I’ll wait a few weeks to see what develops.
MadJunkBoy
OMG!! BUY BUY BUY!!!
MadJunkBoy
in a few weeks that is =)
Manorhowze
I think it was Peter who setup a TSA tshirt site at one point but I dont think its still going.
Manorhowze
Sorry, was meant to be a reply to TSBonyman
TSBonyman
Cheers, pity it’s not still going as i would like one.. maybe i’ll race you for yours sometime… haha ;)