Meet the Reader: Spooferbarnabas

Welcome to another edition of Meet the Reader. We were on the verge of having a “clips show” rather than an actual interview, but Spooferbarnabas stepped in yesterday afternoon. So, say hello to him.

The usual first questions: Who are you, how old are you and where do you come from?

I’m Matthew Stevens, 18 and from sunny Southend.

It does sound veritably tropical. Is that on the coast?

It is. The south east coast.

You can kind of tell when a place name finishes with an “end”. Your regular username is quite far removed from your actual name. Where did it come from?

Well, ‘Spoofer’ has been my nickname for years, given to me by my Granddad (not a clue what it means or how he came up with it) and barnabas is my rather unusual middle name. So I stuck the two together and voila!

That’s quite a nice origin, actually.

Yeah, all my usernames are some variation on ‘Spoofer’ depending on what’s available.

I always aim for ‘teflon’, but it’s rarely available, so the numbers get shoved on the end. At least yours is very rarely going to be in use! How did you first get into gaming?

That’s a difficult one. My earliest memories of gaming are on the N64! I used to watch my brothers playing games, think I could do better and then fail miserably when I attempted to play.

I’ve found it quite funny how games I used to find really tricky when I was young are now really easy. Did it take you long to catch up to your brothers’ gaming abilities?

It took a fair while given that he’s a few years older than me, but I’d say I’m at least even now if not edging it slightly. I won’t say I’m far better, given how he uses TSA a fair amount too.

I sense a long and bitter rivalry here. Do you have a particular game or game series you tend to use as your battleground?

Well we both play a variety of games but we’ve had a fair few games of FIFA against each other. I would’ve liked to have more games on Killzone 2, but I maintain he was too scared to face me on that.

Almost everyone else on TSA was, anyway. Much better to have you on the same side. You started on the N64, then, and are obviously now up to the PS3, but what consoles did you own, or share, in between them? Perhaps you dabbled with PC gaming even?

Well, as most people on Meet the Reader seem to have done, I got into the PlayStation brand with the PS1, and have moved onto the PS2 and PS3 since. We’ve also had the Wii and I’ve had a couple of PSPs now as well. If I had more money I’d get an Xbox 360, but I’ve never taken the plunge.

Oh and I’ve never tried PC gaming really, I don’t have the hardware or the money to get the needed hardware stuff, and I’m not a fan of keyboard and mouse.

That’s the route most people have take. I’ve a certain expectation of your answer to this question, but what is your favourite game?

Diddy Kong Racing! I love everything about that game, from the music to the the multi-coloured boost. I often dig out the N64 when I get a chance and relive the magic, and it never gets boring as well.

In the modern game era it has to be Killzone 2 because of the amazing fun I had online with the clan system and stuff.

You see I was expecting you to say Killzone 2 outright. I do remember you occasionally going on about Diddy Kong Racing, though…

That’s because it’s worth going on about!

Have there been any games, though, that you’re embarrassed to have played? Perhaps they are a guilty pleasure?

I’ve not really played any, as I tend to steer well clear of the renowned shoddy games and I’m not fussed with trophies, so have no need to play them. I suppose you could say Madden is my guilty pleasure because few people over here like NFL so my playing Madden seems a tad weird to them.

You don’t half go on about NFL too.

I just do that to annoy Roy.

Many people would just slap you for playing a sports game at all. We’re a little bit of the way into what is a jam packed end of year release schedule. Which games are you particularly looking forward to?

Well I’m not intending to buy many more games, having recently got F1 2011, if any at all. The one game that I may cave for is Uncharted 3, as you know going in to it you’ll get a solid experience. Although saying that, I don’t like the idea of getting my ass handed to me online by you.

I’d teach you a thing or two, that’s for certain.

I remember you kicking my ass on Uncharted 2, and I only ventured online on that a few times.