Warhawk is a big favourite on TSA. Was it a kind of gateway drug to joining up? Or did you find TSA another way?
To be honest, I can’t remember exactly how I stumbled across TSA, but I was a lurker for a long time before taking the plunge and signing up back in 2008. I think it was the overall attitude in how the news was presented, a sense of pride in their work, and integrity of reporting made it stand out, as did the sense of community. Still does.
The news team do a fantastic job. Just look at all the E3 coverage TSA has managed, it shows their huge commitment. Aside from the news, though, do you have any favourite features? New or old.
Lewis’s Abridged Too Far articles really stand out, they really made me laugh. Especially the Heavy Rain one. It was Lewis wasn’t it? I’ll get shot if I get that wrong.
Yeah, it was Lewis, so you get to live!
*Relief* I think that typifies TSA. They’re not afraid to have a sense of humour and have fun with some of the articles.
On the community team side of things, we’re always trying to run competitions that get as many people involved as we can. Has there been a competition we’ve done that’s stood out for you?
I need to think about the competitions. I always try and enter the ones on the podcasts. In fact I won a copy of Who Framed Roger Rabbit from that. Oh, and also I won one of the copies of Alien Breed 3 too, so I’ve done quite well there! As for games competitions I’m basically lazy, so anything that requires work I probably pass on. Anything that requires a top score or fast lap time I know there’s no point in me even firing the game up!
That’s the spirit! Speaking of the podcast, I distinctly remember when you sent in a cross-generational taunt of Kris from your kids.
Yes, I had the idea of doing something about “pingwin” and that seemed the perfect opportunity. Glad it went down well. It really made me laugh seeing a random tweet from Kris (presumably whilst recording the podcast and hearing that for the first time), saying something like “Oh, by the way, I hate Kevling’s kids!”
It was a great little gag, and Kris’ seeming dismay is hilarious! When you’re not gaming or on TSA, though, what do you do with your spare time?
Well my job keeps me busy; I look after the housing-related IT systems at the local council. No idea how I ended up in that profession as I always wanted to be a cartoonist growing up.
I tried rekindling it a few years ago with a web comic called Colin the Brick that ran for about 100 episodes, and more recently The Reticle with TSA’s own Michael, which ran for considerably fewer before I injured my thumb in an incredibly specific way that meant it only hurt when I used a pen. I’m sure Michael thought it was just a ruse to get out of drawing the strip!
What did you do to your thumb?
No exciting story about my thumb. I slipped over on the ice in the garden during winter, put my hand down automatically and strained the joint on my right thumb. Bizarrely it was only when I used a pen that it hurt, yet didn’t affect gaming, typing or using my iPhone. Because you rarely use pens these days (well I don’t) I didn’t even realise I’d hurt it for a while!
I also run an online gaming forum for fogeys like myself, planetmgc.com. That’s where I first got into online gaming. One of the things we always had there was an events calendar for members to arrange games with one another. I suggested it as a potential idea for TSA, and in what seemed like mere moments, Nofi had whipped up TSA Meets. I like to think of that as my little contribution!
I love gadgets, which is probably something else to thank my granddad for. My iPhone is generally glued to my hand, and I got myself a Kindle last year as an excuse to use my love of gadgetry to try and get me back in to reading. It seems to be working so far.
In keeping with my other sedentary pursuits, I love films, especially sci-fi, and anything with a major twist. I love having a story completely pull the rug from under my feet. I don’t watch a great deal of live TV, but recent favourites are Fringe and Dexter from the US, and The Shadow Line and Doctor Who closer to home. Really looking forward to the return of Luther and Sherlock as well.
Well the two obvious questions that spring to mind would be what your favourite book and film are?
Favourite film would probably be Fight Club. Or depending on the mood I’m in maybe Shaun of the Dead. I’ve seen it dozens of times and it never fails to make me laugh.
My all-time favourite book is The Coffin Dancer by Jeffrey Deaver. It’s the second in the series of Lincoln Rhyme books (the first was The Bone Collector, which was turned into an average film with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie). His books are always packed with detail and usually have a series of twists and turns that you never see coming. He’s actually written the latest James Bond novel so I’m curious to see how that turns out.
It would seem that you’ve exhausted my set of questions, and tirelessly followed up your own tangents for me. Are there any final words you’d like to say?
Er… no? I don’t think so!
Thanks to Kevling for proving that gamers make awesomely responsible parents. 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.
tonycawley
Seems us older gamers really enjoy mass effect kev. I’m 31, my brother’s 34 and we both really enjoyed 2 and I’m loving how 3’s looking. One question, have you never felt the need to get away from Derby, having spent your entire life there?
Kevling
Sometimes I think I’d like to move but I like living in a city whereas my wife would like to live in a village somewhere near the sea. So the perfect compromise is to stay here ;) also there’s the upheaval of the kids having to move schools and everything. I’m quite laid back and easy going so it’s always easier to make do and stay put!
But you’re right, Mass Effect 2 is brilliant.
Manorhowze
Another interesting insight into the mind of a TSAian.
I love the tamagotchi story, it wouldn’t have gone like that where I work. My manager would more likely confiscate it and watch it die.
Kevling
Luckily he was nothing to do with my department, my supervisor wasn’t overly bothered and I took this to be management approval to look after the little fella in work-time.
sesameseed
This could turn into a gaming OAP coming out session. I’m also 41 and had my first digital dabble with one of those Grandstand machines too.
Kevling
Damn. Bang goes my claim of being the oldest TSAer. I’m 42 in August, do I win? :)
tonycawley
Dude, just be happy that you’re not a freak! Being old is a good thing, with age comes experience and all that :-)
sesameseed
I won’t hit 42 until next March, so you’ve got the oldie crown for now.
TSBonyman
No, i’m older – not neccessarily as mature though ;) Nice read Kevin, refreshing to meet a seasoned veteran and comforting to know there’s a few more of us at TSA! :)
spooferbarnabas
Good read, Kevling’s kids on the podcast were hilarious….as was Kris’s reaction :D
MadJunkBoy
haha good read =) love the tamagotchi story, always fun to read about the other TSAers =)
keep these fun articles coming tef=) thier awesome=)
MadJunkBoy
ok this comment wasn’t ment to be a reply…
****!!!
=D doesn’t matter
MadJunkBoy
that comment*
WTF is wrong with me!??
*runs away to find a gun and bullets*
Hannypoppie
Good read, these articles are really interesting! I especially liked the tamagotchi bit and how you talked about raising your kids. I still remember having “screen time” too (and viciously ignoring that rule when my parents weren’t there) Ah, good times.
teflon
How do you “viciously” ignore a rule? :-O
Kennykazey
An interesting read indeed. It must be cool to see the evolution of gaming as you grow older, and so I wonder, Kevling, what generation of consoles have been your favourite?
Kevling
I honestly would have today the current one, at least for me. As mentioned in the interview I didn’t own many of the older consoles, the PS1 era blew me away with the move to 3D, which was further refined on PS2, but the connectedness of the PS3 changed it all for me. yes the original Xbox got there first, but PS3 was my first exposure to online gaming and opened gaming up even further for me.
Kevling
Today = to say.
*sigh*
Kennykazey
cool, personally, I look back at the old days with the snes and 64 with pink glasses. But I must agree, the current era is an overall winner with its many capabilities.
The Lone Steven
You old fart.:op I am enjoying this articles.I’m glad it has been a success and not a failure like my world domantion plans.Serioulsy, why won’t any TSAers help to take over the world?;p Do you think Fanboyism has gotten worse or better since you started gaming?
Kevling
There’s always been fanboyism in gaming, C64 v Spectrum, Sega v Nintendo, and as I said in the interview computers vs consoles. The only real difference now is the Internet let’s the trolls out of the playground and into everyone’s homes ;)
Sympozium
Domation! quick the domz are invading?!!!!
(I think they’re domz or was it something esle but anyway its Beyond Good & Evil?)( I do have Mobile Suit Gundam on my mind though…? hmm )
Boomshanks
Wow, very interesting article. You were actually one of the TSAians I was most interested in seeing on this feature. Nice to know a bit more about you now. Oh and the picture is brilliant :p
Kevling
Are you stalking me? Is that you I can see behind the hedge at the end of my garden? ;)
stylishkev1
My second name is Laing which is often misspelled as ling, so technically I should be pissed off you stole my name!!!!!!
However I shall allow it for a fellow Kev. :)
Kevling
Kev Laing? Has a familiar ring to it ;)
Crocadillian
I’m so happy screen time hasn’t and, now that I’m 18 and going to University, never will affect me. That Tamagotchi incident is the funniest work-related incident I have ever heard.