IceLion
Senior Member

Date of Birth

August 6, 1968 (44)

About IceLion

Biography:

AGE Username: IceLion

XBL Username: IceLion

What does your Xbox Live Gamertag mean?

It is a carryover from my Quake 2 PC gaming days. I had just joined a Quake II clan and was trying to think of a nick. Clan [AmC] (America vs Canada) was a very AGE-like community (except smaller and the Americans did not hate on the Canadians so bad; I think Americans were nicer back then). So I was trying to come up with a name and arrived at IceLion. Fairly generic at face value but the meaning behind the name will be deliciously ironic to those who have played Gears with me.

Ready?

Ice: Symbolizing coolheadedness in the heat of battle (this is the ironic part)

+

Lion: Symbolizing courage in battle.

Suffice to say it was more of a "goal" than an actual description. Some 12-odd years later it has become either the world's longest running joke or the world's slowest self-fulfilling prophecy. Time will tell I guess. Therapy has been helping a little. Anyways, let it not be said that I am not at least aware of my shortcomings...

I actually created a quake 2 skin as well - sometime maybe I will try to dig it up and post a pic so everyone can see what an IceLion actually looks like

How old are you?

Old. I mean not like "Munds-Old" or "Cheffy-Old" but pretty old. 42 (going on 14). According to at least one nice young lad of 14-years that I played against on Live, that is "too old to play videogames". Upon further inquiry he revealed that I should have stopped gaming at "I dunno... about 24". Suffice to say I was quite impressed that someone so young would have such insight and wisdom and was incredibly grateful to him for pointing out my folly.

Where do you live?

Halifax, Nova Scotia (northeast of Maine for the geographically challenged). Famous for the being birthplace of: Sarah McLachlan, Ellen Page (Juno, Hard Candy), Sidney Crosby, The Trailer Park Boys, Keith's Beer, and - perhaps most notably - the culinary marvel known as "The Donair". And don't talk to me about your fucking pansy-ass "gyro" - a gyro ain't no donair, not even close.

Do you have any kids? If so, what is their age?

My wife (Teresa) and I have a son - Aidan - who is 6 and a half years old and is an amazing creature - I love him more than anything in the universe; even more than donairs and Gears of War put together (note: spell-checker does not know "donair", silly spell-checker...).

How did you learn or hear about AGE and what brought you to our community?

UncivilWilhelm (AKA Uncle Will, AKA Pirate Will) - I met him gaming on Xbox through a mutual friend (GT: TheFartingCrow) and he put me onto this place.

How long have you been playing video games?

Around 30 years. I remember coin-op in its glory days. PacMan, Karate Master, Defender, Centipede, Scramble, Battle Zone and my favourite, though more obscure - Star Castle.

How long have you been playing games online?

In university I played something called MUD (multiuser dungeon) which was a super-geeky UNIX-based text MMO but if by "online", you mean over the Internet or modem the first game I recall playing "online" was "modem-to-modem" MechWarrior 2 back in '95 so (doing the math...) like 15 years.

What's your favorite game to play online?

Currently Gears 2, to no one's surprise. Back when I gamed on PC it would have been Diablo 2 (co-op) and Quake 2.

What was the first game you played online?

As above, MechWarrior 2.

What was the first game you played online with fellow AGE members, if you can remember?

Was that some kind of age joke? Of course I can remember, I may be old but I am not *that* old... it was Gears 1

Is there an arch nemesis on Live that you always feel is your best competition or someone you always want to beat?

Back in Gears 1 it was Rakswp - he was a machine, unstoppable - I used to get so frustrated, it's like he was morphing the time-space continuum. Nowadays I derive an unhealthy amount of satisfaction when we roll prepubescent potty-mouthed kids in Gears 2 (ranked).

When you sign on to Live is there someone you always look for to play online with?

The regular Gears crew - Lemin, LivinNytmare, DarthSN, Raging H8, Gree Dee Mee, Munds, OutboundChef, Killbot2600 et.al. (sorry for those I left out). I still burn a candle for Irunnoft though. Come back to us Irun!!!!!!

Which do you prefer, single player or multiplayer games?

It has flip-flopped over the years but based on my time spent on Xbox, multiplayer I guess.

Which do you prefer, ranked or unranked games?

Ranked - again I am finding a great deal of satisfaction when we get an AGE party going and pwn the annoying kiddies on XBL.

Which do you prefer, co-op or multiplayer?

Wow, it's like asking which is better, cheeseburgers or pizza. Love both experiences. Gears does a good job of both.

Which, if any, achievements are you most proud of?

Hmm, i like getting achievements but I don't know I could say there were any I would be "proud of"... Getting all my Gears 1 ranked weapon cheevos maybe?

Do you play inverted or normal?

Normal - Inverted is for mutants - people like Ender probably play inverted...

What is your first video game memory?

Walking into an arcade circa 1980 and seeing a Battle Zone cabinet and a full Red Baron cabinet with cockpit (http://www.joystixamusements.com/photos/REDBARONCPT.jpg) - awesome...

What game systems do you own or have owned in the past?

In order:
- Tandy Color Computer (aka "Radio Shack CoCo 1")
- Tandy Color Computer 2
- Sega Genesis
- PC
- Xbox 360

I was never much into consoles until the 360.

What is your favorite video game of all time, and why?

Wow. Some contenders would be System Shock 2, Quake 2, Doom 2, Dead Space, Gears of War 1/2 but I would probably have to give the nod to Diablo II. Wasted endless hours in single player and just loved the co-op play in that game. I am looking at the Battle Chest which has the Mac version but it is too pricey for my liking... I mean $45 for a 10 year old game??!!!

If you could only own one system (from systems now or from the past) from now on which one would it be? and why?

Xbox 360. Having gotten out of the PC gaming upgrade ratrace, I can safely say I dont think I will ever go back.... Live is killer and the games are great.

If you could only own one game for the above system from now on which one would it be? and why?

I suppose Gears 2 though I have a love/hate relationship with that game franchise.

Gears is like that girl you dated in university who was a bit psycho but pretty hot in the sack. You know you should be dating around more, and you try, but when she calls you up and says "hey wanna come over tonight..."... you can't say no. You hate yourself and you know its unhealthy and you feel vaguely like its abusive somehow but you still cant help but say "yes baby I am on my way over"... even if you were supposed to go out with your buddies or on a date with someone else.

For the amount I play other games it's almost like this is the only game I own anyways. Actually it's more like Gears owns *me*.

If you could create your own video game, what would it be?

Diablo II for 360 with co-op support . or Diablo III for 360... assuming its not already coming...(c'mon Blizzard!)

Who is your favorite video game character?

Hmmm, so hard to pick one. I love the Augustus Cole and Damon Baird characters (Gears of War). Shodan (System Shock 2), GladOS (Portal)

Who is your favorite video developer?

Wow. That is a toughie - at one time I would have said ID. Over the years though looking at the games I have enjoyed, maybe Blizzard or BioWare?

What do you do for a living/work?

I am an Application Integration Specialist with the Provincial Department of Community Services. For the techno-nerds out there, I am responsible for the setup and maintenance of our production and development environments for our line of business applications.

What game has consumed the most hours of your time in the past month?

Gears 2

What game has consumed the most hours of your time in the past year?

Gears 2

Do you play Windows casual games at home/work? Which ones? (solitaire/minesweeper/hearts/pinball etc.)

I have a Mac, so no. But I have surprised myself by playing the odd iPhone game - notably Word Fu, Tilt to Live and (most recently) Angry Birds , which are all great games.

Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?

A very social, vocal and needy black short hair cat: Alley. Aidan named her after his Nana's kitty. She is very un-cat-like and super sweet. She is also a pacifist - she wont even kill bugs.

What’s your favorite animal?

Lions of course oh you mean like a pet? Dogs. I love Alley but she is an anomaly, a freak of nature... I much prefer dogs as a rule. We saw a "Zonkey" this summer at the zoo - donkey body, zebra legs - it was trippy.

What other interests do you have outside of gaming; hobbies, sports, associations, family, etc?

Family time, esp camping and swimming with Aidan and Teresa. I play a little hockey in the winter time. Reading (sci fi and horror mostly), watching movies (not much of a tv watcher), the fabrication and consumption of fine food and drink (I LOVE to cook), and I sing lead vocals and play the keytar in my 80s band - the SemiVinyls.

What's your favorite movie?

For action films, The Matrix or Aliens. When I was a teen it was the Terminator. I watched that movie like 20 times, memorized whole passages of dialog, even the most minute trivia. I love movies so again it is hard to pick one.

What is your favorite type of movie; horror, action, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, etc?

I love all those but if you looked at my DVD shelf it would be dominated by Sci Fi. I love horror also but there are far fewer good horror movies IMO.

Who are your favorite actor and actress?

Steve Martin - his old stuff is sooooo good. Actress is harder for me because they seldom get prominent roles in the kinds of movies I tend to watch. I think Natalie Portman is very good. PS: Do not judge anyone by their performance in a Star Wars movie. George Lucas is a complete retard when it comes to writing character and dialog.

What's your favorite TV Show?

We don't watch a lot of TV. Not into reality TV *at all*. I even gave up on American Idol. So it was BSG before it finished. Currently Dexter. We are just about to watch the last episode of S4 on DVD. Trying to figure out a way to watch S5 without Showtime.

Who is your favorite band?

All time fave: probably Van Halen (followed closely by ZZ Top). Currently I am really digging on Muse.

What is your favorite song?

Music has been a large part of my life since childhood so it is basically impossible to choose one favorite song. Please don't make me...

What's your favorite food?

Again tough to choose just one thing here... bbq ribs?

What's your favorite candy?

Not a candy person at all, but I LOVE chocolate - does that count? Especially anything with chocolate AND peanut butter.

What's in your CD player right now?

Well my CDs are all ripped and packed away. If I were to spin up my iPhone though, I am pretty sure it would be 10,000 Fists by Disturbed or Black Holes and Revelations by Muse

What's your favorite car?

When I cared about such things (i.e. when I was young enough to put posters on my bedroom wall) it was a Lamborghini Countach.

Besides the AGE site what other sites do you visit regularly?

Giant Bomb, Joystiq, Kotaku.HomeTheaterLounge, YouTube, Instructables, Harmony Central, TED

PC or Mac?

Mac - I switched in June of 2009 and do not regret it, though the noticeably "slimmer" app selection is a bit frustrating sometimes

Are you right handed or left handed?

Right

What is your favorite season of the year (Summer/Winter/Spring/Fall)?

Summer

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Orlando - just booked a trip for Feb 2011. My third, Teresa's second and Aidan's first Disney trip! Can't wait!

What, if any, is your favorite comic book?

Comic books are for children

If you have a favorite comic book, who is your favorite character?

I said these are for children....


If you have a favorite comic book, which is your favorite Marvel or DC or other?

What's wrong with you?!?!? Stop asking me about f*%&$nig comic books!!!!!

If you could do anything for a living what would it be and why?

Is there a male equivalent of a fluffer?.....No? OK then... hmmm perhaps Buckaroo Banzai - he had the perfect job (Renaissance man/neurosurgeon/particle physicist/race car driver/rock star/comic book hero).

If you could do anything for a day what would it be and why?

Well as far as stuff that is printable, I would actually love to have a bbq/beach party/jam session where all my family and friends and all the musical people I know (and their families) just hang out, eat, drink and play music on the beach all day and all night long.

If you could meet anybody living or dead who would it be and why?

Living: Sammy Hagar, cause I have a big man-crush and and he just seems like a cool dude to hang with.

Dead: I would love it if my paternal grandfather could have met his great grandson...

What upcoming games are you planning on getting?

Two Worlds Two, assuming it is not the dog that the first one was - I am really still waiting for that Diablo co-op experience on Xbox. Dead Space 2. Gears 3.Diablo III. I don't have a release schedule handy...

If you don't have a Wii or PS3 do you plan on getting one?

Hard to say. I am certainly not against them: The Wii may yet make an appearance as a family console in my house and/or the PS3 as a replacement BluRay player (there is a small handful of exclusive games that interest me). That said, as I hardly have time to play the games I already own on 360 (let alone the ones I want to pick up) it is hard to justify bringing new consoles in.

What's the best thing about AGE?

The people. Hands-down.

What, if anything, can we at AGE do to make this a better place?

I can't really think of anything...? Free donairs maybe?

Location:

Atlantis

Occupation:

Application Integration Specialist

Xbox Gamertag:

IceLion

Raptor:

IceLion