Asandir's interviews with Newgrounds forum users

This week's interview features the user Rad.

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When did you find Newgrounds and why did you join? Why did you choose the username Rad?

Rad:

"I found NG back in 04 or so, looking for cool flash games and I eventually signed up because I felt like I was sinking a lot of time in and missing out on those sweet exp points that I couldn't collect since I wasn't a user. Originally my name for 8 years was "TheRadicalOne" and that was inspired by a webcomic I loved at the time, Kid Rad by Dan Miller and a java game "Need For Madness" where The Radical One was one of the best cars in the game. I just changed it to Rad this year because I felt like I was growing up and it was high time to shorten the name."

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Do you think that you changed over the time you were here, as user, or also in real life?

Rad:

"Oh definitely, I feel like growing up on Newgrounds got me into art as a result and led me to study it in college, as well as become proficient in programs like Flash, Photoshop, Fruity Loops and learn how to create things on computers in general.

I feel like Newgrounds gave me a ton of perspective on my life and how other people live theirs, before NG I can't say I had ever spoke with an English person before, or learned about so many different world views. I also got into the indie game design scene as a result when I learned that lone individuals and small teams can indeed, make games."

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Are there any other users that you like, and how do they affect you?

Rad:

"Just a few, I met a lot of talented people on NG and even when they left the site we still stayed in contact via Skype or Steam.

I really shouldn't name names, but...

Sonicmega - Sean really introduced me to the world of voice acting, not that I'd want to do it professionally, but the seeing the industry from his perspective was pretty enlightening.

Jesse Lutrzykowski - who had an NG account at one point but is still really close to me and is always inspiring me to do more musical stuff.

There are a TON of other people, I mean a lot, from Ragnarokia all the way to Joelle but if I went on, I'd spend all day on this."

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Are there any users that you would consider enemies or that you just don't like?

Rad:

"Not really, there are a few people I dislike or just flat out ignore but It's not really a big deal, on a website with hundreds of other people to talk to."

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What is your opinion about the forums? Is there one forum that you prefer? And is there another forum user that you want to see getting interviewed by me?

Rad:

"Extremely toxic, literally the reason I paid ten dollars for a Something Awful subscription. Turn around, walk away, never look back.

... Oh wait! That is only general, the forums dedicated to the creative process like Flash or Programming are infinitely better."

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I guess that you have an opinion about the moderators of Newgrounds. Do you think that they do a great job or not?

Rad:

"I don't really know how to express myself here, I spent like 20 minutes looking at the question and then feebly dragging my fingers across the keys, before erasing it all and trying again and again.

I believe that at the end of the day, a moderator is just another person like me behind a keyboard somewhere. Everyone is different and every moderator carries different temperaments, their own interpretation of the rules and their own pet peeves. I can't really say if the mods in general do a great job or not because I barely interact with them! I've never had a problem with the flash or audio portals, I stopped posting on the BBS entirely, instead opting to visit Something Awful when I want to chat with other people about banal internet shit. That only leaves the NG chat, the newest feature and the one I feel the most invested in.

The Newgrounds Chat has a handful of moderators that we see on a regular basis, and for the most part, I like it that way. I dread every time we get a new mod because I know sooner or later we're going to get the NG Chat equivalent of EyeLovePoozy, a mod who delights in banning people and is a borderline sociopath. It seems like when someone gets a moderator position on Newgrounds, it's like the supreme court, they're on for life. No amount of protest or complaining will unseat them, and why would it? The only people who complain are frustrated 13 year old kids who just got banned and nerds like me who are always concerned about the health of the place they're popular on.

TL;DR: I think the chat mods are okay, but it is extremely easy for one person to change that and that scares me."

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Would you like to become a moderator on Newgrounds? If so, what kind of moderator?

Rad:

"I wouldn't like to become a mod, I mean dealing with the eternal flow of upset users on the site must be what's considered a hobby in some circles of Hell, but I would moderate the chat. It's really the only part of the site I'm active on and the one I'm most invested in. I'd like to see more mods that are patient, try to help improve the userbase and make the chat a fun place to talk, and you know the saying "if you want something done right, do it yourself.""

Rad became a chat mod not even one week after the interview was made ^^

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You were a member before the redesign 2007. Tell me how you experienced Newgrounds back then and what changes you liked about the redesign

Rad:

"Newgrounds back then seemed livelier, more productive and the hub for animation on the internet back then, but I was also around 15-16 during that period so I probably just look fondly upon those days by default. I liked the redesign because it added support for video files, but aside from that, I seriously can't remember what else the redesign brought in! I remember hanging out in the Paltalk rooms with Wade and everyone else waiting for the redesign to go live.

The new layout looks nice though."

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You are an animator. Tell our readers when you started animating and what projects we can expect in the future from you.

Rad:

"Shoot, I remember getting interested in flash animation years ago when I started visiting Newgrounds, and telling everyone in my middle school about how this was "the future of animation" and "how this will change everything." I don't think I spent nearly as much time animating as I did hyping up the potential though, and I made a bunch of dumb little flashes for me and my friends. I think I was practicing with Flash for about 3 months before my first animation got accepted into the portal and when it finally happened I just totally flipped out, getting into the portal was the best feeling ever back then.

As for new stuff I'm currently a background artist for TheMajormel and his new game that he is working on, Arcade Quest. I'm a bit reserved about the project though because he doesn't have many completed games out yet, but I'm glad to support him."

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You are regularly using the Newgrounds Featureless chat, what do you think about the chat and its userbase?

Rad: "Although it was created as a joke, I think the chat is one of the best community features on the entire site. The moderators and userbase are nothing like the BBS counterparts and it's just a far better place to frequent. I wouldn't give it up for the world and if the chat was ever dismantled you'd see a lot less of me around Newgrounds."

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In 2009, you stated that you want to be a video game designer, is that still the case? If so, what did you do to get closer to this goal?

Rad:

"Well I madeone game last year,Prime Wing, and I'm spending my oh so precious free time helping out Mel with graphics in his game, but sadly I don't think I'll be able to live the dream as a full time indie video game dev myself. Since I'm working and trying to make money outside of that and all..."

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Every person has secrets. Can you tell one of yours or something else that we didn't know about you yet?

Rad:

"I'm pursuing a relationship with another Newgrounder, but I'm pretty skittish about the whole thing!"

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What can we expect from you in the future, Rad?

Rad:

"Hopefully more games and better music! Oh and some traveling. Always wanted to see the world."

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Now you are filled with more knowledge about Rad, dear reader.Feel free to leave a comment here, saying what you think about the interview, requesting users to get interviews is also appreciated. Tune in next week :3

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