September 2004: Sixpence
Sixpence is
without any doubt the most prolific modder
for Ghost Recon: every couple of months
he releases a new mod for the community.
Let's talk to him:
The Hot
Seat
Q. Personal data? Age, Location, status, job....
A: I’m 38, from Vienna Austria. I currently work for a newspaper but I don’t think the community
would be interested in the color of my socks.
;-)
Q. When did you start to play GR? Modding?
I started playing from the moment it was shipped. I started modding about 3 months later,
without ANY modding skills! The reason I began modding was I saw the Ghosts
operating behind enemy lines and all they had was a small butt pack. That was ridiculous for me; I wanted to have
BIG backpacks!
Q. You are for sure the most prolific modder in
the community? What's your favourite mod?
You mean one of mine or other Mod Work? If you mean one of mine, its always the Mod
I am currently working on …but I love all my kids. GR is THE game I wanted to have for a long time. I previously played MECHWARRIOR, HEAVY GEAR
and other kinds of tactical games; but it was my big wish to have this type of
game with Grunts!
Q. Can you tell us how do you arrange to make
such big mods? In which way do you work?
The Joke in this case is I don’t make Mods for
others. I make Mods for myself. Don’t misunderstand me. I am very happy if someone else enjoys it
too. (Even if its only one person, that’s good too. ; -)) But I think, “Hey, this Unit/Story would be great, I wanna
play with them/this”. And if you enjoy
your work, then it will be good.
First of all, I have an idea for a Story, or more
often … a Unit. I think, the Story you want to tell (for a Mission campaign) is
the most important part. Usually I think about the Story for a few weeks and
put it down on paper. … Next I search
the Maps. Are they available? Or hopefully I can find a Modder for
Mapmaking! After that I do the Artwork,
search Maps, Background Information.
Desktop Research! Before I begin to script, the Mod is “finished” in my
mind. All I need to do is type it in IGOR. Finally, I check, or my teammates
check, that the Missions are real, possible and correctly scripted.
Q. Is there something you cannot do in a mod?
Any regrets?
I only have basic skills in 3DSM.
Q. But,
and this is a question from the community I believe, do you have time for your
personal life?
Sure! I work 2-3 hours a day. It’s a case of
Discipline!
Q. Looking at the background of your mods I can see
that they are all based in very recent and actual conflicts. It seems you are very interested in the
world situation. Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from newspapers and movies like
“Bravo 2-0” or “Tears of the Sun”. I get a “feeling” from them and I then try
to transfer it into a Mod.
Q. It
seems that time for 'retirement' is coming also for you. Any new projects before
you say goodbye?
Yes, a little break would be fine … but I have so many
ideas. I think my last project will be EAGLE CLAW, a really fine work from my
team and me.
Q. Finally: is there a specific modder you
consider a very high level modder? Who?
Hmm, one of the very good things in GR is, we have a
lot of high-level modders. Most of my work would not have been possible without
their help, especially in weapons and mapmaking.
Q. Carried on question (By Streinger): If
you have to take only a sidearm, what would
you choose: a 9mm pistol with more ammo
capacity or '45 with less ammo but, in lot
of people's opinion, better stopping power?
My preferred sidearm is 10mm Glock ! More stopping
power than a 9mm and faster than a 45mm
And Streinger's question to our next modder in the Hot
Seat
Q:
Sorry but, even if Sixpence
is a wonderful modder, he is not able to
think any question for the next interview...
Sixpence's Mods
For
further information go to Sixpence's
website
Giwex.
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