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| A Dev's Life: Papillon Viajero - Part 1 |
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Here you can read the english version of the interview we did with Papillon, TCoS Community Manager for the german-speaking community. Enjoy!
 Who's behind "Papillon Viajero" and how did you make up this nick?
Papillon originally comes from the times when a shoebox-sized analogue modem, connected to your telephone, was needed to enjoy online games.
At that time I had been wandering the first text-based fantasy worlds using this name (and constantly causing trouble with my parents because of the exorbitant phone bills ;-) ). I received my lastname in a much later life. In the body of an Elf I had been stranded in a world that confronted me with an "everlasting task". Here I found friends in a guild named "Die Reisenden von Norrath" ("Voyagers of Norrath" - by the way, greetings to them at this point!). And so my lastname was born: "Viajero", the Spanish word for "Voyager". Though I've left this world a long time ago, the name is still with me.
Were you rather a white or a black sheep in school? Which teacher did you like the least, which the most and why?
Unfortunately, my teachers had no understanding for community work at all. Communication was prohibited during lessons – how was I supposed to learn enough for my future life like that? ;-(
How did you get in touch with TCoS?
One day an old sailor entered my favourite pub, introducing himself as the Captain of a luxury shardship. He promised me voyages, adventures in far away worlds, sundecks, animation programs, fame and respect as a sailor, healthcare and comprehensive holidays in exchange for my services.
Of course, he didn’t say a word about Razor Eels and other creatures that threaten your life in the Deadspell Storm, scrubbing the deck and the always drunk ship’s doctor. But since I saved his life on a voyage, when something unspeakable from the Deadspell was about to snap at him, and because the High Houses pay us for, I’m now in charge of introducing new heroes to the world of Spellborn. This really improved the quality of life onboard the Rose of Destiny. Even the doctor is conscious since then.
Cologne goes together with carnival – what goes together with you?
The shardship “Rose of Destiny”.
A boy from Cologne in Berlin – how do you feel in your new environment?
As a sailor between the worlds you have to be able to handle every environment. But Berlin pleasantly surprised me. I had never been there before, and had expected a mixture of concrete landscapes and politician's estates. Instead there are lots of green avenues with neat old buildings, cosy cafés and restaurants. At least in the part of Berlin where I live. I like that very much so far :-)
What was the main reason for you to move?
Frogster didn't want to move to Cologne because of me.
Do you counter the nort-east accent with your Cologne accent or are there other communication problems?
I've been linving in England for some time, so I'm used to communication problems ;-). I like the Berlin accent. I think a person from Berlin would have a much harder time in cologne than vice versa.
How did you experience your first days in Berlin?
Stressful. House hunting amongst large numbers of students who were also looking for a nest with the next winter semester ahead. Also, try to find a flat here with a sufficient car park for a shardship!
You were recently officially appointed German Community Manager – Which expectations / hopes do you have regarding the community and TCoS?
I think the spellborn community is something very special. It made me feel good immediately. I’m looking forward to seeing how this community will develop after the release of The Chronicles of Spellborn, and where the great teamspirit in the forums will lead the adventurers.
How does your workday look usually?
After I’ve turned on my PC in the morning, I first read the new posts in the forum from last night and my new emails. Afterwards, I usually start working on the things on my to-do-list. For example preparing news, articles or competitions, writing reports, discuss plans with my colleagues and so on. Every while I take a look at the forums, chat a little bit on IRC or via instant messenger, for example to discuss or plan things with fansites, jump into the Spellborn Beta and much more. Direct communication with the developers is also done via chat or Skype, and usually there’s much to talk about and plan with the team during the course of the day.
This goes on until the evening hours, and then I write additional reports. For example, a summary of the suggestions and questions from the german community, or whatever topics are hot at the moment. Not all of the developers speak german or have time to look at the forums themselves.
If you could ban unloved work from your desk, what would it be?
There’s only one: Having to clean up the desk from time to time.
How do you prepare for the storm that’s sure to start when the game is released?
Daily training with my personal trainer, healthy food according to the instructions of my nutritionist, special training with a Navy Seals unit and doing Marathon. And of course a large stock of Coke and potatoe chips. ;-)
Do you like playing games? If so, which ones?
Today I mostly play MMORPGs. I do take a look at the big single player RPGs from time to time, but I don't really enjoy such worlds anymore, being all alone. I'm just missing the experiences with friends there. My past time favourites were mostly RPGs and Adventures. For example Bard's Tail, Gothic, Ultima, the Lucas Arts and Sierra Adventures (particularly Gabriel Knight). I'm also a big fan of old textadventures by Infocom, like "A Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy" and many more. Furthermore, working for a large german publisher also gives you some advantages. Brand new titles like Sherlock Holmes: Die Spur der Erwachten and El Matador make it to my desk and are immediately consumed :-)
Which game made you dive into the computer world?
That was Mondlandung on an old Commodore Pet 2001. While my friends were playing the first Videogames, I was totally enthusiastic about being able to load different games with a computer or even create your own games.
Which is your personal "must-have" game and why?
Of course The Chronicles of Spellborn, but I guess that's not what you wanted to hear right now? ;-) Then it's Transport Tycoon Deluxe. The game perfectly replaces every aquarium :-), just start building, lean back and occasionally take a look at what's happening. More perfect than every screensaver or the TV program ;-)
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