2012-01-20: EM Augustus, Event Moderator for Lake Austin

Stratics QA5 from 2012-01-20: EM Augustus, Event Moderator for Lake Austin

This interview was conducted by Lady Tia

When you first started what impression did you have about doing events, is it harder or easier than you expected? Did you get nervous and do you still get nervous?

Honestly, it was about how I expected it to be. I had the impression that doing simple things at events would be easy, but also that doing some of the more fun and exciting things would take a bit of time to learn and figure out.

I was fairly nervous; the people of LA could tell you that. At one point, I even forgot to change my name to the proper name. (Players kindly pointed it out, I fixed my name and we continued onward!) Not the mention that moongate/boat incident... but we won't speak of such things.

Also, I still do get nervous when trying new things that I haven't done before. You can't help it really, you want everything to go right and you want people to have fun. But something always goes wrong. You just have to shrug it off and work around it.

What is it like working with the EM team and Mesanna? What do you think about the structure of the program?

Working with the EM team is amazing; everyone really enjoys what they are doing. And you can't get a better environment than when people enjoy what they do. No matter what kind of crazy thing you are trying to do at an Event, someone on the EM team has either tried it, or will help you figure out how to get it done. They are a great bunch of people, with good personalities.

Mesanna, is one of the nicest, coolest people you'll ever get to talk to. Not to mention work for. And she loves this game, and being such a huge fan of UO in general, it makes me happy knowing we have such an amazing person who does so much for this game. At first I was a bit nervous to be working with her, because after not only is she Mesanna, but she’s the boss, but I think every new job is like that. (Also, I swear when it comes to UO, and doing things in it - Mesanna is an unlimited fountain of knowledge. *laugh*)

The structure of the program is solid, and we can probably thank Mesanna and all of the EMs who have been here forever for that. I'm not sure I even want to know all of the stuff they probably had to go through to get it the way it is now. But I can say this, I am thankful for it.

Can you describe the training you have to go thru to become a EM?

I'll describe it this way. First you read, study and learn. Then you pop online and then test out all the stuff you have learned. That way you can get a good grasp on how it will work in game. If you need help, ask and you shall receive! (Literally, suddenly people jump up to volunteer to help you out. *laugh*)

It seems like work... it’s supposed to be work... but honestly it seems more like free time during recess when you were in kindergarten. *coughs* Ahem, not that you should just throw paint everywhere.

Then there is the testing. Big, bad, evil word yes? Less evil than it sounds. Every part of the test is meant to make sure that when you get in game, you know almost everything necessary to run your first event. The only confusing or trying times during the test for me, was when a new command that I did not know was thrown out to me and I was asked what it did. (That isn't meant to penalize you either, if you don't know what it does, during the test you can ask and the tester will explain it to you. It is meant to help you learn.)

After you pass the test, then you get to follow other EMs around as they do events. This is to further immerse you in the roll and allow you to see how things are done from the other side. Not only to introduce you to and get you ready to run your first event, but also because to get you used to working with and communicating with the others EMs. (Like I said above, anything you want to know or need help with, there is bound to be another EM who has done it before or will help you figure it out if you ask.)

If someone wanted to join the program, what would be the first thing you would say to them?

Give it a shot, especially if you love story telling, but definitely if you really love UO. As long as you follow the simple rules and communicate (and we're all wonderful people here, so don't worry) you'll have a blast. I'm pretty sure this is one of the best, if not the best job I've ever had. I enjoy what I do.

Would you like to have a little more control over the player base at events?

Actually, no. I think the players are a big part of what makes the events come so alive. Yes, even the people who are a bit rude at times. People are going to be who they are, or act how they act.

In stories (and I write) we have those same type of characters hanging out; heck I have written some of the meanest, spiteful characters for a book. And I can tell you this, that without them things tend to get boring. That is my honest answer, and I'm sticking to it.

So whoever wants to come to an event of mine, please feel free to come. :)