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Gamer Spotlight:
HiroProtagonist
This week’s gamer spotlight focuses on J Allard, Vice President of Xbox and Chief XNA Architect. The Hollywood Reporter calls him one of the Top 35 Entertainment Execs Under 35, but around here we call him “Boss” or, if we’re on Xbox Live, HiroProtagonist.
Trixie: What's the story behind your Gamertag?
HiroProtagonist: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Read it, learn it, live it.
Trixie: Sir, yes sir! What's your favorite Xbox Live-enabled game?
Trixie: How many hours a week do you spend playing games?
HiroProtagonist: At least 5, sometimes 50. Damn, Ninja Gaiden® is hard.
Trixie: Check out these tips from Team Ninja. What's the best game of all time?
HiroProtagonist: Robotron: 2084. Nothing has ever captured the intensity of that game (although Geometry Wars takes a good run at it and is a great distraction in PGR 2 when your triggers need a rest).
Trixie: The hidden game. What's the best film of all time?
HiroProtagonist: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. "Don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he'd ever wished for. He lived happily ever after."
Trixie: Veruca Salt is my personal hero. “I want an oompa loompa NOW, Daddy!” What's the best album of all time?
HiroProtagonist: There is no right answer to this. I always have a current Soundtrack of My Life—10 songs that mean a lot to me. I update it every once in a while. Current version has everything from Chemical Brothers (“Let Forever Be”) to Pigface (“Nutopia”) to classic Iggy Pop (“Lust for Life”). Everyone should have one—music connects so much of our lives and memories together. There's nothing like that CD for me—great memories and great energy.
Trixie: Who should play you in a movie?
HiroProtagonist: Tie. Samuel L. Jackson or Gary Oldman. Well, I guess I'd have to say Sam since if they duked it out, he'd definitely whump Gary.
Trixie: Definitely a coupla badasses. What superpower would you like to have?
HiroProtagonist: Invincibility is the most practical given my interests (snowboarding, downhill mountain biking, wakeboarding, racing anything with four wheels ...).
Trixie: If you could go on tour with any band past or present, which would it be?
HiroProtagonist: Past: The Doors. Present: Andrew WK. Future: The Poison Pay-the-Rent Tour.
Trixie: Is your inner rock star more Elvis, Jimi, or Mick?
HiroProtagonist: Who? Darby Crash.
Trixie: Lead singer of the Germs. Very punk. Which cartoon character is most like you?
HiroProtagonist: Strong Bad.
Trixie: What's a book you wish you'd written?
HiroProtagonist: The Bible. It has the biggest following and after 2,000 years holds the #1 slot.
Trixie: Who would be the worst celebrity roommate?
HiroProtagonist: I think having a celebrity roommate would suck, but if I had to single one out it would be Paris Hilton.
Trixie: Yeah, she sucks … and her little dog, too. What's your karaoke song?
HiroProtagonist: “I'm a Little Teapot.”
Trixie: Classic. What's the worst food you've ever eaten?
HiroProtagonist: McDonald's.
Trixie: I think that may qualify as treason, or at least sedition. Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, or Halle Berry?
HiroProtagonist: If I was designing the "Fourth Angel," I'd have to start with Angelina as a base and add Charlize's smile and driving skills (Italian Job) and add Halle's skin and tattoo (Bulworth). That girl would be able to take Cameron, Drew, Lucy, and Demi no problem and would sell more tickets than Full Throttle.
Trixie: Maybe you should change your title to Chief Angel Architect. Thanks, J.
