Gamertag: Redstorm80
Superhero: Gambit
Cartoon character: Donald Duck
Film: Spider-Man
Album: Reroute to Remain
TV show: Forensic Files
Xbox LIVE game: Gears of War
Offline Xbox game: Guitar Hero II

TriXie, I think the next person you should spotlight is me! I'll tell you why. I was an AVID and FANATIC PlayStation supporter and Xbox hater until I got a 360. I think many people would like to hear from someone who was dead set against Xbox and made the turn.

It could help convince others who currently don't own an Xbox and those who also are against it. I can show them just how truly amazing the Xbox is that it turned a Sony die hard into an Xbox fanatic.

—Redstorm80

Gamer Spotlight:

TriXie Interviews Redstorm80

He's a Dad, a rocker, a researcher, and a former PlayStation fanatic from New Jersey. Throw the lighter up for Redstorm80.

TriXie: What's the story behind your Gamertag?

Redstorm80: My Gamertag is actually my old codename from when I played SoCom on Playstation 2. I was a part of a clan for a few years and we actually took it seriously, so we all had to come up with codenames. I chose Redstorm80 because it sounded cool and I thought it represented me the best because I would sometimes lose control and let loose which in turn represented this storm of attacks.

TriXie: What do you do for a living?

Redstorm80: I work in construction research. It's not the most fascinating job, but it pays the bills. Basically, I gather all the information on upcoming jobs from the building of a new school to paving the roadways. I talk to all the architects and contractors and find out things like how big the job is, how much will it cost, and what types of materials will be involved. It's sometimes stressful because you're CONSTANTLY on a deadline.

TriXie: What's the worst or weirdest job you've ever had?

Redstorm80: My worst job would have to be when I worked at McDonald's during my high school days. Your clothes would smell of grease and burgers and no matter what you did the smell wouldn't go away. I remember this one Saturday night when I was closing. It was about 11:00 P.M. and my friends were all hanging out outside near the movie theater close by, and here I was emptying out the hamburger grease traps. Well I slipped on the messy floor and all the grease ended up on me. Not a fun night.

TriXie: I had a high school job at the golden arches too. The Shamrock Shake goo exploded on me. What made you switch from PlayStation to Xbox®?

Redstorm80: I was a diehard PlayStation fan ever since I got the first one back in like '95. It was not that long ago that I was frantically anticipating the arrival of the PS3. I had no desire to get Xbox 360™, heck I never even owned Xbox. So here I am counting the days to the PS3 launch and that's when the delays began. One day my girlfriend and I had this big BBQ and one of my friends brought over his 360 because he wanted to hook it up to a real HD TV since he didn't have one.

Well I protested, but they hooked it up anyway and about 15 minutes later we were all playing EA SPORTS™ Fight Night Round 3. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, this is the most impressive game I have ever seen!" We all took turns playing against each other and we were all ohhing and ahhing over the graphics and replaying the jaw shattering knockout hits over and over while we all cringed at the sound of the bones crunching. It was the hit of the party!

Then a few days later I heard about Dead Rising™. Now I'm a fan of all things related to zombies so I HAD to have this game. My girlfriend (now fiancée) got me a 360 for my birthday and I've been loving it ever since. As you know by now the PS3 is available and I haven't gotten one. I'm not saying the PS3 is an inferior console, just that I'm more than happy with Xbox 360 as it fulfills all my gaming needs. I constantly get flamed on the message boards of a forum I go to daily because of my 360 support. It doesn't help that it's a PRO PS3 forum LOL, but I'm trying to show people that it's actually a great console and everyone who enjoys gaming should give it a chance. This is a TRUE testament of how great Xbox 360 is that it could convert a DIEHARD PlayStation fan into an Xbox fan.

Since I got my console I've convinced six other people to get one. Some of them aren't even really fans of video games! Xbox 360 is actually my favorite home console out of all the previous ones I've owned. It has amazing games, a killer online system and outstanding features and graphics!

TriXie: That is a great story! We're glad you gave us a try and big thanks to your BBQ buddy with the 360. What do you think is the best game of all time?

Redstorm80: Night Trap for Sega CD. LOL. I'm only kidding. Actually the best game in my eyes is Final Fantasy VII for PlayStation. I have never enjoyed a game's story or its characters like I do with that one. It holds a special place in my heart to this day.

TriXie: What is your greatest Xbox LIVE® moment?

Redstorm80: Normally it's when I'm the lone survivor on a team death match and I pull off the win when I thought I wouldn't stand a chance.

TriXie: Who is your inner rock star?

Redstorm80: Myself! I'm lead singer for an alt/metal band called Red 13. I've been doing it for a few years and really love it. We've played some pretty big shows and have had our fair amount of attention (shameless plug!). Check us out www.red13band.com or www.myspace.com/red13.

TriXie: What's your karaoke song?

Redstorm80: Any of them really since I'm the lead singer of a band. I've actually participated in two karaoke contests at college and won them both. The first time I did "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit and I had the entire crowd doing the song with me as I ran to and from the crowds and handing them the mic (if you've seen the video you would understand it more). Second time I did Sum 41 and it was just as fun.

TriXie: What superpower would you like to have?

Redstorm80: I would love to have Magneto's magnetic mutant powers. The simple fact that there is always something made of metal around you assures me that I have absolute power. I think it would be such a high to have those abilities.

TriXie: What's the best feature of Xbox LIVE?

Redstorm80: That's a hard question. I'd say all of them. I like being a part of something, a community and I like having things readily at my fingertips and Xbox LIVE pulls this off very well. I like the fact that I can download new maps or modes for my games to help breathe more life into them. For instance, I'm very excited about the 8 new characters you can download for Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I can't wait to start playing as Venom because he's just so cool.

I also love the fact that I have a unified friends list for my gaming. I can see exactly who's on and what they're doing at all times. It's good because this way if all my friends are playing Gears of War® I don't have to feel left out and can hop right in, or I can help someone in Crackdown™. With a simple press of a button, I know exactly what's going on and being a fan of online gaming I can tell you it really was a pain setting up those clan matches back in the day.

You never knew what time to be on, or when it started and sometimes you'd miss a really great game. I REALLY like the private chat feature. I can talk to my friends and do something totally different at the same time with no interference. Perhaps I didn't want to play Gears, but still wanted to talk to someone who was? It's good having that ability as that situation happens often.

Finally the video chat. It's truly amazing. Usually that's the selling point for people when I explain Xbox 360 to a potential buyer. At first I wasn't going to get it, that was until my fiancée's stepfather got his 360 and convinced me to get one so we could chat. It ended up being a great idea because my fiancée's Mom lives in South Carolina and they don't get to see each other often. They used to video chat on Yahoo messenger on the PC, but both have stated many times that using the Xbox LIVE Vision cam is FAR more effective and the clarity is much better.

It's almost like being in the same room sometimes. My fiancée would get upset when she hadn't seen her Mom in a while and with the camera they get to talk and see one another every day. Which makes her happy, in turn making me happy.

TriXie: What celebrity would be the worst roommate?

Redstorm80: Dave Coullier from Full House (Uncle Joey), MAN is he not funny. More annoying actually. I always hated his stupid jokes and his Bullwinkle impression. Hey Dave! Cut … It … Out!

TriXie: Uncle Jesse would be an okay roomie for about an hour … if he was mute. Name a hot celeb you'd like to be stranded on a desert island with.

Redstorm80: Yikes! I may get in trouble with the fiancée over this one. LOL. Jessica Alba would be fun to see half naked in front of me. LOL.

TriXie: Y'know all you had to say was "Jessica Alba." No wonder you get in trouble! If you could be any videogame character, who would it be?

Redstorm80: Marcus Fenix from Gears of War. He was a bad dude. He had this no nonsense attitude and was ruff and tuff like a man's man! I thought it was cool how he had these scars and bruises on him but paid them no mind because he had some ass to kick.

TriXie: What's the worst food you've ever eaten?

Redstorm80: Alligator. Tastes like a rubber chicken.

TriXie: What's the last book you read?

Redstorm80: City of the Dead. It's about this zombie invasion taking over a small town. It's actually based off of Resident Evil 2 the video game.

TriXie: If you could go on tour with any band, which would it be?

Redstorm80: Well I'd like for my band to go on tour, but if I had to pick a band to tour with I'd say Killswitch Engage. I think they seem like some fun guys plus their crowds would appreciate our music and it would be good times all across the U.S.

TriXie: You're thinking too small Red. World Tour!!! What do you predict will be the "next big thing" in gaming?

Redstorm80: Forget motion-controlled controllers. Direct digital downloading is the next big thing. No longer will we have to go to the store to get our games. We'll be able to simply buy them online and download them right to our console with virtual manuals if we wanted. Just like you do with music for your iPod!

TriXie: Which one of your Xbox 360 achievements was hardest to get?

Redstorm80: The PAC-MAN one and most of the Dead Rising ones were pretty tough. I worked hard to get those. I actually had to TRY and get them. Like look at it, set my mind to it, and accomplish the feat.

TriXie: What would you like to be doing in ten years?

Redstorm80: Enjoying my time being married to the most wonderful woman in the world Sara, while raising my lovely daughter Samantha.