Trixie360 Interviews Ichigo Sage

Published July 11, 2008

She's a New Yorker living in Redmond, Washington, rooms with DirtyDiva, and she's a Zune MVP. If she's not reading comics or creatively directing The Blue Skittle, she's hanging out with the GamerchiX, or being naughty on Twitter. A big Xbox.com welcome to Ichigo Sage!!

trixie360: What's the story behind your Gamertag?

Ichigo Sage: My online handle has been "pinksage" for some time now and it was only logical for it to be my Gamertag. However, when creating my Xbox LIVE® account the tag was taken, and I was forced to pick another name. I have always liked the name "sage" and decided to keep that and added "ichigo". Ichigo is the name of the main character of an anime I was really into called Bleach.

The mysterious Ichigo Sage.

trixie360: Where do you live?

Ichigo Sage: I moved to Redmond, Washington about six months ago from NYC. While I'm at it, I would like to clear up the "it rains all the time in WA" rumor. It does not! Yes, it's under clouds most of the year but not rain.

trixie360: What do you do for a living?

Ichigo Sage: I am a graphic designer … I make things look pretty! I just finished contract work at the Homepage team at MSN and not sure what the future will bring. I have often thought about dropping the whole "career" thing and just joining a superhero league, though benefits aren't all that great.

trixie360: Plus I think Gleek flings poo. What's the worst or weirdest job you've ever had?

Ichigo Sage: Well, there was that time I had to dress up in bunny suits and … hey, wait a second that was a dream.

trixie360: How long have you been on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: I officially got my own tag in 2005, though I had been trolling its servers way earlier. I was no stranger to online console gaming, since I was connected when Dreamcast was out, but I was a bit cheap and didn't want to pay. I regret not jumping in earlier though!

trixie360: Do you have an archenemy on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: pinksage! This person has a super low Gamerscore, hasn't played since 2006, and I want that tag!

You go that way, but watch out for Ichigo's shotgun.

trixie360: How many hours a day or week do you spend playing on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: It varies. When I'm not out causing a ruckus, I'm drawing, reading comic books, reviewing albums, shopping for sneakers and gaming. Sometimes some things require a little more attention than the others! I'd say anywhere from 5-10 hours minimum—people are counting on me!

trixie360: What's the hardest thing about being a female gamer on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: The hardest thing is proving I can actually play games. I like to indulge in "easy" games when I don't feel up for games that require much concentration, or at times puzzle games, when I want to get my brain juices flowing. When I play a competitive game, I like to prove I can actually play. Others expect me to suck, and I like to prove them wrong. Sadly, I am not good at all games so I do fail at times. So I laugh it up and joke about it, it's all fun and games, right?

trixie360: You'd THINK so! Are there any advantages?

Ichigo Sage: Although many women game, they don't identify themselves as gamers as I do. I think the advantage of playing online is finding other women that have the same passion for gaming and having the chance to connect with them. I don't have many girl friends and it's cool to finally have girls that understand me!

Ichigo Sage is one of many looking forward to Gears of War 2.

trixie360: What's your Xbox setup like?

Ichigo Sage: I'm a scrub. My roommate has a Sony Bravia 46-inch TV set up in the living room which I use. I CHEATED!

trixie360: What's the best feature of Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: Gamertags are a gift from the geek gods. Displaying what games I've played and my progress in them is something that keeps me away from other consoles. Not to mention Gamerscore!

trixie360: What feature would you like to see on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: As a Zune geek, I would love more integration with the zunetag.

trixie360: What future Xbox LIVE game are you looking forward to?

Ichigo Sage: Gears of War 2, of course. I am a huge fan of the original.

trixie360: What do you think is the best game of all time?

Ichigo Sage: Shenmue on the Dreamcast was the game that made me realize how much I loved video games and it was then when I became a "gamer".

trixie360: What do you think is the best film of all time?

Ichigo Sage: Although I have a huge crush on Jack Black and love anything he is in, for best movie I will go a bit darker. I really loved Oldboy, a Korean drama film. It has a fantastic story in addition to its great acting and direction.

I don't think he got the message about the shotgun.

trixie360: What do you think is the best album of all time?

Ichigo Sage: I love anything by Jimi Hendrix.

trixie360: What's the funniest thing you've ever heard on Xbox LIVE?

Ichigo Sage: I was asked if I was using a Gameshark to increase my shotgun ability on Gears of War.

trixie360: What is your greatest Xbox LIVE moment?

Ichigo Sage: I was in a game of Gears of War in a five-round match. We were at the last round, tied and my whole team had died with the whole opposite team still alive looking for me. I managed to headshot one guy with sniper and the other three rushed me and I finished them off with shotgun—it was amazing.

trixie360: What is a TV show that you never miss?

Ichigo Sage: Anything on Discovery or National Geographic. I also really like Chuck.

trixie360: If they made a movie about your life, who should play you?

Ichigo Sage: I've been told I look like Jordin Sparks and America Ferrera, so I guess one of them.

trixie360: What cartoon character do you think is most like you?

Ichigo Sage: Spider-Man, of course! We all know my wall crawling and skyscraper jumping capabilities.

trixie360: Not to mention your web-slinging! If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be?

Ichigo says she is most like Altair … uh oh.

Ichigo Sage: I would love to be Warren Ellis for just one day to bask in his genius.

trixie360: What celebrity would be the worst roommate?

Ichigo Sage: Paris Hilton would get knocked out—with love, of course.

trixie360: Hot celeb you'd like to shack up with?

Ichigo Sage: Jack Black makes my heart sing.

trixie360: What game character is most like you?

Ichigo Sage: Altair from Assassin's Creed™ is JUST like me! Wait a second …

trixie360: What's the worst food you've ever eaten?

Ichigo Sage: Lamb tastes like what petting zoos smell like—not a good smell.

trixie360: Last book you read?

Ichigo Sage: I read comics every day, but a "real book" would be a graphic novel called Whiteout by Greg Rucka.

trixie360: If you could go on tour with any band, which would it be?

Ichigo Sage: The Blakes are a bunch of great funny guys, who I'm sure would be a blast to travel with.

trixie360: What would you like to be doing in ten years?

Ichigo Sage: My life has been very unpredictable up to this point, so trying to pinpoint something in ten years seems unrealistic. But, I will say this: I see myself playing my Xbox, reading my comic books and painting my heart out while my soul is fed with precious music.

Interview by trixie360