As highly as most of the followers of the castle hold everyone, I have always been interested in what our wonderful leaders do for "day jobs". What skills pay said bills? Underpaid school teachers maybe? Or perhaps the quiet complacent janitors who fight crime on the side.

INVAD3R J

When I'm not writing for all you lovely people, I'm writing marketing materials for a small internet video company. My business cards say Lead Marketing Writer. I'm more excited to have business cards than actually working here. I also freelance for a few entertainment sites and put my English degree to use by trying to write my first novel. As for my cohorts:

I'm a software engineer for a industrial automation company (until tomorrow!) and I will be starting a new job as a web technologies programmer this Thursday.~Asterick

I'm a full-time college student majoring in English with minors in Computer Science and Religion. I also write freelance for one of PC World magazine's blogs and hope to make a career out of technology/videogame journalism or even writing for the games themselves (that would be a dream come true). ~Navifairy

When not reporting on the videogame world, I am a mild mannered journalist for Soaps In Depth Magazine. So basically, I spend most of my day either writing and/or editing. But I do hold out hope that one day I will be able to achieve my dream career of "lottery winner." ~Wootini

During the week I'm a supervisor at a university library. Nothing too exciting, although I do get to shush people whenever I feel like it. ~Dawdle

I work as a producer at a mid-sized game developer. By far, it is the best "day job" I have ever had. ~Game-boy

I work QA, but not for console or PC games. That's all I'm saying :) ~Sgt. Sausagepants

Playing a girl when a guy IRL - post the rise of the MMO, is it still a big deal?

Steve

The countless dudes who are on WoW as female characters will tell you playing as a girl is no biggie. I do think that female characters tend to be depicted in a sexualized light in ways that male characters seem to avoid. I did hear once that male gamers (at least straight male gamers) tend to create female characters because they'd rather spend their gaming hours staring at the back of a girl than a guy. I created a female character in Mass Effect because I thought the options were more robust in creating a character beyond a space marine type. I normally play as female characters when given the choice because they trend to be quicker and more agile. The only exception is in an MMO when I will only play as a male character. I say play as who you want to play as, even if you get made fun of for always being Blaze in Streets of Rage.

Do you think some consoles get neglected in the exclusive content wars? Good example is Tomb Raider Underworld, which seems to be getting more favour on the X-Box

Daniel

I think consoles being neglected in the exclusivity war are losing because they refuse to pony up the cash. Don't think for a moment that the Tomb Raider Underworld DLC staying on the 360 didn't have a huge paycheck written by Microsoft attached to it. What I think happens in there is a different in practices between American and Japanese console manufacturers which leads to some games staying on one system while others grace many. Aside from money, I can't help but think Sony's treatment of Hideo Kojima played a large part in MGS4 staying on the PS3.

Do you guys at the Gaygamer Castle ever read fanfiction of your favourtie games, or does Sturgeon's Law scare you away?

Seth

I don't read fanfiction, but I have a very good and slightly insane reason for it. I'm a canon-whore. I can't read stories written in video game universes unless they are considered part of the overall storyline. To that end, I do spend hours reading plot summaries and analyses of the Resident Evil and Metal Gear universes. So unless I'm told that what is written is 100% fact, I can't bring myself to read it. I know, I have issues. What about my fellow writers:

Not that I'm aware of? I like to read when I'm lying down on the couch or in bed, so unless I get a Kindle or equivalent, it's all published works only for me ~Asterick

The only time I've read a fanfic was a very disturbing Katamari Damacy one, and it traumatized me. I've written a few though, mostly for Shining Force 2 and one short story that pulls some characters and themes from Eternal Darkness. Don't bother looking for them in any fanfic communities though, they've never left my hard drive. ~Navifairy

I don't read fanfic.~Wootini

No, I can't say that I've ever really read fanfiction about games. I've also avoided official novels or adaptations, and I usually even skip the manual, unless there are a lot of pretty pictures. ~Dawdle

While I must say that there's a part of me that is completely fascinated by the fanfiction phenomena and its place in super-geek culture, I generally do not read any. Maybe I should. Anyone got suggestions? ~Game-boy

I've never really liked fanfic. I'm sure some of it is good but sometimes it just seems wrong. ~Sgt. Sausagepants

So another week comes to a close. Remember to send me some more questions and don't forget to get your comments in about next week's Discussion Circle topic: Piracy!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to switch professions and design a line victorian-punk clothing for rich kids. Ciao!