Fan of the Month

Name:   Kristen K. (Abe Babe) Location:   Australia Q:   What is it that makes Oddworld fans so unique? KK:   I'd say it's our dedication. I've found that once someone is a fan of Oddworld, they'll generally stay a fan for a long term. This was certainly illustrated when Oddworld became an Xbox exclusive. I'd get many fans writing to me (thinking that my email address was actually Oddworld Inhabitants) saying they had bought a PS2 just for Munch's Oddysee. It seems like a lot of Oddworld Fans really show dedication in some way or another. There's a lot of artists for example, that will draw Oddworld art. And there's always fan fiction being written on Oddworld Forums also. Oddworld seems to be an inspiration to those who are fans. It seems to be "more than a game" to many. Sure, there are your standard video game fans also, but that occurs with any game. I also find that Oddworld tends to attract a more mature conversation from some fans also. It seems like the message of the games has got through to them, and they actually care about the environment, etc. Other than that, well, we are just Odd. Q:   How has Oddworld affected your life? KK:   Most obviously is the involvement that I have in Oddworld related activities. That is my website - Oddworld-Web and Oddworld Forums. They're very much a part of my life, as I dedicate so much to them. I guess I have a strong dedication to Oddworld. It's constant. It's not a fleeting fanaticisim, and I really couldn't see Oddworld not being a part of my life anymore. In a more general sense, Oddworld has helped me change the way that I perceive the world. It has made me aware of the greed and ruin that many companies are doing to this world. It has also made me care more about nature and our natural resources. I now have a respect for nature and have learnt to appreciate it for what it is. Q:   What is a typical day like for you? KK:  It will depend on whether I am working or not. I work part time, so if it is a work day, I'll pretty much just go to work and do what my job involves. But when I'm not working I'll be spending a lot of time on the computer. Either working on my Oddworld sites, or just generally surfing the internet. I also am currently taking a lot of time out to relax, as I've been going through a lot of personal issues lately, so I try to take it easy and not do too much at the moment. I'll play games, or I'll go walking with my dad. After June it will probably be a lot more busy, as I'll be working on getting serious about my business and doing a small business course. Q:   What is your favorite aspect of working on your website and the forums? KK:   Just the fact that I can help provide a place for other Oddworld fans to get together. There isn't really a lot of Oddworld community sites out there. For some games, you'll see just about every website has their own forums. But with Oddworld it seems to be that Oddworld Forums is the place to be. So I'm glad I'm able to bring these fans together in one place rather them being scattered around the internet. I also just like being able to create and maintain a site that is about something I have a passion for. The forums are usually a lot busier than Oddworld-Web. Oddworld-Web usually gets around 100 hits a day, where as for the forums it will number up to 500 at times. Q:   You've visited the Oddworld studio a couple of times. From a fans perspective, how would you describe it? KK:   It's a wonderful place. A very dark place, but that seems to fit in with the whole atmosphere. But when I say dark, I only mean by lighting and furniture. It seems like a very relaxing place. A good work environment. Relaxed, but also a place where everyone knows they have deadlines to meet. Everyone was friendly, and went more than out of their way to make me feel welcome. I love the concept art that is everywhere. It not only adds to the whole "odd" feeling, but also showcases the talent of those who work there. It's actually kind of what I expected before I visited. I didn't ever see Oddworld as being your traditional office environment, with bright lighting and neat desks. It just says "Oddworld" when you are walking around. Professional, but also fun. It's not stiff and formal like some offices are. It's welcoming and friendly. Q:   Do you have any Odd fan stories to tell? KK:  Nothing out of the ordinary seems to come to come to mind. We've had a lot of Odd people come through the forums. And we've had some unusual debates and discussions on Oddworld Forums. I remember in the early days of Oddworld Forums, we used to have unusual discussions about Mudokon anatomy. Some people's ideas were quite crazy. There's been fun OddChats. And of course the OddTour, where I got to meet some of the Oddworld Fans. That was fun, it was good to put faces to some people that you only met online. Q:   What is your most prized Oddworld possession? KK:   Now that is certainly a difficult question! Seeing I have a fair amount of Oddworld merchandise. :) I would probably say my autographed Abe's Exoddus movie poster signed by all the Inhabitants. I have it framed and on my wall, and it is very special to me. Q:   How have you seen Oddworld change since you first became a fan? KK:   On the surface I see a change from the Abe games to the Munch game. But that's really regarding how the game "looks" and the switch from 2D to 3D. And that the Abe games were a lot more darker than Munch's Oddysee. But when you look at it, there's not too much change. The games still portray an important message, and also put the game player in a situation where they must account for their actions throughout the game. That is if they are cruel to Mudokons and Fuzzles, they'll receive the bad ending, as opposed to the good ending. As a company, I believe Oddworld Inhabitants has grown and been able to reach out to a wider audience. But even then, they still maintain their ideals, and always remain to be a company who cares about it's fans. If not, even more than before, due to the fan interactions on the website such as Dear Alf and the Fan Club. Q:   What is your guess about the next OW game? KK:   A strange creature who has a boat! Ha. No not really, that was some rumour that some gaming magazine started up, and it's a bit of a joke amongst some on the Oddworld Forums. I did notice some unusual concept art on the walls last time I was there, so my guess is that some of the creatures will be featured in an upcoming game. As for the storyline, you have really done a good job of keeping us in the dark about this one! I could only speculate that it will keep the same Oddworld ideals, but from what we've heard and I was told last time I was there, that it will have a very different kind of twist to the past Oddworld games. I can't quite see and Oddworld first person shooter, but maybe an Oddworld game with some RPG elements would be somewhat of a possiblity. Or maybe a game where you play from the perspective of someone who seems to be "industrial", but in the end shows consideration for the environment or the Mudokon workers of the company. Q:   Where do you see Oddworld in 10 years? KK:   I see Oddworld having moved into the movie industry in 10 years time. Maybe starting the first of their motion pictures. But still producing video games. The company may expand into two sections, one to concentrate on games, and one to concentrate on movies. But they will still maintain the same Oddworld feel and work ethic. I never see Oddworld becoming a greedy corporation, that would never happen, as it would be against Lorne's ideals. So I see them being a quiet achiever. Making good games and movies, and always portraying the message for the "little people", and a message to show us what we have done to this world. - The End Check out Kristen's website at: www.oddworld.au.com Read Kristen's first interview:   Fan of the Month - December 2000