Age of Empires Online

Hello again, everyone. BIGTwinkle here with yet another Community Spotlight for you to check out. This time around I grabbed a PvP player, sKs anxiety.You may have seen him battling it out a few times with some of our Balance Team. He’s got some skills!

First and foremost, as is the custom, tell us a little about yourself. What makes you tick?

My names Mark I have loved playing Age games for the last 10 years, or so. I’m going to be a junior, in college, next school year. And when I’m not playing Age games I’m either working out, playing sports, or just hanging out and having a good time with friends.

How did you first get in to Age of Empires Online?

I started playing Age games when i was around 10 years old. Played AOC offline with bros and friends and since then played all other Age games and my bro got me into the beta for AOEO.

Of the Age of Empires games, do you have a favorite? If so, which and why?

I’d say AOEO. Yea, it lacks a lot of features and players for PvP but i enjoy the gameplay of AOEO a lot more then past Age games. It’s a really great game and you can only hope they do more for PvP and advertise the game more.

What's your style of play?

I’d say raid heavy, macro your eco good, and a lot of times let your opponent make the mistake not you.

Do you find yourself more of a PVP player or a PVE player? Why?

PVP, of course. The only time I would ever do PvE is when I can’t get a PVP game and I’m really bored. People have played Age games for PvP in the past. The sooner the creators realize this and focus more on PvP the sooner the game will become much better and bring a lot more new players.

What's your favorite Unit/Consumable/Advisor to use in the game? Of course, why?

Hmmm, Chariot archers probably. Just raiding someone to death with them is pretty hilarious

How often do you play Age of Empires Online?

Pretty much every day. How much I play depends on how the PvP community is, and what’s going on in my life.

What's the story behind your gamertag?

Originally for AOEO my gamertag was GiveUAnxiety. My bro tried getting into beta for AOEO so he made a bunch of names and tried getting them into the beta and this name got in. He gave me it since he already had one in, and the name just grew on me and I decided to keep it. Then about a month ago me and my bro started the clan sKs so I changed my name to sKs Anxiety to represent sKs clan!

You are quite known in the PvP community. What has kept you around for so long, and what made you just so darn good at it?

I loved AGE games since I was a kid, I love playing AGE games competitively and if this game wasn’t around I really wouldn’t be playing any video games at all, and I would retire from competitive gaming. I’m as good as I am because I have been playing AGE games for many years, but also I always think outside the box and try and come up with crazy strategies and I always analyze my games. I ask myself what I could have done better and last I’m never afraid to lose a game. Often times people stick to 1 civ and 1 strategy because they want to play it safe and win, but u should try new strategies out all the time with different civs. Losing games doesn’t make you bad they often help you learn more and improve quicker.

What's the best tip you have for new players?

Watch recorded games of top ranked players, really look at what they do and try and copy it and add tweaks to it if u know what you’re doing, and always, always analyze your gameplay. Even if u beat someone still ask yourself after the game what u could have done better. Don’t be afraid of trying new strategies even if it means you might lose a game. Play vs people that are better then you. Even if u go 0-10 vs them or 1-9 vs them. You improve quickest from playing better players and ask for tips after each game. Lastly get your hotkeys down.

What's your favorite gaming snack?

Water. I drink a lot of water.

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day, Anxiety. We appreciate all you do for the community. This wraps up the current Community Spotlight, but we’ll be back next time with another interview in the near future.

Join the conversation! Discuss this blog post in our forums here:
http://forums.ageofempiresonline.com/forums/233198/ShowThread.aspx#233198