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That's very kind, thank you. And no, you skeptics, I did not write this one myself.

I had a really interesting conversation with my younger brother (aged 38) recently. He and I have long been a study in contrasts. When he explores a passion, he's careful and methodical. Always has been, like when growing up he'd get into techie things like stereo systems and paintball guns. He's the kind who will do meticulous research over an extended period of time before making a significant purchase. 

Me, I tend to follow my nose. When I find something I get into, I really get into it. And increasingly over the last few years, I am moved to write about my passions. I got (back) into Magic: the Gathering, and started the blog Ertai's Lament, where I set a deadline of content production of 1500 words every 48 hours, a pace I managed for around three years. I started writing for MTG sites like Quiet Speculation and- currently- Gathering Magic. Then I got into D&D Attack Wing, and started writing content for WizKids. I fell in love with local soccer after we got a team in Louisville, and Dredd77.com was born. And at some point, I found War Robots...and got hooked. Gepard Diary, in that sense, was ultimately inevitable. 

The lesson I've taken from all this is, rather than just sitting back, if there's content out there you want to see, create it. I'm even debating whether or not to do a War Robots podcast, because there's just one out there and there's room for more. 

But how do I find the time? You learn your balance. A number of years ago I almost lost my wife because I was so hooked on World of Warcraft (Horde FTW, baby!). That experience taught me a lot about putting family first, while still making sure there was a place carved out for me. I'm constantly monitoring the forum and community in one form or another, and constantly thinking about War Robots and creative content. Then, once a week or so, I make sure I can sit down with a good drink and some quiet time n the keyboard (like now), and put thoughts to paper. 

Relatively speaking, of course. 

Thanks for the question! 

Sure, the shop could use an update. The only problem is what I should charge for the american bots... lol

1250 for jesse
2500 for doc
5000 for butch 

done.

Now ShutUpAndSmokeMyWeed get to work my friend

Good gods, that's a toughie! Let's see...

Kylie Minogue...



...or Kendall Gill?



Well, I think it really is gonna depend on context. If I want to work on my vocal delivery so I can crush it at karaoke next Friday's "Paul Anka Night", it's Kylie all the way. But then, the YMCA Seniors League is competitive AF, so maybe Kendall will be able to show me some sweet moves I can use to break ol' McGillicuddy's ankles and dunk right up in his grill next Thursday. 

Christ, decisions, decisions. 

Can I choose both?

I actually played rugby in high school. Which is pretty uncommon for an American school, but you know, those wacky Jesuits...

Strictly a vanity purchase for your Forum profile. No connection to the game at all, which is a common misconception. 

So here comes what I'd say is the first "test" of how open I want to be with this. I see transparency as a virtue, but like any virtue taken to excess it can be harmful. 

That said, I think this is an important question. So here's what's going on. 

Every mod and admin on this forum is a "Pixonic Insider." That means we have an open channel with a contact at Pixonic, and vice versa. We can ask him questions and offer feedback. He can provide insights and solicit opinion. It's a nice, two-way channel. 

But here's the transparency thing again. It's a balancing act. Our contact sincerely wants to be open and candid with us. By the same token, I want to take every nugget of info I get and share it with the community. 

So I started the initiative of the PIXONIC DEVELOPER NEWS threads. And that made it look pretty official. And I think that gave Pixo some second thoughts- and not without cause. 

Companies are always looking at how to best relate to the community, to be able to "control the message" that goes out. That's not nefarious or sinister, but rather an extension of the innately human desire to be understood. I think Pixo realized that the Forums were bigger than they'd thought, and had some influence on how people interacted with their game. And that having a coterie of mods and admins acting as interlocutors perhaps wasn't the optimal approach. 

So I'd say right now it's in a bit of flux. The Pixonic Insider program is still valuable and still operational. We're collectively reassessing a bit. Also, for what it's worth, we don't have a ton to report right now. Our contact took a vacation, so we had radio silence for awhile. And we haven't had a ton to share just yet. 

But thanks for this question. I may need to put it to our contact directly to see how he wants this to go going forward. I want to share everything I know with everyone, as soon as I know it- the community deserves no less. But that has to be balanced with the comfort of the company doing the disclosures. Like I said, a balancing act. 

Why on earth would you want to know what a stocky, balding middle-aged bearded guy gets it up for? 

But you asked, so I'll answer. 

There's an endless array of variety when it comes to human sexuality. If you can imagine it, people somewhere on this planet are probably doing it. 

RIGHT. NOW. 

Hot, isn't it? 

But imagine, for a moment, that you had a guy who likes to get his toes sucked....but also was adventurous. He liked to go to swingers' parties...and get his toes sucked. He liked to do BDSM...and get his toes sucked. He liked to watch obscure 70's Inuit porno films...and get his toes sucked. 

Well, at the end of the day, you'd probably conclude that this bloke's biggest fetish was getting his toes sucked, right? I mean, the scenery changes, but there's that one constant that doesn't.

So for me?

That would make my biggest fetish Mrs. Dredd. Because no matter what sort of kinky stuff I get into, it's a non-starter without her. I've been married for close to ten years, dated longer, and every day I'm a little crazier about her. I've figured passion would cool and I'd fall into 'companionate love,' and that's definitely there- she's my best friend- but she's the hottest woman I've ever seen, and makes me never want to look at another. 

So yeah... that kinky constant is the woman I married.