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'Scaper of the Month - July 2018

Posted July 8th, 2018 at 02:35 AM by HS Codex

’Scaper of the Month
johnny139
Author: The Grim Reaper’s Friend

Although I haven’t had too many dealings with johnny139 (despite him being a writer for the Codex), I’ve run across him a few times, and always thought I would like to know more about him. Today that wish is granted. I give you the newest ’Scaper of the Month: johnny139!


Profile

Who are you really?
John. Not “Johnny” anymore, except to family—that’s what you get for signing up to a website when you’re 13 years old! I go as “jph139” on other forums, because I’m one of those weird people that still posts on forums.

How old are you?
25 years old. Next September, I’ll have spent 50% of my life posting on this website.

What is your occupation?
Bank stuff. Fraud, mostly. It’s boring, next question.

What’s another board game/RPG you enjoy and why?
I’m an occasional lover of Magic the Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. So, yeah, that super-basic tabletop archetype.

What other interests do you have besides HeroScape?
I love history (it’s actually what I went to school for), so that’s first. For hobbies, I’ll always go back to videogames and comic books. And I write, too. There’s an unpublished novel about teenage runaways circa 1910 sitting on a flashdrive somewhere.


HeroScape

When and how did you get into HeroScape?
Way, way back. Between Wave 1 and 2 of the original releases. But, really, when I first saw that commercial on TV. Robots and samurai and elves and soldiers all fighting? Yeah, top of my Christmas list that year.

You’ve been supplying the Codex with custom design articles for some time, and you’re part of C3G as well, so what got you started in custom design?
Tough to say. I think I always respected it, and had my own thread back in the old days (but so did everyone else—it was en vogue), but being part of C3G, and seeing those beautiful, professional-quality cards is what sucked me in full time. Same creative impulse that pulls me to write, probably. Game design, for me, is more about telling a story through mechanics than anything else. Life’s all about stories, after all. With comic book customs, it’s an adaptation, which has its own appeal.

What is your favorite C3G unit?
Tough one. I think our original Wolverine and original Flash cards are the best we’ve ever done—pure, raw, perfect distillations of really complex characters. But I’ll give a shout-out to Star-Lord, too, as the design I’ve led that I’m most proud of. I love how he’s been embraced by so many different types of fans.

What about a favorite classic ’Scape unit?
I’ll always go back to Marcus Decimus Gallus. Rome has always held a certain mystique for me, and leading an army of Roman soldiers just feels cool.

Describe your favorite HeroScape moment.
You know, as much as I love the game, playing it has never been as memorable to me as the community around it: whether that’s playing with a friend at home or collaborating with other designers online. Though when I figured out you can stack Kang the Conqueror’s glyphs on his card to trap guys in a time loop ...

Is there anything you would change about the game (unit, rule, mechanic, etc.)?
Kind of a weird angle on it, but: clarity. The Heroscape rules work, but it’s mostly gum and tape holding them together. We’re currently dealing with the difference between “player turn” and “unit turn” in C3G, and it’s a headache to try and pin this stuff down. When you’re playing, it’s hard to notice, but from the inside it’s a different story.

What is your favorite aspect of HeroScape?
The flexibility and simplicity. It’s not a hardcore tabletop game, not a miniature game, it’s a board game that’s infinitely expandable. I lamented the overly simple rules above, but as a player, the fact is it’s like ... a ten page rulebook? and mostly pictures? That’s fantastic.


Community

What has been your favorite experience involving custom creation?
Whenever collaboration makes something really special. My recent memory is the preliminary design for Nebula (who isn’t released yet!) at C3G. It was a character we’ve been stumped on for years, and finally, in like five posts, it all came together: Arkham posted a rough draft, I moved some pieces around, and voilà, we had something great. The final design ended up going through some changes for playability and balance, but that “eureka” moment was wonderful.

In addition to customs, you’ve been found in the CoN forums, and you’ve obviously written for the Codex. You’ve even dabbled in fan fiction. Can you tell us what led to such a varied presence here?
I sort of touched on it above, but life is all about stories for me. CoN? That’s a collaborative story. Fan fiction? Story, duh. Customs? Telling a story in a really weird, specific medium. I don’t care about the game—winning, losing, it doesn’t matter to me. I design crappy units all the time. In CoN, I would stick to roleplay so hard I got booted Day One. I just like to tell the story.

Can you tell us how you’ve gotten to where you are now in the community?
Honestly? Uhh ... everyone else left! Kind of a joke, but it’s true. I’m the senior-most Hero in C3G (though SirGalahad has recently returned from an extended leave of absence), and that’s just a matter of being here long enough without burning out. Not getting too heated, not getting too invested ... just enjoy the game, and the community, and the experience. Wish I had as much free time as I did ten years ago, though. I always feel bad missing votes or turning in late playtests. But now I’m rambling ...

What do you enjoy most about Heroscapers.com?
It’s comfortable. Quieter now, not as exciting, not as complicated, but it’s just people with passion and love for a game which I think is brilliant. It’s like going home.

Is there any member of Heroscapers.com you’d really like to play against?
So many of the C3G old timers. You work with them, talk with them, but I don’t think I’ve played a game against any of them. Shout out to Lord Pyre, though. Would love to break out that custom Supergirl figure he sent me in a game against him ...


Lie Detector

Three truths and a lie
  • I have a form of synesthesia, and only learned it a year or two ago.
  • I’ve visited every continent except Antarctica.
  • Before joining C3G, I’d never bought a comic book.
  • I’ve eaten dog meat before.

Last Month’s Lie (Ronin)
  • I once missed a day of school because there was a rabid raccoon at the bus stop that I decided not to tango with.
  • I have accidentally attended a cello recital.
  • Once, when asked for my name at a party, I accidentally (and incorrectly) replied that I did not have one.
  • I have had to cut a hike short in order to avoid a close encounter with a mountain lion.


Three Fun Favorites

Favorite Movie Genre and Movie
Musicals and Spider-Man 2.

Favorite Book Genre and Book
Urban fantasy and American Gods.

Favorite Song Genre and Song
Folk and the entire back half of Abbey Road.


Closing

What message do you have for the ’Scaper community?
As it all winds down in the Heroscape community (and, call me a pessimist, but I think it’ll happen sooner rather than later), enjoy the now and don’t worry about it. If you’re not having fun, it’s not worth it.

Whom do you pick for the next ’Scaper of the Month?
I hate staying “in the clique” with these, but I honestly don’t peek out of the C3G hole enough to say who’s around. So I’ll say Arkham!
Total Comments 2

Comments

Old
Tornado's Avatar
Great interview!

Was really surprised you like folk music considering your age.
What are some of your favorite folk songs/bands?

You have been really important to C3G and I have always seen you as a balancing force in the group.
Posted July 8th, 2018 at 04:26 PM by Tornado Tornado is offline
Old
IAmBatman's Avatar
After you said musicals were your favorite type of movie, I'm almost surprised you didn't go with Spider-man 3!
Posted August 1st, 2018 at 09:47 PM by IAmBatman IAmBatman is online now
 
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