Interview With the Vamp...I mean snap dragon

Namarra · Jun 27, 2017

Greetings, UO Renaissance!

Special for you this evening I have an exclusive interview with the great (and infamous) @snap dragon! This interview was a lot more in depth and enlightening than I had originally expected! Thank you snap for letting me interview you for just over an hour. Each main question is separated into its own quote box for easier reading. Enjoy!

a Papuan citizen arrives at our meeting place:

Before we even got started, snap had an important message!

And so the interview began!

1.) How long have you been playing UO?

Snap: Hmm..I started to play maybe the second week of beta?

Namarra: Really? That’s pretty far back!

Snap: Well I played then until like 2001. First Pacific then Siege after Trammel happened and finally I switched to Mugen when Siege became Trammel. That’s like the Siege for Asia region. Then I played some free shards like…hmm I forget, nothing big. And I was the admin of a freeshard for about 2 years. Then I never played UO again until UO:SA in 2008 or 2009.

Namarra: And then you came here?

Snap: Heh you could say that. I didn’t intend to play here really. I quit playing UO:SA around the time Telamon was banned, but I still maintain talking to cA friends and such. So every now and then I would check in IRC to see if something new was going like maybe there is a new patch with new stuff I can try. But on UO:SA as anyone who played there knows that doesn’t happen often..So one day I heard about UO:R and we joked about Telamon’s Trammel shard but Blaise played here. So I started here and I wanted to find Blaise’s house and like, I don’t know, loot him or something. But then I guess I just found it fun to play here despite the Trammel mechanics. And I played for 6 months maybe then quit and started back recently the past 3 months.

Namarra: Yeah I’ve noticed this interaction with Blaise before. How did that start?

Snap: Blaise is just a slightly louder person than most people; the kind of person I like to play UO with.

Snap: What do you think of my office? A lot of people don’t think it exists but you managed to find it alright.

Namarra: It’s very quaint. But I like quaint.
Click to expand...

snap's office:

2.) After all this time playing UO, what’s been your favorite thing about it?

Snap: Hmm…I really like it how this is a game where you can put in some hard work doing things that don’t seem immediately profitable or fun and it can pay out in the long term.

Namarra: Interesting. Any examples? You can be as vague as necessary.

Snap: Well I don’t mean like collecting rares and things like that. I don’t do any of that stuff, but for example: I can keep an eye on people and figure out what people do, what they don’t do, who they are, what sort of personality they have. And then one day, if I really need to, hmm…ensure a permit sale, that information comes in handy. It’s the same for mechanical knowledge. I guess most people won’t bother to figure out the statistics for things like begging or try to teleport to weird places or figure out the math of the line of sight calculations. But I do. So then it’s like I am building a little toolbox and one day when there’s a problem I sure have a lot of tools.

Namarra: The game has always been deep enough for those willing to dive.

Snap: Yeah. Perhaps the deepest online game. No, I’m sure it is.

Namarra: Coming also from having been admin and GM on multiple shards, I can appreciate that curiosity.

Snap: Sometimes it’s not appreciated as much hah.

Namarra: Speaking of appreciation, I find a lot of players have a hard time appreciating the thieves on shards.

Snap: Yeah, that’s true.

Namarra: It’s easy to get frustrated but I always appreciate a good thief.

Snap: Well…I think there’s kind of like 3 different kinds of thieves. Of course you always have the guy who is playing what is really a PvPer and stealing is just a way to remove their target’s regs and runes or take their weapon and kill them. The goal is still to kill them. It’s more PvPer than a “thief’ I think. I mean certainly there’s better ways to kill someone but I can see the fun in it, it’s just not for me.

The other is what I think of as the “alt thief.” Eventually veteran players get bored, they make some templates. They make a stun mage, a tamer, a macer, AMiB guy, you know all the stuff, and often there’s “thief” in there. But they don’t quite get what a thief does so what they do is train all the skills, then try to steal at the bank, etc. It’s painful on UO:R but ignoring all the penalty to stealing here they do get “something.” Maybe the satisfaction of annoying players because it’s not profit. It’s the guys in deathrobes, etc. They won’t last long. They will either change into another template/style or they will just quit being a thief. These guys make it worse for stealing. They really just server as an annoyance to people and granted SOMETIMES they will get a big score; be in the right place at the lucky time and steal a valuable item that someone was careless with but it wasn’t due to skill, it was due to luck. And it’s not a sustainable character; you can’t earn money easily that way. It also leads to more Trammeling of thieves. Nobody is trading rares at the banks here but all the banks have 20 guards posted just the right distance apart because of annoying thieves taking 15 mandrake root. I probably won’t even waste my time snooping you. I will instead learn what you have that is actually valuable and figure out how I can take that; maybe it doesn’t involve stealing at all. But the Trammel things added often make it more difficult, so…thanks deathrobe thieves.

Third kind of thief, obviously more like our guild, BlackEye, ShadowJack even, think of UO more like a chess game. If ShadowJack is stealing from you it’s not because he wants your healing wand or 20 mandrake root, it’s because he doesn’t like you. Or he wants something else, there’s a reason for it and it doesn’t always make sense hah.

Namarra: What about chumbucket? Of all the thieves I’ve met he’s been the most random.

Snap: chumbucket…He’s not random. You might think it’s annoying but he gives his best at roleplaying and I would wager that he is better at it than most. And more well spoken. Maybe that’s the genius of it, you don’t take him seriously and you should.

Namarra: So the third thief is more about a mindset than having 100.0 stealing. It’s elaborate and planned.

Snap: Yeah. I think it’s more about investigation, knowledge of the mechanics, and general UO knowledge: you know, geography of the map, etc. and most importantly: social networking, having people you can rely on. Because he likes it when I mention it: I stole a tamer scroll from X-Factor (Phillip). I didn’t just magically know where he was, there was planning and cooperation with guildmates. Some guildmates don’t want to be as public as others.

Namarra: I was there for that, actually. I was on the rooftop of a tower waiting for that quest to start. And it was hilarious.

Snap: I know. I was watching you from behind the tower. So I know when he was gating. But people think like “Oh Matron/snap just logged in, walked over to Phillip, stole 1 million gp item.” It’s not like that. If I spend the same time farming liches I would have much more money, but it’s not as fun to me.

Namarra: There’s this whole process people aren’t privy to. That’s what I love about it. I don’t have a thief, personally, but it’s interesting to me.

Snap: Yes I think so. Does Phillip know that you PMed me and said “Come now he’s gating.”?

Namarra: That’s a good question. The other question is, do I know that? *laughs*

Snap: Hah, just a joke for the recording…maybe.

Namarra: I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of it. Or not.

Snap: Hah yeah.

Namarra: So my next question was about your go-to playstyle and why you like it…but I think we answered it already.

Snap: Ya. I guess my “main” character. You know some people a main like if I say ElHorno you think tamer. Sure he’s probably got all sorts of characters but he plays a tamer. That is what he’s comfortable with. I guess mine is a scout; doesn’t seem too common but it works for me.
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3.) Do you have a favorite UO memory?

Snap: Hmm…not one specific thing, but I guess a timeframe of like 2008 to 2010. We had many great likeminded players in cA. That’s when most of the things people know about us came from. We have a pretty strong lineup on UOR now though as well. But nothing will beat stealing -F- guild’s keep or making Hemperor’s tamer turn red with 50 counts due to his own…pride. I guess you could ask me favorite UO:R memory.

Namarra: Yes, a favorite UO:R memory will work too.

Snap: My favorite time was when I used to play before and Bart and L were PKing with google. I liked stalking them and trapping them into dying. I don’t think they really had any opposition and just PKed all they wanted before I started on the server. So it was fun to figure out new ways to kill them. They would fix that security problem, then I find another. It was like puzzle after puzzle. That’s probably it.

Namarra: So at what point in your timeline did the “Fire Room of Hell” show up?

Snap: It’s always been there. That’s a classic UO location. Since the first time I seen it I knew that me and that room have a special relationship. It’s funny you know, sometimes people die there. Then they think they are going to trap me like I will find PKs down there or released dragons, etc. But, if you’re watching this guys, it’s not going to work. I will never just blindly recall anywhere. Or gate. Fun to see these little traps though.
Click to expand...

snap's message:

4.) If you could add OR remove one thing to/from UO:R, what would it be?

Snap: Oh. I would add 1,000 more long term active players, then everyone wins. I complain about some mechanics and stuff, but you know, truth is I will find a way to do what I want. And when it’s boring for me I will just go play something else. It’s not a big deal really, I play UO on and off due to this. I think I make some reasonable opinions on mechanics here but I also know that the server owners and many players don’t share my opinions. Yes, 1,000 extra players and suddenly the problem of stealing doesn’t seem so important. Maybe there’s more players so you don’t see the same bank thief over and over. More people to keep PKs busy, just generally better.

Namarra: I personally would probably tank the 3 accounts per person. And if I were to add something it would be more tamable creatures.

Snap: Yeah I’m fine with 1 account. I played Siege after all. (In reference to more tamables.) I’d like to see that too. I don’t hate tamers.

Namarra: I’m tired of seeing all nightmare packs or all dragon teams.

Snap: Hah. Well, no matter what you do people will find what they think is the best thing to do. And suddenly everyone will be doing it. I think was is important is to keep things changing. I think the tamers are overpowered here. Of course they are. But it’s mostly the ability to say “all guard me.” Pet follow speed is ridiculous. It was never like this on UO.
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5.) You can decline to answer this next one if you want: How old are you? A range or minimum age works if you don’t want to tell specifically.

Snap: I’m 20 to 50.

Namarra: Good so you’re not a kid. I would hope you’re not a kid!

Snap: Hah. I don’t think many here are they just act like it.

Namarra: No, not on a game like this. Except Julien. Good for Julien though. Getting to experience a game like this.

Snap: Yeah. Well he was brought in by his father. You know, that’s assuming he’s a real person and not just an afk BoD bot. *joking*

Namarra: That does happen. Haha.

Snap: It certainly does.
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6.) Lastly, is there anything you want to say to the community?

Snap: Hmm…I don’t think I have much to say, really. I just hope that despite us killing you or robbing you, etc. we all can realize it’s just a game. And we’re all here to do wizard stuff and have fun right. I don’t think you’re an idiot for wanting to PvM and I never PvM. But people certainly think I must be a sociopath for wanting to steal from you hah.

Namarra: I’ve seen the salt mines. I can confirm.

Snap: Ah well some people are good sports about it. I’m sure you would be. But others just take it too seriously. I think if you have that issue you should consider taking a break from the game because it’s not just me.It will be someone else making you mad.

Namarra: But people need to appreciate that you can’t do any of this in any other game.

Snap: Yeah. I can’t go rob a bank in real life but I think everyone thinks that bank robbing is excited, right? You play other games like Grand Theft Auto to rob banks. I just want to do it in an MMO.

Namarra: And the slight roleplay makes it fun to me. The analysis, the stalking, the information gathering. It’s so interesting.

Snap: Yeah. I enjoy it. People just take it too personally.

Namarra: Well snap, thanks for letting me do this interview. It took a longer time than I expected but it was fun. I’m hoping a lot of people can get a sense of appreciation from it.

Snap: Anytime. Contrary to what some may think we’re always happy to help. Hah. Those that will already have.

Snap: Oh! Go to the forums and support Franz’s “Allow Unicode” post! We need UNICODE on UO:R! #UORNICODE

Namarra: You heard it folks! Support Franz’s cause!
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PaddyOBrien · Jun 28, 2017

Snap's office also doubles as a holding and interrogation cell for those who violate health codes and serve people questionable stew

shad · Jun 28, 2017

Awesome! Please make more interviews @Namarra !!!
And yes, @Julien is a real person hahaha!
Oh and thank you @snap dragon to share your story with us

Aragorn - OCT · Jun 29, 2017

I really enjoyed this format. Nicely done.

Pekka · Jun 29, 2017

Very well done indeed both of you. I enjoyed reading this interview a lot.

Erza Scarlet · Jun 29, 2017

That was a good read

One · Feb 5, 2023

.

Seba · Jun 29, 2017

Good job with this.

Namarra · Jun 29, 2017

First one I've ever done. I have more planned.

newme · Jul 3, 2017

Very nice, thank you both for doing this. Always nice to learn a little more about the players, how they view the game and play styles.

Bayara · Jul 6, 2017

Another great interview.
Keep em coming Namarra!
Snap's analysis of the 3 types of thieves is so spot on...

It'sallALark · Jul 8, 2017

If I steal from people, it's not cause I dislike them, it's because I like to steal

or I dislike them.

Jakob · Jul 9, 2017

I was going to take this interview and use it for toilet paper, but finally seeing my name at the end, crowning it all, I changed my mind. What a great interview!! But you missed the question "Why are you such a Trammelite?"

chumbucket · Jul 9, 2017

I have never roleplayed, dammit!

TheWiseFool · Aug 1, 2017

This was a lot of fun to read, and I for one, absolutely support that point of view about stealing from others. Yet one more unique layer of immersion to this game. I hope Snap steals from me someday!

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Interview With the Vamp...I mean snap dragon

Namarra Active Member UO:R Donor

PaddyOBrien Well-Known Member

shad Well-Known Member UO:R Subscriber

Aragorn - OCT Well-Known Member

Pekka Well-Known Member

Erza Scarlet Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

One Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

Seba Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

Namarra Active Member UO:R Donor

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Interview With the Vamp...I mean snap dragon

Namarra Active Member UO:R Donor

PaddyOBrien Well-Known Member

shad Well-Known Member UO:R Subscriber

Aragorn - OCT Well-Known Member

Pekka Well-Known Member

Erza Scarlet Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

One Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

Seba Well-Known Member UO:R Donor

Namarra Active Member UO:R Donor

newme Well-Known Member

Bayara Well-Known Member

It'sallALark Well-Known Member

Jakob Well-Known Member

chumbucket Well-Known Member

TheWiseFool New Member

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