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Fame Game: Becky "Aktrez" Young
September 29, 2008 | 3:44 PM PST
by: Sean O'Neill and Phillip Levin
Kombo's Fame Game series takes a special look at different personalities in the video game industry.
This week's Fame Game stars Becky "Aktrez" Young, the 29-year-old creator of the Girls Entertainment Network and Event Director of Video Games Live. Aktrez is an actress, gamer and has hosted a number of shows and events (she'll be hosting the upcoming DirectTV special on BlizzCon 2008 as well). She's also the girlfriend of Video Games Live co-creator Tommy Tallarico.
Kombo: What was the first video game you played?
Aktrez: Although I don't remember the first game I PLAYED, I do remember the first game that was 100% mine. I shared the Atari with my brother. When I say shared, what I mean is that I tried to get my little 4 year old hands on the controller as much as possible. When my mom started noticing the bruises from my brother pushing me aside she decided to take action. She bought me the girliest game she could. Strawberry Shortcake Musical Mix'em Up. My brother was glad to not have to share that one.
Kombo: What got you hooked on gaming?
Aktrez: The idea that I was making something happen. I really liked being able to live these stories through my TV. To actually become those characters and immerse myself in a world. As early as I can remember, I loved knowing that at any time, I could turn on the TV and have an adventure
Kombo: How has your gaming habits changed over the years?
Aktrez: My gaming habits have changed as gaming, itself, has evolved over time.
The more interactive a game is, the more interested I am in playing. I'm fond of MMO's and games that I can play on LIVE with other people. Being able to share my stories with others makes them twice as fun.
Kombo: You are a well known "female gamer" and have been involved with expanding the reach of girls who game (Girls Entertainment Network). How do you feel the industry has reacted to your presence and what needs to change?
Aktrez: I've been vocal about being a girl in an online world since the 90's. This was mainly due to the fact that I was simply trying to search for others like me. Over the years, the image of "girl gamer" has changed and become something not as attractive as it use to. Girls within the industry have become jealous and catty. Guys either see us as sex symbols or as a bunch of catty bitches. Many of the vocal gamers have decided that the acts of a few represent our entire sub-culture.
I do use the term Girl Gamer for myself because, honestly, it's what I am. I'm a girl and I game. I'm a gamer and I'm a girl. There really is no other way around it. I'm not a huge proponent of GIRL POWER but I do think there is something to be said for having a group of likeminded girls to share your interests with. I think it's about equivalent to "guy's night out. Only, instead of strip clubs, sports bars and beer bongs ... we have gossip, girl talk and gaming. ;)
What needs to change is appreciation of everyone's personal choices. If someone wants to take thousands of photos of themselves with a controller and put them on the web, that's their choice. If someone doesn't want to post a SINGLE picture and wants to play as the opposite sex; that's their choice. People need to stop hating on other people and welcome more personalities and choices in this very interactive world. The rest of the world is going to start taking notice of our communities REALLY soon. Let's try to give the best first impression we can .... n00b losers! :p
Kombo: If you were stuck on a desert island what three games would you bring with you and why? (And there's no Internet connection. Sorry!)
Aktrez: Oh man! Total cock block on the no internet comment. Ok, Bioshock is a must for me. I mean, I need to keep on my toes for when creepy things come to get me in the middle of the night. Kingdom Hearts so that I can dream of going to the other worlds and away from the island and I think lastly, WiiFit. Come on! I have to keep myself in shape! :p. OK, the last one
is a total joke. But, now that I'm thinking about it. If there is no internet, how would I have power to plug this stuff in!? I think I would have to settle for Cards.
Kombo: Working with Video Games Live you have helped spread the "art" of video game music. How do you feel the medium can continue to expand and plant itself as a widely accepted art form?
Aktrez: Video Games Live really has brought a whole different set of eyes to the gaming industry. I can tell you first hand that some of the greatest emails I have ever received came from grandparents and parents, thanking us for opening their eyes to things they have missed in their children's games. When you can attend a concert where a 65 year old couple is sitting next to a couple teenagers dressed as Mario and Zelda - and HAPPY!? - You know you are doing something right.
I think that game music is continuing to grow and mature. Soon, we will hear this form of media on our local radio stations. MORE groups will begin debuting their tunes in games and I believe that it will start drawing an even more positive appreciation for the hobby in general. Very similar to our movies of today.
Kombo: Many times females in games are either portrayed as the women in distress or in a highly sexual nature. What are your thoughts on this subject and do you feel the industry needs to change how it portrays women?
Aktrez: Hey, if I'm going to be playing a character for HOURS on end, I want her to look hot. For me, playing games allows me to be something I am not in real life. If everyone on the planet looked like Lara Croft, I think that we would want to portray characters that look more like Rosanne. That being said, I think that characters can be strong and sexy without being sexual. I believe game characters like Jade from Beyond Good and Evil and even Nariko from Heavenly Sword are an awesome mix of being strong, sexy and confident without having to add in the "do me" factor. Though, I think that might just come with the territory!
Kombo: What is the all-time best game you have ever played?
Aktrez: This is always such a loaded question. Like the times, my taste in games change. At one time in my life, Carmen Sandiego was the most amazing thing on the planet. Then came Police Quest 3, Unreal Tournament, Kohan, Diablo II, American McGee's Alice, Dark Age of Camelot. So, over the years things change. My CURRENT obsessions, however, are: World of Warcraft, Uncharted, Kingdom Hearts Series, God of War, Rock Band, Braid, Bioshock and Gears of War. Yeah, I'm kind of all over the board.
Kombo: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Becky!
More of Aktrez:
Girls Entertainment Network
Aktrez on MySpace
Aktrez on Justin.TV
Aktrez the Actress
Got someone you'd like to see on Fame Game? Let us know in the comments section below.
This week's Fame Game stars Becky "Aktrez" Young, the 29-year-old creator of the Girls Entertainment Network and Event Director of Video Games Live. Aktrez is an actress, gamer and has hosted a number of shows and events (she'll be hosting the upcoming DirectTV special on BlizzCon 2008 as well). She's also the girlfriend of Video Games Live co-creator Tommy Tallarico.
Kombo: What was the first video game you played?
Aktrez: Although I don't remember the first game I PLAYED, I do remember the first game that was 100% mine. I shared the Atari with my brother. When I say shared, what I mean is that I tried to get my little 4 year old hands on the controller as much as possible. When my mom started noticing the bruises from my brother pushing me aside she decided to take action. She bought me the girliest game she could. Strawberry Shortcake Musical Mix'em Up. My brother was glad to not have to share that one.
Kombo: What got you hooked on gaming?
Aktrez: The idea that I was making something happen. I really liked being able to live these stories through my TV. To actually become those characters and immerse myself in a world. As early as I can remember, I loved knowing that at any time, I could turn on the TV and have an adventure
Kombo: How has your gaming habits changed over the years?
Aktrez: My gaming habits have changed as gaming, itself, has evolved over time.
The more interactive a game is, the more interested I am in playing. I'm fond of MMO's and games that I can play on LIVE with other people. Being able to share my stories with others makes them twice as fun.
Kombo: You are a well known "female gamer" and have been involved with expanding the reach of girls who game (Girls Entertainment Network). How do you feel the industry has reacted to your presence and what needs to change?
Aktrez: I've been vocal about being a girl in an online world since the 90's. This was mainly due to the fact that I was simply trying to search for others like me. Over the years, the image of "girl gamer" has changed and become something not as attractive as it use to. Girls within the industry have become jealous and catty. Guys either see us as sex symbols or as a bunch of catty bitches. Many of the vocal gamers have decided that the acts of a few represent our entire sub-culture.
I do use the term Girl Gamer for myself because, honestly, it's what I am. I'm a girl and I game. I'm a gamer and I'm a girl. There really is no other way around it. I'm not a huge proponent of GIRL POWER but I do think there is something to be said for having a group of likeminded girls to share your interests with. I think it's about equivalent to "guy's night out. Only, instead of strip clubs, sports bars and beer bongs ... we have gossip, girl talk and gaming. ;)
What needs to change is appreciation of everyone's personal choices. If someone wants to take thousands of photos of themselves with a controller and put them on the web, that's their choice. If someone doesn't want to post a SINGLE picture and wants to play as the opposite sex; that's their choice. People need to stop hating on other people and welcome more personalities and choices in this very interactive world. The rest of the world is going to start taking notice of our communities REALLY soon. Let's try to give the best first impression we can .... n00b losers! :p
Kombo: If you were stuck on a desert island what three games would you bring with you and why? (And there's no Internet connection. Sorry!)
Aktrez: Oh man! Total cock block on the no internet comment. Ok, Bioshock is a must for me. I mean, I need to keep on my toes for when creepy things come to get me in the middle of the night. Kingdom Hearts so that I can dream of going to the other worlds and away from the island and I think lastly, WiiFit. Come on! I have to keep myself in shape! :p. OK, the last one
is a total joke. But, now that I'm thinking about it. If there is no internet, how would I have power to plug this stuff in!? I think I would have to settle for Cards.
Kombo: Working with Video Games Live you have helped spread the "art" of video game music. How do you feel the medium can continue to expand and plant itself as a widely accepted art form?
Aktrez: Video Games Live really has brought a whole different set of eyes to the gaming industry. I can tell you first hand that some of the greatest emails I have ever received came from grandparents and parents, thanking us for opening their eyes to things they have missed in their children's games. When you can attend a concert where a 65 year old couple is sitting next to a couple teenagers dressed as Mario and Zelda - and HAPPY!? - You know you are doing something right.
I think that game music is continuing to grow and mature. Soon, we will hear this form of media on our local radio stations. MORE groups will begin debuting their tunes in games and I believe that it will start drawing an even more positive appreciation for the hobby in general. Very similar to our movies of today.
Kombo: Many times females in games are either portrayed as the women in distress or in a highly sexual nature. What are your thoughts on this subject and do you feel the industry needs to change how it portrays women?
Aktrez: Hey, if I'm going to be playing a character for HOURS on end, I want her to look hot. For me, playing games allows me to be something I am not in real life. If everyone on the planet looked like Lara Croft, I think that we would want to portray characters that look more like Rosanne. That being said, I think that characters can be strong and sexy without being sexual. I believe game characters like Jade from Beyond Good and Evil and even Nariko from Heavenly Sword are an awesome mix of being strong, sexy and confident without having to add in the "do me" factor. Though, I think that might just come with the territory!
Kombo: What is the all-time best game you have ever played?
Aktrez: This is always such a loaded question. Like the times, my taste in games change. At one time in my life, Carmen Sandiego was the most amazing thing on the planet. Then came Police Quest 3, Unreal Tournament, Kohan, Diablo II, American McGee's Alice, Dark Age of Camelot. So, over the years things change. My CURRENT obsessions, however, are: World of Warcraft, Uncharted, Kingdom Hearts Series, God of War, Rock Band, Braid, Bioshock and Gears of War. Yeah, I'm kind of all over the board.
Kombo: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Becky!
More of Aktrez:
Girls Entertainment Network
Aktrez on MySpace
Aktrez on Justin.TV
Aktrez the Actress
Got someone you'd like to see on Fame Game? Let us know in the comments section below.
November 20, 2009
