Last week was the one year anniversary of the Weekly Rewind and it was absolute madness, this week the PS4 is out in the open and is absolute madness. The Member of the Week returns and our newest inductee just happens to now be a moderator here at GTP - the Weekly Rewind Gives You Powers.
Welcome Wardez to the Member of the Week madhouse!
1. First and foremost, you're officially the Member of the Week so what were your thoughts going into this and how does it feel to be recognized amidst the hundreds of thousands of other members here?
Well it's a pretty intense thing if you let it be. Feel honored to have the opportunity for so many dedicated members to get a close insight to my life. I feel like I've gotten so much from the community, I like giving back at any opportunity. That's, of course, if anyone even finds this that interesting to be totally self-deprecating.
Everyone has their own story though, and uncovering the quilt, so to... write, is what this project is all about - little by little.
But I was just excited, I finally get to embarrass myself on an epic scale.
2. What brought you to GTPlanet and what keeps you coming back?
What brought me here initially was just the simple fact that GTP was the gold standard community for Gran Turismo. After buying my first wheel a few months before the GT5 release and breaking it in on my computer with iRacing I instantly fell in love with the notion of racing competitively online. So after hanging around the forums learning all the info I could about the constantly upcoming GT5, I somehow stumbled into the Racing Series section like a homeless cowboy into a saloon. Didn't know quite what I was looking for, but I liked the smell.
But wow, did that really take off. What kept bringing me back was the awesome community of dedicated online racers. Breaking down the game with them, figuring out the best way to run races, I was addicted right away, just as much to the racing as I was to the organizing. That's what kept me coming back most every week of the year since GT5's release.
3. There's a lot to do around the forums so I have to ask: what sub-forums/threads do you frequent most often and why?
Online Events, if that's obvious enough. So much wasted time. But such fun wasted time. I definitely drop in on GT5 and GT6 for updates and lurking affairs. I also love checking in at the Console & PC Gaming, Music to see if there's anything interesting. Motorsports a lot as well, guys pour in some really valuable unique perspective in our little Motorsports section. I always hang out in the GT Academy section a ton whenever Academy season's ongoing. Newly opened Assetto Corsa (which you should definitely check out if you haven't yet) sub is my new favorite hang.
Also, now, the moderators' forum. It smells of Home Depot's electronics aisle.
4. What was it that sparked your interest in Gran Turismo?
Playing it at my friend Ulysses's house when I was just a wee planeteer boy in Middle School. I was 13, he had a Playstation and I randomly tried playing it with him, we both didn't really know that much about what it entailed. I was always into cars since I was really young, going from hotwheels, to watching NASCAR with my dad and best friend, and loved import cars, which was getting really big around that time.
So I gave it a shot and had so much fun doing license tests and the races. My friend and I would take turns trying to get through the game and it was so fun we played it straight through a whole weekend. Distinctly remember having trouble with a certain license challenge around Laguna Seca in a Viper Le Mans car. It was super tough just to Bronze, but we kept at it for hours until I finally got it. First big victory for me in GT. After that, I was dedicated.
5. How did you come up with the name "Wardez"?
First name Edward, Surname, Gomez.
We take the Ed out of Edward and the Gom out of Gomez, and now there's no mystery left. Thanks T12.
6. Controversial question time: Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport or both?
Gran Turismo. I tried hard getting into Forza, but didn't find my place in their communities. So nothing against the game, I love it as well, has many strengths over GT, but one of the strengths GT had over it in my opinion was the online racing was easier to organize how I wanted it. No free run in the lobbies for Forza, or good qualifying, really killed it for me as well. I did run a
Spec Miata series during FM4's launch which was fairly successful, but I couldn't get any motivation together to keep going, or try a new one. So yeah.
If it wasn't for GTP, I honestly probably wouldn't have kept playing GT5 much beyond a couple months.
7. Because it's finally occurred to me that the question above doesn't allow enough freedom, do you play any other racing games that you perhaps enjoy more than GT or FM?
Enjoy more... that's a weird one. I enjoy them in different ways for sure. iRacing's great for pick up racing in official races and I'm firmly dedicated to Assetto Corsa on the PC side of things, doing a Spec Miata mod for it.
I'm also a pCars Team Member, so I like loading that up whenever a new build has something cool in it. Love pCars huge selection of tracks and cars, along with the gorgeous graphics, definitely going to pick it up when it's out later next year or whenever it finally releases.
8. GTP 12 is up and about, what are your thoughts?
Really clean nice modern layout. Love the alerts, conversations, and execution. Wish my phone was better so I could handle all the new fancy graphics and overlays, but I can deal. What I'm looking forward to most though, is future major updates and helping to influence GTP12's direction.
Also, tagging is awesome kids. Don't take this last part out of context.
9. It's going to be plenty lively around here all of next month leading in to December, what are you most looking forward to?
Really sinking my teeth into every aspect of the game to find new useful features to support online racing. So especially the online mode itself. Gonna really hunker down and try to get as much progress going as fast as possible so I can start buying GT3 cars in preparation for running the European Grand Touring Championship, my first GT6 series.
And the many, many, duplicate threads of course!
10. You interviewed me but now the shoe is on the other foot, how does it feel?
Oh gosh, I know I could never be an F1 driver now. But seriously, it's good, I like having my brain picked, you should do it more often, you really get my brain pumping. How long till I can be MOTW again?
11. If you could live in any video game which game would it be and why?
Well it's a tough one, 'cause although I love the idea of living in the world of Elder Scrolls: Morrowind... but I like modern living too much... Fallout New Vegas would be awesome... but I like living too much.
You got me on this one Michael! I actually had to think about this answer... damn man, this train's going uphill.
Ok, Pokemon Y.
Because... I want... to, catch-them-all.
Also, Utopia. I can just walk into anyone's house and its normal!
12. If you could create your own motorsport series what would it entail?
I take it you mean in real life. 'cause wow, have I done that.
I would make a competitive series to F1 to attract all the best drivers in the world. Salary caps for all drivers, and budget caps on all teams for development, with a good margin of the Television costs going toward struggling teams, but at the same time still giving race winners their due prize purses. Unlimited testing available. Ground effects would be legal, so low drag, but super grippy racing. And in each contract there's a clause stipulating that in order to participate, you must allow the drivers to take part in a bi-annual spec racing Miata race where all drivers can race on an absolutely level playing field over certain times during the season, this will dispel "well he's got the best car" myths. Drivers would race for charity.
Also, viewing rights online would be purchasable, with live on-board viewing, camera switch control, and live replays available, with all other perks as well.
So yeah, my perfect top tier racing series.
13. Tell us something interesting about your hometown.
Well Las Vegas, really anything I tell people about it, they find pretty captivating. But wow, something interesting to this audience here... I guess that would have to be the fact that people used to be able to see nuclear bomb testing from here in the Valley up North of Vegas. Also, winter weather is awesome here... and there is approximately one slot machine for every 2½ residents of Las Vegas.
14. Let's say GTPlanet was another persons brainchild, could you see the community being as prominent as it is now?
No way, Jordan had the exact right mix of merits to get this site going to what it's become. The stars aligned real nicely for this Planet.
15. Do you have any hobbies we should be made aware of?
Been skateboarding most of my life, played in a few bands, guitar and keyboard, that's not the name of a band, just the instruments I played. I also love experimenting with new food and restaurants all the time. And I'm addicted to podcasts, PM me if you wanna know which ones. Trying to get into Autocross as well.
16. Are you driving anything special at the moment?
240SX, I'll have to make a thread for it soon in the Members' Rides section. It's an original purple '95 S14 that's been babied her whole life. Only two previous owners, 200,000 miles with a swap in her future. No drifting here, just appreciation. Although, autocross... yeah, that's a different story. She can take that
.
17. What's your favourite video game, currently?
Well, Battlefield 4 for the gamey game, and Assetto Corsa for the driving.
18. What songs have been on repeat for the past few days?
Oh jeez, just, if you wanna know, I'll make it easy, check out my hype machine profile:
http://hypem.com/Wardez/obsessed
But, Tallest Man On Earth's Love is all has been playing in my head constantly over the past couple of days literally, I've been learning to play it and it's quite the challenge with all the finger picking. I really need a thumb pick, you know you wanna
buy me one T12.
19. Why did you choose that avatar, and why is it not a monkey? (Don't ask me, I had nothing to do with this.
)
I see this question has survived past its use. If someone can turn the PURE symbol into a monkey somehow, I will use it as my avatar, yes, that's a challenge.
20. Games, how do you like them?
a) Pre-Order, I want them on day one.
b) Sealed at first price drop.
c) Used.
Does this include board games? Still trying to figure out where I can pre-order Nicki Minaj Monopoly.
With vidya's I'm a sucker for pre-ordering, Amazon day one, or picking it up after midnight at the Gamestop on the way back from my work, since I work nights.
21. With the PS4 coming in the holiday season this year, is it the right time to consider moving up to the next generation?
Actually no, there's no truly great launch titles or compelling features to latch on to yet, that makes this new generation an early must buy. All the really cool stuff is coming later in updates, as well as games, so I'm holding off.
I still like my own cupcakes made from scratch, I still like my cars manual.
23. Desert island disks - what 3 albums would you take to a desert island?
Incubus - Morning View
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Latyrx (The Album)
24. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being likely to go to the nut house, how crazy would you rate yourself?
Pineapple.
25. Who is your favorite race driver and why?
Ayrton Senna, he didn't just drive, he inspired me to be a better person.
26. Where and when was your very first post here and how does it differ from your posting style used today?
First post
here. Funnily enough, in a thread
you created! It's come full circle now, it's destiny Michael.
I like how ravenous a fan I was of Ferrari Virtual Academy, I poured so much time into it, and it was just a time trial. You can see why I'm now so ravenous about Assetto Corsa, I've always loved Kunos' work as long as I've stepped into this crazy world of online racing.
And here's my first post trying to join a series
here, important considering that's what I'm all about now, and is funny to look at. And yes, I know you didn't ask for this bromigo.
I got a good laugh out of my little humble brag about iRacing shifting.
My posting style's stayed the same, trying to be real comprehensive, considerate, educational? Damn, I talk like a douche nozzle sometimes.
27. How many of your controllers have died because of heavy physical abuse whilst playing a PS3 game?
I'm actually really good to my DS3. A better question would be how physical I got with my DS2 on the other hand... yeah, many broken controllers playing GT4, Final Fantasy X and Metal Gear games.
28. Have you ever accessed the website during an unusual time and/or place?
I compiled
this OP on my phone while in a passenger seat on a roadtrip to LA.
29. What's the longest you've gone without logging onto GTPlanet since joining: Years, months, weeks, days, hours?
When I went to Australia for a few weeks.
30. Who (in your own opinion) is the most inspiring person / people here on GTPlanet?
@
Jordan, @
Famine, @
Dr_Watson, @
Denilson, @
Aderrrm, @
WRP001, @
twistedfirework, @
redreevos .
Really look up to those guys! All teach me such valuable lessons during my time here, some of the smartest people I've ever gotten to know.
Does Jackie Chan do his own stunts?
32. Now it's time for the "Daniel Special": If you could cross a hippo with any other animal - what will the animal be, what will it be called, and why? (Bonus points for creativity! And it can't be another hippo because that's incest)
A toad, 'cause that'd be
adorable, and I like the name Hippotoad. I'd keep him as a pet and feed him chicken, perhaps gather four of them around a dish, with food pellets that pop out from a whole in the center.
33. What's the funniest thing you can remember from all of your time being a member here?
Oh god, there's so much. I have a couple, the one time that guy made a poll in the GT5 section asking whether Kate Upton, Kim Kardashian, or Shaquille O'neil had the bigger boobs. Then went ahead and posted GTP-safe pictures of all three.
There's also the epic Toyota Camry racer eminembeastfan2.
Also, the time when Hybriding was in its prime in GT5 and subsequent ridding of it by PD was pretty hilarious, just lurking on the arguments.
34. Have you ever participated in any of the racing series' found here?
Yes.
35. Have you ever considered developing your own racing series, and if you have where can we find it?
Yes,
click here.
36. Anything else you'd like to say?
Be humble for you are made of Earth, be noble for you are made of stars.
Love with your heart, use your head for everything else.
Bonus Question: These two additional inclusions are the brainchild of a staff member and must be answered as if you were a contestant on Jeopardy!, i.e. "What is a Computer?"
B1: George Clooney played this character in Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen.
B2: This horror icon is referred to as "The Shape".
B1: Who is Himself
B2: Who is Nicki Minaj
Might want to check your autocorrect. 
started to come out. Nowadays I really don't play or discuss GT anymore, I was here for GT5's release, and in the months leading up to the GT5 I started to explore the other parts of the forum. After GT5 was released and was utterly disappointing, I still stayed at GTP for the other subforums. And the Funny Pic Thread, I used to be big on that.
