1-     First of all, could you present yourself and maybe add some background on yourself?

My Name is Brian, I’m 16 and live in South-West England. I’ve been playing populous since the age of 4. I’m currently in Post-16 education. I really enjoy music and cooking and I’m a really easy going person. I am fairly political and have some strong viewpoints.

 

2-     What is so special about Populous that other games don't have?

I think Populous has that really hard yet enjoyable strategy to it, there is no easy way out. Once you’re faced with a problem in a level you really have to face it. I think it has a really old style but with the same enjoyable feeling that other games could bring. I just think populous is an old school game which can still be carried out into this time and into the future which most games wouldn’t be able to.

 

3-     What do you think about people wanting a populous remake or even a Populous 4? And why?

I would completely join them on that idea, I have always wondered what would come after “The Beginning” especially as seeming In the outro to the game the shaman’s mask is handed down to a young female, There are so many possibilities and if love for these to be explored. This kind of game doesn’t come around much and for it to come again would be amazing.

 

4-     What would you say to a newcomer that is just starting to play Populous in 2015?

That they have to be patient, it is a very hard game to get a grasp on really, especially in terms of online. However, just asking for help or looking up tutorials they could learn quickly. My advice would be is take your time in learning your way around spells and countering attacks. Finally, time management and farming is key.

 

5-     Being on the top of the leagues, what do you think a player need to reach a high skill level on this game?

Sadly I haven’t ever been on the top of the leagues (once I was Firewarrior rank but that’s the best ive been). However, I think to reach high skill you have to be able to get building ASAP to gain your mana as quickly as possible as well as having control over not only your shaman but your followers too. For me “high skill” has always been those who can show well rounded skills including; casting skill (e.g. lights, blasts etc.), building quickly to produce mana & being able to use control of troops effectively. In terms of a team, skill comes from teamwork, no matter the rank, it takes two.

 

6-     Top 5 or 10 best Populous players of all time (ordered or not)?

My top 5 players in no order through showing the skills I look for since 2011 (when I joined MM) are (IGN):  

Nici;

Spinnifix;

Arbrim97;

TheDarkAngel;

Biggy.

 

7-     Top 5 or 10 best Populous players in 2015 (ordered or not)?

In 2015 I would have to say the top 5 players in no order are:

Nici;

Arbrim97;

Spinnifix;

Vlek;

Fury.

 

8-     Most overrated and most underrated (like 5 of each) players in your opinion?

Im not really sure because ive been inactive for the past year or so and I would really say anybody was overrated, you have to have some good skill to become shaman rank…

 

8- What are your best 5 or 10 online levels?

From what I remember:

NW16 – narrow passage

The beginning – Craters (love that map)

Asgard worlds II – Sessrumir palace (not too bad)

Asgard worlds – well of mimir (not too bad)

NW16 – continental division

 

 

9- What are your worst 5 or 10 online levels?

According to my worst maps:

The beginning – Pressure point

Asgard worlds II – fensalir

Asgard worlds – Tom

The great worlds – 4 way

The beginning – Face off (yes I can suck sometimes on it as well as be somewhat good on it.)

 

10- What are your most hated 5 or 10 online levels?

 

11- Best 5 clans (orderedof all time?

It’s difficult because I joined in 2011, so ones I’ve seen thrive since I joined;

TDM, GOD, TSI, RW are all brilliant clans and are some of the best clans, they have always contained some of the best players and still exist and have some awesome players in them. I’ve always kind of looked up to these clans so they pretty much all fit into the same band.

LG – which was my first clan ever, it has been successful twice since I’ve been around and it has had good members.

SW – it’s such a nice clan, they’ve topped the clan tables before, when they were super active they were amazing (I had joined this clan for a while.)

The Absolutes – They’ve been topping the clan leagues for a long time now from what I know.

 

 

12- Best 4 clans (ordered) in 2015?

The absolutes – without a doubt keep topping the clan leagues and so they have to be a good clan right?

GOD – again they’re doing well in the clan leagues and have always been a top clan to me.

Shamans Reincarnated – yes it may seem bias I am including the clan I belong to but SR welcome anybody of any rank and aim to actually bring a community over wins, that’s what a clan should be about and that’s why they get a mention.

FU – have been a pretty strong clan including some great players, they’re topping the league tables at #3.

 

13- What keeps you wanting to play this game?

This game has basically been my whole childhood, I remember when I was 11 and found out I could play online I was so happy. Despite it being abusive and odd sometimes, the community created and of what I have fond memories of is great, it’s a nice play to be in. I like the competitiveness and that you get to watch people grow, really.

 

14- What are your favourite 5 allies?

Abrim

TheDarkAngel

Toruk_Makto

XDDD

Rousfv

 

15- What are your favourite 5 enemies?

Biggy

FireRader

Bolt

Incy

Malik_TAS

 

16- Who would you most likely avoid to play with?

Nobody at the moment, but if you’re going to be insulting a team-mates play just because it’s not going so well then please hesitate to play with me.

 

17- How important is using the forums?

I don’t post as much as I check but quite important, it holds a lot of solutions and strategies in which could be vital to people. It is also good for building communities.

 

18- What do you think is missing in Populous online?

Not anything major, little minor things but to me it has everything im looking for minus some of the stuff people say in game.

 

 

19- Favourite spells?

Lightning, Firestorm, Volcano, Earthquake, ghost army.

 

20- In your opinion, what are the strongest spells, mana-cost effectiveness wise?

I think of course earthquake is effective because it can deal tonnes of damage for not that much mana.

Blast – oh where would we be without blast?

Lightning – without this I would not last in game as long as I do, the range is impeccable.

Firestorm – Despite being costly in terms of mana, it’s perfect for both winning and defending.

Ghost army – its so mana cheap and effective in some cases.

 

 

21- What is your favourite single player level?

An easy target – level 12. For me it holds a great amount of fun and it’s just really enjoyable.

 

22- What was the hardest single player level when you started Populous?

I always struggled with bloodlust - level 16 - when I first started populous, it was the main one that posed problems, and so for me this was the hardest, until I reached level 24 that is.

 

23- What is the biggest challenge on changing between single player and online playing?

The biggest challenge is being able to realise there is a huge change between skill of the tribes because you wouldn’t expect people to be as skilled but they are. Also you have to know how to farm because if you don’t on certain maps, its fundamental.

 

24- Do you recommend Populous?

I always will and always have, its strategic, fun and really easy to get used to. I love it.

 

25- What are the best ways of reaching a bigger community? How can Populous be promoted?

Through people promoting the game really, I always show people it. I also thinking maybe sharing the facebook page on our personal accounts would be good. However, remember that this game is 16 years old and so many people of our generation haven’t heard of it.

 

26- How important is streaming for this community, or even for the promotion of Populous?

Streaming for me is so important, it not only gives a sense of community to me, it also allows me to see how some  top and lower ranked people play, it’s a great way to see how hard games can be and pick upon some skills along the way. You also get to know the person behind the screen name and that’s pretty rad.

 

27- Who are your top 5 friends and top 5 most hated players on the matchmaker? Why?

Friends;

Abrim97;

Nici;

Toruk_Makto;

Biggy;

Bolt.

I don’t really hate anybody to be fair, as I said, easy going.

 

28- What are your favourite clans, players, streamers, administrators and populous sites?

One of my favourite clans is SW – if it wasn’t for them my skill wouldn’t even exist, they are a great bunch of people.

SR – I think it has such a strong idea behind it and I like how it’s not exclusive and it’s great.

I like everybody I’ve come across on MM bar the odd couple (whose names I can’t remember) so y’all my favourites.

 

29- The Populous Bible was not yet released. This will be a blind question: What do you think this Populous site will be like?

I think it’ll be pretty cool, I mean it sounds like a good idea and somebody is clearly putting effort in here. I can’t fault it.

 

30- Thank you for this interview. Anything you want to add? (:

I think people within the community should stop being so inclined to call people “bad” and blaming them in team games when they’re losing. Everyone has to remember that they were once in the same position so they just have to be accepting I guess. Also, it takes two

in a team, don’t blame your other half because you’re “pro”. Thanks ;)

 

 

[SR]Misfortune, 2015