1- First of all, could you present youself and maybe add some background on yourself?
Hi, im mostly known as Divinity, and i'm from Portugal. I have 2 brothers who also used to play Populous ([AsG]Snak and Skylo].Firstly,  we all used to play under one account (Snak), then later each of us created their own account (my first nick was Nask, in 2006 or so).
I had many nicks, but my original account got deleted, and created the current one after. Some of my neighbours include Nici, Apcs, Lynk, Mercury, etc. I love Populous, that's it :D

 

2- What is so special about Populous, that other games don't have?
In my opinion, most games differ in units, main characters, etc. Populous is different - it mostly differs in the map/level, and for each map, a different strategy. It's very complete for a 1998 game, has great possibilities... The diffirent shapes of each levels offer the  possibility of many different strategies, using units and spells, it's epic.

 

3- What do you think about people wanting a Populous remake or even a Populous 4? And why?
I don't care if it is made or not. It's not needed, but i still would probably try it to see if it's good.
The game is really good like it is (maybe fix critical gliches, idk) but if it would make for granted a big  community, i wouldnt mind just a graphic update (graphic enhancement), since so many people nowadays only play for the graphics, and would most certainly avoid this game because it's from 1998...

 

4- What would you say to a newcomer that is just starting to play Populous in 2015?
I would say not to give up, try to play at least for 2 weeks. If after that you really did not enjoy the game, that's ok. If you having trouble, make sure to play the singleplayer first. Online-wise, one of the most important things is to build as many huts as you can, newcomers tend to forget that. Just try to learn from every defeat, and you will get there in some weeks. Enjoy.

 

5- What do you miss the most in the matchmaker?
Compared to m early days, i miss a really good set of firewarriors and shaman players being active, and having high rank games everytime.
Now, just like in early 2011, the ammount of high grades is not that big. As an example, i wish Nici would have 6 to 8 other good shamans active to keep having good games, yet the only worth skilled players are innactive and only play once in a while (addiction, etc). Good thing there are many preacher games, maybe some of them will get really good in the next months.

 

6- Top 5 or 10 best Populous players in 2015 (ordered or not)?
in 2015 im confident it's Nici, Spinnifix, Addiction, Aravinth and Sharingan. People like Keith52, Genesis, Vlek, etc are too inactive so ill not include them for now.

 

7- Most overrated and most underrated (like 5 of each) players in your opinion?
I have no idea, sorry :D

 

8- What are your best 5 or 10 online levels?
Probably Face Off, a Narrow Passage, Continental Division, Teleporting Islands, any SHamania or Challenge Worlds, 

 

9- What are your worst 5 or 10 online levels?
Tom, with this level of rustyness, i'd even say PP Cr or any map i just suck everywhere

 

10- What are your most hated 5 or 10 online levels?
4walls, can't think of anything else for now, i just hate that level for some reason

 

11- Best 5 clans (ordered) of all time?
Of all time i can't be sure, but ill try to say some really good clans(not ordered):
GoD, Rw, TDM, AsG, DT - each of this clans had times with really good activity and some of the best players.

 

12- Best 4 clans (ordered) in 2015?
This is not only in terms of skill, but activity and community help-wise:
GoD (good skill and the one of the highest activity), Rw (good skill, but rather innactive - still is kinda ok nowadays with Nici, Mirage and sometimes addiction, ra or macca), TAS (medium skill, high activity - it made some newbies rather good, it's always good to have a clan that helps people to improve.

 

13- You are mostly known as Divinity. What makes you change your nickname so many times?
Mostly for the lols. Sometimes i just change to random things, or funny things. SOmetimes i duo nick with someone (most likely Nici). It can be fun.

 

14- What are your favourite 5 allies?
Right now, Nici is the one i ally the most, i dont mind allying anyone. From all times, Apcs, Nici, D4D4 (for the bash), etc

 

15- What are your favourite 5 enemies?
Anyone, the higher rank they are, the better :D STOMP EVERYONE

 

16- Who would you most likely avoid to play with?
Alex (unless its a level where you can't rush or ruin the game in the first 2 minutes), other people that annoy me

 

17- How important using the forums?
Depends, some people just like to play, don't care about what's going on on the big picture...I don't think it's critical, but if you realy support Populous, want to help its promotion and are intersted in this community, you should be a forum reader.

 

18- What do you think is missing in Populous online?
Always been a small community, but its lacking GOOD players. There are only 5 - 7 good players nowadays, and they mostly dont log  in at the same time, so its hard to get a good game going these days.

 

19- Favourite spells?
i like the animation of Firestorm

 

20- In your opinion, what are the strongest spells, mana-cost effectiveness wise?
Blast, magical shield and landbridge. For singleplayer, swamp too

 

21- What is your favourite single player level?
Building Bridges

 

22- What do you think of the possibility of a Populous 4?
I stated before that i dont mind if there is or there isn't a Populous 4. I probably would play it to
see if it was good, though. Populous 3 is already so good...

 

23- What is the biggest challenge on changing between single player and online playing?
If all you played was Bullfrog's Single Player, you will take some games to adapt to the online gameplay. But if you really won all 25 levels, you are in a good way to be a fast learner, just build many troops, learn the strategies and watch streams. If you are a newcomer and didnt play the singleplayer, it will be harder and will take longer to learn, i reccomend you to play the SP first.

 

24- Do you recommend Populous?
Of course, i really hope many people play this game in future. It's my favourite game and i hope it never dies

25- What are the best ways of reaching a bigger community? How can Populous be promoted?
Probably smart or monetary promotions, or maybe active Populous complete streamers (webcam, commentary and good quality), this will keep people engaged and will want them to try the game.

 

26- How important is streaming for this community, or even for the promotion of Populous?
It's really important for when there are no games going, you can always watch a stream until you find a game. Also, low and medium ranks (and even high) should learn the gameplay from the high ranked streamers. It's always entertaining and educative to watch. Just wish more people would stream, mostly with webcam, commentary.

 

27- What would you like to see in Populous?
I would like to see high competition. 20 players with same or near skill as the top 5 players. That's what i would love to  see mostly.

 

28- What are your favourite clans, players, streamers, administrators and populous sites?
GoD xXx and PIG, Nici Maganha and all the PT playas :D, any admins, The Populous Bible, Pop Gallery, old and dead Populous Portugal site, any pop site actually

 

29- The Populous Bible was released, What do you think about it?
It's a nice and complete site, keep it up! Wish people would help you with content and interviews, always fun to read it.

 

30- Thank you for this interview. Anything you want to add? (:
Thank you for this interview, and i want to add that you guys should try my new SinglePlayer Populous: Countdown Challenge!
Cya

 

(31-09-2015)