Q&A With Darmorque

May 9, 2012   |   By Matt

At BNID we love our users. We wanted to showcase some of the players making waves and punishing their enemies on Own This World. First – we had The Courier, next RCampbell and today we have Darmorque – currently First Advisor in the world (4th)

Q: Real life name/occupation

Michał Łysiak / Cabaret artist.

Q: How long have you been playing OTW

It’s hard to be precise here, but probably about 1,5 year. What I remember a bit better is the number of players in game. It was something about 3000…

Q: Where is your main battlefield?

Poland in general, but mainly south-eastern part of the country.

Q: Where did you first find out about OTW?

I’ve got no idea, to be honest. It was already quite some time ago… Probably found some information on one of iPhone-related web pages.

Q: Phone of choice?

iPhone 3GS

Q: Advice for new recruits just starting the game?

Making progress in the game is really time consuming, and new players shouldn’t walk away from game just because it’s hard for them to jump into top part of the table instantly. They should arm themselves with patience, and keep playing the way they like to. Results will come with time. And for me that’s one of the greatest values of OTW. No shortcuts for instant progress!

Q: You have amassed (as of mid May, 2012) over 5,000 territories!  Any strategies you wish to share on how you got there?

Nothing special here, but planning your travel route different way you did last time really helps! Moreover, I’ve found many exceptionally interesting places doing so! Thumbs up for exploring your neighborhoods!

Q: What’s your favourite attack you like to unleash on your enemies?

Usually Kamimaze makes it’s job very well, but it’s never bad to feel real nuclear power of The Red Button!

Q: Fill in the blank: I wish OTW could/had _______

I wish OTW could work in the background (talking about iOS5 version). It would allow use of OTW and, for example, turn by turn navigation at the same time. Now to check the route while traveling you have to minimize the OTW app, switch to navigation app, see what you want to see, and then switch OTW back. It’s quite uncomfortable when driving a car, and capturing the provinces halts for the time the OTW is being minimized and therefore inactive. I’d be glad to see some improvements in this area.

Q&A With Richard Campbell

April 30, 2012   |   By Matt

At BNID we love our users. We wanted to showcase some of the players making waves and punishing their enemies on Own This World. First – we had The Courier – now 2nd in line – RCampbell

Q: Real life name/occupation

Richard Campbell, host of .NET Rocks (www.dotnetrocks.com), The Tablet Show (www.thetabletshow.com) and RunAs Radio (www.runasradio.com)

(BNID side note: Listen to our own nerd Paul chat with Richard and Carl about Own This World on The Tablet Show)

Q: How long have you been playing OTW

January 2011, but it feels like forever.

Q: Where is your main battlefield?

THE WORLD. Well, I live in Vancouver, but I travel a lot, so I collect squares all over. I have squares in a dozen countries!

Q: Where did you first find out about OTW?

John Bristowe’s blog post about OTW, Jan 2011.

Q: Phone of choice?

Nokia 800, Windows Phone 7 (of course!)

Q: Advice for new recruits just starting the game?

This is a marathon, not a sprint, and the game is won on the edges. So get off the highway and get to work!

Q: Twitter/Facebook/Other social media users can follow you?

@richcampbell on twitter

Q: You have amassed (as of mid April, 2012) over 5,000 territories!  Any strategies you wish to share on how you got there?

Get off the beaten path and explore the world. You’ll have a good time and see things you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Q: What’s your favourite attack you like to unleash on your enemies?

Poison Food. What, there are other attacks?

Q: Fill in the blank: I wish OTW could/had _______

A reason for my friends to play. Nobody who lives near me would want to play against me, I’m mean. OTW is pretty much the opposite of a social game. It’s an OCD game.

Interview with The Courier

April 23, 2012   |   By Kevin

At BNID we love our users. We wanted to showcase some of the players making waves and punishing their enemies on Own This World.

For the inaugural interview we’re talking with The Courier:

Q: Real life name/occupation

A: John/Senior Operations Program Manager @ Microsoft.

Q: How long have you been playing OTW

A: 18 months or so.

Q: Where is your main battlefield?

Washington State. But I consider the world my battleground

Q: Where did you first find out about OTW?

My old manager in the Bay Area turned me onto the game. We had about seven people who played in my office… it was fun. The Bay Area is a challenging place to play (Juicy, Venom, ddenboer, etc)

Q: Phone of choice?

Samsung Focus/Nokia Lumia 900 — Windows Phone both

Q: Advice for new recruits just starting the game?

Look for territories that have not had any recent activity. Grab those territories and any that you regularly travel through. Take the path less travelled! Once you get to 100 territories that you can hold onto you are getting to the point where you can unleash your might against your foes! Joining an alliance with like minded players has been a benefit for me as well.

Q: You have amassed (as of mid April, 2012) 7,562 territories – and at one point the ruler of the entire world!  Any strategies you wish to share on how you got there?

Remember the game is a marathon, not a sprint and that it is much easier accumulating territories than holding them. Having a wife who loves roadtrips is awesome . Having a son who is a master at playing the game while I drive has worked very well for me (thanks Dean!). And of course research your “war-drives” before you head out. My motto used to be “I don’t discriminate, I attack everyone” and that served me quite well as I was growing my total. I’ve mellowed a bit now and take it easier on new players or players that I like.

Q: What’s your favourite attack you like to unleash on your enemies?

I poison other players food so much I almost feel guilty. Almost…

Q: Fill in the blank: I wish OTW could/had _______

I’d love more BI (business intelligence) in the game. For example what is the most contested square in the world? Who is the most active player in a day/week/month, what country has the most free territories, heat maps that show activity or lack thereof, etc.