Interview with an Omeganaut
I had a bit of one-on-one time with Sam Robinson, one of this year's Omeganauts. Check out the cool perks, the high-tense experience, and the all around awesomness of being chosen as an Omeganaut.Flying Maiden: How many Omeganauts were there and how were you chosen?
Sam Robinson: There were 20 of us. I was chosen at random from all the people who pre-registered.
FM: How did you find out you were chosen and what was your reaction to the news?
SR: I got a call really late one night. I was tired so I didn't know if it was really happening. I got an email a few weeks later, so it finally set in.
FM: When did you find out about the list of games for the competition?
SR: *laughs* I moved to Seattle two days before PAX. I don't really go to the website too often, so when I moved in with my roomates they told me the list was up. I was called stupid on countless occasions. My roomates shoved the games in my face and all I did was train for the whole two days before PAX.
FM: What were some of the perks of being an omeganaut?
SR: There were a lot! I got into events before anyone else and I got to bring a friend with me. There were times when the exhibition room was full I got to go in anyways. The concerts were the best, because I was front and center every night with my friends. I also met this really hot chick, so the omeganaut thing kind of made me an instant babe magnet, because that meant she got all the perks too.
FM: Were there any downsides?
SR: Stress. My gamer tap was "Too good to sleep" because I anticipated staying up all night practicing, which is what I did. So I guess getting very little sleep was also a downside. Needless to say, this was heavily outweighted by the pluses.
FM: Were you well prepared for the competition?
SR: I got first place in geometry wars after only playing it for two days, but I don't really play a lot of FPS on the PC so that really screwed me.
FM: What round were you knocked out of?
SM: Round 3, Quake II. I finished 9th place with the top 8 moving on. My roomates keep reminding me I was 2 kills away from winning a car.
FM: How was it playing with Gabe and Tycho in Quake II?
SR: It didn't lead to my downfall, but they were really good and finished in the top tiere.
FM: Were there any unexpected surprises during the competition?
SR: I did well in geometry wars after playing a handfull of times. What was sad was seeing the rounds after I had already lost, when I know I could have beat them. The final round surprised me, because people are apparently not good at tetris
FM: Any final thoughts?
SR: Being an omeganaut is like you're famous but without actually having to do anything. It was definately a once in a lifetime experience.