Trading Card Spotlight "Rewind" - Mathieu Hunter

Here is my interview with  Mathieu Hunter I did on March 19th, 2016.  Mathieu gave a great interview filled with very cool information.  Talks about being a huge Super Mario fan as well as recording speed runs to try to break world records.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mathieu Hunter, who currently is displayed on card number 634, from the Superstars of 2014 Collection.  Mathieu is currently working as a game tester in Canada, which he has been for the last 5 years and is aspiring to get into game design.  Mathieu held a previous world record on the original Super Mario Bros (Super Mario All-Stars version).  He loves to do speed running record attempts and he also showcases this ability in video gaming events all through Canada.  Mathieu also has a hobby in skateboarding. 

Do you remember your first video game you played and what do you remember about it?

Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt when I was three. Me and my brother were at some daycare at a fancy restaurant and we played there while my parents had diner. I don't remember much about this first experience aside that I loved playing these games.

What are your opinions about today’s generation of video games?  How do you compare them to older, classic games?

I believe the market is over-saturated and that people don't give enough attention to the games they play. Also, games usually come out with tons of glitches and require multiple patches to work in the first few weeks of release, which I'm not a big fan of. Since I speed run games, I just tend to go back to a few classics/good modern games and play them for countless hours. Other than that, I still have a huge gaming backlog to go through so I don't really see the need to follow newer releases.

If you could describe Walter Day in one word, what would that word be and why?

Generous since he pushed Twin Galaxies for decades on his own time.

Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play? 

I am going back to my game testing job soon and I plan on studying game design starting in October. I hope I'll get to have a say in how some games are created and avoid many pitfalls in which I believe a lot of games fall these days.

What is your favorite portable gaming device and why?

I'm not a huge fan of portable consoles but the good old Gameboy was a big part of my childhood. Pokémon Blue/Yellow/Silver was just a blast to play with friends.

Do you prefer PC or Console gaming and why?

I've been a console player for the most part until very recently, but I do enjoy what each platform has to offer. Since I'm speed running classic titles, I just can't switch completely to PC, ever.

What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?

I love a huge variety of games and genres, whether they are shooters, puzzle games, racing games, adventure games, sports games (mostly skateboarding ones), etc. Recently, I've been playing a lot of Ocarina of Time for speed runs (started 3 years ago), Rocket League, Metal Gear Solid V as well as Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes. This last one is particularly a breath of fresh air in gaming in my opinion.

If you could own one arcade game or pinball game, what would it be and why?

DDR Extreme because it gets your cardio going as well as being super fun.

Growing up were you team Sega or Nintendo and why?

I never was a big fan boy of either console but I did grow up playing SNES games until I got a PlayStation, and then an Xbox. I did get to play the Genesis at a family's house and highly enjoyed it and I got a Game Gear too, so I pretty much had the best of both worlds.

What does it take to be a Video Game Journalist?

A love for gaming, a high critical vision of the games you play and being able to express what you feel about the games you play.

Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?

All of the above. There are now game experiences for all age groups I believe, and it's slowly becoming 

Do you believe some Video Games are too violent and lead to violence in America today?

Some games do rely on extreme violence to sell, but I don't believe this leads to anything other than an outlet through which any negativity can be expelled through. I see this as being as much of threats as violent movies are (and there is a LOT of them out there).

Do you prefer playing video games alone, against friends or online against the world and why?

It really depends on my mood. I love playing Counter-Strike with a bunch of friends, building my Mother Base in Metal Gear Solid V or just racing games with other speed runners. Each way of playing games bring something different to the mix.

Which company makes the best games and why?

Kojima Productions. Although it is a bit early to call how good this studio will be after departing Konami, the attention to details in Kojima's games are just above and beyond other games out there.

Do you learn anything from playing video games?

I actually learned English through reading text in Final Fantasy VII and speaking to other people in Counter-Strike.

Are video games good for relieving stress?

Some games are perfect for that yes. However, I would say more relaxing games like Gone Home, Broken Age, and FEZ (among many others) are better for that than fast-paced games obviously.

Do you like it when Hollywood makes a movie from the video game?

When they don't rush it and stay true to the franchise, yes. However, I still can't believe Nemesis cried at the end of Resident Evil 2, which made me really angry at the time.

Who is your favorite video game character and what makes that character special?

Probably Dante from Devil May Cry because of his unmatched arrogance that makes cut scenes so fun to watch.

Of these five elements video games, which is the most important to you and why?  Gameplay, Atmosphere, Music, Story, Art style

Gameplay, hands down. The best example is The Impossible Game.

Do you find boss battles to be the best part of a video game?

It depends in which game but they are usually a high point of any game that has them. If your boss battle is long and tedious, however, this makes it one of the most annoying parts.

What is your favorite single player game and favorite multiplayer game?

My favorite single player game will always be Super Mario Bros and I would say Counter-Strike is my favorite multiplayer game.

If you can design your own game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?

I have been thinking about game ideas for a while but I have not come up with a story-driven game so far. I do know that I want to bring fresh idea in the gaming world and surprise people, so I would definitely work hard to do just that if I could only come up with a single game.

Where do you see video gaming in the next 20 years?

I have no clue. I guess Virtual Reality might be a bigger thing, production value will go up and new types of experiences will have made their mark on the industry. I also hope zombies-themed games will get a much needed break.