Trading Card Spotlight - Tina McVey
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Tina McVey, who currently is displayed on card number 230, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection. Tina has been a huge contributor to the success of the Walter Day collection and devoted activist to events Walter has organized. Some of these events include the International Video Game Hall of Fame launch party in 2009, the Big Bang event in Ottumwa, IA in 2010 and multiple functions across the Midwest. Tina also a huge supporter of her husband Tim and promotes his Nibbler events and organizes a yearly event celebrating Tim Mcvey Day. You can also see Tina playing the latest Video games on console and PC.
Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?
I think a lot of parents see them as built in babysitters, and that's wrong. Tim used to play a lot of Call of Duty and the things that would come out of some of those kids mouths. And it was because the parents were nowhere around.
Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?
Probably Zelda, sitting there playing that thing for hours sometimes days, I remember making a map of the main screen so I would know where to go.
What are your opinions about today’s generation of video games? How do you compare them to older, classic games?
Games have come such a long way from a paddle hitting a dot back and forth, when you can see the hairs on a person's face move now you know that games are advancing.
Did you ever think when you were younger you would be on a Video game Trading card?
Um no, but I like the idea now that they tell a little about the person on the back and what they are best known for. Kind of like the baseball/football cards.
Have you ever received any media coverage for your appearance on the Trading Card? If so, where?
Not me so much, more my husband I'm tagging along. I support him and what he has done over the years.
When did you first meet Walter day and where was it at?
At his house in Fairfield, we were on our way to a convention in Chicago. And boy did that trip change everything.
If you could describe Walter Day in one word, what would that word be and why?
Humble, he never has a unkind word to say about anyone, and if it were not for him a lot of gamers would not of had a place to go all those years ago.
Are you still involved with gaming today, and what role do you play?
I play games when I have the time, but mainly I am there for support for Tim.
What is your favorite portable gaming device and why?
My tablet. I had a 3DS but I just didn’t play it a lot so I sold it.
Do you prefer PC or Console gaming and why?
I guess it depends on the game really, I love playing Diablo 3 on the PC. But there are games like the Lego games that I play on console.
What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?
Diablo, Lego, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Skylanders, and Disney Infinity.
If you could own one arcade game or pinball game, what would it be and why?
I just told Tim when we went out to StarWorlds Arcade recently out of everything they have out there, I played more Contra then anything.
Growing up were you team Sega or Nintendo and why?
Both. I loved Zelda. But I played a lot of Populous and Sonic.
What does it take to be a Video Game Journalist?
I think to know about games themselves, you don’t have to know how to make them but know about all kinds of games even the ones that suck.
Do you believe some Video Games are too violent and lead to violence in America today?
Some are violent but I think that if you’re a good enough person and don't let things get inside your head then you can't blame a game because of it.
Do you prefer playing video games alone, against friends or online against the world and why?
It depends, I used to play Guitar Hero and had a friend come over and he kept saying doink doink every time I missed the notes, it stopped me from playing haven't played since.
Which company makes the best games and why?
I think Naughty Dog. I loved the Uncharted series
Do you learn anything from playing video games?
Yeah that I get motion sickness ALOT
Are video games good for relieving stress?
Sometimes; because you can just go beat the crap out of something and not worry about going to jail for it
Do you like it when Hollywood makes a movie from the video game?
Grrr this is a tuffy, because I learned they were doing a Uncharted movie and they should of gotten the same person that does the voice to be Nathan Drake, instead yeah they didn't, and I'm not happy about it.
Who is your favorite video game character and what makes that character special?
Nathan Drake (Uncharted Series) cause he just has this carefree I don't care attitude.
What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘video games’?
Something that is supposed to be FUN, be enjoyable be entertaining, bring people together and let them have a good time. When it stops being that it’s time to pull the plug.
Of these five elements video games, which is the most important to you and why? Gameplay, Atmosphere, Music, Story, Art style?
Story, if it doesn’t have a good story from the start middle to the end then what’s the point, it should take you on a journey and make you feel like you’re a part of the game.
Do you find boss battles to be the best part of a video game?
Hack and slash get the frustration out somehow
What is your favorite singe player game and favorite multiplayer game?
Don’t know if I have a single player one. I love Earthbound. I have finished that more times than any other game I have played even Zelda
If you can design your own game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?
This I have no idea, I am not a designer, that is what all those kids that are out there with all those crazy ideas that we will see 10, 20 years down the road. The detail of the games will be so amazing it will make the games now look like pong of our generation.
Where do you see Video gaming in the next 20 years?
So far out of where they are now, that its mind blowing