1.) How'd you get started in the WebMistress Game??

I was a fan of games – arcade, consoles, computers – since I was 9-years-old. While covering E3 ’99 for my former employer – The Houston Chronicle – I checked out Nocturne by Terminal Reality. The game blew me away! I talked to them and Gathering of Developers a few months later about creating a fan site for it. They agreed, poor devils.

2.) Wanna make out??

Aren’t you married?

3.) How in the world do you keep up with the schedule you have??

Hell, I don’t know! I’m in corporate public relations for a multibillion software company. I’m the site director for the 3DactionPlanet. I own and run Spookhouse and Ragnarok. I freelance for GameSpy. <thinking> I guess I’m very good at multitasking. Or I’m on an acid trip and I haven’t come down yet! Just kidding. Drugs are bad. Say no to drugs…until you’re old enough to use them if you feel like it.

4.) Wanna make out??

LOL! Go take a shower!

5.) How did you come about owning multiple websites?

I wanted to do more than read news about my favorite games and developers. It made sense to use my reporting experience to create sites of my own. In the end, I’m still a journalist supplying information to readers. The difference now is it’s on a more personal level. I’ve made friends out of “sources” and other game fans. That feels pretty damn good.

6.) Feel like making out yet??

Not tonight, honey, I have a headache. <snicker>

7.) What's the most annoying thing to deal with as a WebMistress? (beside people like me:^)

Damn…how much space do you have on your server?

It really varies. With the three sites I run, I get tons of email every day. Some people don’t seem to realize I have a life outside of the Internet. They get upset if I don’t respond to their email in the same day, or if I don’t post something they’ve sent me immediately. Things outside my control, such as server trouble, can add to my stress. But that would occur if I were only running one Web site.

8.) List people you wanna make out with.

LOL! Um…you mind narrowing the field down, please? Sheesh…Are you asking who in the gaming industry I want to “make out” with, or movie stars, or musicians, or fictional characters?

I’ll take the category your readers would get hot about: fictional characters.

I’d definitely make the Stranger from Nocturne my love slave. Ragnar, the hero in RUNE, is supposed to be 16-years-old so I wouldn’t want to go to Viking prison. And there’s something about Gordon Freeman from Half-Life…I dunno what it is. Basically, if the guy were dark, brooding and deadly, I’d want to bring him to his knees.

9.) Does your husband / Boyfriend still nag you to "Get off that damn computer before I break it" now that your a famous WebMistress.

I’m divorced and there’s no boyfriend. And any man that dared threaten to break my computer would find his balls dangling from my rearview mirror.

10.) If you don't have a husband or boyfriend. . . do you want one??

That depends. Can he kick my ass in Unreal Tournament?

11.) Any tips you can give the WebMistress' in training . . . .

First know that you’re going to end up working long hours to get your site going. So if you’re one of those prissy chicks who can’t stand to see dark circles under her eyes, don’t bother get into this.

Second, develop a VERY tough skin. Gamers don’t give a shit if you had a bad hair day. People will complain, whine, get angry, blame you – hell, the whole gamut of other people’s emotions will come at you. Deal with it and move on.

Finally, don’t wait for news to happen. Keep your site fresh and interesting by creating content that will help through the dry spells.

12.) Why Nocturne, and Rune??

I love games with a story. If a developer can immerse me in what I see on the screen, then I’m a fan for life. RUNE appeals to my interest in Viking lore. I like the idea of muscled men battling for honor and justice! And those HUGE, manly weapons <faint>

On the other side of the spectrum is Nocturne. THAT game got me in the heart. I’m into stories with vampires, werewolves, and ghouls. Yes, I have a collection of Anne Rice (The Vampire Chronicles) and Brian Lumley (The Necroscope Series) books. I check out movies that fit this theme. I collect Spawn comics and action figures. It was a natural fit.

13.) Is the whole "Dark Mistress" thing a front so that you don't have to make out with me??

I’m not a hardcore dominatrix, if that’s what you’re curious about. J Like most people, I have a “dark” side. There are things I’m interested in, and things I’ve done, that makes this persona fit me well. My coworkers at my day job have taken to calling my office the “Dark Domain” for its collection of Spawn stuff and the music I listen to. Oh, and I turn all the lights off except one desk lamp which is pointing towards the ceiling. They’d be scared shitless if they didn’t see me walk out into sunlight at lunch every day!

13.) Do you think Jeff "Smitty" Smith from Terminal Reality (now with GoD ) is sexy?? ...I do.

Smitty is now married, so I won’t answer that. J But, I’ve noticed most game companies  have some extremely sexy guys working there. They’re all jailbait, but they’re nice to look at!

14.) Drink of Choice

The boys at Human Head will back me on this one: Tequila shots, baby! No salt, but I take a lime.

15.) What kinda drinks get you in the mood to make out?

I don’t need to drink to get in the mood to make out. If I want you, you’ll know.

16.) Tunes of Choice

I’m into industrial techno, as well as an assortment of other styles. It’ll be easier if I tell you what I’m listening to now: Korn, Covenant, Massive Attack, the End of Days soundtrack, Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails, Front Line Assembly, Rob Zombie, Velvet Acid Christ, the 13^th Warrior soundtrack, God Lives Underwater, and Die Krupps.

17.) What kinda music do you like to listen to. . . when you’re making out??

I’m not thinking  about music when I’m making out…. 

(~Editor~ *note to self. . . remember to ask what she is thinking about next interview*)

18.) Stud of Choice ( ahem, this should be obvious. . . . .  )

LOL! These questions are hilarious! While I can honestly say there are MANY studs in the gaming industry that could fit the bill, I’m going with Hollywood: Patrick Stewart (YES, Capt. Picard, and soon to be Professor Xavier in the “X-Men” movie). That man makes my knees buckle.

Hahaha…I wish I could tell you. But it would be like telling male gamers Lara Croft isn’t real. I have to keep something a mystery in this interview!

20.) What does a "Crazy Wench" like you do for fun when your not working on all them websites??

Fun? Hmmm…I recently went to see “The Road to El Dorado.” I love anime and animation. Sometimes being alone rocks! The theater was packed with families. But, being solo, I had no trouble finding a seat. I also read a lot. I play hockey when I can, and am currently watching my Detroit Red Wings as they try to regain the Stanley Cup! I grew up in Detroit, so my heart is with that team.

21.) Do you have a Date for E3 yet???

No.

21b.) Do you want one??

LOL! A scheduling conflict will make it difficult for me to make E3 this year. So far, I’m not going. But if something changes at the last minute, I’ll let you know. J

22.) Steve Gibson over at the Shugashack is a BIG "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" nut, what TV show brings all things to a halt for you.....

“La Femme Nikita” on the USA Network. I don’t watch TV except for that one show.

Now that I’ve seen the industry through the eyes of developer friends I don’t mind being blunt here.

I would get rid of the preferential treatment game magazines have over online media. By this I’m mostly speaking of the ass sucking some publishers do to get “good press” for their games. They sell their souls – and in my opinion, their developers – to Satan just for a blurb in “insert name of popular game magazine here.” Months later, these same magazines who’ve been getting ALL the top exclusive, “behind-the-scenes” information on “Game X” reviews it and slams it hard. So after all the months of being the magazine’s bitch, the publishers realize they have a pr nightmare on their hands. No shit.

Fan sites, like mine, go in and support a developer and a game from day one. Sometimes we are able to snag a screenshot or sound file or interview because the developer appreciates what we’re trying to do. But the real goodies are controlled by the publisher.

I know it comes down to getting a game as much exposure as possible. But when a magazine doesn’t have to do a damn thing but BE there to have a publisher prostitute itself in the hopes of free advertising, I get angry. The hours, days, weeks and months an average fan spends supporting the game online is often ignored.

I’ve been fortunate to have Human Head support Ragnarok, and Terminal Reality support Spookhouse. But so many good fan sites for other games don’t get squat.

Hmmm…can you tell you struck a cord? J

People want to really know about you. . . . and I figured since we are so close and all, you

would tell my readers a little something about yourself that they might not know ( like the

fact that you and I are "romantically involved" ).

<Grin> I have a weakness for Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses. Not the kind with almonds, or that horrid white-chocolate swirl!  

Wow........ I am sure that you are all aware of the HUGE crush I have on this woman ( can a guy still get a crush on someone at my age??). And I seem to have this whole "making out" fetish going!!!  

It's obvious from the good natured responses to some pretty retarded questions, that Kazi-Wren is a cool chick. Heh, I said chick. . . funny how brave I am when she's not in the room.

I am telling you now, if you haven't seen what this woman brings to the game. . then get over to

If that doesn't turn your crank. . . head on out to the Officially Sanctioned RUNE site and see what she's up to

And finally the ULTRA COOL. . . . ( I never woulda made it through Nocturne with out this site. . really :^)

There will also be screenshots posted EVERY Thursday until E3 of the new 3rd Person game RUNE. . so look here

I want to thank Kazi-Wren PERSONALLY for allowing me to drool on her through this whole interview thingy...... Not many people are as easy going as she was about this whole deal. I am very impressed with this individual on many levels. . . . which doesn't happen often. Thanks.

(* someone plleeaassseee get me a towel for all this slobber *)