TenTonHammer.com - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Questions by Cody “Micajah” Bye, Managing Editor
Answers by Tony “RadarX” Jones, Ten Ton Hammer’s Tabula Rasa Community Manager

On December 20, 2007, two of the Ten Ton Hammer staff members were immortalized in the world of massively multiplayer gaming. As long time members of the global EverQuest II community, the caricatures of Tony “RadarX” Jones and Dan “Coyote Sharptongue” Irving were introduced into the latest expansion of Legends of Norrath as playable cards in the online trading card game. Although Tony now works as Ten Ton Hammer's Tabula Rasa Community Manager, he was previously employed as the network's EverQuest II CM, and Dan "Coyote" Irving continues to serve as the outlet for all of the networks adult-slanted humor in his daily blog "Not Funny....Ever" (not safe for work).

As part of the Forsworn set of cards, RadarX and Coyote were some of the first volunteers to be selected by the SOE development team to receive this “thank you” gift in return for their years of hard work and diligence. Their facsimiles now adorn to actual in-game cards that can be pulled from any pack of the Forsworn set. To commemorate this exceptional occasion, the Ten Ton Hammer editorial staff took some time to interview Tony “RadarX” Jones and learn how an online leader for an MMOG community becomes a trading card. We've displayed all of the cards below, so make sure you check 'em out!

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Ten Ton Hammer: First, how were you selected to be made into a card for Legends of Norrath? What set you apart from every other blogger on the 'net?

Tony “RadarX” Jones: SOE has a program that brings together influential people within their game community who correspond at times to provide feedback.  Coyote and I just happened to be two of those people who were willing to act a little silly to help out.

The Legends of Norrath community cards.

Ten Ton Hammer: What sort of things have they asked you to provide feedback on in the past? How did you originally become a part of this group?

Tony: Community influencers are usually brought to summits where the topics cover how we perceive their marketing, what else they can provide the community, and how SOE can better understand its customers.  It's a varied mixture of network media (such as myself), bloggers, podcasters, and generally outspoken players.

Ten Ton Hammer: Why were their only eight individuals selected? What about the other community leaders?

Tony: The eight were just a few of the volunteers for the first round.  They were only able to produce so many special cards like this in one expansion. SOE intends to include other influencers in future expansions.  

Ten Ton Hammer: After you were selected, what did SOE need from you? A picture?

Tony: We took some pictures in various poses using a basic idea of what the card should look like.  SOE Denver took those and made what you see in the game. We even used props in some of them

Ten Ton Hammer: Hah! So what was your initial reaction to the idea?

Tony: I thought the idea was extremely awesome It's a simple thank you to people who invest their time and thoughts into making the community a better place

Ten Ton Hammer: Did you jump up and down and holler like a monkey? That's what I would've done…

Tony: *laughs* No, there was no hollering but I was very excited and humbled by the opportunity.  I mean we are IN the trading card game.  And these are GOOD cards too.

Ten Ton Hammer: Are you a rare? Or an uncommon? Or – *pauses for effect* – a common?

Tony: I don't think these are rare cards but just looking at the abilities and stats on them I have a feeling they are most certainly uncommon

Tony "RadarX" Jones

Ten Ton Hammer: *laughs* You are not unique. You are merely uncommon.

Tony: *laughs* Nah, I doubt they would've put us on a common card…

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you own a copy of the card yet?

Tony: I haven't found it yet...I've only got 4 booster packs but I'll get it. *crosses fingers*

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you typically buy your Legends of Norrath boosters? Or do you get them off drops?

Tony: I'd say it's probably 50/50.  Sometimes I'll see them drop or see a good price for them on the broker and scoop ‘em up.  At this point they are kind of pricey so I'm buying them out of my pocket.

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you think many people are actually playing the game while using the EQLive or EQ2 client? Or do they typically use the out of game browser?

Tony: I think most people are honestly using the stand alone client.  Even on a high resolution it still takes up most of your screen so it's impossible to do more than play LoN.

Ten Ton Hammer: Do you think the cross-genre promotion is working? It does seem to be the only true genre-blending TCG of its kind.

Tony: I think the promotion of it works because there are in game motivators.  They have some very cool loot you can pick up from cards and it gets people interested. Without those in-game motivators I think it would have a significantly lower impact on the average player.

Ten Ton Hammer: Like the loot cards?

Tony: Exactly. Loot cards brought them a whole group of players who would've never touched a TCG. They have mounts, cloaks, potions, and the Forsworn expansion even has cool house items

Ten Ton Hammer: And vice versa? Are there TCG players play EQLive or EQ2 that would've never touched an MMO?

Tony: I'm not so sure a TCG player might pick up EQ2 or EQLive because some of the rewards are usable in game.  Most TCG players I know are after the cool cards that make the game easier or items that give them an advantage.  I've seen them trading off decent loot cards for better TCG cards.

Ten Ton Hammer: So how would you recommend current EQLive or EQ2 players go about getting their faces on trading cards?

Tony: Get involved.  Voice your concerns (in constructive way), help people on the forums and in game, write some helpful guides.  If you are doing a lot, the community managers know who you are.

Dan "Coyote Sharptongue" Irving

Ten Ton Hammer: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the Ten Ton Hammer readers and/or the developers at SOE?

Tony: I do have a quote from Coyote if you want it about how he got choosen...


Ten Ton Hammer: And for yourself?

Tony: What would I like to tell readers and the Devs.  I want to thank the SOE Community Team for being one of the best teams I've seen in the industry.  Their dedication to their players is an example of what it really means to build a community.  We all know that SOE has been in some controversial situations over the years, but on a personal level they do care, and absorb feedback from even....a Coyote.

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