Sunday, February 1st, 2009
Issue: 111   Editor: NyxxieIn3D


The Interview with BSF2000 NyxxieIn3D
After nearly asking for a good two years, BSF2000 has finally given in and accepted the Buzz's request for a one on one interview! We are very excited and were looking forward to this exact moment for many, many issues! We were contemplating whether or not to do this in an interview-format or an article format and thought it would of been easier for you all if we presented the interview the way it went exactly.

The interview began on Saturday, January 31st at 4:00pm and continued for about 40 minutes. The questions were gathered together by all the Buzz writers, some were omitted due to privacy issues (example: "How much do you make in a year?" -- sorry folks- this remains to be none of our business!) while others were omitted while the interview continued as BSF2000 answered them in previous replies to questions we already asked him. Other questions were introduced as the interview went on if an elaboration of the question prior seemed to be needed.

The Buzz: Let's start off with the basics! Why did it take you this long to be interviewed for the Buzz and what made you finally give in?

BSF2000: To be honest, I really don't know why I never did and interview before. When the Buzz first started, I don't specifically remember the writers asking me to do one. As time went on, I guess it just became habit. However, I've seen how people put in a lot of time and effort in to releasing a Buzz every week. I think the Buzz is a great part of the game, and the least I could do is agree to an interview. So I finally decided to

The Buzz: Let's back track a bit, How long did it take you to code the entire game, by the time it was fully up and running for the first round? How many people were involved in the first creating of the game and are some of them still around to this day?

BSF2000: Let's see how good my memory is, hah. I don't have an exact time frame for you, but my guess would be a few months. I used to play a similar game that started charging to even play. So a couple of friends and I decided to make one for free (later with the option to pay, but not required). I think the original team consisted of gonzo, Brand83187, brightstar, fixxer, and I. We began throwing our ideas around in a private forum sometime in early summer of 2003. By the end of September 2003, the first version of the game was released to the public. Admittedly, the game was full of bugs and it sure has come a long way since then, but it was a functioning game. And I do see a few old faces every now and then. I'm not sure how serious they are about the game anymore, but they are around.

The Buzz: The time has finally come to fess up! What does BSF really stand for and why did you choose this as your name? What were your other ideas for names to use?

BSF2000: The million dollar question already? Bible Study Fellowship, Bean Scripting Framework, Britney Spears Fan, Boy Sets Fire, Bass Sea Fisher, the list goes on and on. Everyone seems to be having a good time guessing, I'm not about to spoil the fun! But I will say I chose it mostly so people I knew prior to Bootleggers would recognize me. And as far as other names, I really didn't have any in mind. I usually use BSF2000 or my real name.

The Buzz: Okay, ill get back to that question later, then! But I will not give up! What have you learned over the course of the years, regarding the game and what would you have done differently and why?

BSF2000: Don't hold your breath! Wow, tough question. I think it's fair to say I have definitely learned a lot. I guess what I appreciate the most is how much I have learned about people. It's not easy to make a group of people happy. No matter what I do to the game, some people are going to love it and some people are going to hate it. But in all honesty, I love the diversity in Bootleggers and I love meeting players from all over the world and love hearing their opinions. It's great. I have also learned a lot about trust, and that is one thing I think I may have done differently. I think I trusted the wrong people for too long of a time in regards to some Ex-EG members. But we all make mistakes, it's just a matter of how we grow from them.

The Buzz: That's a good quote to live by. Any names you'd like to bring up?! Haha, joking... or am I? Moving on! Out of all the features Bootleggers has to offer, what was the feature that was most fun for you to work on? What feature was the most tedious and hardest to work on?

BSF2000: Hah, I'm not about to throw names out :-P But I'm sure the people I'm talking about know who they are as well as the players who were around at the time. As far as the most fun feature for me to work on, I'd have to say Missions. It was a revolutionary feature for browser based mafia games and I was really excited to release it. At the time, most interactions were done player-to-player. This added a new aspect which allowed players to interact with the game itself. I think it is in need of some reviving, but maybe that's something you can hold your breath for :-) As far as the most tedious, I'd have to say Poker. It becomes complicated when you involve four people in the same game, but I think it definitely adds to the fun. That's a feature I'd also like to revisit and enhance, but at this time, I have other features on my priority list. Someday, though!

The Buzz: Well, while you put yourself on the subject, can you give us a hint of some new features to come and/or the features that are in the works of being upgraded?

BSF2000: Ah, I never like giving hints, but I'll see what I can do. There are some awesome features coming up that I'm excited for. The EG has it's plate full! I'll be honest in saying Missions are going to get an upgrade. I'm not going to say when or how, but they're on the way! There will also be a completely new feature emerging, but probably not for a few months. I am extremely excited to get it released, but at this time I prefer to keep it secret. As far as what Sabin has in mind, I guess you'll have to ask him!

The Buzz: Ooh, the players did state they wanted mission upgrades, and it's good to see that you are aware and listening! Do you have a daily schedule to keep you motivated and on task or do you work when you want?

BSF2000: I always read about what the players have to say, whether they know it or not :-) I used to work when I wanted, but I realized it wasn't a very productive way of doing things. With the help of an awesome HDO, *cough*, I now have a schedule that I stick to on a weekly basis. I treat it like a real 9-5 job now. I think it's been working out great!

The Buzz: Since you do, contrary to what players may think, follow what happens in your game, what events in Bootleggers history stick out in your mind and why?

BSF2000: I don't necessarily follow all of the specific events such as crew takeovers, etc. I more follow how stable the economy is staying. I'd say the second quarter of 2006 is one I particularly remember. This was a time when the game was becoming infested with cheaters. I don't see this as a positive time in Bootleggers history, but I am glad to see that with the help of some loyal players, the game has turned around and the amount of cheats have diminished significantly.

The Buzz: As you brought it up... Over the course of the years, Bootleggers has been involved in some big bugs and exploits. Which one was the hardest to defeat and find a fix for and why?

BSF2000: The multiple-browser exploit was a tough one. Mostly because it was hard to discover. Everything code-wise was correct, but money and points were still being exploited. After discovery, a solution was also hard to find. However, after many hours of work with the EG, a few solutions were found and have been implemented.

The Buzz: And despite the cheaters and exploiters, are you proud of the game and community Bootleggers has turned into? Why or Why not?

BSF2000: Definitely! I think the Bootleggers community is filled with some wonderful people. I don't believe Bootleggers would have survived as long as it has without such a great community. It seems that the players do their best to outcast cheaters/exploiters and always try to inform me of them. They are a big help. I am also happy to see what the game has become. It has come so far and with the help of the entire community, I hope to see it go even further!

The Buzz: Even so... Bootleggers is filled with some pretty strange people, all who have knowledge of the Bootleggers P.O. Box, which you probably visit often. What is the strangest thing you received in your PO BOX by a player?

BSF2000: I don't know if it was necessarily the strangest, but I do remember a player sending me a letter asking me to fix his specific issue. I was a bit disappointed that he wasn't able to receive the help he wanted through the Help Desk, but with the new Help Desk Sabin has implemented as well as the great operators we have now, I don't think this should be a problem anymore.

The Buzz: And with players knowledge of your P.O. Box, have you ever faced some serious issues involving a player that forced you to go to the police? Ever had any BL player threat you by phone or hate mail?

BSF2000: Not really, no. I have received a few threatening voicemails, but none of which were worth perusing with the police. Anyone can act tough over the phone, it's not something I'm going to worry about.

The Buzz: That's good to hear. In your wildest dreams, did you expect the Game to grow and improve as much as it has? What motivates you to keep trying to make Bootleggers better?

BSF2000: Again, not really. I started Bootleggers with a few online friends in the hopes of giving us a free place to play. I didn't expect such a large crowd to follow. I am happy where Bootleggers has gone, though. And as far as motivation, I guess I would have to say living up to expectations. Bootleggers was one of the original browser based mafia games and continues to be a dominating one. I would hate to have it go downhill as many others have. I enjoy seeing how far it can be taken and don't expect to quit any time soon.

The Buzz: And finally, the floor is all yours. What else do you want to tell the players before the interview ends?

BSF2000: I'd like to thank them for helping make Bootleggers everything it is today. Whether you are a new or old player, you are important to the continued success of Bootleggers. I'd ask for patience in new features/updates and not to immediately mark "change" with "bad." Myself, and the rest of the Elite Guard, do take in to consideration what the players want. However, sometimes we, and other players, just disagree. We always do what we think is best for the game, though, and we hope you understand. I'd also like to say I'm excited for some upcoming additions, and I hope to see you all around in the near future!

The Buzz: Haha! Fooled you, matey! Interview not done. Now fess up! What does BSF really mean and why 2000?

BSF2000: I told you not to hold your breath, and I meant it ;-) Take it easy!



If you had a chance to ask BSF2000 any other questions, what would they be? Post them below and you never know if you may get a reply here, or in future interviews! A big thank you to BSF2000, we appreciate you taking the time out for an interview!