To the gaming world at large, Jessica Chobot is a familiar name. In her employment working for gaming network, IGN, she's managed to fly around the world and cover some amazing events and stories. From interviewing developers to testing exclusive games and even co-writing Soul Code, a movie script, there's very little that seems to slow her down. Gaming Revolutions was fortunate enough to recently secure some time with Ms. Chobot to ask some questions about what really makes her tick, her interests and why she does what she does.
Interview Questions
1. In regards to the infamous PSP licking picture, do you have any regrets over doing that or would you have done it differently? Also how did the pic get noticed in the first place amongst everything else on the Interwebs?
A. Nope. I’m pretty content how the picture turned out and everything that followed afterwards. I’m not sure why this specific picture drew so much attention. I have various theories.
2. Where do you see the gaming culture, as it stands today, heading? Do you see it becoming more socially acceptable and not just a geeky thing for people with little social skills as is the stereotype?
A. I certainly see it becoming more accessible and acceptable. As my generation gets older and have kids, I think you’ll start to see gaming become a mainstay within the household because, at this point, parents will understand and play videogames along side their kids.
3. In Australia, we’re currently lobbying for an 18+ rating on games. GTA IV before its release has already been censored. What are your views on censorship and is it getting out of hand with the OFLC banning games like Dark Sector prior to release and making the developers forsake their vision of the game by changing some content?
A. I think a ratings system is perfectly acceptable. Some games are simply not age-appropriate for youngsters and parents should be informed on what they’re letting their children buy and bring home.
However, with that being said, I’m not for censoring and banning games due to content. A combination of rating systems and parental controls should be more than enough. If an under age child manages to get their hands on an 18+ rated game, then at this point the parents have no one to blame but themselves.
Companies shouldn’t be forced by the government to babysit children. That’s a parent’s job.
4. The Jessica Chobot fan site was great. Where did that get to? It appears to be defunct?
A. I think the individual who was running it just got bored with it. While it was a great site for pictures, there wasn’t much in the way of content that one couldn’t readily access at IGN or from my personal blog.
5. Is Japan the Mecca it seems to be for all things gaming or is the true hub somewhere else that receives little attention?
A. Personally, I have to stick by Japan for this one. I also wouldn’t limit it as a Mecca for all things gaming, but would extend that to all things “geek.” One trip to Akihabara and you’d quickly see why.
6. It’s fantastic that you as a female and the Frag Dolls are continuously breaking the “all gamers are males” stereotypes, what do you think is missing from the gaming world to attract more females or do you think it’s slowly gaining momentum with the Nintendo DS series of Imagine titles and Touch Generations?
A. As far as I can tell, the female demographic within gaming is continuously expanding. What makes it an uphill battle though is the male chauvinism within the industry (everything from focused male-only advertising by big name companies to aggressive and vicious game-related message boards).
But it’s not all the men’s fault that women shy away from the gamer culture. I think that within their own “world,” female-oriented sites/magazine/advertising/ect… dig their own graves by assuming that there is only one type of female out there: The girly girl. Not every chick on Earth enjoys pink and glitter. Not all of them want to be little princesses. Some want to be techie, shoot aliens in the face and destroy the Little Sisters (there’s a Bioshock reference for ya’). There’s a whole variety of women with various interests and likes that are being totally ignored and ostracized, both by men and women.
A redux of a familiar picture!
7. Where do you see the future of trade shows heading now that E3 as we know it has changed? Are shows like TGS and GDC leading the charge, now that the pressure has eased off E3?
A. It’s hard to say. E3 is still undergoing changes. This year, certain expos that had been in the same place and same time-slot for the last 5-10 years suddenly threw caution to the wind and started scheduling their expo dates later or earlier than they ever had before. It’s quite weird. And that’s not even counting all of the private media developer showcases! Who knows what’s going to stay and what’s going to end up getting dissolved?
8. You, as a journalist for IGN, have been doing a spectacular job supplying the masses with gaming news and information; do you ever see yourself working in a different field of journalism?
A. I suppose there’s a possibility of me ending up being a host for different shows and outlets, potentially outside of the videogame realm, but it would have to be something pretty remarkable because I’m 100% in love with my job.
9. We have a games expo that is normally held towards the end of the year called the eGames Expo which generally receives a great turnout. This year will mark the third one held successively and I’m sure your many fans would love to see you there. Do you have any plans to travel Down Under?
A. Not at the moment although we do have an IGN branch in Australia. I’ve mentioned to a few people that I wouldn’t mind helping them out on the video hosting side of things there if and when the need might arise. So the possibility is there.
10. As far as Japan goes, for a budding Japanophile, where would you recommend places to visit as an absolute must and which places or sights hold a special place for you?
A. For geeks/nerds/techies and gamers, Tokyo is a MUST! Akihabara (the otaku’s ground zero), Shibuya/Shinjuku (shopping galore) and Harajuku (great for Japanese street fashion ogling) are all must visits!
For more traditional fare, take the Shinkansen south to the Kansai area and visit the temples and shrines in Kyoto and the castle in Osaka.
11. Do you still count the Sega Dreamcast as your favourite console or has that changed over time? We love the whole Asiatic feel of the console and reminds us of why we have to go to Japan very soon.
A. The Dreamcast is still my fave. I have a limited edition, transparent-blue, Hello Kitty import one set up in my apartment and every time I look at it, I smile.
12. What is the obsession with Wonder Woman and Lynda Carter? The shot of your face when you saw her on the red carpet was priceless!!
A. I’ve been in awe of Wonder Woman ever since I can remember. My mom tells the story about how when I was in kindergarten, I showed up to school still in my Wonder Woman underoos and absolutely refused to change out of them. I watched the shows, had the coloring books, the pop-up books and the story record (which I still have, framed and hanging on my wall).
13. Outside of gaming, how do you unwind after a day of endless interviews and video reports?
A. I go home and play videogames. I’m also big into ghost stories and murders, so I watch a lot of Sci-Fi channel, history channel and truTV (used to be CourtTV). I also read a lot and have a pretty substantial Asian movie collection, so sometimes I’ll watch those. In fact, when I go home tonight I’m going to watch the live-action adaptation of the Honey and Clover manga on my new TV. I can’t wait!!!!
14. I recall you said that once you worked at EB Games and funnily enough, I’ve worked at EB Games as well and even though the conditions were appalling, I loved working there as I got to talk about games all day long. Do you have any fond or interesting memories from your early days working there or are you just glad they’re over?
A. LOL! No-I’m pretty thrilled that they’re over. While I loved getting the inside scoop on games, I don’t handle service-based/sales jobs very well. Besides, now at IGN I get an even bigger behind-the-scenes look at titles. EB just can’t compare!
15. What are some of your favourite gadgets that you can’t leave home without?
A. When I travel I usually bring: iphone, MacBook, ipod (video), DS Lite, PSP and a book.
16. What are your musical interests? What artists inspire you or brighten your day?
A. Right now I’m listening to the new Ladytron album that one of my co-workers is reviewing (let me just say this: it doesn’t disappoint). I’m also a MAJOR Siouxsie Sioux and Siouxsie and the Banshees fan, so I always have their stuff in an easily accessible playlist. Other than that, listen to a little bit of everything but I’d say a huge chuck of my musical taste is Electronic-based stuff.
Thank you once again, Ms. Chobot :)
You’re welcome >_<