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Shuriken
Age: 18
Location: United Kingdom
Hobbies: Storms, politics, clan-running, I'd suppose.
Join date: Dec '04

Sachi: So Shuriken, to start, when do you sleep? I see that you're running a bunch of different things, and for our readers living under a rock, how about you tell us what they are, and what they entail?

Shuriken: Three questions in one, I see. I'm not quite Dalamar or Kiljan with peculiar sleeping patterns, so, normal times I'd suppose. Currently, I'm in charge of running the Clan League, chat tournaments on either a Wednesday or a Sunday, co-run Fun with Grat, and I also run Triforce. Hard to really say what they entail, so it'd be easier for you to look for yourself.

Sachi: How did you end up sub-leader of TTA Fun?

Shuriken: Oh, good question. Well, I've been in Fun for a pretty long time, not quite since its conception, but long enough. I came back from a break around the time we switched servers, and Fun was lagging at that time. I asked to be re-admitted into the fold, and got to work in renewing it. I guess Grat noticed my work in restoring it to activity a second time, and gave me the title of sub leader.

Sachi: Talking about TTA Fun for a moment, what would you say is one of your best, well memories, of Fun?

Shuriken: I'd have to say it's the recent 32 man chat tourney which Soujiro won, it was great to host, and the chaos in the channel with so many is something I've not seen in a very long time.

Sachi: Where do you come up with some of the ideas for events that Fun runs?

Shuriken: The obvious answer being 'from my head'. I don't know, I can assure the readership that all the events and ideas from Fun aren't from me at all, but my fellow peers.

Sachi: How about my Ace tournament, how do you think that went?

Shuriken: I'll be honest and say that I haven't actually kept up with it, but from all accounts, it's been enjoyable.

Sachi: Who do you think will win, Delial or Kamikaze?

Shuriken: Both great players, but I'll have to go with Delial.

Sachi: Do you have any more ideas for Fun that you would like to share?

Shuriken: At the moment I've ideas, but not for Fun I'm afraid.

Sachi: What do you feel about our new wave of members?

Shuriken: It can only be good. I've found that those who are less known to the site are much more eager into providing for the community and get their name known. And so, they often are much more likely in coming up with fresh, new ideas which keeps Fun alive and active.

Sachi: Do you prefer having only a few people "specializing" in certain things, or are you enjoying this "league" of people running (in my opinion) one of the best groups of the site?

Shuriken: It depends on personnel, rather than the actual concept. It's often easier for organizational purposes to have people working on particular 'jobs' but should someone fail in meeting their set requirements, then it lets the team down. It also may lead to animosity as someone would prefer working on tournaments but end up on accounts. However, on the flip side, it allows for creativity, but it can lead to people not knowing what their 'job' is, and really being only in the group by association rather than actually doing anything constructive. For the present time, it's more of a specific task list, and letting people pick and choose that rather than 'specializing' in a particular area.

Sachi: Moving on to Clan League, what made you undertake this extensive tournament?

Shuriken: Arrglarks was setting on working on Season 3 after being persuaded to work on it after announcing retirement. Unfortunately, he hadn't the time to work on it at all, so I'd already made the rules for a favor, so asked him through Freya whether he'd want me to run it, and said yes. And, that as they say, was that. Guess it was a favor more than anything.

Sachi: What was your inspiration for these new ideas this year?

Shuriken: American football and Kamikaze. The format of 4 matches, as well as matches being decided by cards won/lost rather than wins overall was from American football. And although some of those ideas were around in my head about a third the way through Season 3, the decision to act upon it was really fired by Kamikaze's speech in Zodiac Braves and his 'dream' so to speak, of rivalries existing like they do in this sport.

Sachi: Who is your pick to win this year?

Shuriken: I'm obviously inherently biased towards Triforce, and statistics right now would back that up, but Avalanche and Zodiac Braves are well within a shout.

Sachi: Now I'm sure you've been bombarded with people suggesting to you what they think should happen next year, what would you personally like to happen?

Shuriken: Shuriken not running it for a start. Actually, not that many have come up and said 'Well, I want next season to have this...' I'd personally want it to continue, but I've not thought as far as to the specifics I'd want added or staying.

Sachi: What influenced your decision to step down from Clan League?

Shuriken: Several reasons I guess. Primarily, it was the decision to rotate amongst the clans so they all get a chance in providing for the scene in some way, and via my association, Triforce has had for 2 seasons, and the now defunct Brotherhood of SeeD 2 seasons prior to that. I was also a bit frustrating with the constant level of criticism, with the vast majority not actually providing anything constructive, or thinking objectively about what they criticize.

Sachi: So, pretend that Clan League happened next year, hey something could happen, would you still be helping out, or are you stepping out completely?

Shuriken: It would depend upon the administrators and their wishes, I suppose. I could be persuaded to help out on a limited basis, but it'd be more of a mentor role if anything.

Sachi: What do you think about Delial's idea about a single person League based on Clan league? In case you or our readers missed it, Delial suggested that we hold a "Clan League" type tournament, but instead of clans, it’s a single person tournament.

Shuriken: As an individual concept, it's good. I briefly mentioned in the latest meeting before I departed of having an 'Open' League, but this seemingly will cover this. However, should it replace Clan League as mentioned, then I'd be much less supportive. But, as with anything, we shall see.

Sachi: Do you think this would replace it, or would you prefer to see to stay as it is?

Shuriken: No, it shouldn't. It's a good idea, but should be separate. Clans and individuals do need their own competitions, but replacing another clan tournament wouldn't help an already afflicted scene. Leagues have been done before, but have had limited success, so I'm hoping Delial/Soujiro can come up with something that sets aside from previous attempts.

Sachi: If you could pick any clan in the TTA community to be in what would it be? Apart from Triforce of course. (Guest Question asked by Anthony)

Shuriken: Kind of thought this was common knowledge, but it would be Avalanche. It's the only clan aside my own I hold any sentiments for.

Sachi: Moving into safer waters, what originally brought you to TTA?

Shuriken: I'm afraid I don't have any interesting story such as Rinoa from the April edition, I think? To be perfectly honest, I don't remember how I got here. I think it was more the classic case of 'What if Triple Triad was online...?'

Sachi: What would be your favorite ruleset right now?

Shuriken: I play a lot of different rulesets based upon mood, really. Lately it's been 1-7 S/P/PW/C Closed, 1-4 S/P/PW/C Open, and 1-10 S/P/SW/PW/R/C FF8 only was an interesting set I've played with Delial.

Sachi: How about your Graphics skills? How would you rate them?

Shuriken: Heh, non-existent. I've never really made anything graphics wise aside from a few cards, and I've no real plan to in the future.

Sachi: What about during the day? What do you usually do during the year, work, school, or both?

Shuriken: I've just finished college and onto University in autumn.

Sachi: Favorite song at the moment?

Shuriken: Money by Pink Floyd.

Sachi: And finally, what do you think TTA has in store for you in the future?

Shuriken: What I think and what I wish for maybe two different things. Mostly be more clan work and work with Fun. I also hope I'll be promoted to Staff one day.