Spotlight Given To Fly

chrstphrbrnnn · 2 Weeks Ago

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Welcome avid readers to the Forge Hub community Spotlight. Here we highlight some of the shiny stars, as well as underlooked talents, using anything from inquisitive interviews, to map highlights and anything else that we feel has gone without enough notice. This week on the Community Spotlight we have Given to Fly, the recent winner of the Hub of the Dead contest and creator of Schism of Light. So check out what he has to say about the Hub and his successes.

Many of us found our way here very differently, how did you first happen upon Forge Hub?

I looked at Bungie favorites constantly to see which new pictures were up, and kept seeing maps from a mysterious place called Forge Hub. So, I decided to check it out and loved it ever since. Back when before Paragon was featured I believe...

After spending some time at Forge Hub, what became your favorite aspects of the site?

I really enjoy the variety of maps and creativity. I love how you guys are nice about everything, specially Peg. It's overall the best forge website out there, and it will continue to be.

Many have varying ideas about the Forge Hub community, what is your opinion?

It's amazing. I get good respectful comments on my maps and I'm really impressed on how large it became. They welcome new guys in with caring arms and warn them that they'd better follow the rules or Sarge will rape them.

Being a site dealing mainly with Halo 3's forge, how do you feel about the focus on maps here at Forge Hub?

I feel like it really focuses more on map playability than anywhere else. Forge Hub is mainly about making custom maps and having fun. It doesn't matter if the map looks like crap or isn't interlocked, it's about having a good time. So good.

After all the months it took to complete, what are your thoughts on the recently finished Conflict tournament?

Even though there were a lot of B-net kids joining just for the prizes, it was pretty sweet that it was able to happen. I was a little ticked off that my opponent basically lied about what happened and got the decision reversed, but oh well. :) I'm still happy I was able to participate. It's crazy that the contest lasted so long, and I was pullin for Shannon, but, no.

You were also recently the winner of a contest. How did you feel when you took first place in the Hub of the Dead?

Basically shocked! I saw the graphic at the top of the page and slowly scrolled down to see that my buddy, RC, got third. Dark Creek got second, and at this point I cracked a smile and scrolled down one more time to see my victory. I was crazy happy and hadn't stopped smiling all night. All that I could think of is that I could rub it in Zander's face lol but he was supportive and that would make me look like an ass. So, I kept the comments to myself and continued to smile. I still feel ridiculously happy about the decision and will for awhile. I love you Forge Hub.

One of the most unique maps in a while, where did the inspiration for Schism of Light come from?

I wanted to help RC with his map when it was in the early stages. Of course all I could say was needz moar cave! (keep in mind this was before The Hollow) then I saw a post of The Hollow and I literally messed myself. I thought I could try to extend what he did, and lost all hope when he got featured, so when I won I was amazed!

Though it is an excellent map, is there anything you wish you could have done differently?

Well it's hard to say exactly, but I think I would've made a tunnel from Flag spawn across the crypt wall to the Zombie Spawn. I didn't have enough money or budget, so I couldn't. Other then that, I loved how it turned out. Maybe better spawns?

The recently discovered forge tool known as Ghost merging has changed the way a lot of people think about forge. What effect has this had on you, and what are your thoughts about it.

I personally think that ghost merging should only be used for things that can't really be done by normal geomerging. I personally used about 80% ghost merging in SoL, but that's because it had to be done in a certain amount of time, and some geomerges were ridiculous. Other then that ghost merging should never be used as a interlocking method, it just seems too lazy, but it gets the job done. It is however a great breakthrough in forging and will be taking over as the main method. The future of forge is slowing down somewhat as the game gets older, but there will always be those who continue to impress and dominate the forums. I will continue to forge for quite some time.

Now that Schism of Light has become such a success, do you have any other projects in the works?

I am in the testing stages of my conquest map and I'm also really happy about how it looks. I also am in the middle of a Campaign inspiration map. The room you spawn in on Crow's Nest is the main area of the map and is a pretty realistic replica. I hope to make it work really well for 1 Flag and other gametypes. Hopefully one of these maps is good enough to attain me the premium position..? We'll have to see.

When you aren't building maps and winning contests, what do you like to do outside the video game world?

Well I just got a new snowboard for this season. Burton Clash "160" and I can't wait to hit the rails, hills, and boxes. I ride a bigger board so I hope I can pull off everything as last year. I learned on a "162" and got pretty good in only 1 full season, so hopefully I'm still that good. Otherwise I'm hangin with my friends Brecklin, Timmy, or Kisor.

Is there anything you'd like to add before we wrap up?

Other than how amazing this community is and how happy I am about winning? not really.

Thank you very much Give to Fly for the great replies, and the great infection map. Don't forget to download Schism of Light and remember to check out the feature thread this Friday. Make sure to keep an eye out for the next Community spotlight. If you feel you know someone who deserves a spotlight, send a private message to chrstphrbrnnn.

pinohkio · 2 Weeks Ago

congratz on the spotlight givin, also, congratz on the contest win if i hadn't already told you so. glad to see you got a new board, i seem to remember you telling zander and i about it, i think... maybe it was somebody else...
anywhoozle, nice read chrstphrbrnnn and givin to fly.
edit* FIRST LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, soz, had to do it.

Urban Myth · 2 Weeks Ago

Congrats on getting on the spotlight Given, it's well deserved man. (I knew you were going to win with Schism! It was even better that you made it playable for other gametypes, something I failed to do with The Hollow)

Kidbomber · 2 Weeks Ago

Good to hear that the spotlight is back, iv been missing it :)

Congratz to Given Fly for having a chance for the Spotlight.

ZANDER1994 · 2 Weeks Ago

OMFG Given, you are SUPA POPULA NOW. Hahahaha. I met this guy back in September of 2008. I posted a thread looking for someone to help me finish a map.
http://www.forgehub.com/forum/halo-f...inish-map.html
A few months later we finished Elegy. Since then I've become pretty good friends with tyler. He's a pretty cool kid. Damn, seems like I've been here FOREVER looking back at that. Hope you keep up the good work man.

RC · 2 Weeks Ago

Good job given, you deserved it... Need moar cave? Download schism of light then silly! (Lolz a little bit like an advertisement but hey, who cares)

I'm glad I didn't suck you into helping me with my map cause if I did we wouldn't have SoL.

Benji · 2 Weeks Ago

I keep Loling because everytime I see SoL, I think Shit outta Luck.

Any congratz on the spotlight Given.

RaBBiiTTT · 2 Weeks Ago

Well, all I can say is congrats on getting the spotlight, Given. I really do wish these community interviews happen more often. I have always enjoyed reading them.

Black Theorem · 2 Weeks Ago

I actually like these articles over featured maps. Community Spotlights helps you get to know members of our community that one probably would never talk to or discuss with. Especially in a huge website such as this, a Community Spotlight is more personal and feels more satisfying than a contest or featured map.

Congrats to Given to Fly, I hope you enjoy this man!

TG Comrade · 2 Weeks Ago

Congrats on the spotlight the map was amazing I remember when I first showed it to some TG members they were pretty impressed at the quality of the map. It was also extremely fun to play and I can't wait for your next map.