Real Life First Name: Frank
Forum Handle: Vesuveus
Main Character Handle: Vesuveus
Main Character Bluepill Name: Charlie DeNiro
Server: Recursion
Organization: E Pluribus Neo
Where in the real life world do you live?
I live in New York.
How long have you played The Matrix Online?
I started playing November 22nd, 2004! That is when I received the email containing a Beta-key and I jacked-in immediately after installation.
What other MMOs have you played?
I was fortunate enough to Beta test Pirates of the Caribbean Online. I am a big fan of that trilogy, too. It's very different from MxO and I couldn't help comparing them.
What type of work do you do?
I'm a teacher and I am in graduate school.
What got you into gaming and what sort of games do you like the most?
I wasn't allowed to have a Nintendo when I was a kid, so I played as much as I could at my friends' houses. In college I got an XBOX and was wowed at the graphics. The trailer for MxO sold me on the game, instantly. Generally, I like action/adventure games but I never could get into sports games.
What other hobbies or activities do you take part in, other than playing The Matrix Online?
I like sports, more participating than watching; like wrestling and soccer, although UFC is always a thrill to watch. I love altering pictures in Photoshop which is a creative outlet. If I'm not doing either of these things, then I am studying.
What is your highest character level in The Matrix Online?
I am one experience point away, from level 51!
How or why did you choose your main character's name?
I know how significant names were in the Trilogy, so I spent a lot of time between viewing the trailer for the game and my first time jacking-in to the game deciding on the perfect name for me. Vesuveus is significant to my nationality as it is an Italian icon and the name has a Matrixy sound to it, like Morpheus. I also associate a lot of strength and power to Vesuvius as it destroyed Pompeii so quickly.
What Branch (Coder, Hacker, Operative) and ability tree is your main character?
Vesuveus started as an Operative in Martial Arts and then switched over to guns a few months ago. The ranged attacks are extremely useful.
Why did you choose the Branch and ability tree that you did?
I chose guns as the ability tree because it transcends from the Trilogy accurately. Most fight scenes start out shooting and when the bullets are gone they throw down.
Is your main character in a crew, if so, what rank is the character?
Vesuveus is the Captain of The Belteshazzar.
Is your main character in a faction, if so, which one and what is their faction rank?
Vesuveus is the co-founder of The Daniel Institute of Dream Interpretation along with MeretrixMeretric. I am a rank 1 captain; however actions more clearly define a member's rank in The Institute.
What was your favorite chapter?
Chapter 7 was my favorite chapter. Rarebit pushed the envelope with tension between Zion and the Machines. It was great to see "the Real" involved more in the storyline, and there were some twists that really made people evaluate their positions regarding the war. Also, I got the most out of Chapter 7 as a gamer and as a fan thanks to the LESIG 2.0 implementation and the Recursion EPN population including Archangel, Naabu and Phrack.
What is your favorite neighborhood?
I like Tabor for its availability, Magog for nostalgic reasons and Camon for its many contacts on Recursion. It is difficult to pick just one because they all have something to offer underneath their grit. With each area so easy to teleport to, you, really don't have to confine yourself to any particular area. Although sometimes when I need to get away, I like to enjoy the 'Times Square' feel of Hampton Green.
Who is your favorite NPC?
My favorite NPC would be Ghost, because of his wise outlook on life according to the struggle, his skills, and his example. Looking back at the movies, it is strange to see him with hair now!
What is the most $info you have ever spent on purchasing a single item for one of your characters?
Besides the Outpost Key, the most $info I ever spent was about 15-20 million on a Data Scrambler 0.4.
Do you have an item you no longer use but keep around for nostalgic reasons? If so, what is it and why do you keep it?
I have the Flit Gun from, Death of the Destroyer, the Fly in Amber, the Zion Hardware Requisition, my Beta T-shirt, a red pill, a few Morpheus recordings and Dr Crucic's Medical Journal which was influential in creating my faction. Those old mission recordings and documents were a real treat, something you could take with you and experience again without having to re-run the mission.
What do you like best about The Matrix Online?
Active participation in the Matrix Universe! I came to the game for the Matrix and stayed for the community. The Matrix used to be Neo, Morpheus and Trinity. Now it is Tbone, Illyria1 and Covenant. We make the Matrix what it is.
How would you describe your best experience playing The Matrix Online?
Definitely when E Pluribus Neo was hunting Maskharah, the Cypherite arms courier. He was a slippery one, but with a lot of teamwork, and a little competition, we stopped him. A close second is when Neoteny invited me along on a mission he had worked tirelessly on for many months. He uncovered a Cypherite spy and let me in on the raid that Niobe led. I was truly honored that he invited me to share that experience.
Do you run or work for an MxO Fan Site or Radio Station?
My faction website isn't so much, a fan site, but, we do try and engage visitors. I used to DJ for The APOC Radio for Crazi40. It was a blast making intros, interludes commentating and interacting with the community in that medium! Now I turn most of my MxO time to my faction development and role-play.
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