Bundy
The man behind the shoes! Controversial? Yup. Good for the community? I should hope so!
— The PF Staff
While he's been around since the beginning of time, he has just recently come in to the public view with his very successful and well done site, Bundy's Place! Who is
the man we all welcomed into the TF world with open arms? Personally, I have never met a person so humble and unconvinced of his contribution the the
community. But helped us he has with his humor, comments and beliefs presented in large doses on a regular basis at Bundy's Place. With great pleasure we give you
another in our series of interviews with the man who is the essence of honor and sportsmanship, Bundy!
TFN:
First question. I don't really want to sound like the FBI, the KGB, or the PTA.... But I think we really need to know a Little something about the man behind the name "Bundy". give us all the gory details!
Bundy:
Well, I sell shoes all day to Rhino's and Hippo's... Oh, you mean the 'real' me? Ok, you asked for it. I am one of the older TF junkies, and will soon be 49 years of age. I work as an electronics technician and am a technology addict as well. I have computers older than some of the wankers that are playing today. My basement looks like a wing of the Smithsonian. I started out with the Timex/Sinclair 1000 (bet not too many of your readers have even heard of it!) with the add on 4K memory that had to be held on with rubber bands and have just about everything since then except for a Macintosh. But they aren't really computers, are they?
I am very active in competitive shooting. I will be getting ready for the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio this summer. Camp Perry is the Mecca for competitive shooters and I hope to be able to go this year. I am primarily shooting high power rifle, although I participate in some handgun sports as well. My favorite events right now are the 1,000 yard match and the National Match course which is from 200-600 yards.
I am a life member of the NRA, NRA Firearms Safety Instructor and part-time gunsmith. I served in the 'Brown Water' Navy in Viet Nam's Mekong Delta region. In addition to other things, I did some sniping too. So, when I tell people that something is or isn't realistic, I know what I am talking about. Yeah, I know it is just a game, but I don't like to see it get too far away from what realism it has.
I have a wife and two daughters, ages 22 and 18. Told you I was a geezer, didn't I? Heck, I have shoes older than some of the people playing TF...
TFN:
How did you get involved in the wonderful world of Team Fortress?
Bundy:
Having been on the internet before browsers (remember ftp and Archie), I immediately saw the potential for multi-player gaming. I had already been playing all the id stuff beginning with Wolfenstein 3D and was playing Doom over the modem. Anyway, when QSpy made it possible to actually find servers, I was looking for something different. Death Match just didn't do it for me. With a 350 average ping there was no way to be competitive. Remember, this was before Quake World. Anyway, I saw a map called 2Fort23. Had no idea what it was, but jumped in and immediately became addicted. Come to think of it, it may have been an earlier map but I'm not sure - maybe 2.15.
My initial experience was very positive. The guys that were already playing helped me a lot and there was a certain camaraderie that I really enjoyed. That, plus the team aspect and the different classes made it something that made my hang up my rocket launcher and become a full-time TF'er.
TFN:
Any fond memories of the learning experience?
Bundy:
Oh, sure. Like I said, the camaraderie was excellent. I also enjoyed learning the classes and weapons. It seemed that everyone was willing to share their expertise if you were interested in learning. I really miss that. The whole attitude was different then. Its too bad that the new players today can't experience that. That was very influential in my TF 'career'.
I guess the single fondest memory I have is the first time I managed to get my first frag against Cableless. He is da man :) He told me it was a good shot and I was feeling really good. Of course he annihilated me, but I still remember it. I worked really hard to get better so I could actually contribute to my team.
TFN:
What did you have the hardest time with as a newbie TF'er?
Bundy:
Working as a team, and communicating with the rest of the team. It was radically different from Death Match and I had to un-learn a lot of things.
TFN:
Was there any players or clans you can single out as being instrumental in guiding you through the "world of a TF Newbie"?
Bundy:
Absolutely. I have already mentioned Cableless. In addition to being the best sniper I have ever seen, he is a gentleman and a true sportsman. I wanted to be known as being like him. Hey, there is nothing wrong with a little hero worship ;)
Kinlord has had a significant impact on the way I view things. He has always stood up for Honor on the battlefield and sticks by his convictions. I respect him immensely. The same goes for Gudlyf, by the way.
Mr. Potato Head has been influential as well. He has proven that you can be yourself and not follow the herd. I have a great deal of respect for him.
Although Clan Braveheart came along after I considered myself a newbie, I have always admired the way they conduct themselves. A top drawer clan, all the way.
TFN:
Elvis Presley... The King... Alive or dead?
Bundy:
How can you even ask that? uh huh... Between you and me, I heard that Fat Dragon is really the King and will be released from the Betty Ford clinic soon... between you and me...
TFN:
I hear that you were once in a clan, what inspired you to leave and never return to clan play?
Bundy:
I have been in a couple of clans and scrimmaged with many. But it has been a long time since I was a clan member. I really enjoyed a lot of aspects of clan life, but the main thing that soured me was the intra-personal rivalry (translated as back-biting) that manifested itself in what I call 'clan politics'. There weren't that many clans back then and it took a lot to get matches going.
Anyway, we had a flail about one of the members cheating and you know how I feel about that. It eventually caused the clan to disband. At the time I left, I was the clan leader and it really made me feel bad to leave but I didn't want to have any part of the situation.
A word of advice to clans: be very careful with your screening process. Their is a whole lot more you should look at besides how many frags someone can get. Look at the whole picture. 'Nuff said.
I have entertained the idea of going into a clan several times, even as recently as last week. But every time I do, I think about the wankers I see on the public servers making arses of themselves and don't want any part of them. If I were in a clan, I would eventually be in a match with them. As it is now, I can leave a game whenever I have had enough cheese. Can't do that in a clan match, so I stay away. I know there are a few good clans out there, but I keep my distance.
Clans would be great if it weren't for the people ;) Just kidding.
TFN:
This one is for your wife and family. How do they feel about you playing a game that is mostly dominated by fifteen year olds?
Bundy:
Wife? Family? Oh yeah... Seriously, they gave up on me years ago. They know I am always doing something they aren't interested in so they don't bother me anymore. They DO think I am a little warped though.
Here's a tip for ya. If they start bothering you too much, just go over to the reloading bench and get three or four pounds of powder and a couple thousand primers out. They KNOW to leave me alone when I am loading ammunition for a match. Heh heh... works every time.
TFN:
Ok, I feel the next two are going to get lengthy, but I have to ask :)
In your opinion, what are the worst points of TF at this time?
Bundy:
Actually, I can be concise here. The worst thing right now is the lack of respect for others. This manifests itself in cheating, foul mouthing your opponents and team mates, cheesing and general wanking. The lack of honor and character is bad enough, but the general acceptance of the situation is even worse. I believe that if you aren't part of the solution, you must be part of the problem.
I believe that the server admins are a big part of the problem. I appreciate all the servers being available, but many aren't operated in a responsible manner. Some give rcon privileges to people who aren't mature enough to use them wisely. Others actually condone cheating (I could give examples) and don't think it is a big deal. Yeah, and OJ isn't guilty, either.
In my opinion, one of the biggest contributors to the decline in the TF environment is putting 32 people on a 16 player map. Gameplay is degraded because team play isn't as important as it otherwise would be. The maps are too small for that many people and it takes away from the importance of executing a good plan. Now you just get a herd of soldiers together and rush the defense. The defense just gathers together and tries to block them. No finesse. There are enough empty servers out there to accommodate the players now. There is no need to overcrowd the maps like is being done now.
TFN:
Good points?
Bundy:
Well, they are legion. But to name a few...
Of course the mod itself is the best thing I have ever played and I am crazy about it. I love competition and team work, so it is just what the doctor ordered as far as I am concerned.
There are a lot of really fine people of all ages that love the game and are honorable players. I have made some very good friends because of TF and I am very grateful for it. Some have left the game but we still keep in touch. That says a lot, doesn't it?
Funny, isn't it? The people are both the best and worst parts of the game...
TFN:
You have walked the walk in the world of front line exposure via Bundy's Fortress. Shed some light on your experiences with it. The good, the bad, the ugly.
Bundy:
Well, I look at it as being positive. Besides, if something doesn't kill you, it must makes you stronger, right?
Like I said, I value the friendships I have made and my page has helped me to get to know people I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. That is without doubt a high point for me.
Also, I like to think that I helped raise the community's awareness of certain things. It is gratifying to me when I see a team working together and tell someone to 'stop cheesing' :) Also, I think that spawn fragging is declining. I attribute this to the forum I started on this and other issues. I am not taking credit for this myself though. It is the honorable players who have taken up the challenge to raise the standards of what is acceptable. I am merely a self-appointed spokesman and try to focus on issues.
Bad? The time commitment is the worst part for me. My job sometimes requires long hours and I don't always have the time to devote to the page. In fact, the time commitment is the reason I am putting the page on hold for right now. I don't believe in doing something half way and I can't do what needs to be done. Besides, my daughter will be leaving home soon and I am going to spend some time with her. This is my last chance and I am not going to blow it. I think everyone can relate with that if they are a parent or not. Every kid wants their Dad to be there for them, don't they? I know I did.
Ugly? Can't really say anything was really ugly. I got a lot of hate mail at first until they figured out they were just looking foolish. That stopped and the support mail FAR outweighed the hate mail. I can't say enough about the phenomenal support I have received. It is very gratifying to know that others actually agree with you, especially when it seems at first you are just a voice in the wilderness ;)
TFN:
Is Peg Bundy a natural redhead?
Bundy:
I can neither confirm nor deny that. No comment.
TFN:
No matter how hard one tries to make changes for the better in the TF community, I feel it is somewhat hopeless to attempt to change people set in there ways, What do you think?
Bundy:
I'm afraid you are right. There are some who can be influenced but they aren't hard core either way on these issues. Call them 'on the fence' or whatever, but I know quite a few who have changed their attitude after seeing things from a different perspective. Those are the ones I am trying to reach.
And of course, the honorable (of which there are many) should have know that they are not alone, even if it sometimes seems like it.
As far as the cheesers, I know they don't like hearing that they are scum, but it needs to be said. And let's face it, I like saying it :) But if *enough* of us say it loud enough and long enough, peer pressure will diminish it a lot. It has already helped in a lot of cases.
I will continue to fight the good fight. I am a lot like Don Quixote in that I joust windmills. But this is a windmill that needs to be jousted.
TFN:
What about the new TFV? And the Cheaters ban list thing?
Bundy:
I am glad you asked that question. The Community-Wide Ban List (CWBL) isn't dead, nor is TFV (TFV2?). The need for them is still there, even more so than before. A lot of work has already been done but there is a lot more that needs to be done before they can be implemented.
This is one of the reasons I am getting away from Bundy's Place - so I can devote more time to them. They are worthy projects and I want to be able to devote more time to help get them going. There are a lot of people who are willing to help and really want to see this happen. I plan to become even more of an activist and see to it that they are implemented.
I plan to run Fort Bundy as an example on how to deal with wankers. Yes, I said Fort Bundy. I will be putting up an internet TF server and will it will definitely be a TFV server and a CWBL participant.
TFN:
If there was any ONE thing that you could change in the TF mod, what would it be?
Bundy:
One thing? Come on, Spif. Oh, ok. I would make it so that you received the same amount of damage from your ordnance that an enemy would. Read that: rocket jumping and the like. Let 'em do it if they have the health for it, but this half damage stuff (or whatever it is) doesn't cut it. It seems silly to me to only get partial damage from your own melee weapon.
Thought I was going to say sentry guns or spies, didn't ya? heh heh...
TFN:
For a while you have seem to become a ambassador to the elusive Fat Dragon. Is this someone we should learn from? just sit back and giggle at? or be totally outraged and try to lynch on a daily basis?
Bundy:
Oh yes, we can definitely learn from him. I think he is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. You haven't lived until you are in a game with him. He plays just like -- uhhh... just like Fat Dragon. But you know what? He has heart. He actually goes after the flag. He actually defends the flag. Can't say that about a lot of people nowadays...
Some call him an idiot. I have heard him called a college professor with a sense of humor. But whatever he is, he is funny. If nothing else, he is pretty representative of a lot we that see in the game today. It's sort of like he is a manifestation of the community as a whole. That is a sad statement, isn't it? But I think it is true.
I don't know why he decided to trust me, but he does. Even though he trashes me regularly, he maintains communication with me. I guess it is because he found out he *can* trust me. In any event, I think he is hilarious. And so does most of the TF community, I might add :)
TFN:
Your thoughts on the lack of TF 2 info from TFS.
Bundy:
I'm going to take a stand here. Even though some of my friends feel differently, I think they are doing the right thing. In fact, I don't blame them at all. Remember the flail they went through when everyone was demanding the class changes? The teleporter? It got totally out of control. They don't need that and don't deserve it. Most of the people who were causing all that commotion didn't even donate to them.
They don't owe us anything. They have already *given* us the best game there is and I firmly believe they should be compensated for their efforts. With it being a commercial product now, they can put in more time and give us something even better. I have total faith in them and their ability to crank out something that is even better. Of course I would like more information, but I know that it will be worth it when we get it. I would rather have them remain silent right now so we can reap the benefits later.
Another thing - we don't know their situation. I'm sure you have read about all he legal crap that is involved with the Quake II engine, not to mention the hoops their distributor is making them jump through.
I say more power to them. I am one of the faithful and am not ashamed to say it. There will always be those who are negative, but in this case I absolutely believe that the glass is half full, not half empty.
TFN:
Are you going to ask anyone to carry on the TF patrol? Or is there a prodigy child already waiting in the wings? WHO IS GOING TO CARRY THE BATON WHEN YOU ARE GONE!!!
Bundy:
Gone? I'm not gone! In fact, I plan to write even more TF Patrol. By the way, thanks for coming up with 'TF Patrol' Spif :)
Right now, Moriarty has started a library at The Citadel. 357 Mag is the official TF Patrol Poet Laureate and has a site devoted just to TF Patrol poetry. It is a new genre! It has spawned several other pages by individual authors. I guess I can say that TF Patrol has awakened the creativity in a lot of people and I am really proud to have been a part of it.
No, TF Patrol isn't gone. Far from it. I expect it to continue to become even more popular and I will definitely be in the picture somewhere. Even though Bundy's Place is being shelved for right now, a lot of what I have been doing will continue. TF Patrol is at the top of the list :)
TFN:
Anything else you would like to add? Parting shots? Shout outs?
Bundy:
Yes. I want to thank you and The Hal for welcoming me into the web page arena and for giving me this chance to have this interview.
I want to thank everyone who has supported my efforts to improve the Team Fortress community. I wish I could name them all, but I have already made this the longest interview on record. I plan to write each one individually and thank them. It will take awhile, but I will do it. I answer all my email even though sometimes it takes me a long time to do it.
I especially want to thank Robin, John, Ian and the rest of the guys at TFS for making Team Fortress and for being patient with me when I suggest things to them. They all deserve to be Sainted :)
Parting shot? Sure. Keep the faith. Good will always triumph, even though there will always be adversity.
Thanks again for all your help, Newswire.
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