Just when you think it’s safe to assume something about someone…WHAM!

Tell us who’s behind the man with the Justice League name?

My real name is Marcus and I live in Tomball, TX, which is northwest of Houston.  When I’m not off fighting crime at night, I am a Senior Software Programmer for a big oil company. I write the software that our clients use to communicate and interact with the drilling tools.  I am 29 years old and have been gaming ever since I got an Atari 5200 with a 2600 adapter when I was around 6 or 7.

Walk us through how your Gamertag came to be.

I named myself after camping equipment; I really don’t know where everyone is getting this ‘superhero’ idea from.   Seriously though, I never was a Green Lantern fan as a kid and instead preferred Spiderman and Superman.  It was my father who grew up reading the Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, comics.  Back in 1994, I saw that DC was making drastic changes to the Green Lantern comic and I decided to pick-up issue 50 for my father.  My father never got the comic, because I read it before giving it to him and just got absorbed into the storyline.  From then on I followed the Green Lantern comics and collected relating merchandise. 

For various PC websites, email accounts, and online PC clans, I started using the name GreenLantern4, with 4 being my lucky number.   It just stuck over time and whenever I tried to change it, my fellow online friends either didn’t believe it was me or said I should go back to the ole GL4 for it suits my personality more. I still don’t know what that means. Between you and me, I just think they liked the related nicknames: GL, Greenie, Green man, Lantern, etc.

Has the Xbox 360 experience been a good or bad one for you?

It has been an excellent experience for me.  It all started with the hype leading up to the launch and attending the Zero Hour launch party.  I think Microsoft is doing a great job with the achievement system, marketplace, and the whole Live experience.  I really like the connection and interaction of the forums and Xbox website with the Live service.  I cannot wait to see how Microsoft expands the whole Live experience in the upcoming years.

Describe your gaming arena?

I have a huge movie and video game addiction and try to feed it by continuing to update the quality of my audio/video equipment.  My girlfriend just simplifies it to “Boys with Toys”. I currently have a Sony 51’’ 16×9 projection HDTV with a 7.1 surround sound system.  I have my 360, Xbox, PS2, and GameCube hooked up to that entertainment center.  I also have a Nintendo DS and PSP for my ‘on-the-go’ gaming.   As anyone knows from the forums, I do not trade in my games/consoles, so somewhere in my house, I still have the Atari 2600/5200, NES, Sega Genesis, PS1, and Dreamcast ready to go if I ever have a craving to play some older games.

What are you playing the most currently on your 360?

“Dead Rising”.  My first experience with it was a demo at Zero Hour and I could not wait for the finished game to be released.  I was never into the types of games where you had to play over and over to unlock new items, but this one has sunk its teeth into me and made me a mindless zombie thirsting for more.

Which title would you say has been the biggest surprise on the 360 so far?

I would have to say, “UNO”.  A simple card game that you can pick-up almost anywhere has become one of the most downloaded Arcade games.  If you would have told me this a month before it was released, I would have patted you on the head in a pessimistic way for the ‘foolish child’ you were being.  I guess UNO’s popularity is based on people growing up around it and the social aspect it has over Live.  The 360 Vision camera coming out soon is just going to take that social aspect to new heights.

There’s always a game that you wish you hadn’t wasted money on.  Which is that game for you?

“Dr. Mario” for the Gameboy Advance.  I picked it up for my girlfriend when it first came out thinking she would like playing it every once in a while when things are slow at her work.  Instead she constantly plays it!  Every time I turn around, I hear that annoying theme song over and over as she feeds the addiction.  We will be in the middle of watching a movie, and I will hear those annoying beeps.  When I ask what she is doing, she quickly shuts off the game and says, “Nothing, just…just watching the movie.”  Last night she finally beat the last level in the game and when she found out there was no ‘real’ ending, well…..it wasn’t a pretty sight.  It would have been best if Dr. Mario never entered our lives.  Now, I fear what game will replace that addiction. F’k you, Dr. Mario.

Ok.  Fast forward. It’s the release of your most anticipated title. What game would it be?

“Splinter Cell: Double Agent”.  Ahhh, you thought I was going to say “Gears of War”.  I’m looking forward to “GOW”, but I’m a big “Splinter Cell” fan and have always been amazed at the visuals, gameplay, and storylines on the original Xbox titles.  I am very interesting to see what UBI has in-store for the first release on a next-gen console.  I am also itching to get back into the ‘Spy vs Merc’ gameplay.

What has been your most ‘next-gen’ moment with the 360?

Hmm, this is where I am supposed to say the graphics, right?  Instead I’ll say that while on the forums, I like being able to see what friends are currently on their 360 and what they are playing. In other words, I like the connection between the 360 and the Xbox.com.  As I said before, I am really interested to see what is in-store for Live in the next year or so.

How do you feel about what the Marketplace has delivered so far?

Actually, I would like to know what VelocityGirl thinks about the Marketplace after playing on her Core system.  I also want to know where my custom Tony Hawk skateboard is that I paid her for almost 10 months ago!  Anyways, I really like the marketplace.  Many people see it as a gate way to *** where game developers will nickel and dime us along the way. To me, it opens a new door between developers and gamers with demos, videos, and other content.  I think this was best shown the week of E3 and how Microsoft was able to bring a part of the event to the homes of gamers.

Do you plan on purchasing the Xbox Live Vision Camera or any other of the new peripherals for the 360 soon?

You know, I never was interested in the PS2 web cam.  I also never cared for PC cams.  However, I’m interested in the Xbox Live Vision Camera and currently plan on picking one up.  I’ll have to remember during my 360 sessions that a few seconds of ‘privacy’ will need to go beyond just using the ‘mute’.  I’ll also have to remember to beautify myself before giving an *** kicking on the 360.

What feature would you say is the best reason to get an Xbox 360?

Only one feature?  Wow, ‘one feature to rule them all.’  Hmmm, I can throw salt on the wounds of some Sony fanboys and say “vibration”, but let me instead say the “Live experience”.  It expands on the whole gaming experience and as I have said before, I love the connection to the forums, friend’s list, marketplace, etc.  Sony can boast that they will have a ‘free’ online service, but I find it hard for them to match Live right out of the box, especially since their focus to this point has been the Cell processor and Blu-ray drive.  To me, it feels that the ‘gaming ‘aspect’ of their console, ‘entitlements’, and online play is just an afterthought.

You’re an Xbox Ambassador.  How has the program been for you and what changes would you like implemented in it?

During my online gaming, I have had people ask me what the whole ambassador thing was.  I let them know about the program and that there are many of us out there to help with their Live and gaming experiences.  It is also a nice way to point them to the forums and the connection with Live.  I think the main gripe is that many gamers won’t know ‘who’ is an ambassador unless they go to the forums or look at the ‘motto’ on Gamer Profiles when on Live.  I know some have indicated that a Gamer picture would help, but I believe Trixie said it right that once a picture is out, anyone can use it.  Instead, I would really like gamers to be able to view a list of ‘ambassadors’ who are currently online from the 360 dashboard.  That way, without having any previous contact in a game or the forums, they can strike up a conversation.

One game. One shot. You against TriXie. Who wins and what game are you playing?

God help us all if “Zuma” ever gets a ‘versus’ mode.  I shudder at the thought of Trixie shooting at my balls.

Last words?

Today, kids we learned a lot about GreenLantern4’s alter-ego.  You heard about some of my great powers, but also know you have a valuable power within you, too. It is the ability of ‘smart shopping’.  There are evil retail corporations out there that want you to pay full price for games or a little less for used.  Don’t support that ‘evil’ and end up going to ***.  Instead fight them back with justice by being smart and looking for great deals elsewhere. Now kids, I know a lot of you don’t like to read beyond the forums, but know that the Sunday ads are a great source of video game savings.  Do this and your mommy and daddy will be very proud of you.     Now you know, and ‘knowing is half the battle.’

Thanks for the entertainment Green!