Kiwi: Hi there Watson and thank you for taking the time to be interviewed.

 

Watson: Hey there Kiwi, it is no problem!

 

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         Kiwi: What part of the world are you from?

 

Watson: I am from the USA, a town called Ideal in the state of Georgia. I now live on Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, USA.

 

         Kiwi: What work do you do in real life?

 

Watson: I am enlisted in the United States Air Force, assigned as a mechanic to a plane known as the Boeing B-52H Bomber.

 

         Kiwi: How long have you been in Active Worlds?

 

Watson: I started Active Worlds in 2002, but I quit in 2005 and just came back a few months ago.

 

         Kiwi: How did you find Active Worlds?

 

Watson: I actually came from a similar program called Worlds.com, I then Googled 3d chat programs when I wanted to find different types, and came across a universe called Newfoundland. I joined them, and was pretty comfortable there until someone from the Active Worlds universe told me it was just like Newfoundland, but always busy and crowded. I downloaded it and fell in love!

 

         Kiwi: Where do you usually hang out?

 

Watson: I usually hang out in world WolfW1 or shockers (a world I am using that Nibbles let me use until I get world Dakota up and running)

 

         Kiwi: Some people like to chat and some like to build and create. Some like to just get together with friends and listen to music. What do you like to do in AW?

 

Watson: I love to run my television station, which is not that popular right now, but I have faith :) Also, I use it to keep up with old friends I have made here over the years.

 

         Kiwi: What would you like to see done to bring in more people?

 

Watson: Oh that is easy, advertising the right way, to the right crowd. I'm no expert but I know this program has more to offer than Minecraft, so why does it not have more people using this especially since you can use this for free?

 

         Kiwi: Do you think we have enough for tourists to see, when they first arrive?

 

Watson: I think the AWGate is good, but I think people should not tell new tourists that Active Worlds is not a "game". That is the first thing most new people will ask, is what can they do in this game. Immediately they are corrected by all of the old timers telling them that this is no game, and then bore them with terms describing what this program actually is. Why not let them believe they are in a game until they realize what the program really is? By then they will most likely be attached.

 

         Kiwi: How would you market AW?

 

Watson: I would have banner ads on all major sites, especially Facebook, and YouTube. I think that is all they need to do. And call it a game, don't be afraid it will not hurt anything to call it that.

 

         Kiwi: Are you happy with the CAV system?

 

Watson: Yes it is amazing compared to the old limited avatars you had to choose from. Everyone can be unique now (:

 

         Kiwi: If you had a choice to change one thing in AW, what would it be?

 

Watson: I would change how they reach crowds. The program does look old, but you can't use that as an argument as to why the people do not stay here. Again I will use Minecraft as an example. The graphics give me a headache, but there are hundreds of users on at any given time. It's all about the marketing.

 

         Kiwi: Do you check out many worlds in AW, and if so what world stands out to you?

 

Watson: The world that stands out to me the most, is AWNewbie. This is because this is my Active Worlds childhood. It is still using the same layout that it did when I started. This is my favorite world here because of this.

 

         Kiwi: How would you describe AW to friends?

 

Watson: I would say its a 3D Chat/Game where you can build virtually anything, and meet some pretty cool people also.

 

         Kiwi: Are you working on anything at the moment?

 

Watson: Other than the WTV(Wolf TeleVision) thing, nothing really. I am a TA in AWSchool, for a good while now. I will probably be deployed to a combat zone in November, for 6 months. There is nothing to really do until I get back at least.

 

         Kiwi: How would you describe yourself?

 

Watson: Wow! I do not know what to say, I do not want to sound conceited. I would say I am a pretty calm person, who has seen it all. Almost every type of person you could possibly meet, I've met them. So I am impossible to surprise. Because of this people will often get the idea that I do not care about anything, when I actually care a lot. 

 

         Kiwi : Anything else you would like us to know about you ?

 

Watson: Nah, I think ive said everything that needs to be said about myself! :)

 

         Kiwi: Been nice to meet you. Have a great day and see you in AW :-)

 

Watson: It's nice to talk to you, and you have an awesome day as well!

 

          Kiwi: Thank you for letting us get to know you better.

 

Watson: It is no problem. <3