Team Interview: ShinyPSI

Quick Facts

Name: ShinyPSI

Age: 23

Favorite Game Genre: Action

Favorite Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Doom, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Earthbound, Super Metroid, Fallout 3. I reject your limitations and substitute my own.

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Streamer: ProtonJon

Random Fact About You: I was in a nationally televised commercial when I was in the third grade that ran for 6 years.

In-Depth Questions

When did you start streaming and who or what influenced you?

• I started streaming almost 1 year ago to the day. I had dabbled in content creation before, making really crappy Let's Plays after being inspired primarily by James Rolfe (The Angry Video Game Nerd,) Doug Walker, ProtonJon, and Norman Caruso (The Gaming Historian.) Streaming in particular was influenced by my dream of going to broadcasting school. However, all of the places dreamed of working have shifted their model and the demand for broadcasters in the sports world is decreasing. So instead, I decided to take my talents to Twitch as a creative outlet while I looked for a new field.

What do you like to stream and when do you typically stream?

• I like to stream Variety since I get bored easily. But lately, I've been having a lot of fun streaming Super Mario Maker, and Rocket League with the intention of starting Super Mario Maker 2 streams once the early release hype dies down a bit.

What platform do you stream from? Where do you publish your content?

• I stream from my PC. I have capture devices that work for almost any other system as well.

What is the very first game you ever remember playing?

• Super Mario Bros for the NES. My Mom bought my Dad an NES when she was pregnant with my sister, and he taught me how to play Mario. It all went downhill from there.

What about you and your stream do you feel sets you apart from other streamers?

• I intentionally go out of my way to play games with high skill gaps, knowing full well that I'm on the low end. I don't pretend that I'm the best player in the world, and I don't want to be. I just want to enjoy a game. Sometimes, people want to watch someone suck at things and slowly work their way up. Like the Karate Kid, except not at all.

What are your goals for your streaming community?

• I just like to enjoy myself, and want create a place for other people to enjoy themselves. I know it's cliche, but I didn't think I'd make it this far to be honest. So I'm just enjoying the ride.

How do you personally balance your streaming with work and your personal life?

• I don't. My personal life is a disaster and streaming is usually the first thing to get screwed over.

Have you encountered any hardships with streaming? How have you worked through them and what advice do you have for your fellow streamers?

• Injuring my hand in March really put a dampener on the fun. At the time, I let it completely derail streams. But in hindsight, I realized that I pretty easily could have streamed some games that didn't require the use of my left hand. But those games were too out of my comfort zone at the time. My advice to other streamers is to use something like that as an excuse to try something new. Don't be like me.

What are some of your long term goals outside of your streaming career?

• I just want to figure out where I really belong outside of streaming. I've worked a lot of jobs I hated. I just want to find a career path that doesn't mentally destroy me.

Do you have any streaming tips or suggestions for your fellow True members, or anyone looking to start streaming?

• Play what you want. People will find you. If you like the most popular game on Twitch, go for it. But playing something lower down the list isn't the end of the world. Most importantly, don't get discouraged by your first stream. Everyone's first stream sucks. Everyone. You'll get the hang of it.

Is there anything else you'd like us or the community to know?

• Die Hard is a Christmas movie. I don't care what you say.