Community Interview: o Bella Donna o
We’re back with our second community interview. So let’s fire away with the questions for
o Bella Donna o and see what she has to say!
What is your gamertag and what made you choose it?
I used to have a very uninspired GT when I first signed up on XBL. It was my last name with 007 at the end. After seeing thousands of players with 007, I figured I needed a change. I went with o Bella Donna o for two reasons. Coming from an Italian family, my grandma would affectionately call me by that nickname, but I chose it also because belladonna was a very poisonous & deadly plant. I thought it was the perfect mixture of naughty and nice. Someone from the original Xbox had taken Bella Donna, so I was forced to use the o’s.
How long have you been gaming and how did you get into it?
I started gaming in the early 80′s on the family Commodore 64. I was always mesmerized with technology even as a little kid, so it didn’t take me long to take over the computer with my games!
Do the rest of your family members game?
I used to be the only gamer in my family. My mom was sure that it was a “phase” that I was going to outgrow. Now that I’m grown, in my 30′s, and still gaming, she’s finally accepted that it might be more than just a phase!
I was super excited when my son picked up gaming and we could have that in common. My husband was never into video games, but when the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games came out–he being a drummer–it eased him into gaming world with me. Now he plays all the time.
Do you have friendly competitions against each other? Who wins?
My husband and I battle it out all the time on Rock Band and Guitar Hero. We’re always comparing scores and stats. I usually win…of course! I know that it makes him mad, especially when I beat his drum scores. He may be good with the real instruments, but I’m the Plastic Instrument Rock Star of the family.
My 9yr old son and I have races in Blur, and while I’d like to say that I’m the winner, he beats me nearly every time! He’s a drifting king. Me–I just crash and bang into walls.
My proudest moment was when my mom came to my house and played Rock Band Beatles with me. I was surprised at how much she got into it. I guess it transported her back to her teenage years when she had Beatles posters all over her walls and would scribble “Mrs. John Lennon” on her notebooks.
Comparing your first memories of gaming, to what you experience now, how do they differ?
I’m amazed at how much gaming has changed. Going from the days of Pong and monochromatic, very pixel-y games to where we are at with HD gaming — it’s truly mind blowing. With graphics being so real, it pulls you into the story like never before.
What’s your favourite game on the Xbox 360 and what makes it your favourite?
COD3. I know that it wasn’t the most popular of the series, but I thought the game play, especially the multi player was the best and most balanced of the series. I logged way to many hours into that game. The community of COD3 is small, yet tight knit, so it made it that much more enjoyable. You knew most of the regular players by first name. It was like the Xbox Live version of Cheers.
What about genres? Do you have a specific type of game you like to play, or are you happy playing a variety of titles?
I like playing a variety genres. However, lately with my hectic schedule, I’ve been happy to veg out with the casual games. I think I lost my killer FPS instinct 
What do you love about the Xbox 360?
I love the social aspect. I can use it to keep in contact with my friends and family who live on the other side of the country, but I can also gather a bunch of people in my living room and we can all make total fools of ourselves singing in Rock Band. I like how it has brought my son and I closer together since we have can have a hobby in common.
Also being an insomniac, it gives me something to do when I’m tired of watching infomercials 
If you could make any changes to Xbox LIVE or the Forums, what would they be and why?
Hmmm…good question. **Put’s thinking cap on** There isn’t much that I would change to the forums or XBL except maybe lower the prices on DLC to make them more accessible to everyone. Especially map packs! I also really hope that the paying for muliplayer access doesn’t catch on. Gaming is expensive enough!
What do you think about Kinect, and will you be purchasing the device?
The jury’s still out on that one for me. I think that it has potential, but if it turns into a glorified Wii, I may just have to pass. Not that there is anything wrong with the Wii…I can just borrow my brother’s for free!
Do you utilize your Xbox 360 for anything other than gaming?
I may be the only one left on the planet who doesn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account, so I don’t use those apps, but I use the Netflix feature nearly everyday. <3 Netflix
What do you do when you’re not playing Xbox 360?
When I’m not busy being a mother to a 5th grader, I work from home as a Project Manager for an Insurance Company. Not exciting work, but in addition to my regular job, I get to be our company’s IT person as well, so that satisfies my love of all things computers. I’m also a proud mommy to 3 crazy Boxers as well as an active foster parent for a Boxer rescue organization. We have a constant revolving door of Boxers that have passed through these doors that we take care of until they get adopted by their forever families.
If you could pick any Xbox 360 gaming character, who would you be and why?
Gordon Freeman from the Half Life series or Joanna Dark from Project Dark Zero. All he needs is a crowbar to get business done, and she’s the female James Bond.
Who is the most memorable person or situation you’ve encountered on LIVE?
Being a part of the Gamerchix has introduced me to so many awesome ladies that I consider friends. I could fill a whole page with all their names! If I was forced to name just one it would be Madame Dork. I met her in person at E for All in 2008 and it was like meeting my long lost sister. We had a blast, and we’ve been in constant communication on the forums and XBL ever since. XXOdessaXX is also another amazing person that I met through Xbox and the forums.
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