If you've ever watched any of the videogame trailer clips here on GamerSquad then it's more than likely that you're already familiar with the sterling work of Amanda MacKay.

With microphone in hand, Amanda can often be found trawling through the crowds at conventions (most recently E3 and Comic Con) to secure interviews with all the industry's leading figures. Furthermore, beyond the slog of the pulsing convention circuit, Amanda can also be seen on GameTrailers.com as the host of popular show GameOne.

As part of GamerSquad's ongoing "Women in Gaming" feature, we thought it'd be interesting to wrestle the microphone out of Amanda's hand and turn it back on her for a change. She won't thank us for saying this, but getting her to let go of the mic has been a somewhat arduous task - and one we were beginning to give up on - but the final interview was certainly worth the anguish of waiting. Then again, she's a busy lady, and we're nothing less than grateful that she found the time to chat with us.

 

Amanda MacKay Interview

Questions by Stevie Smith

 

Amanda, many thanks for agreeing to take some time out to get to know our readers; it’s safe to say that through the emergence of GameTrailers it’s highly unlikely that they don’t already know you… though we’re about to duly squeeze you for information and insight that may well sate their ravenous appetites.

 

 

GS: First up, can you give us a little background on your history, in terms of where you were born, grew up, studied, and when you initially knew that being connected to the entertainment biz was your calling in life?

 

Amanda: I grew up in Canada and I went to high school just outside of Vancouver. There I started to work on my school newspaper, and I fell in love with journalism. A scholarship then helped me go to school for Broadcast Journalism. I’ve been lucky enough to be working as a host and producer steadily ever since I graduated.

 

 

GS: How did you get involved in the videogame scene, Amanda, specifically leading up to your involvement with the likes of G4’s Pulse through to GTWeekly, GameOne and GameHead on GameTrailers.com?

 

Amanda: I got offered the job as co-host of G4’s Pulse while I was still in Vancouver, hosting a daily music show for MTV Canada. It took five months for my US working Visa to come through, and four months after that Pulse and a bunch of other videogame shows on G4 were cancelled. Luckily for me, GameTrailers called me a month later and I have been happily with them ever since. It’s been great to be a part of their huge success and to work on GameOne and GameHead!!

 

 

GS: It looks like you have a great deal of fun in front of the camera, whether it be hosting or interviewing at official events – as though you’re ‘in the gaming groove’ as it were, and not merely a scripted host. Have you always been a fan of gaming?

 

Amanda: Yes of course. It always surprises me when people think I might not be into games and that this is just a job for me, you could not do my job without having a love for all things gaming.

 

 

GS: What happened to your official site? Our research took a bit of a hit finding it was suddenly offline. Will it be resurrected at all?

 

Amanda: The site was crashing early at the end of each month because I was getting so many visitors, then it started crashing sooner and sooner each month and in July it crashed the very first week. The fabulous team at GT is taking care of it for me as we speak.

 

(GS: Amanda’s official site is now back online and can be visited by clicking HERE).

 

 

GS: We note that you’ve spent some time in front of the camera as an actress too, Amanda, appearing in the USA Network’s “The 4400” and Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner crime caper “3000 Miles to Graceland.” Any plans to take up more theatrical roles in the future?

 

Amanda: I would love to be in a movie based on a videogame…that would be fun!! I would also love (even more) to have a role in an actual game!!

 

 

GS: As a girl with an active role in the gaming industry, do you ever find yourself having to justify your position because you happen to be a rather attractive female with an affinity for gaming, and not the stereotypically generic gaming cut-out that most people expect to find?

 

Amanda: I don’t let it bother me. I think once people meet me, they understand that I am not just a talking head and that I know my stuff. I have learned not to read forum boards though.

 

 

GS: Probably wise. You interview an awful lot of industry players, do you think, on balance, that there are enough women in gaming, specifically in positions of note, or is the industry still largely a bit of a boys’ club?

 

Amanda: I don’t feel that the videogame industry is still much of a boys’ club. Yes, there are more boys but there are tons of us girls too. And anyway, who cares what’s under our pants? J

 

 

GS: Of the female industry members you’ve been able to interview, are there any that stand out in terms of drive and inspiration?

 

Amanda: Jade Raymond – I think she is one of the sweetest, smartest people I have met in this industry, and I can’t wait to get my hands on Assassin’s Creed!!

 

 

GS: We agree with you on both counts. In terms of girls actually existing ‘in’ videogames, do you gravitate towards titles with a female in the lead role, and does it matter to you whether you play as a girl or a guy once immersed in the gameplay?

 

Amanda: It doesn’t matter to me. I love playing as Link as much as BloodRayne!!

 

 

GS: Do you think that publishers and developers are doing enough to balance the amount of positive female role models appearing in games today, and are you at all offended by the repeated portrayal of women as little more than derogatory sex objects in certain high-profile franchises?

 

Amanda: I look at videogames as entertainment and I don’t judge others for what they find entertaining (I mean we’re not talking snuff films or kiddie porn here, we’re talking mainstream videogames). Having said that I think it’s important that games are in the right hands, and that those buying them (especially parents) know what they are getting into. If a game is rated Mature, don’t buy it for your eight year old and then complain to congress that it’s too violent or sexy.

 

 

GS: If so, do you actively avoid playing those types of titles, or are you tolerant for the sake of appreciating the core gameplay and narrative, which, in many cases, is excellent and has little or nothing to do with over-endowed girls in skimpy bikinis?

 

Amanda: I don’t get it…is there something wrong with an over-endowed girl in a skimpy bikini? J

 

 

GS: Hahaha, evidentally not for fans of Dead or Alive Xtreme. Who’s the most outwardly intimidating celebrity (gaming or otherwise) you’ve ever thrust the microphone at, and were your knees knocking? Conversely, who was the most welcoming and easy to interview?

 

Amanda: I don’t get intimated or impressed very easily, but I thought Snoop Dogg was awesome!! He seemed to really live the life…I mean there were girls literally throwing themselves at him as we interviewed him!! I’m also a big UFC fan so it was fun to interview Rampage Jackson recently at E3.

 

 

GS: When was the last time you were stopped in the street by a fan, and does being recognised publicly freak you out at all?

 

Amanda: We just got back from Comic Con and I got stopped by tons of awesome GT fans. I always love hearing from them!!

 

 

GS: Have you ever met Miami-based medical malpractice lawyer and renowned videogame activist Jack Thompson?

 

Amanda: No.

 

 

GS: Based on the growing trend in gaming to cut back on single-player elements in favour of focusing more on multiplayer aspects, given the choice would you rather play through single-player narrative or socially-driven multiplayer?

 

Amanda: Single player usually. I’m kind of a loner J

 

 

GS: So, let’s assess your gaming credentials by way of hardware, Amanda. Which gaming platforms do you have stashed away at home and which, if any, hogs the biggest percentage of your free time?

 

Amanda: I have a 360, Wii, DS Lite, PS2, and my old Super Nintendo. The Wii has been the most played console at my house for the last few months, followed closely by the 360.

 

 

GS: Do you have a favourite specific game and genre type? And what, if anything, do you suck and rule at?

 

Amanda: I try out all sorts of games but I tend to play through action adventure titles, and I love the pick up and play aspect of sports games.

 

 

GS: Don’t stop to think about it: Which do you prefer – PlayStation Portable or Nintendo DS?

 

Amanda: Nintendo DS.

 

 

GS: Is there one particular game that pulls you back to it, even if months have gone by since you last spent time in its company?

 

Amanda: Nintendogs – when I am travelling it makes me miss my real dogs a little bit less.

 

 

GS: Has being the host on dedicated videogame shows in any way altered the type of guy who plucks up the courage to approach you socially? We’d imagine the conversation would more readily centre on World of Warcraft rather than your Swarovski earrings?

 

Amanda: Uhhh…no comment…a girl never tells!!

 

 

GS: Do you have a favourite amongst the current crop of (next-gen) videogame consoles, and do you think there’s any credence to the Nintendo Wii being labelled as ‘a fad’ by its detractors?

 

Amanda: I think that anything that makes people realize how great the gaming community is is a good thing. Some of my best girlfriends were never into games, and now they’re playing Wii drinking games on the weekend. I think that’s cool and hopefully we’ll see some awesome titles on all the next-gen consoles for years to come.

 

 

GS: What do you do for fun beyond the lure of videogames, and does gaming ever feel like an arduous chore after being surrounded by it each and every day?

 

Amanda: This is starting to feel like a personal ad, haha!! Umm, I try to go surfing as much as possible (which isn’t enough), I love taking my dogs to the beach and every winter I go to Whistler to snowboard. I wouldn’t call playing games a chore but if you’ve been surrounded by them all day they can lose a bit of their “unwinding” qualities. Usually though, talking about cool games all day just makes me to want to play them too!!

 

 

GS: Is there a defining moment in your life or career that you hold onto in order to keep yourself grounded if work ever starts to feel a little too ‘Hollywood’?

 

Amanda: Umm my work doesn’t usually get too Hollywood (have you ever experienced the Anime Expo?), but if and when it does I’ll let you know. Seriously though, living in L.A. did take a while to get used to. I try to avoid the club scene as much as possible. Besides I have too many videogames to play!!

 

 

GS: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now? What goals and aspirations do you hope to have filled?

 

Amanda: Oh my God, I can barely think about next month let alone ten years from now!! Hopefully happy I guess. (Standard answer but come on, it was a standard question too…haha)!!

 

 

GS: Finally, did you have more fun as a blonde? And, will you be holding steadfast to the brunette styling for much longer – (blinks eyelids) our personal preferences and blatant lack of impartiality is creeping in at the death, we fear.

 

Amanda: It is so funny to me the emails I get about my hair. I am going to have to dye my hair every show to keep everyone happy I think.

 

 

GS: Again, thanks for sparing GamerSquad some of your time, Amanda. It’s been an absolute pleasure to quiz you on the various facets of your day-to-day and your progressive career up to this point. We hope your success continues as is, and that you grace our videogame coverage for many years to come. Cheers.

 

Amanda: Thanks to you too!! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you but I’m used to asking the questions, not answering them J

 

 

GS: You are, of course, forgiven.