Q&A: Pippa Tshabalala
presenter of The Verge, a gaming show on DStv
channel 123
Q: What is your favourite gaming platform and why?

A: Anything and everything. I own most platforms including handhelds. People always ask me which is better, but the truth is they all have their pros and cons and it’s ultimately down to preference.

Q: What gaming title has been your best purchase?

A: I would probably have to say Batman Arkhum Asylum if I looked at games in the past year. It’s one of the most engaging games I’ve played in ages.

Q: Your thoughts on Project Natal (Microsoft's controller-free gaming experience)?

A: Like many people I’m sceptical until I can experience it for myself, although if it’s successful I think it could influence the gaming industry radically. I’ve read some interesting articles both for and against it, and while motion control really is the big thing at the moment, only time will tell.  

Q: What Xbox and PS3 titles do you think are going to be huge in 2010?

A: Anything soccer related so FIFA World Cup and FIFA 11 will be huge. God of War 3 definitely is the big one on the cards, and Mass Effect 2 has made a big splash. Heavy Rain (watch out for the review in the April/May issue of Digital Life -ed), Red Dead Redemption, Splinter Cell: Conviction and Halo: Reach are some of the other big titles on console. I think Starcraft 2 on PC is still going to be one of the biggest titles this year, purely because it’s been so hyped and delayed for so long although, of course, we still have no fixed release date.

Q: Do you think gaming makes people social or anti-social?

A: I think it depends on the person, but gaming can actually be a very sociable activity. Personally I don’t like playing much online, but most Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) like World of Warcraft are very sociable games, and many couples and friends play games together in a social context.

Q: If you could get a gaming tattoo, what would you get?

A: Haha, I’ve thought of this often actually, and given the number of tattoos I have, I’m surprised that I’ve never managed to narrow it down. Honestly, I think it would be something slightly old school, as those are the games that hold the most memories for me.