In our newest Antstream Arcade Twitch Superstar characteristic, we chat with one other one of many great individuals spreading the retro gaming glory of Antstream Arcade by way of streaming platforms. This week, we proudly current GutshotClown, AKA Aaron Maracle, answering questions on his gaming historical past, favorite video games, Antstream Arcade and extra. You can catch Aaron on Twitch at www.twitch.television/gutshotclown and on Twitter as @GutshotC.
On with the retro inquisition!
Antstream Arcade: Hello Aaron! What are your earliest recollections of gaming?
Aaron: Hello! I must go together with seeing a Space War cupboard for the primary time. I used to be about 5 years previous, and there was this arcade recreation the place you may battle a pal with a spaceship. I can nonetheless hear the mechanical click on of the buttons, attempting to play the sport and enjoying it horribly!
AA: What was the primary videogame that captured your creativeness?
Aaron: I’m tempted to say Adventure for the Atari 2600; however I’m going to decide on The Legend Of Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I’ve all the time loved enjoying RPGs, so videogames dungeon crawls have been all the time a favorite. Putting myself into the function of Link whereas I performed Legend Of Zelda was simple as I may think about myself as a daring adventurer taking over unfamiliar beings whereas trying to find Ganon and Triforce.
AA: Do you bear in mind your first video games console?
Aaron: Sure do! For Christmas 1980, our household bought a Sears Video Arcade. It was only a rebranded Atari 2600, however it was nonetheless superb. The concept that I may play videogames at residence, anytime I wished, with out having to make use of 1 / 4 blew my thoughts. Those 8-bit video games could seem tacky at the moment, however again then, they have been leading edge, and I may play them for hours. I nonetheless prefer to play them now as a result of it brings me again to my childhood.
AA: On the spot time, half one: as a veteran gamer, what has been your favorite period for gaming?
Aaron: There’s a interval that’s known as ‘The Golden Age Of Arcade Videogames’ and that’s my favorite period, roughly 1978 till 1985. It begins with the discharge of Space Invaders, which blew our minds. After that, we took the fast advances and progress within the trade with no consideration. Pac-Man, Centipede, Donkey Kong, Tron, Dragon’s Lair, Spy Hunter… 12 months after 12 months, superb video games appeared in our native arcades. And these locations have been a social hub for us, and we thought it might final without end; however, like all good issues, it got here to an finish. It was a good time for videogames, and I’m fairly completely satisfied I may dwell by way of that a part of gaming historical past.
AA: On the spot time, half two! What’s your favorite recreation of all time?
Aaron: This is like asking me to choose a favorite baby! There are so many video games I like to play, but when I needed to choose only one, I’d select Bubble Bobble. It’s not a lot the sport, however the recollections I’ve that make it a favorite. My daughters and I’d play it on the NES once they have been younger – we managed to complete it, and I treasure that have. So I are inclined to make it the final recreation I play earlier than the tip of my streams.
AA: When and why did you start streaming?
Aaron: Back in 2021, my daughters would speak about their streaming pal and the way cool they have been. Being a dad, I all the time wish to seem cool to my daughters. I do know that may by no means be the case, however a father should all the time strive! So I fired up my first stream in June 2021 and performed Apex with my daughters. I had a blast, so I stored going and, on a whim, determined to stream Antstream Arcade to see if anybody wished to look at some retro gaming. That stream was successful and shortly turned my model, the retro 80s man.
AA: How do you select which video games to stream, and what’s with the title?
Aaron: One technique I exploit is to set theme nights. I’ll choose a franchise, say Pac-Man, and run by way of all of the video games out there to indicate my viewers. I can also choose a sure class of video games and play as many as I can: side-scrolling fighters, flying video games, and maze video games have all been themes I’ve used. I’m additionally open to a viewer suggesting a recreation after which asking them what recollections they’ve of it. As for the title… it was meant to be a throwaway title. I used to be caught once I joined Twitch, and all I may consider was, ‘there’s nothing sadder than a gutshot clown and I figured I may change it later. Well, I turned in style shortly with associates, and it turned a part of my model. People have taken to calling me Gut, Gutty or my favorite, Uncle Gutty, as I’m seen as everybody’s web uncle who offers out free knowledge and recommendation.
AA: What do you consider Antstream Arcade?
Aaron: I’ve loved the service since day one – having all these video games at your fingertips and able to play makes life as a retro gamer just a little simpler. Also, having the ability to scroll by way of the video games is an enormous assist in discovering misplaced classics, as I don’t know the names of most of the traditional arcade video games I used to play. The means to avoid wasting your recreation is a really good characteristic for these of us who don’t have hours of free time to complete a recreation multi function session.
AA: What’s it like streaming Antstream Arcade? Do you get a very good response?
Aaron: It’s actually enjoyable and catches a viewer’s eye. Almost each stream, I get feedback like ‘hey, I remember this game!’ and ‘what are you playing it on?’. I additionally prefer to showcase the challenges every now and then to indicate viewers that the service has different methods to check their expertise. Performance-wise, I’ve by no means had a difficulty, and the expertise may be very clean for my viewers.
AA: As a valued member of the Antstream Arcade streaming neighborhood, do you’ve gotten any suggestions on how we will enhance?
Aaron: There are a couple of video games I’d prefer to see on Antstream. Ms Pac-Man and Galaxian can be good, whereas on the extra fashionable aspect, I’ve fond recollections of four-player video games equivalent to Sunset Riders and Vendetta.
AA: We’ll get on it! Finally, Aaron, AKA GutshotClown on Antstream Arcade, on a scale of 1 to 10, how geeky are you?
Aaron: I’d give myself an 8, however I’m fairly positive my household would give me a ten! I name the room the place I stream from The Geek Cave, and it’s crammed with my retro collectables. I put on the geek label proudly, and my associates typically discuss with me as The King Geek.
That seems like a ten to us! Our due to Aaron for his time – keep tuned for one more Antstream Arcade streaming celebrity profile quickly! Talk to love minded retro followers like Gutshotclown in our discord neighborhood.
