@Techno - @Aalasteir (Q) - Index

Q: You used to use the upstairs neighbor's computer to play stolen Newgrounds games uploaded to random sites. What were the games you liked playing, and why do you think you liked them?

I played anything I could get my hands on, but Pico vs. Bear stuck with me because it was the perfect amount of edginess for a kid at the time. It felt like a new, exciting world, and that really drew me in.

Q: You first found out about Newgrounds in the year 2000 at the age of 7. How do you feel being thrown into the early 2000s Internet Wild West has influenced you?

The early 2000s internet was chaotic and full of raw, creative energy. Newgrounds, KillFrog, and even games like Runescape played a big part in shaping my understanding of the internet. The wild west of it all definitely encouraged me to be creative, experiment, and not take things too seriously.

Q: How did you learn to animate in Flash, and where did you learn to use Flash? After that, when did you start making Flash games?

I first learned to animate in Flash from my friend Paul. We’d make short animations together, sometimes submitting them to Newgrounds, although they didn’t always get the best reception. To improve, I just started engaging more with the community and asking questions on the BBS.

Making small games with actionscript was my introduction to the world of game development. Being so young, I had no idea how to really write code back then, so it was just trial and error. None of the original projects from that time period are available online, but I can assure you they were horrible.

Q: What's the story of you creating your account in 2006 August 11th?

I had another account before this one, but I lost the username and password. Creating a new one in 2006 was my way of starting fresh.

Q: The story of your username: Techno

Originally, I went by the username ‘LickitySplit’, and then tried out a few others. ‘Techno’ just sounded cool to me at the time, and honestly, I’ve never been too attached to online usernames. They’re just identifiers, not something I get too hung up on.

Q: How did you have bronze in 2008? How did you get to deity level whistle?

Just by using the site daily. After watching thousands of movies and playing countless games, you would run into content that broke the rules.

Q: What is the story behind Newgrounds: Abuse or Not!?

‘Abuse or Not!?’ was a game I made on a whim one weekend while staying at my grandmother’s house. Innocently, I wanted to give back to Newgrounds in any way that I could. It was a quick project, and it doesn’t hold up today, but I keep it on my profile as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

Q: What was it like working on Stamper's Quest For Fags?

This game was programmed by my friend Kevin. Most of the art were sprites that Luis had created, but didn’t end up using. We repurposed them and I filled in the gaps with additional art. This was one of the earliest games that I collaborated on with other people!

Q: How did you become an artist for MLP: Friendship is Pain?

The My Little Pony craze was everywhere at the time, and we created Friendship is Pain as a response to the fandom. The game wasn’t much in terms of depth, but it was fun to make!

Q: How did you create Air Hockey League in Godot? What is it like using the Godot Engine?

I started making the game in December, with the goal of releasing it at the beginning of January. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t played (go play it!), but it started off as just a simple Air Hockey game. Originally, I wanted to make the gameplay more like a tournament, where you would rise through the ranks and fight tougher opponents. It turns out that it is actually more work than you would expect and there was no way I would finish it in time. Instead, I pivoted and created something more simple with a fun twist ending. 

As for Godot, I absolutely love it! I have previously made games in other engines like GameMaker and Unity, but Godot definitely stands out. The way nodes are laid out just makes working with it so easy. And it is open source! If anyone is looking to get into making games, I highly recommend Godot.

Q: What would you say are the biggest downsides and upsides of Newgrounds from your perspective over the years?

I have always appreciated the crowd of creative people looking to share what they make on Newgrounds. The variety of content to consume constantly gives me inspiration to get the creative juices flowing.

Q: In what ways have your views on the world changed throughout the years, and why?

I’m still figuring this out myself!

Q: How did you discover Kenny vs Spenny? That show is really funny!

A friend in school showed me the show! Because it was a Canadian show, I would watch the episodes in horrible quality on YouTube. For anyone who doesn’t know, Kenny vs Spenny is a show where two guys have competitions and the loser has to do a humiliation. One of my favorite episodes is “Who Can Wear A Gorilla Suit the Longest?”. Good stuff!

Q: How would you describe your music taste?

It’s all over the place! Here are some bands I have been enjoying recently: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Khemmis, Rush, Elder, Pallbearer, Void Witch, and Japanese Breakfast.

Q: How did you get interested in making music?

I’ve always wanted to play an instrument, but it wasn’t until I got a guitar for Christmas that I really dove into making music. Before that I played the trumpet for a while, but my interest fell off. The guitar really clicked with me and ended up sticking with it.

Q: What tools do you use to make music?

Currently, I use Ableton as my DAW. My guitar is plugged into a NeuralDSP QuadCortex to use as my amp sim and interface. 

Q: What advice do you have for making music?

Just record everything! Even if you only have a chorus or an idea, record it. You might come back to it later and see how it can fit into something else you’re working on.

Q: When and how did you develop an unhealthy obsession with buying and playing guitars? At the moment, you have 9 or 10, and you've lost count.

I have always wanted more guitars, but never had the money for it. When I finally had the money, my lack of self-control began to take over. Some guitars I have purchased over the past 2 years are a Strandberg Masvidalien, a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Strat, and a 7-string Jackson Soloist.

Q: What does it mean to be a habitual hobby jumper? You bounce around between drawing, music, and programming, which does make making games a lot easier. What are some other hobbies you've had?

I have a lot of interests, and sometimes I need to switch things up. But I’ve learned that switching between drawing, music, and programming helps me stay inspired and gives me fresh perspectives on each one.

Other than those, I’m either cooking or working on games.

Q: What are your opinions on foods and drinks?

I’ve been making chicken piccata every week for the last couple of months. Cooking has become my way of unwinding after work and when I’m in the zone, it feels almost meditative.

Q: How did you get interested in Deathmatch Wrestling?

I got into wrestling through WWF and then found hardcore matches like those in ECW, which really grabbed my attention. Deathmatch wrestling takes that to the extreme. It’s raw and intense, but it's also a unique form of artistic expression that I understand not everyone appreciates. Deathmatch wrestling takes the existing dangers of wrestling and raises the stakes. These wrestlers are in the ring with real glass and real barbed wire tearing apart their body to tell a story. 

These days I am watching Game Changer Wrestling for my fix of deathmatches. 

Q: How did you get introduced to the art of Mike Mignola, Moebius, and Philippe Druillet, and what do you like about their work?

Like most people, I first discovered Mike Mignola’s work with his series Hellboy. I love the shapes that he uses and his bold use of shadow.

Moebius I discovered from the comic Silver Surfer: Parable. I was in absolute awe of how clean his linework was. Through discovering Moebius, I found the comic Lone Sloane. It was created by another French artist named Philippe Druillet. His work has a psychedelic element that is so attractive. Go check it out if you are into sci-fi comics!

Q: What do you think about comics, and why are your favorite comics Judge Dredd and Hellboy?

Judge Dredd just has the perfect mix of action and humor making it an amazing satirization of western culture. 

As for Hellboy, I really enjoyed the movie, which led me to the comics. Mignola has an amazing ability to weave his stories and art together in such an attractive way.

Q: What qualities do you look for in media?

I love when people wear their heart on their sleeve. Art doesn’t always have to be vulnerable, but I really enjoy when it is. It can help you see the world from a different perspective.

Q: How do you plan on making 3 games in the year 2025?

By brute force! I have a horrible habit of abandoning projects... so I have decided to salvage a few of them. "You Have to Go Fishing" is coming out on Pixel Day (January 23rd!). It is a game I started working on about a year ago and picked back up after finishing Air Hockey League. After that, I am most likely going to wrap up a side-scrolling platformer game titled "Onionrang". 

Q: You found a kitten under your porch, who now lives a happy life. What is the name of your cat?

Faye is her name and she is the most skittish cat that I have ever owned. She will calm down from time to time around people she is familiar with, but anyone else she will hide away until they are gone.

Q: Sadly, your other cat was diagnosed with diabetes and then heart failure, passing away this past October. What would be your advice for dealing with the loss of a friend?

Just remember all of the good times you were able to share with them. It may be cliche, but it’s the truth.

Q: What is your advice for life

In the wise words of the great John Cena: Never give up.