Employee Profile: Dimmerswitch

Psych wrote:

If I could only say one thing about Dimmerswitch, it would be that he is one of the nicest people I know.

Fortunately, I am allowed to say many more things about Dimmerswitch, but it is really hard for me to really say what I think of this wonderful person. When I lost my job last year, Dimmerswitch was there to help me keep my head above water. Through afternoon games of Team Fortress 2 and endless hours of Football Manager, he was able to keep me sane despite going through his own health issues. Because that is the kind of classy guy he is.

Dimmerswitch is and has been my Gamers With Jobs conscience, that little white angel on my shoulder. He has remained level-headed in many situations where I behaved regrettably. Eventually I figured out to speak to him before I said something idiotic. I highly recommend it to everyone: Before you post something in anger, just shoot Dimmer a quick PM.

Let me end with this story. He messaged me on Steam one day, starting with these words: "I screwed up last night. I got really drunk." I really wasn't sure where this was going, and I wasn't prepared for what he said next. "I blew my team's entire transfer funds on 6 strikers." Now, a quick explanation for those who don't follow soccer: A striker is an attacking player, and you don't need six starting strikers on your team. I think he spent an entire season dealing with these player's egos. I am also pleased to say that Dimmer didn't fully learn from this situation, and I got quite a few more messages of drunk regret in regards to his team's funds.

So let's all raise a glass — and I don't care if you are at work, go get some booze — and let's all raise a glass to this stand-up gentlemann!

1) Who the devil are you?

Chris Patterson here. I'm a Virginian by birth, Wisconsinite by choice. My wife and I have moved around a fair amount in our time together, but are happy to have ended up in Madison, where we're (finally) putting down some roots.

2) What are you supposed to be doing when you're reading GWJ?

I work as a front-end developer, and have been doing this for my day job since the bad old days of heavily-nested tables, when IE4 still had that new-pixel smell.

Internet Explorer still has a bit of an odor, so in some respects not much has changed.

3) How about family? Kids? Pets? Particularly meaningful inanimate objects?

In addition to the estimable Mrs. Dim, whom I love dearly (and whose affection for me is one of life's enduring mysteries), I'm awfully fond of these guys.

IMAGE(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5102/5769897134_6b21e41c44_z.jpg)

We also have chickens.

IMAGE(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5228/5854238278_1065ee458f_z.jpg)

4) What first brought you to GWJ? What keeps you coming back?

Definitely the community. Goodjerdom is a pretty special corner of the internet. I most often view it as a family - though sometimes folks passionately disagree, and sometimes at great (imagined) volume, there is nobody here I wouldn't sit down and play a game with. The fact that the converse is (often) true is both exhilarating and humbling.

5) Why do you play games? Why haven't you outgrown them?

Well, at their heart, games are about the dynamic resolution of conflict. That's a fairly powerful approximation of human experience, I've found. Pretty sure when that gets old and uninteresting I will be, too.

6) When and/or how did you get into gaming?

I've been into gaming as long as I can remember. Far too many from my childhood for a full list, but some ones that cast a large shadow in my mind at the current moment:

Dark Tower, Wizardy, Stratego, Bilestoad, Chopper Strike, Eamon, Warhammer 40k, Kareteka, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Star Blazer, SimCity

My first console gaming was on a Bally/Midway system. This may also explain why I have gravitated more towards table or PC gaming than consoles as an adult.

7) What is your favorite game over the last year or so? Why?

Easily Telltale Games' Walking Dead. While the gameplay elements were not especially challenging, it's some of the most adventurous story-telling I've seen in a video game. It provoked a stronger emotional response from me than any other game I can remember playing.

8) What is your favorite game that you’re playing right now? Why?

Firefall. What Red5 is trying to do is awfully ambitious, and there's still a non-zero chance that it'll fail to work for a variety of reasons, but I see some real potential, even in the current beta state. (Plus, I have a soft spot for any game that leads to Felicia Day threatening me on Twitter ). There's a small crowd of GWJers who play regularly right now, and a larger crowd of more intermittent players, but we're always happy to have other folks join us.

9) What is the story behind your tag? ("Credit to Team")

It's a quote from Team Fortress 2. There were some other strong contenders, but in the end I chose this one because it epitomizes my goal in multiplayer games. I don't care about having the top score, or pulling off impressive plays. I want to be the guy who, when he's on a team, allows everyone else to be better.

10) Is there a particular forum on GWJ that you frequent/favor? Why?

In addition to the fabled TF2 forums, or being one of the two Everton supporters in the Sports forums (COYB!), I can often be found in Politics & Controversy. Why? Well, at its best it provides a way for me to understand the thought processes of folks on the other side of issues, and to challenge myself to avoid lazy arguments for my own positions. At its worst, I find myself asking that question, too.

11) Thanks for taking the time to answer our hard-hitting questions! Any last words?

Wait, why are you holding that hypodermic behind your back?

Comments

Dimmer is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.

(And very friendly when he shoots your face off in TF2.)

Quintin_Stone wrote:

Dimmer is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.

You made me agree with Q-Stone!

I loaded the site and thought "Why the hell is Julian putting his picture up on the front page?! That egomaniac!"

Whoops

Dimmer, you've been an inspiration. I only use the spycicle now because of you!

On the flip side, you were a great help when I entered that level design contest. I still go back and watch that video you made and try to learn something new from it. I solute you, you kind and wonderful man.

I want to add to all this Dimmer love, but what is there left to say? Top-notch human being, that guy is. I came for the community, and stayed because of people like Dimmer.

MyBrainHz wrote:

Very high on the list of People I Hope to Meet in Person in the Near Future.

This 100 times. Dimmer's one of the best people I know. Period. Kind, considerate, even-tempered, a great teammate, funny as hell (Tro-lo-lo - I know you don't remember that, which makes it even funnier! ), someone you can talk to. The list goes on. Just an outstanding person. I feel like I know him, even though all we've ever done is play some TF2 and a few other games together and been on IRC. Absolutely one of the people I most want to meet in person.

Congrats, Dimmer, on making the front page!

Dimmer's toppers, GWJers. It's always nice to hear his smiling voice and feel his spike of ice between my shoulder blades.

It has always been a pleasure gaming with you, cheers to you!

Certis wrote:

I loaded the site and thought "Why the hell is Julian putting his picture up on the front page?! That egomaniac!"

Whoops ;)

For me, I thought it was the director of "The Game".

IMAGE(http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/files/imagecache/article_image/article_images/yt7Ls.jpg)IMAGE(http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100308194320/henson-alternative/images/3/31/TedMichaels.jpg)

Can't agree more, Dimmer is an awesome guy. Had a great time eating dinner with him a while back.

Dimmer, you sorry sack of crap!

Sorry, I had to cleanse the palate, as it were, from all the sugary sweetness.

IMAGE(http://t.qkme.me/3rqymb.jpg)

All right, got that out of my system. I will pile on here and just parrot everyone else here. Mr. Switch was one of the first people to welcome me back to TF2 a while ago after one of my periodic hiatuses, and was kind enough to gift me some in-game swag.

He is a fellow of unquestionable taste, breeding, and nothing short of him punting a puppy through some uprights would bring him bad karma.

tboon wrote:

(Tro-lo-lo - I know you don't remember that, which makes it even funnier! )

It is true that I don't remember this, though I think you were one of the folks I was playing realism-mode Left 4 Dead 2 with on the Hard Rain campaign that night I got in trouble.

For folks who haven't played Left 4 Dead 2, realism-mode means that players no longer respawn normally - so death is a much bigger deal. Additionally, the "witch" special infected in realism-mode will instantly kill any players that they attack. Further, the Hard Rain campaign has levels which take place in a sugar mill, which is chock-full of witches.

The recipe for getting in trouble? Fire up realism-mode L4D2, choosing the Hard Rain campaign, after Mrs. Dim has gone to bed. Then, during on of the sugar mill levels, start bellowing "HOLY sh*t IT'S A WITCH BACK UP BACK UP" - about as loudly as you can.

Your spouse will wake up and let you know you woke her up from being dead asleep. Then she will laugh at you, close the bedroom door, and go back to bed.

Spoiler:

I do feel like I got off fairly lightly.

Love the chicken photo.

Dimmerswitch wrote:
tboon wrote:

(Tro-lo-lo - I know you don't remember that, which makes it even funnier! )

It is true that I don't remember this, though I think you were one of the folks I was playing realism-mode Left 4 Dead 2 with on the Hard Rain campaign that night I got in trouble.

For folks who haven't played Left 4 Dead 2, realism-mode means that players no longer respawn normally - so death is a much bigger deal. Additionally, the "witch" special infected in realism-mode will instantly kill any players that they attack. Further, the Hard Rain campaign has levels which take place in a sugar mill, which is chock-full of witches.

The recipe for getting in trouble? Fire up realism-mode L4D2, choosing the Hard Rain campaign, after Mrs. Dim has gone to bed. Then, during on of the sugar mill levels, start bellowing "HOLY sh*t IT'S A WITCH BACK UP BACK UP" - about as loudly as you can.

Your spouse will wake up and let you know you woke her up from being dead asleep. Then she will laugh at you, close the bedroom door, and go back to bed.

Spoiler:

I do feel like I got off fairly lightly.

Oh yeah, that was pretty awesome too!

We should play L4D2 sometime. Soon.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Dimmerswitch is one of the nicest, sweetest people I've met, on the internet or in real life. He's a really stand-up guy, and I'm glad to have gotten to know him.

I can't really say it any better than this.

So what are the chicken's names? Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Fingers?

Dimmer certainly deserved being the first Employee profile of this year (he is, right? lol)

Congrats on the employee profile Dimm, you stand out in a place already full of great people, thanks for all the gaming.

mrtomaytohead wrote:

So what are the chicken's names? Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Fingers?

They're egg chickens not meat chickens, and the fact that we've given them names definite puts them at the intersection of livestock and pets.

But, since you asked, those ladies are (LtR): Cleopatra, Buffy, Boadicea, and Antoinette (the Golden Campine in the foreground of that shot). Antoinette was definitely the backyard bully of our little flock.

Sadly, Antoinette was eventually killed by a hawk (in an odd parallel to her namesake, the hawk bit off her head).

We've named the hawk Robespierre.

Congrats on the profile Dimmer!

Quintin_Stone wrote:

Dimmer is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.

Isn't that the kind of thing you're supposed to say about your wife.

___

Congrats dimmer. Probably among first person in GWJ who I made a subconscious note as "The friendly guy who always greets me"

Pft, you know my wife.

You might want to drop the life insurance policy on yourself, that is unless your parents are the beneificiary.

I have no idea why you people are going on and on about how great he is. The jerk switches teams just to stab me in the back.

It's still fun as hell, congrats Dimmer.

ragin_redneck wrote:

I have no idea why you people are going on and on about how great he is. The jerk switches teams just to stab me in the back.

It's still fun as hell, congrats Dimmer.

It's all tied in to

I want to be the guy who, when he's on a team, allows everyone else to be better.

He probably just noticed you weren't being as cautious as you should be, and felt that giving you a concrete reason to spy check would be more effective than just telling you to look out for spies. He hunted you down and slaughtered you because he just wants to help you be better.

Congrats Dimmer!

Dimmer is the kind of guy I've really tried to emulate over the past several months in P&C, that is until I realized I'm done with that mud pit. Now Id really like to get together for a gaming session with him. At any rate, congrats on the profile!

Oh man, those are really sweet chickens.

Now I know who to look for if the fabled Madison get together ever happens.

UCRC wrote:

Oh man, those are really sweet chickens.

Next resource in Civ?

Also, hearing that in your voice made it way funnier.

ragin_redneck wrote:

I have no idea why you people are going on and on about how great he is. The jerk switches teams just to stab me in the back.

It's still fun as hell, congrats Dimmer.

Here's how that happened. One night, Ragin' and I happened to be on different teams, as we payed KotH with alltalk on, messing around until the server filled up. I was playing spycicle spy, and I'm pretty sure he was Demo. I wasn't particularly hunting him, but as sometimes happens, I just kept managing to end up behind him with a wide-open backstab.

After several of these in a row, Ragin' started laughing uproariously every time my knife turned him into an ice sculpture. At this point, I started hunting him on purpose, and taunting after every kill.

Ragin' kept laughing, and I like having happy friends, so I kept it up.

I'll admit that I have, subsequently, team-switched a couple of times in order to stab entertain Ragin'.

Also, I'm flattered that I was a friendly enough face that at least a couple of folks decided to check out the community. If this whole Internet thing turns out to be a fad, maybe I'll be able to fall back on those skills as a Wal-Mart greeter or something.

Edit to add:

Norfair wrote:

Now I know who to look for if the fabled Madison get together ever happens.

I'll need to chat with Mrs. Dim, but I'd really like to have a S&T this spring. Maybe we can even lure DreadedGazebo to join us?