DebasedtoThis.org | Interview with Stuttering Craig

Any fan of this site knows about Stuttering Craig. We hear him weekly, we see him in ScrewAttack videos, and sometimes he even shows up on the forum to throw his opinion on certain subjects onto the pile. But as much as we know of him, there isn't a load that we know about him. I've seen g1s ask certain questions about Craig over and over again that never get answered, and I'm certain that they thought the questions never would be answered.

However, I decided to change that. I was able to get in touch with Craig and ask him a questions via email – he's a busy guy afterall. I asked him questions about ScrewAttack, questions about himself, questions about the community, and even questions about The Game Heroes. Today, we will learn a little more about “Stuttering” Craig Skistimas.

Debaser: Did you have any other broadcast projects in mind before ScrewAttack.com came to life?

Stuttering Craig: Before ScrewAttack started I actually was pursuing a job in sports broadcasting. Throughout college I called the occasional basketball/football game and really liked it. I actually sent an audition tape in to the WWE for work as on of the commentators "in the back" and received a call back. Ultimately though I was turned down for a couple reasons 1)I was too young of a look for what they were looking for and 2)I think I rushed my second audition tape and take the time needed to make it perfect. Like most experiences in life it was a valuable lesson to learn.

D: Would you like to see ScrewAttack grow into a large company like Gamespot or Gametrailers?

SC: Ya know, I'm asked this a lot and the bottom line is that I don't think I would have a problem growing into a large company as long as the roots of what ScrewAttack is about remain the same. As with any company, growth is a great thing. I definitely don't want to discourage us from growing at all. If I did that, then I wouldn't be doing the right thing for everyone at the HQ as well as all our g1s.

D: Are there any regrets at this point? Is there anything at all that you would have done differently?

SC: Honestly, no. I think it's been well chronicled that I've had to make some tough decisions, but ultimately I wouldn't change a thing.

D: If there was one console to represent what ScrewAttack stands for, what would it be?

SC: Is this the point of the interview where you pin me as a fanboy?! Ha ha. I think the easy answer would be the Super Nintendo just because of it's long last and vast library of incredible titles... BUT if you dig a little deeper, then I would say the Dreamcast because it has a cult following that is very faithful to it's product.

D: You have expanded your small company to the UK. Are there any future plans for other countries?

SC: Not right now. I do think it's amazing that their have been ScrewAttack inspired g1 "countries" popping up. It's really really cool that we have a community like that. In the future will be there other official ScrewAttack countries? Possibly. It's gotta be the right fit and they really have to offer something more than just being in that specific country.

D: Would you ever consider a television deal for your content if it was offered?

SC: We would love to do a TV show. However, that TV show would have to be something very ScrewAttack-y. No offense to GTTV or CGS or anything like that, but we want to do things differently. We've got several ideas that we are kicking around that we're gonna put in front of the right people to see what happens. Getting a show on TV is incredibly hard but ultimately it is something that ScrewAttack could do for sure.

D: Many g1s are constantly asking to be hired by ScrewAttack. How do you feel about this demand, and would you ever consider it?

SC: Oh, I LOVE that so many people want to be a part of the ScrewAttack family at the HQ. It really puts a premium on the positions we have here. The g1s have been so supportive and been such a huge part of ScrewAttack already I wish I could hire everyone who wanted a job but a las it can't be. Would I ever hire a g1? Absolutely, but in all honesty they just have to be at the right place at the right time.

D: Would you, at any point in time, wish to create a joint project with TheGameHeroes.com?

SC: Ha ha ha.... ya know I've heard this a lot lately, and people are acting like it would be this groundbreaking thing. I think those people forget that we had a joint venture about 6 months ago. Everyone has moved on to do there own thing, and I don't think it's necessary.

D: If someone from The Game Heroes wanted to return to ScrewAttack, would you agree to bring them back?

SC: If it got to that point, then we'd cross that road when we got to it.

D: Would you be willing to give advice to The Game Heroes? If so, what would it be?

SC: I've known pretty much everyone over there on a personal level in some way, shape or form so they know how I am. My advice would be to not take anything that happened or happens personally. I think some did and they shouldn't have. Everything has worked out for the better for all parties involved.

D: How does it feel to go from a SlamBall athlete to a gaming guru? Also, does the idea of playing sports professionally still appeal to you?

SC: It's a pretty weird transition to be honest. I've always love gaming and sports and to be involved in both at a professional level is something that I can't imagine a whole lot of people can say they've done. When I heard SlamBall was coming back I thought "it would be cool..." for like 1/2 a second and then I slapped myself and realized where my heart is. There is no way I could go back and play a sport professionally right now because a)I'm not in shape b)I'm not very good any more and c)there is no way I could walk away from ScrewAttack. Now if the opportunity came to do some TV work for a league, I would be all about it as long as it didnt take away from my day to day activities at ScrewAttack.

D: You've mentioned many times before that ScrewAttack consumes a large percentage of your personal time. How many hours a week do you work, and do you believe that you work too much?

SC: Whew... too many. I would say in any given 24 hour day I spend about 13-14 hours working on ScrewAttack related stuff. Do I work too much? My girlfriend says yes... ha ha.

D: Do people recognize you as Stuttering Craig when you do normal things like go to the grocery store?

SC: I've been recognized a few times at random places, which is pretty rad, but most of the time it's at gaming events and such. It's really a pretty big honor, and I'll 100% always make the time to talk to people.

D: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

SC: Being able to have creative freedom. That is something I never want to limit anyone at the HQ with. Being able to do and say whatever we want is such a big part of what ScrewAttack is all about and there is no way we would be where we are at if we didn't. You can't do that working for pretty much any other company.

D: Do you enjoy the attention you receive from ScrewAttack fans, and would you consider yourself an Internet celebrity?

SC: Like I said, it's really an honor when I'm recognized. An internet celebrity? Nah... more of just some dude playing games, working his ass off with a bunch of cool people to make videos about what we love.

D: What was your initial reaction to Mike Dodd's "Screw-a-tat?"

SC: At first I was like "WTF is he thinking?!" But once he was positive that he was going through with it I was like "wow- THAT is pretty damn awesome." It was almost surreal seeing that on someone's body on video and then seeing it in person at this past IMOG was like BAM! It's honestly pretty damn amazing that we've shaped his life to such an extent that he cares about us so much that he put us on his arm for the rest of his life. Wow. Just WOW.

D: Are there any g1 projects that you pay close attention to?

SC: Believe it or not, I'm a constant lurker on the forums and have my ear very close to the ground when it comes to things going on. Obviously projects like Gamma Prime, A3 and g1 Strike are the most "high profile" but I love to keep track of the blogs and comments and read what the community is thinking or doing.

D: Are there any hints you'd like to drop about the eventual use of the g1 points?

SC: It's a secret to everyone... (Editor's Note: I tried, g1s!)

D: How do you feel about the g1 community as a whole?

SC: I would like to see the forums a little more active by having a couple hundred g1s on at a time but other than that I've been very open an honest about this: We have the best community on the internet. I can't think of any other site out there that has such an involved community. That was my goal from the very beginning and it's really cool to see it come to fruition. I've said it before and I'll say it again... ScrewAttack would not be what it is without the g1s. Period.

D: How do you feel about the ScrewAttack admin/mod team as a whole?

SC: The best there is. Our admins, Rhi and Fox, do such a freakin' incredible job that I can't thank them enough. Our mods are absolute studs. I can't imagine day to day activity without interacting with them. Without all of them, the forums would be on fire right now.

D: What do you think separates the g1s from the sidekicks/villains of TheGameHeroes.com's community?

SC: I haven't spent much time on their site so I couldn't give you an honest answer. All I know is that our community is incredibly active and that we'd have their back just like they'd have ours- and I like that.

D: Okay, Craig. This is the last one. Is there anything else you'd rather do for a living?

SC: Nope.

Craig comes off as humble yet focused. He wants to see his brand grow, but he doesn't want to distort ScrewAttack's name. He believes in the future of ScrewAttack as well as the future of the g1s and the community. I want to thank Craig for taking the time out to answer these questions and give an honest approach to questions concerning The Game Heroes.