After the premiere of LiveWire: Volume One, yours truly got lost within the sea of recent Xbox titles (you may recall one in familiar - Crimson Skies.) Add in the unexpected time shifts from reaching players throughout the country, each with their own gaming lifestyles, odd sleeping habits (or is that mine?)

It got to the point where some probably even speculated that we'd never see the second edition reach completion. Of course, by proof of this article, those misconceptions can be tossed out the window because Kenn Harris, the newest member of our column wouldn't stand for it. After threatening to get XBox Live account revoked, I set aside some time with Kenn to get the skinny on his unique name, personal online favorites and then some...

Bahn: (Breaking the ice) So tell us, what do you do for a living?

Kenn Harris: I've been working at Gamestop for about 2 years now as a game advisor. I don't know why the hell I've been there so long, as they pay you like crap. I have another job, cleaning businesses for my dad. That's where I get all my money.

So I assume that's not one of the best jobs you've enjoyed (Gamestop) ?

Kenn: It's not that I don't like it there, I do. It's probably the only reason I still work there. For me, if I like the job, I'm not going to rush out and find a new one. Just wish the pay was a little better

So what's the deal with your tags, Don Mega TNL and DJ Spank? How did you come up with those?

Kenn: Well, Don Mega is Ice Cube. It's kinda like his alter ego, you know? A friend and I were sitting around drinking and whatnot listing to it, so I just started using it. I had to put TNL at the end becaue the tag was already taken.

I figure since I go to TNL; may as well get the name out there, right? (Sure. Advertise. Advertise. Advertise - Ed's Note)

. . .and DJ Spank?

Kenn: DJ Spank is pretty boring, my nickname on TNL is Spanky Mcgee, so that equals DJ Spank I guess. You don't want to know where I got Spanky McGee from.

How long have you been playing on the Xbox Live and/or PS2 network?

Kenn: I got both when they came out. Live came out in November last year right? I actually got accepted to beta test Live, but I never got around to ordering it.

Approximately how many hours per week would you say you play either?

Kenn: Currently, I don't play my PS2 online anymore since there's nothing really that good out for it right now. Generally, I play Xbox Live whenever I have the chance. I'd say I put in roughly 10 hours a week.

So you play Xbox Live more often - do you have a large Friends list?

Kenn: I wouldn't say large, maybe around 20 or so. It would be more if I put everyone form TNL on there. But thats a lot of people to enter in.

Anyone in particular you consider to be a competitive rival?

Kenn: Actually no, I don't know of anyone like that. If they are better than me though, I'll give them props. Its not like I have any rivals out there...Yet.

What particular games of interest do you play online? ?

Kenn: I've put tons of hours into Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Thats probably my favorite one. I'm just starting to get into ESPN Football. So hopefully that turns out pretty good. I have PSO, Mechassult, Tetris, and Moto GP.

Now that online gaming has finally reached the console foundation, what are your feelings about it?

Kenn: I feel that Microsoft is Doing a killer job at their online support. I don't have a clue on what Sony is doing.Where's the games at? Since I work at a game store, it's nice to see people who normally wouldn't playing online games are also getting involved.

But then again, online console gaming isn't really anything new. I've been online with my DC for how many year?

Where do you see console online gaming going over the next few years?

Kenn: More than likely it's going to gain popularity. I think with broadband being available in more and more places, more people will pick up online gaming. I don't see anything other than online cheating that will stop online gaming to be a mainstay in current and future consoles.

Look for Volume 3 next month! Want to be featured in an upcoming LiveWire column? Email livewire@the-nextlevel.com

· · · Bahn