As the description so aptly describes : this thread contains three interviews taken by Sovkhan of Raven-TK, Vassago and Dirty-J. They all were some of the few famous personalities within the then blooming CS Community.

I don't know how many people might be interested in these. I was interested in reading them when I chanced upon them a few days ago. Well they have been posted here just for a reminiscent of old times and if nothing else... for archival purposes ;}. Read them if you are feeling bored or something xD!

Enjoy!

It's Vassago's brown-eye! I can't think of a title :e by Sovkhan

Interview Date | 05/12/01

Sovkhan: I know you started out skinning for CS, this was way back when no models were even being made, why did u choose CS instead of quake2 or other mods?
Vassago: When I first saw CounterStrike, I was a newbie to PC's. I thought it looked extremely realistic at the time. When I found out that you can create custom skins/models for it, I became hooked.

Sovkhan: What was your first model that was released and how much more do u think you know about modeling then u did then?
Vassago: The first model I released was an edited Gooseman mp5. The only thing I did was add a scope and made a new skin for it :) As far as knowledge goes, I'd say I know at least 10 times the amount of stuff I knew back then. I'm far superior to the old Vassago. hehe

Sovkhan: What is your favorite Type of thing to model and skin?
Vassago: I love to model non-organic objects. I've been creating aircraft models lately, as well as buildings and spacecraft. On the skinning side, it has to be players. I love getting the freedom you have when creating a play skin from scratch. It's basically anything-goes, since there is no predefined concept of what a person would look like.

Sovkhan: Who would u consider you're idle at modeling?
Vassago: My idle? There are soo many..haha . On the organic side of things, I'd have to say Bay Raitt. He does some amazing work that just blows my mind. My non-organic modeling idle? Hmm..... I'd probably have to say Dan Ablan. He's a fantastic artist that does some spectacular things with Lightwave 3D.

Sovkhan: If you had to pick one moment that you found modeling very rewarding what would it be, if any?
Vassago: The moment I saw my first model in the game :D:D Sure, the #origin was off, so the model was floating five feet in front of me, but it was damn cool! hehe

Sovkhan: What do you consider your best work?
Vassago: My personal gallery =] Of all the stuff I've released, I'd have to say my Sar21. It was quite popular, and I think it came out good overall.

Sovkhan: How often to u like to model?
Vassago: On my days off, I cram as much into the 24hrs as I can. A little of this, a little of that. I'm usually stuck doing mod work, so I have little time to do my own personal things.

Sovkhan: What is your favorite part of the whole shebang? I.e. releasing the model, making it, meshing it, skinning it… etc.
Vassago: I think that every aspect has it's own rewards. When making a model, you get the fun of creating something that never existed. You gave birth to it in a way, and made something new. Skinning gives the model character. Without it, it's just a bland and boring object floating out there in 3D =]. Meshing is always fun for me, as long as the model is well built. I consider it to be a very important stage in the whole process. If the mapping is fubr, then the skinner will have a hard time trying to make something good with it. Releasage is a great time as well. You get to hear a lot of good compliments, as well as negative feedback from some people, which allows you to note your mistakes, and try to correct those in future models.

Sovkhan: As far as polygon complexity, at what point do you think people are just wasting effort?
Vassago: It depends really. I've models that have 1000+ polygons, but it was built so horribly that the same thing could've been done with 700-900 polys. Then again, I've seen models with 1500 polys, but are made soo damn good that I can't help but let my mouth drop :). I suppose that as long as people use the polygons in a constructive way, there is nothing to get fussy about.

Sovkhan: Do you think accuracy of a weapon is more important, or visual appeal?
Vassago: Visual appeal. I hate those people out there who cry and wail over a screw that was misplaced, or a slide that's 1mm too long. As long as a model resembles the weapon it is and has a decent skin, I'm happy with it.

Sovkhan: When if at all, do you think you'll move on to bigger and better engines?
Vassago: Soon.... very soon. I'm working for a Quake III mod right now called Military Forces. It's very promising. You can fly aircraft, or choose to ride around in a hummer, or even tanks. If that doesn't suite you, then just get out on foot for some classic fps shootin.

Sovkhan: What do you think is the most fucked up part about armature 3d modeling?
Vassago: I'd have to say lack of support for beginners. I've noticed that a lot of people flame a newbie's model all to hell.....I really can't stand that. When someone posts a model that's bad, "omfgz that r g4y! it lose!" Is what constitutes a typical response. There are no experienced people who are willing to lend a hand to those just starting out. I try to do my best (with my large workload) to help those who need help, or to lend a friend a hand. I think everyone needs to realize that this community will only get BETTER if we start to help one another. If you skin good, make tutorials to help others; same thing goes for modelers.

Raven_TK Raw, Uncut, and Uncensored by Sovkhan

Interview Date | 04/01/01

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - Did u do anything before you started your 3d modeling?
Raven_TK: aside from playing games, I mapped a bit for HL but other than that nothing really

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - which counterstrike beta did u like the best?
Raven_TK: I liked the one where the M3 was like a sniper rifle lol, you could take people out at 100 yards... Not sure which beta, most likely 5.0

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - When did you start your modeling?
Raven_TK: January 2000

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - do u just model weapons, or do u do higher poly type art stuff
Raven_TK: I do high poly, but don't publicize it all that much. I do some almost all low poly non-organics as well

Sovkhan: so the high poly is just like art type show off stuff?
Raven_TK: yah

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - do u have any long term type goals?
Raven_TK: yea, presumptuous ones, after school I want to get a team of people together and make a game for entry into the independent game festival, or maybe take some schooling on modeling and art
Raven_TK: oh yah, or I want to go out and start a game development studio, but that’s aiming really high

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - how many models have u made?
Sovkhan: and how many have been released?
Raven_TK: I've made 1000s of models, unskinned anyways
Raven_TK: I've released 4 (including my Baseball bat =D

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - what would u consider the Maximum amount of polygons that would be acceptable to use in a weapon model?
Raven_TK: acceptable... for CS, I think 800 is a nice area, but I don't see anything wrong with going to 1000 if it has a good reason to. well some things look good at 1000.

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - what was your favorite weapon replacement model ever released?
Raven_TK: I haven’t downloaded a replacement in a long time.... now just because picking my glock 18C (w/ M3) would be kind of shallow I'm going to say Minion’s MP5 with clear clips and scope, it may be a lot of polygons but it looks sweet

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - do u play counterstrike, or have u given up on playing it like countless others?
Raven_TK: Nah, I still really like playing CS, but only when its with people who don't suck and do not act like complete jackasses (I'll admit I act like a jackass in games heh)

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - do u play any other modifications besides counterstrike?
Raven_TK: Firearms, I hear Day Of Defeat kicks ass so I'm going to give that a try :)

Sovkhan: Raven_TK - what would consider your best work?
Raven_TK: my glock and my (new) stoner w/ the attachments are up there, but my best isn't public, it’s for my mod heh

The dirty story behind Dirty_j by Sovkhan

Interview Date | 01/22/01

Sovkhan: In a few sentences sum up who u are and how long u have been in this community?
Dirty_j: I started coming to the old old old forums before csskins even had their own. That’s right when the forums used to be at normal cs.net I started out making skins and now I make models. I believe i showed up in beta 2 modelled since 5.

Sovkhan: What software do you use to make models, include version?
Dirty_j: I started out using milkshape 1 something. One day I received Light wave 5.5 from someone, and then 5.6 and now I use 6.5. (LIGHTWAVE OWNS!)

Sovkhan: What would u see as your best work?
Dirty_j: ummmmm my best work... is probably my MSG-90 that I made recently. Picture:

Sovkhan: Have u ever thought of moving away from CS modeling and doing other engines and if so which games and why?
Dirty_j: I am trying to learn this quake3 stuff because I have more interest in that then I do in CS at the moment. I modeled a little for unreal tournament as well.

Sovkhan: Are u currently working for any mod teams? If so please include websites and description of them.
Dirty_j: I am currently working on two I think. I am kind of on that mod Criminal instinct (don’t know the site) and OFA, which is a tf2, based mod and I have no idea what their site is either. I just make the models.
Dirty_j: Keep in mind i only made the HK21 for this mod. Im working on an H&K33

Sovkhan: When was your favorite time period of the CS community?
Dirty_j: I would have to say beta 3 when DD first started. When it was Vassago, Tomba, Spawn, you and I.

Sovkhan: In response to that I would guess your favorite. Beta was 3?
Dirty_j: Beta 3-5

Sovkhan: Do u still play CS or have u moved on to newer/more fun modifications like Day Of Defeat?
Dirty_j: I gave up on CS yesterday actually. I played CS for the first time in about a month and I just have no more skill in it.There is no more intrest or fun in the game. I have a clan in CS that I own and I will still run that but I will not play. Yes I moved on to a MUCH more fun mod DOD

Sovkhan: Are u in any other clans?
Dirty_j: Well I am currently in a DOD clan with my friends called :LS:

Sovkhan: When u model do u model on the fast side or the slow side?
Dirty_j: I model fast and slow... average model takes anywhere between 40 minutes to a day and a half.