Community Spotlight: Vyacheslav

Pilots!

In our latest Community Spotlight, we talk to Vyacheslav, a longtime WoWP player, talented artist, and all-around helpful community member. 

Vyacheslav

How long have you been a gamer?

I started playing games when I was seven or eight. I used to have an old SUSE Linux computer that had a lot of fun single/multiplayer games on it. I didn’t play online games at this point in time, so I would play with my family or by myself. [Games like] Rocks ‘n’ Diamonds, Sokoban, Clan Bomber, Tux Racer, TuxKart, etc. Then I went on to play online games, and the list has grown so large now that I don’t remember all the games I have played. So yeah, I have been a gamer for about twelve years now. 

What are some of your hobbies and activities?

I have sooo many things I am interested in that classify as hobbies/activities! First and foremost, I will say fine art and drawing is my main hobby, and has been for as long as I can remember. You guys can see some of my work: Here is my most recent pencil drawing, and here is a pastel.

I actually had lost this sketchpad with this piece and several others, and I just found it yesterday! I forgot it even existed! I guess when you draw/create so much, you sometimes forget what you made till you see it again! 

I also really enjoy learning about and experiencing different cultures through cuisine, music, art, and literature. There is always something to be learned from another culture; sometimes other cultures have ways of doing or viewing things from certain situations that stimulate thoughts we might never have had from the culture we were born into. So I find that extremely interesting.

Another one of my hobbies is gardening. I really enjoy tending to plants and the quiet peacefulness of their steady existence. I currently am teaching myself the art of Bonsai with the help of some excellent online advisors, and hours of browsing the Internet for articles and tips from the pros. It is very exciting, even though it is an extremely slow process!

Lastly, I spend a large amount of time listening to music, mostly classical music. I love Violin! But I only play piano. I also listen to some Electronica, Dance, and Swing music.

Recent accomplishments in the game?

Hmm, shooting Hathore down. No, I’m just kidding. Recently, I really like when someone comes to me with a question about the game, or when I’m flying and I am able to give someone a bit of advice that helps them. To me, that’s an accomplishment. Or when I see one of the pilots on my watch list, and am able to shoot them down. I love challenges, and when I win, it gives me a nice sense of accomplishment.

What are your favorite planes?

The Bf.109E, Bf.109F, Bf.109G, A6M5, A7M, I-16 (late mod.), and La-5. This has been my list for a long time, but with all the changes that keep coming with the new patches they have been changed up slightly and I am still in the process of finding my favorite planes again.

I never really enjoyed flying the American planes; they don’t really seem to fit my fighting style. But they are definitely good planes in their own right, and I’m going to give them another go with this latest patch and see what I think. Sometimes, depending on my mood, different planes suit me better than others, so there are times when I’ll fly the P-51A and really like it.

Where are you from?

I am currently living in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

Do you have any military or aviation experience?

No military experience. No aviation experience -- I have never even flown as a passenger!

How long have you been playing WoWP?

I have been playing since the beginning of the Global Alpha Test in January of 2012, so about one and a half years now.

What is it about WoWP that appeals to you?

Mostly, WoWP appeals to me as it is a free-to-play aerial combat game. Most aerial combat games require a subscription to play for any length of time, so [WoWP has] a real plus. Also, World of Warplanes is the first MMO aerial combat game to try and combine arcade and simulator traits into one playing model. This game is the first of its kind, and to be a part of the development process for it is really just incredible.

Do you have advice for new players?

I would suggest that players spend some time reading the excellent guides available to them on the forums. These guides range from how to set-up the game, to basic and advanced aerial combat tactics, with everything imaginable in between, including Sky-Whale biology reports. These threads are usually very informative and well worth the time spent reading them.

Also, it never hurts to ask question or suggest things, but remember to be polite, humble, and considerate of those around you. Keep that in mind and there will always be people who are willing to answer your questions, listen to your opinions, and take note of your suggestions.

What is your favorite map and why?

Hmmm, there are so many maps that I enjoy for different reasons, it is hard to pick only one. But basing my answer on which map helps me the most in a dogfight, I think I would have to say Plateau. This map has both versatility in the terrain and aesthetic appeal. The arches, rugged rock piles, and plateaus, coupled with the large areas of open sandy flats, allows for more complex maneuvers and intricate gameplay. One of my favorite things to do when I have an enemy on my tail is to “fly the terrain” and scrape them off,  either forcing them to crash by “out flying” them, or giving me an opportunity to take up a position on their tail. I find this map ideal for doing this because of the fine balance it possesses in composition.