Hey all, Nickles here and I got a treat for you readers out there. I’ve got a one on one interview with one of the most influential members of the longest running group in Sony’s PlayStation Home®. I am here today with Danielle Booth a.k.a. KozFear. She is a writer, photographer, and professor from the San Fransisco bay area.

NicklesBe: Hello Kozfear . How would you say you feel about the Homelings as a whole?

KozFear: Homelings are the most intelligent, interesting, creative, and supportive group of people I’ve ever encountered in my life.

NicklesBe: I see so it must be fun times all around . For those of whom may not be familiar with the Homelings, what are they exactly? What is their purpose?

KozFear: Homelings are a Collective of individuals united through bonds of friendship and respect. We’re the oldest and largest group on Home, and we function–primarily–as a large group of friends. We gather, we Klent, we converse, we game together, share our artwork, and walk very dramatically.

NicklesBe: I see so it must be very interesting to see a group of Homelings together then . How long have the Homelings been around? Is there any truth to the rumor that the Homelings are the longest running group in Home?

KozFear: Quite a bit of truth to that rumor. Homelings were created by Mother in the very early days of closed beta.

NicklesBe: I see and who founded/created the Homelings? Do you know them well?

KozFear: Mother, aka Buddy118, created Homelings. Mother is currently serving the U.S. military in Afghanistan, and we each hope every day for Buddy’s safe return.

KozFear: I got to know Mother quite a bit before this latest departure. She is the most supportive and inspirational of Homelings.

NicklesBe: I see, I’m sure she will bring much kindness and happiness to those she works with and all those she meets in Afghanistan. I know the U.S. Military is better for having someone as compassionate and kind as she is. I see you command Mother ship 23, was that rank difficult to achieve?

KozFear: Rank within the Collective is not something sought for its own sake. Homelings that are active and contribute to the whole earn rank in a fairly natural progression. We have no leader–each of us is expected to lead where he or she is able. As such, rank comes to those whose abilities are best served for the rank in question.

KozFear: So, to answer your specific question, yes and no. I had to serve the time necessary to learn what was needed for the position; to earn the respect of my fellow Homelings; to demonstrate and develop my skills as a leader within the Collective. This is what all Homelings are expected to do over time, so it was, again, a natural progression.

NicklesBe: That’s very interesting . So as long as new members participate, are respectful to everyone they encounter, get to know everyone they can and how things work they should have no problem gaining respect and rank rather quickly?

KozFear: It depends on what you mean by “quickly.” I was a Newling for a few months before I started to move up in rank at all, and I was perfectly happy with where I was. Rank is also responsibility, and sometimes dependent on demand and availability, but all Homelings are respected equally within the Collective, regardless of rank.

KozFear: Too much is made of rank, in my opinion. It is not power or superiority–it is, truly, responsibility, and one must first prove him or herself capable of taking on that responsibility before it is assigned.

NicklesBe: I agree completely, and thank you for sharing that I’m sure many future Newlings should know that before getting into it. You mentioned you command a Mothership, What exactly is a Mothership, and how are new members assigned to them?

KozFear: Motherships are the clubhouses where Homelings sometimes gather. Each Homeling is assigned a Mothership upon joining the Collective, often where the recruit’s sponsor belongs.

NicklesBe: Are there multiple sponsors in a single Mothership?

KozFear: Yes

NicklesBe: Would you say many members of the Homelings consider you a good leader that

has made themselves known as a kind and courteous member of the collective, and friend to all?

KozFear: I can say that I always strive to be a good leader and to help others become good leaders working with other great leaders. As for being known as the aforementioned adjectives, I do my best and work diligently on behalf of the Collective, but we’re first of all a group of real, live, individual people. People do not always get along (*gasp!*), but I consistently strive to see as many views as I can and conduct myself in a way that is best for everyone.

KozFear: I know, I’m evading

KozFear: Way to embarrass a girl.

NicklesBe: Modest, creative, and kind. The Homelings are sure lucky to have you . I’ve heard the Homelings have had some wacky, and fun-filled events in home. Can you elaborate on a few?

KozFear: Surely.

KozFear: Most Homeling gatherings turn into wacky and fun-filled events, but there are some that stand out in my mind. First, I met the Homelings en masse at the Hamster Dance-a-thon last summer, and I recall dancing absurdly with some friends when VOILA! Suddenly the entire Plaza was filled with Homelings. Dozens of them! A mass reveal is something to behold.

KozFear: We recently crashed the Aliens vs. Androids event, and I use “crashed” intentionally. Home thinks it can invade the community with silly flying saucers that look like The Blinking Herpes and Terminator 2 rip-off androids and not invite the Homelings? We are the true invaders! Muahahaha!

KozFear: We completely overran the server–more Homelings were trying to attend, but it was full. There was a huge arch of Homelings facing off against a handful of very confused silver-skins and blinking saucers. It was awesome.

NicklesBe: haha, that’s great! I’m sure many on lookers were both baffled and amused at the sight . Of all the memories you have with the the Homelings which would you say is your fondest?

KozFear: eep! That’s an extremely difficult question.

KozFear: I was in the hospital with pneumonia recently, and I got ahold of one of my Homeling friends just to let them know I’d be gone for a short while, and when I got back there were so many well-wishes from my friends in the Collective…it was touching.

KozFear: Just the constant support given by this amazing group of friends…we all want the best for one another. We may have started on Home, we may congregate on Home, but Homelings goes far beyond Home. We’re friends, and the fact that such great people have come together through this service to form such a special group is one of the most amazing uses for it that I can fathom.

KozFear: We also game together, which is awesome…a built-in multiplayer community.

NicklesBe: Indeed, It’s great to see people coming together like that. It’s truly a great community. I hope in the future more great communities are able to be formed like this threw the Home service. I know Homelings are known to be spontaneous but can shed any light on any events or gatherings lined up for the future?

KozFear: One of our Generals is also in the military, and he’s coming home soon for a brief visit before he ships out, so that will be a very nice gathering. We also tend to drop in on official Home events, such as the Dance-Offs, but other than that, you just gotta keep your eyes peeled. We’re always there.

NicklesBe: Alrighty good to know . If someone wanted to join the homelings, what would be the best way for them to go about that?

KozFear: I always direct prospective recruits to check out our videos on YouTube–just go to the site and search Homelings. They induce much hilarity. All prospective recruits need first to acquire the free Echochrome suit from the arcade game in the bowling alley, so doing that first would save some time upon your first Homeling encounter. Then, one needs to encounter Homelings, which can often be done at random, or via PSN (we have our own official forum), or by contacting us at homelings@gmail.com

NicklesBe: I see thank you . Other than YouTube, are there any other website that those new to Homelings should be aware of?

KozFear: Our PSN thread is the only other site available to everyone. We have a web portal for all Homelings, but it is exclusive to members of the Collective.

NicklesBe:  Finally if you don’t mind my asking, what is your favorite gaming system of all time is?

KozFear: Aside from my original Nintendo DS, PS3 all the way, baby.

KozFear: And Scrabble.

KozFear:

KozFear: Maniac Mansion! Wooo!

NicklesBe: Niice, well let me just say on behalf of  everyone at iheartdestroy thank you very much for you time and we wish you and the homelings the best of luck in all future endevours

KozFear: Thank you, Nick