Some MotM interviews are a real laugh to produce. Others leave you asking questions you never thought you needed to. However some are serious. In this month’s interview I went in thinking Kai Hirogashi was just another scenario designer I wasn’t paying much attention to and maybe I could cheat myself a few bonus points in his scenario design contest.

I left having a deep and meaningful conversation with a man, I regretted ignoring. Ironically my computer died near the end of this month, and I lost the scenario I worked on for the contest. I didn’t make a back up. But there was one thing I did make a back up of. This interview, because it was so important to me.

So please, don’t ignore this like most other MotMs and just read the bold name at the top, scroll down, type “Good Job” and leave. Stay, Read, and post something meaningful.



Kai Hirogashi contemplating the meaning of Eye Candy.

Reach: Hello Kai, you ready to begin?

Kai: Yes I am, may we?

Reach: So what is a Kai Hirogashi? Or is that your real name?

Kai: Well, haha! My first name is Kai and surname is Hirogashi, it’s my real name of course.
I used to get teased a lot in school because of the Hiroshima that devastated Japan! Damn it....lol

Reach: So this crazy AoM thing. How did you discover it?

Kai: Age of Mythology? Ok where should we start? 6 or 7 years ago my friend gave me the game to play. I played through the campaigns and ended up in the editor where I started to make my own worlds I used to call it. Designing with the AoM units was amazing as well as being able to enlarge and turn, twist, flip anything! lol I agree when you say it’s crazy, it sure is!

Reach: What's your favorite thing to do in AoM?

Kai: Out of all AoM has to offer I enjoy designing the most, map design. Eye candy is my addiction...



Real Life Eye Candy

Reach: So what do you think of AoMH?

Kai: Ok, well AoMH I first discovered in 2006. I found it on google. The downloads section was a massive chest full of inspiration and imagination. I downloaded majority of files too!
I got into the Forums later on and yet again I was amazed at the community we have at AoMH. The Moderators are good at what they do especially Yeebaagooon. Must be his sense of humor! lol

Personally, I think that AoMH is full of wizs of the game! I had no idea what so ever about implementing Triggers. Fellow members of the community were very kind and helpful. Elrich in particular. My favorite designer is of course SwordofValor. He is an idol for AoM.

Reach: I hear you have a scenario design competition in the works at the moment, care to enlighten us all?

Kai: Well, sure. I had this idea a while ago but never came to do it. Finally managed to bring it out! It’s an RPG Tournament. You might want to check it out. There are some great prizes up there.

Reach: So will you *wink wink* like my entry for the competition *wink wink*? (Out Reach now had 5% less blatantly obvious corruption.)

Kai: hehe...I haven’t seen it yet

I’m sure all entries will be beautifully crafted. Imagination of many will be a rare treat to witness. I always thought it’s our imagination playing this game AoM that makes this community so different.

Reach: So what is your average day like?

Kai: Well it’s basically like a robots life. heh I get up every morning with the sun shining on my face. Have some milk and pray for my angel. I go into peak hour traffic at 7:45 am. I hate the city really sometimes I wish I could live in the country instead. So noisy! I get to work at 8:30 and off goes my day. I work at an import export company. My division handles international container transfers. Mainly from China and yes Japan! \{-_-}/!! My boss is fat and most of the time that I see him he is stuffing his face with food! 100kg + I think? hehe. I finish work at 5:30 am and head back home after McDonalds which I have a snack wrap every day. I get home to a cold and lonely emptiness. My life has changed dramatically due to the loss of my fiancé months ago. AoM gets my mind off things and it is my addiction like she was but sometimes reality can slap you in the face and throw you 6 feet deep. My angel, oh how I miss her reach, so much. I get the weekends off which gives me more time for AoM which is great! Do you call that average?

Reach: Wow Kai... that's really knocked me for six. I'm actually crying I hope you know how much everyone at AoMH loves you and all the work you do

Kai: I appreciate it, thanks. Life goes on man this world waits for no one.

Reach: Is there anything else you would like to say to the community?

Kai: Yes, I would like to say this. Keep going guys please don’t let this die! Oldies and Newbies alike if you see this then know that AoM is not dead but just come to life. So many talented people are working hard to unlock mysteries about it! Just wait and see

~Yahui, mata yume de aima shou~





Kai and his Angel