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Hi again everyone, today I have the unfortunate news of my retirement after this interview. However I am looking for a replacement for this spot and you can apply by sending me a PM. But to mark my final interview I have the pleasure in announcing the amazing talents of none other than....VPN!!
VPN, It's good to finally talk to you, how have you been?
Greetings Hannibal! I've been fine, although very stressed because of university, but I thank you very much for asking!
You joined this site on June 10th 2008, that's almost 3 years ago, how did you hear about this site?
Well, I've joined Vovillia Corp. after a friend who used to be a member of the old Sims2carsource forum, The-Sulster, pointed the site to me. I just remember that I started requesting some russian cars for the site, and then I've been able to get in touch with the admin, VoVillia, that later become one of my greatest friends, and one of the people that helped me at becoming a simlish car creator, indeed he gave me so many suggestions at improving my creations, and I ask him for permission when I need a new base mesh for my cars.
Before you joined this site, had you created anything for the Sims before?
Well, I used to create recolours for the cars made by Ribot1980, but I wasn't a full time creator. It was just something for seizing my free time, nothing more. I've been suggested me to do the biggest step forward: remeshing cars.
Who taught you to create cars and did you find it difficult to start with?
Well, I remember him with nostalgia, the man who taught me to make cars was Ribot1980, the first creator who made real simlish cars for The Sims 2, in order to enlarge the very tight lineup of cars offered by Maxis. My very first remesh was a more detailed version of one of the cars that I requested to him, the Smoogo 720, based on an old project of mine, that I've remade recently, and became the logo of VPN's Garage, my site.
You now have your own site 'VPN's Garage'. I've checked it out and it's awesome, especially the dealership page, there's loads of nice creations there. You must be proud of your achievements?
Of course I am! Making those cars is a challenging experience, because they make you feel that you're pushing your limits forward. And every new car I make is a new challenge, and it's always an amazing experience to see that your own creations are downloaded, appreciated, and they help you at becoming famous and recognized in your sector.
What's your plans for the future with your site?
My plans for The Garage consist in a continuous development. I keep working everyday, every hour in order to improve the site, because my aim is to turn The Garage into the one and only stop for everyone who wants unique vintage simlish cars for their sims, and a totally new world to enjoy, discover and explore. The Garage shouldn't be a typical download hub, but an artists' community, where everyone can contribute with his/her ideas at expanding it. And indeed, we're slowly reaching this achievement: recently we've reached 800 members.
Onto other things now, this is where we try and get to know the real man behind the cars so to speak, some questions are very random, this is what I do, is that alright?
Definitely! It's important to let people know that behind VPN, there's a man who lives his everyday life, and enjoys every moment of it intensively. In fact, I think that every person, creators, VIPs, and many others, should reveal their personal side to the community, and they should get in touch directly with their members or fans, and this is what I do. Everyone can contact me on my site, and I always kindly reply to everyone, with the same enthusiasm I put at crafting my dreams.
Excellent, good way of putting it. Now there's been a few natural disasters recently in Japan and New Zealand. What's your view on these and what would you do if you were in governement in either of these countries to help the victims?
Well, those are definitely big disasters. And I am very sorry about the consequences that those terrible events led to the population. In fact, talking about the earthquake in Japan, I've seen the attitude of the electrical company that runs the Fukushima Nuclear Plant, Tepco, and it's quitely disappointing. Why they should hide the real situation of the plant to the people? Because their pride would be attacked? Why the authorities said that the emergency was smaller than it really was? What I hate so much about these things is when the truth is hidden. People must know when things are going worse than they are, in order to prevent other disasters like those ones.
Can you remember where you were when they announced the death of Michael Jackson? and what was your response?
I remember his death like it was yesterday. It was quite shocking for me, because I would have never expected that such a pillar of pop-music, an idol like him, would vanish from our world like that. But later, I slowly began to think that probably he could have faked his death: after all he was full of debts (Neverland was distrainted some months before his death if I remember correctly), so in my opinion, I think that if he faked his death, he did it because of all these problems that were too big not only for him, but for everyone. Sadly, money is never enough for everyone. But anyway, his death has been a big loss for all us.
Where would your ideal holiday destination be if you had endless amounts of cash?
Well, I must say that I would love to go to Russia. I've been always fascinated by Eastern Europe, and I would love to visit Russia and all its fascinating places, especially everything concerning the soviet era. But I must also add another particular destination: Japan. Not only for its culture, traditions, and its unique way of life, but also because of its tons of "haikyo", abandoned places that are left exactly how they were when they were used, because I also like urban exploration, and watching photos of abandoned places makes me dream and imagine about how did they look when they were new. So it would be a very particular travel.
Do you drive? If so what do you drive? If not what would you like to drive?
Yep, I drive an average european car, a metallic grey Citroen Xsara Mk.2 Break 1.9 Turbodiesel. Not such an amazing car, but at least it never broke down, despite -like all french cars- its electronics gave me some issues.
What is your dream car?
My dream car is a Fiat Panda Mk.1 with the original metal grille. I know, it would be a bit weird as a dream car, but I like the most simple things, simple things that later become very special for my heart. But also, I would love to own an Austin Metro, possibly the early generation, from 1980, since it brings me many memories from my childhood: when I was a little kid, a friend of my mother used to take me to school with her white Metro. So many memories that now are long gone with the wind...
I drive a 1996 Mercedes E-Class. How difficult would it be to get a mesh for this car or even a more modern one and release it for the Sims 2?
Well, depends if there's a site that has a mesh of that car. The polycount of the mesh itself could be relative, although the biggest problem would be if the mesh has openable doors and separate wheels, because you cannot convert a car for The Sims 2 with doors that couldn't be opened. That's why I dislike The Sims 3, because of its cronical lack of animations when it comes to cars.
What are you currently doing with your time? are you working or still at school/college/University?
Currently, I go to University, and I study history and Social Sciences. Not a bad branch, I must say. Although it's only for people who like history, otherwise it might be a bit boring.
If you could release a new expansion pack for the Sims 2 what would it be about?
Oh, you make me dream about it! Of course it would be focused on simlish cars. I would love to make an expansion pack featuring dealers, new simlish cars, and more new models, in order to make my offer of vintage simlish cars more complete.
Have you ever watched Top Gear from the UK? and if so what do you think of it?
Sometimes I watch its episodes on Youtube. I must say that's quite entertaining, surely is not "your average" car show. Especially Jeremy Clarkson's quotes are quite funny and enjoyable. It's not a bad show, although something that I dislike about it is when they destroy those poor Morris Marinas...
Finally, If you were a Bond Villain, what type of lair would you have and where?
Well, perhaps I'd be killed if I say it, but I'm not a big follower of the 007 saga, so I don't know what to say, hahaha!
Haha. Well VPN, it's been great finding out a bit more about you and wish you and your site all the very best in the future.
Thank you very much Hannibal. It has been a pleasure to be interviewed by you.
That's all for now folks, hope you enjoyed the interview.
Hannibal.
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Rest well Mr. Hannibal, you will be missed.
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!! Have a great retirement Hannibal 
!! I've enjoyed reading the interviews 
!!
!
