I had a chance to speak recently with TriXie, of Xbox fame, about all things video gaming. For those of you who don’t know her, TriXie is the Community Manager at Xbox, and an Zuma fanatic (could be an understatement).

Thanks to all our readers who submitted questions through comments, email, IM, etc. We tried to ask as many as we could.

We want to thank TriXie for allowing us to speak with her! Check out the interview below…

drunk pandas: A lot of our readers are looking to get into the video game industry. Can you explain your role as the Xbox Community Manager and how you got into the video game industry?

TriXie: I got into the industry by accident. I was writing smartass editorials for my college newspaper and saw an ad for a gaming magazine looking for ‘edgy’ writing. So that’s how I ended up working as an Assistant Editor for Sierra On-Line’s InterAction magazine. I actually left school when they offered me the job, but it was all worth it. From there I wrote packaging and advertising, and then came to Xbox. I sort of stumbled into Community stuff because I had a lot of interaction with the Xbox gamers in writing Gamer Spotlights. So maybe I’m not the right person to give advice on getting into gaming. I didn’t try to at all. I wanted to write the Great American Novel!

drunk pandas: What inspired you to create the community programs? For example, the Xbox Ambassadors, GamerChix, etc? Any plans for new programs, and extensions of current programs to further involve the community?

TriXie: Honestly jerks inspired both the Ambassadors and GamerchiX. They are two different ways to help community members avoid jerks. I would love to start a group for those under 18, both to give them their own place and also to help with the numerous requests I get for an adults-only group. But of course that may be impossible to do privacy-wise.

drunk pandas: What is your take on how the Xbox 360 is stacking up against the competition?

TriXie: Obviously I’m biased, but from what I’ve seen for myself and have heard from the community, I think the 360 has the edge. Graphically and game-wise, I think we are the better console. And I still don’t think anyone can touch us as far as an online service or community. Price wise, the wii is cheaper. I think the wii-mote is Nintendo’s killer app. It makes gaming so much more accessible. So the question is; will it be a passing fad, or will it continue to be popular. I guess that will depend on the games that support it. Personally I love my wii for a quick fun game break. It was fun making my mii, but then I was over it. I browsed the web once on it, but it was sort of clunky. I still spend much more time on my Xbox 360—that’s where all my friends are!

drunk pandas: Any thoughts on Sony’s new Home service for the PS3?

TriXie: I haven’t delved too deeply into it, but from what I’ve seen I think it could be really cool if they can pull it off. It wouldn’t be enough to make me get a PS3 though.

drunk pandas: Recently a few once PS3-exclusive games were announced to be coming to the Xbox 360 (Devil May Cry 4, Ace Combat, etc). What are your thoughts on third party exclusives? Are they as key for a system as they were a few years ago in the previous console generations?

TriXie: I don’t think exclusives are all that important. Or not as important as they used to be. It’s great to have exclusives, but I don’t think they’re necessary for success. If you can play a game on all three next-gen consoles, but only one makes it easy to play with your friends… which are you going to choose? Seems clear to me.

drunk pandas: I personally am on my 6th Xbox 360. All 5 previously have died (3 red lights, stopped reading disks, etc.). They were all brand new systems from Best Buy (Good thing I bought that warranty). I personally do not know anyone still on their first Xbox 360. Can you comment on the failure rate of the console and if Microsoft has any plans to sure up the hardware to prevent major failures like this?

TriXie: I can’t comment all the failure rate except to say that I’m sorry for the frustrations of those who have had trouble. My launch console has never had any trouble, and there are a lot of people like me out there. We just don’t post in the forums to say “Yep, still working.”

drunk pandas: There have been many rumors recently about a new Xbox 360 “Elite” system with HDMI and a 120 GB hard drive. Can you comment on this new system? What are your personal thoughts on the Xbox 360 needing a larger hard drive and HDMI port to compete in the marketplace?

TriXie: I can’t comment on rumors. I, like many others would like a larger hard drive so I can download more stuff from Video Marketplace. I honestly am not 100% clear on what the HDMI is all about. I just got HDTV for Christmas, and I don’t know that I could tell any difference. I was watching Planet Earth on Discovery Channel HD last night, and if the picture got better than that I think my eyes would bleed.

drunk pandas: It’s fairly safe to say you’re a Zuma junkie. What other games can’t you put down (Xbox 360 or otherwise)?

TriXie: Zuma is crack for me. I just beat it for the 15th time last night. I clearly have a problem. Luxor 2 is coming out very very soon, and when it does I fully expect to trade one addiction for another.

drunk pandas: What’s it like working with and interviewing some of the biggest minds in the video game industry on a daily basis?

TriXie: Hmm, well to you they may be the biggest minds in the industry, but they’re just regular—if ubersmart—guys to me. It’s hard to be in awe of guys that fart in your office and then run away.

drunk pandas: What kind of Xbox 360 setup do you have at home and in your office? Any huge HDTV’s with killer surround sound?

TriXie: I do not have surround sound yet. I just got a kickass Samsung 40” LCD HDTV for Christmas though…and it’s beautiful. Now I can’t watch SD… I’m a totally snob.

drunk pandas: Where do you see the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live going in the next 3-5 years? What do you think the future of gaming will look like?

TriXie: I don’t know. I don’t think that far ahead. All I care about is Zuma 2. I want multiplayer and a special TriXie achievement.

drunk pandas: The Xbox Live Marketplace and the Video Marketplace have been an outstanding success for Microsoft. What are your favorite pieces of content that are available?

TriXie: I like the movies. I’m not organized enough to keep my Netflix queue up to date.

drunk pandas: There’s been some lashing back from users on pricing on the Xbox Live Marketplace for some premium content. Recently, an interview with Bizarre Creations showed they tried to make Geometry Wars a free download for everyone. Some developers, mainly EA, have gone overboard with charging for cheat codes, etc. What are your thoughts on the pricing structure for premium content? Will Microsoft be regulating this more in the future to give gamers the best “bang for their buck”?

TriXie: I don’t know what Microsoft’s plans are. All I can say (again) is that if you don’t agree with the pricing, don’t download it. And I don’t mean that as a ‘piss off’ statement. I really mean it. Prices will be as high as the market will bear. Xbox Live gamers are the market. If you think the pricing is unfair do not download it. Don’t bitch about it in public and download it in private. Money speaks louder than words. If you want pricing to change, refuse to pay what you think is too much. The prices don’t bother me. But I spend 350 bucks on a pair of boots, so, y’know.