Interviews with the Top 10 - Total Drama JetPunk

Capybarra’s Total Drama JetPunk series started with 22 contests, and now we’re down to 10!  Top 10 is a big deal (even moreso because outlasting me is obviously the greatest accomplishment… *sigh*), so each contestant will be given an interview!  Each contestant will be asked two questions by me, pertaining to the game.  Their responses are not to be used as an advantage by other players, but merely for entertainment and to gain an insight into the minds of the players.  The contestants were given an option to skip any question they felt uncomfortable answering, and the questions were chosen by myself to reflect what I think has been the most relevant to their TDJ journeys.

Without further ado, let’s get into the interviews!

ItzIngenious: Hi Bauty!  First question, how does it feel having the most votes in the game?  Are you worried for your safety at all?

BautyArg: Hi Itz!  Welp, tbh it’s kinda harsh since I fell an easy target, yet I understand that my very first votes were justified: I wasn’t being a good playmate and didn’t think it too much.  So, I felt that in any moment I could be kicked out, yet remember: this is all for fun :)

ItzIngenious: That’s a good outlook to have!  Now for the second question.  The merge brings whole new challenges to the game with many new competitors.  You’ve won immunity once, how are you feeling going forwards?

BautyArg: I feel somewhat confident, and am willing to reach as far as possible!  Capy hasn’t reached his most dramatic point, and I want to be there when it all goes crazy!

ItzIngenious: Yeah, I think it’s only going to get crazier.  Thank you so much for doing my interview, Bauty!  Any final thoughts?

BautyArg: Nothing much, just hope the other players play their best and have fun. Blessings!

ItzIngenious: Hi cathlete! Congrats on the top 10, ready for a couple questions?

cathlete: Hi there, yes!

ItzIngenious: First question, on the ‘touchy subjects’ form, you were voted in multiple categories. Does this make you feel more confident, or more worried?

cathlete: I'm not too sure to be honest. I'm flattered that several people voted for me in some of those categories, but I think that's mainly because I'm not trying to be sly or trick people. I just want to have fun in these games and watch the best contestant win, and I suspect my desire to not fight or cause drama has been recognized by a few other players.

ItzIngenious: Quite the opposite from me, it seems! Similar to the first question, but how does it feel 11 challenges into the game, and still having no votes?

cathlete:  It's nice to know the attention hasn't been on me, and that's probably a byproduct of not actively making enemies or trying to backstab. I try to stand by my word.  BUT, all of that will surely change soon with the next few rounds getting more cut-throat.

ItzIngenious: Well, good luck when that happens! Any final thoughts before we finish up?

cathlete: No final thoughts! I just hope everyone has been enjoying TDJ so far! I can't wait to see how it all unfolds and what else is in store for us.

ItzIngenious: Hi Nickelz! Congratulations on reaching the top ten, ready for your interview?

Nickelz: Hey, friend! Of course, ready as I'll ever be :)

ItzIngenious: You were eliminated very early on into the challenge, yet you’re here now. Would you rather have remained in the game and participated in the challenges, or have had an easy ride to the Merge, like you got?

Nickelz: I suppose that I would have rather remained in the game. I enjoy the strategizing and things. I would have liked to get the chance to form alliances, or even outside of the game I would have liked the chance to form more friendships with the other players. I saw that others were able to get closer through this game and I would have also liked that opportunity.

ItzIngenious: Yeah, I won’t disagree. The strategy aspect was super fun, and it was nice meeting new people. Obviously, you were one of two contestants who got back into the game in the Merge (the other being myself). How was the merge challenge for you? Was it what you expected? For me, there was more luck to it than I had hoped.

Nickelz: I found it pretty fun, having to do some recon to see what others did, and having to take what certain people say at face value. I expected something a bit more intricate, but it worked in my favor all the same.

ItzIngenious: Yeah, I encountered some of the same things. Any final thoughts before we finish up?

Nickelz: I just want to say that I'm having fun in this game and I hope to make it far!

ItzIngenious: Hi Lucky! How’s the top 10 treating you? Time for question 1 of 2. Back in the early game, the Gophers had to do a tiebreaker vote, and you were one of 3 contestants at risk. How did that feel? Did you have it under control or were you worried at all?

Essay incoming

LuckyCat: Hey Itz! I'm certainly pleased to be part of the top 10. I thought I would be marshmallowless a few times here and there, but it has all worked out so far.

I would say that this tie didn't necessarily come as that big of a surprise. Quickly I want to recap the challenge:

We were all paired against someone from the opposing team, and funnily enough, I was paired with you Itz lol. Well, we had to respond to a random trivia question, and whoever responded first won a point for their team. Unfortunately, you buzzed first, and got a point for your team.

I was the first Gopher of the challenge to not answer the question first, therefore not earning a point for my team and not giving myself a good look. However, I had been doing okay up until then, so I wasn't very worried. I didn't really know why at the time I was a target, but now I can see why.

I was glad to see my name appear first when the marshmallows were being handed out. I had hope that I wasn't too big of a target, and it all worked out in the end. I wasn't too upset with my team, but didn't expect the sudden rush of people wanting to get me out. I can't speak for myself, but I feel as if I'm a decent competitor. Whatever the case would be for wanting to withhold me a tasty marshmallow, I had no previous votes, and now had a worse look. But so is the game.

ItzIngenious: Wow, that’s a lot! Second question, in your opinion, how balanced were the two teams at the beginning? The Bass took the first couple challenges, but it seems like the Gophers bounced back quickly.

LuckyCat: I would say the teams were balanced. I mean, it all comes down to how active the users are, and how willing they are to work with their teams. Me personally, I started off as a lone wolf, but still contributed fairly to my team, being as active as I could to be beneficial.

I think the reason for our early eliminations was that the Bass had more coordination. I don't know for sure of course, but that would be my guess. Still, I wasn't affiliated with the Gophers myself all that much, but still played my part and proved myself a player in the games.

The skill-level seemed balanced to me, so no particular complaints or anything there

ItzIngenious: Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Any final thoughts before we finish?

LuckyCat: If I don't win, I want MeMeMe333 to win. He is very dedicated to the game, and being on his team was a pleasure.

Thanks for having me Itz!

ItzIngenious: Hi InfiniteBulk! Congrats on reaching the top 10! Ready to be interviewed?

InfiniteBulk: Thanks!  I’m ready.

ItzIngenious: Alright! First question, has there been a challenge so far that has been extra difficult or stressful for you?

InfiniteBulk: The challenges themselves have been pretty easy so far to be honest. I really haven't had to try that hard on a lot of them. My teammates however really carried us in the beginning.

ItzIngenious: That’s fair. Capybarra has been known for adding twists to the game so far—are you looking forward to them?

InfiniteBulk: Definitely not lol. They have been very costly to me this point and revealed my entire strategy with the confessionals.

ItzIngenious: I wasn’t too big of a fan of those confessionals either…. Any final thoughts before we finish up?

InfiniteBulk: Let’s hope [redacted] doesn’t win…

ItzIngenious: Hi MeMeMe, congrats on making it to the top 10!  Ready to answer a couple questions?

MeMeMe333: Sure!

ItzIngenious: Alright, first off.  Capy has been known for adding drama and twists to the game so far.  From a scale of worried to excited, how do you feel about them?

MeMeMe333: I sort-of dislike all the drama and twists, as a player.  I mean, it is something to look forward to, but I’m not the most comfortable with all those tricks Capy’s got up his sleeve…. I’m halfway between worried and excited, maybe siding a bit to the ‘worried’ side.

ItzIngenious:  That’s fair.  I’m sure most contestants feel the same way.  Lastly, When you signed up for Total Drama JetPunk, did you have any expectations? If so, how well are they comparing to the actual challenge?

MeMeMe333: I just expected to have fun, and be more immersed into the JetPunk community, getting to know people more.  It was a huge blow, when I realised Kilo was a traitor, and that you (ItzIngenious) were willing to reveal his identity. That was the moment when I realized that there was much more manipulation and stuff to the game.  I only recovered once I learned the full truth of Kilo's job as a spy, and after knowing that people I trust a lot who I assumed would be my 'enemies'.

MeMeMe is referring to the Split or Steal challenge, when I revealed Kilo as a double agent in order to gain more ‘split’ votes.

ItzIngenious: Thank you so much for completing my interview, MeMeMe!  Any final thoughts before we finish up?

MeMeMe333: Nope! Thanks, ItzIngenious!

ItzIngenious: Hi KiloNova! You’ve certainly given yourself a name already, from the team swap to the betrayal. Ready for your interview?

KiloNova: Of course! Betrayal?? Come on…

ItzIngenious: Haha, I guess some would say you were just being loyal to the team you were swapped to. That brings us to our first question, though! When you were first swapped to the Gophers, did you feel as if you could trust either team?

KiloNova: Nope. Gophers would be suspicious and the Bass swapped me and left BautyArg in the running like nothing happened. Get your facts straight, lying isn't going to work forever.

ItzIngenious: Yeah, the team swap really must’ve sucked. I wonder if there was any other reason why Bauty chose you specifically besides for the obvious. Second question—already you’ve gone into the merge stronger than most, but are you worried that your old ‘allies’ might come after you?

KiloNova: Nope. The main reason is that we're leaving the past behind. We're in the moment. One mistake in the lastest challenge is going to get you voted out more than the mass information outbreak from before the Merge.

ItzIngenious: Alright, thank you so much for completing my interview, and good luck in the challenges to come! Any final thoughts before we finish up?

KiloNova: My final thought - what are your thoughts? You think I have a chance to get farther?

ItzIngenious: It might be difficult, but a well-played advantage or two can do wonders. Take a look at poor JetPunker180, who I believe was eliminated instead of you back in Episode 3

ItzIngenious: Ready?

thegoatisgoaty: Sure, ask what you want

ItzIngenious: Okay! Back in episode 3, you were swapped to the Bass, which I imagine changed the whole game dynamic for you and ruined some plans. Do you think that the team swap advantage added or took away from Total Drama JetPunk? Should Capy have included it?

thegoatisgoaty: Well, I don't really know much about the actual show, but I understand why he included it if it was a part of the show. It was obviously really surprising, but now it feels like I've always been on the Bass. In terms of plans, I was in an alliance with the Gophers. Almost everyone on that alliance made it past the merge, so I guessed it served its purpose. The swap definitely added more "Drama", that's for sure. I only wish I could've been somehow notified beforehand lol

ItzIngenious: I’m sure that there’s going to be more drama and twists to come…. Secondly, your Super Idol was recently used up, even though you only received one vote. Did you expect it to be used up in that challenge?

thegoatisgoaty: It was really surprising. I'm still pissed that I lost it for that bs reason. MeMeMe333 was the one who voted me lol, saying that they wanted me to lose the idol. Funny cause I was allied with them while on the Gophers.

ItzIngenious: Yeah, I doubt that episode was anybody’s favorite…. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, though! Any final thoughts?

thegoatisgoaty: Nah lol, just gonna go sleep now and see who gets eliminated next

ItzIngenious: Hello Xtrordinary! Are you ready to answer a couple questions about your TDJ experiences?

Xtrordinary: Ready as ever.

ItzIngenious: Great! First question, which aspect of the game have you enjoyed more so far—when you were with your team or after the merge?

Xtrordinary: When I was with my team, the Killer Bass. I think because being you got to interact with more people more.

ItzIngenious: I think TDJ has been a really great way to branch out and meet new people! Second question, your super idol was recently used up (even though you only got one vote). Were you ever worried of it being used earlier in the challenge, and do you think it’s fair the way you lost it?

Xtrordinary: I knew that eventually my super idol would be used up, but I wasn't really sure when. It could have been any challenge where I would've been the one voted out.  To the second part of your Q, it was "fair" in that was how the rules were set: The most votes would be eliminated. Pontiac used their idol so it was me and tgig who were next and our super idols were forced to be used up.  Was this the way that I hoped the super idol to be used? Not really.

ItzIngenious: Alright, thank you so much Xtro for answering my couple questions! Any final thoughts before we end?

Xtrordinary: No final thoughts

ItzIngenious: Hi Pontiac! We’re a couple challenges into the Merge now, and down to the top 10. Are you ready to be interviewed?

Pontiac liked my comment in response

ItzIngenious: K, first question! Throughout the game, the Gophers were cursed by eliminated contestants pretty often. How difficult was this to work against?

Pontiac: Very difficult, I didn't want to vote anyone out

ItzIngenious: You recently received 8 votes the last challenge, putting you at the second highest total vote count. Are you worried at all that you will continue to be targeted in future challenges?

Pontiac: I am pretty sure this will be my last event

ItzIngenious: I guess we’ll find out soon. Any final thoughts before we finish?

Pontiac: I am pretty shocked on how far I have gotten tbh. Especially with this being my first Capy game

ItzIngenious: Hi Capy! I was wondering… would you like to be interviewed along with the 10 remaining contestants?

Capybarra: Sure! I don't see why not!

ItzIngenious: Well, I think myself along with others have been wondering what you’re thinking of your game so far. Are you enjoying hosting it? Is it going as smoothly as you planned?

Capybarra: Yes, I have enjoyed hosting these games so far! I definitely feel like people are getting more into it than I thought. Take Country Showdown for example. There was a period when everyone was afk, and I expected a lot of inactivity, but there's hardly been any! I also didn't expect the wheel twist to happen lol.

ItzIngenious: Well, that’s a good transition into my next question! The twists so far (like the confessionals and the wheel) have certainly taken most by surprise! Do you want to give any clues to everyone for things you might have planned for the future?

Capybarra: Coming soon, there will be some challenges where the loser of the challenge could potentially be eliminated. Soon, your TDJ lives will be put in the hands of the other people who you chose to keep around, so stay cautious and tuned.

ItzIngenious: Wow! Good luck to all the contestants when that happens. Any final thoughts before we finish up, Capy?

Capybarra: The contestants are going to need that luck…. Anyways, that's all that I have! Thanks for the interview!

10 contestants.  10 interviews.  Who will be the next to go?  Who will win the whole thing?  Only time will tell…