Hi, everyone! Wynn here. Back again with another Xbox Insider Team interview. Today we’re sitting down with Tim—an Operations Manager, man of few words, and… wait, are you a cat?

You said we could choose whatever we want for our pictures! So, I’m my cat.

Not exactly what I was going for, but technically correct.

That’s the best kind.

You know you’ve started something here, right?

Mission Accomplished.

Okay, then I have one more question before we hop in.

Hmm?

Pspspspspspspspspsps?

I’m not responding to that.

Excellent! Just like my cat.

I’m fully committed to this bit.

Well, let’s tell the Community about Tim, the human. How long have you been with Microsoft and the Xbox Insider Team?

Sure! I started back in 2010 as a Tester for Xbox Cert. I did that for a few years, before moving to Japan with my wife for a couple years to teach English as a second language.

I thought about embarrassing myself and hitting you with my, “I spent too much time on IRC in college” level Japanese, but I’ll just say I think that’s really sick instead.

Haha. It was a really rewarding experience and we still go back and visit as often as we can. We moved back to the States in… probably mid-2014, and I was able to land back with Xbox on the ID Team. I worked as a Release Manager for them until 2021 when I transitioned to this team.

That’s quite the journey. I’m always surprised by how many people we have here that have such a deep history on Xbox.

Yeah, our team is pretty stacked.

You’re right about that.

Speaking of: anything you’re working on right now for the 10th Anniversary you can tell us about?

Hmm. I feel like you’re doing most of the big stuff. I’m mostly focused on keeping our game and app flighting on track every day.

Oh, stop. You’re making me blush. But we do have a few upcoming flights that I think people are going to enjoy.

Absolutely! There’s a couple I know you’re like very amped about.

What can I say? I’m always first onboard the hype train. Okay, shifting gears. Let’s get to know a little more about your interests. What game has impacted your life the most?

It’s maybe an over-used answer, but Final Fantasy VI really just blew me away the first time I played it. It was my first RPG I played as a kid, and it solidified a love for the genre that I’ve had ever since.

That opening crawl is seared into my mind. When they dropped the 35th Anniversary shirts I knew VI was an instant purchase.

It’s an iconic moment in gaming for sure.

What kind of music are you into? Any albums you keep on repeat?

I should go get my wife for this one. She’s way more into music than I am. I generally listen to a lot of different video game OSTs.

OSTs are definitely music! I have dozens in my collection. What’s your favorite?

Chrono Cross is the GOAT for me.

Dude, yes! Yasunori Mitsuda is tied for my favorite composer along with Motoi Sakuraba. Scars of Time is one of the most moving pieces ever put in a game.

I love all of Mitsuda’s work. He contributed a few tracks to another OST I’ve been enjoying recently, Sea of Stars.

Oh, I adore Sea of Stars. There’s a bunch of heaters on that OST. The main composer, Eric Brown, is also the drummer in a few metal bands I listen to. Okay, I could talk music literally all day. Do you have any favorite binge shows?

I don’t watch much TV. I tend to lean more toward anime.

A man of culture. What’re some of your favorite series?

I really like comedy or “slice-of-life” stuff. So, Ranma ½, K-On, KonoSuba, etc. I also watch the heavy-hitters too like SAO or One-Punch Man.

What’s your most “unique” pick?

There’s one I really enjoyed called Kono Oto Tomare!, which is about a group of high-school students learning to play the koto.

I wish everyone could hear how perfectly you’re pronouncing these words. But you heard it here folks. Everyone go to MAL and add Kono Oto Tomare! to your watch list.

Moving on. Do you have any hobbies or interests outside the realm of popular media?

I’m really into Go.

Oh, no. I have to ask—

Yes, it’s because I read Hikaru no Go.

Haha. That’s so perfect. That manga rips though. It’s so good.

I haven’t played as much as I would like recently, but I’ve been really fascinated with how after AlphaGo beat Sedol back in 2017, how much differently people have been approaching the game and how moves that used to be considered “traditional” are changing.

Oh, you’re like deep into this. I was gonna say we should play, but I’m not looking to get ruined.

It wouldn’t be that bad. You’d probably score a couple stones.

Haha. Okay, I’ll wrap this one up before I keep getting dunked on by a cat. Any final words you’d like to share with the Community?

Just that I’m genuinely excited that I get to work in an industry that I care about so much, and that, as a gamer myself, it’s awesome to bring cool games to our Xbox Insiders.

Well, thank you so much for your time, Tim! It’s been a pleasure.

Xbox Insiders, be sure to be on the lookout for more content all throughout February including more interviews from the team, a trip down memory lane, and so much more. All of our 10th Anniversary content can be found on our Hub Page (Coming Soon).

Until next time! Wynn/