Community Spotlight - Nina

While pirates were known for their mild tendency to plunder, they were also known for their strict codes and comradery, something that has by no coincidence helped make the Sea of Thieves community what it is today!

Our Spotlight now shines on someone who embodies that, so much so that last year she was bestowed the title of Boatswain along with other community corsairs for their efforts as bastions of our Pirate Code.

Nina, known to many as Kharites, is also starting to make a name for herself through Twitch streaming. We caught up with her to find out a bit more about her time as a positive player within the community and what it means to be part of it!

[Q]: Can you tell us a little about what got you into gaming?

[A]: The first console I ever had was an NES which I shared with my three brothers and sister. Let me just say it got taken away a lot! Growing up, I spent a lot of time outdoors more than anything, but any chance I got to play a new game/console I took the opportunity. I really started getting into online gaming in 2009 with Halo 3, and I have recently purchased my first gaming PC which is something I never thought I would be able to do since I have always been a console player.

[Q]: Were you a Rare fan before Sea of Thieves? Do you have any favourite Rare games?

[A]: I’m a bit ashamed to say I’m one of the few people who never played GoldenEye on the N64, but I would still consider myself a bit of Rare fan after playing countless hours of Donkey Kong Country, Battletoads and even Kameo. Although Battletoads is one I have yet to master.

[Q]: What other games are you currently playing? Any favourites?

[A]: I currently play a variety of Dead by Daylight, Red Dead Redemption 2, Destiny, PUBG and Apex Legends along with a few others. I’m also waiting on more new games to release including Everwild – I love finding and trying out new games!

My favourite games range from Dr. Mario, Halo and Fable all the way to Portal with so many more in between. However, Sea of Thieves will always remain at the top of the list and close to my heart.

[Q]: What was it that first drew you towards Sea of Thieves and its community?

[A]: Back in mid-March 2017 my good friend was telling me about this amazing open world pirate game, where I could “Be More Pirate” and could be selected for their Alpha testing program. I immediately signed up for the Insider Programme and exactly two weeks later I received an email inviting me to the Sea of Thieves Technical Alpha. After joining a Galleon crew and witnessing how visually stunning the game was for the first time, I haven’t looked back.

My entire experience with Sea of Thieves and the expanding community is one I will never forget.

[Q]: You’ve also started streaming. What made you decide to pick this up and how is it going for you so far?

[A]: I’ve always been somewhat interested in streaming and sharing the amazing moments I have while enjoying the games I play. I honestly do not know if I would have gotten this far without the extra push and support from friends, community members and streamers I’ve met in the process.

The support I have had behind me has been unbelievable. I made Twitch Affiliate in the first week of streaming, and I recently hit my one-year stream anniversary along with 2000+ followers – it has been an amazing journey and learning experience. Anyone can stop by and check it out at www.twitch.tv/kharites_.

To the community that has supported me on this journey I never thought I’d be able to do, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! Also, did I mention that it gives me ‘Cool Aunt’ status with my nephews and nieces?

[Q]: Aside from streaming, you’ve also become a Boatswain through being so active within the community. How has that been for you?

[A]: It has been a very positive experience. I was honoured to be asked and I love and respect that Rare acknowledges their community members in so many ways. I have always made myself available to help the community and its players when needed or asked. Even now when I’m streaming, I will spend countless hours enjoying the game collecting as much loot as possible and giving it away to anyone who needs help boosting their reputation or gold. Nothing has really changed for me, as I didn’t need to change how I see the game or my outlook on the outstanding community members that came with it.

[Q]: What would you say are your favourite things about being part of the Sea of Thieves community?

[A]: The community itself, honestly! I have never been part of a community like this and it still amazes me every day. The support that this community gives to each other is addictive and unlike anything I have seen before. If a member is in need or needs words of encouragement, someone is always there to lend a helping hand or ear in game or real-life matters. I love the values that the game and the community hold. It’s like a bond that cannot be broken.

[Q]: Thinking back, are there any standout moments for you in Sea of Thieves since you started playing?

[A]: Do you know how difficult it is to narrow down more than two years of Sea of Thieves moments? Here’s an encounter from earlier this year – my crew and I had just finished an Ashen Athena Voyage and were heading back to calmer waters to cash in when we saw a ship heading straight toward us. We crashed head-on and then the battle began!

They had a boat full of treasure and we had a boat full of treasure. After a long, proper battle and a series of events, they managed to get the upper hand and sink our boat. Determined to go back, we were attacked by the Kraken and managed to escape her grasp just in time to head back to the other ship, not to continue the fight but to say “good game” on a well-fought battle. We were welcomed with excitement that they were unaware of the Ashen Legend Chest aboard our ship. It was their first Commendation for a stolen Legend chest. We shared some grog and friendly conversations afterwards.

Even finding your ride-or-die crewmate/friend in an LFC (Looking for Crew) post and spending the hours in that first session just hanging out on Mermaid’s Hideaway – finding encounters like that and the amazing people you meet from all over the world though the Sea of Thieves community and the Twitch community. I could write a book full of Sea of Thieves moments.

[Q]: What are you looking forward to most in Sea of Thieves’ future?

[A]: Everything! Is that a good answer? Just being one of the lucky few who has watched the game from early in the Technical Alpha, and watched it expand, grow and take shape. I love watching everything come to life.

Each and every update brings new and exciting things for players to do, even the things added that are not in the release notes for each update. A good example are the changes to sounds, colours and textures to make the game even more stunning.

[Q]: What is your greatest achievement in a game, Sea of Thieves or otherwise?

[A]: My greatest in-game achievement would be having my name/gamertag on an Easter egg along with nine other outstanding community members. For anyone who loves to experience games and everything that comes with them, having something like that happen is mind-blowing!

Greatest achievement otherwise is being able to be a part of this community which has been something I will never forget. For me personally, I was never once focused on getting an Xbox achievement or completing something difficult in a game that few achieve. I play with my friends just to have fun. I have met some outstanding people who I now consider close friends. It’s games like Sea of Thieves that make these things possible.

[Q]: If you had to choose a pirate name, what would it be?

[A]: I have been asking myself this question for almost two years and I still do not have an answer. However, with my gamertag I have ended up being given a lot of nicknames through various groups to which I go by all and answer to them proudly.

Khari, Karats, Carrots/Carrot Cake, K, Karate, Karate Chop and Karate Kong Trueshot are the popular ones. I would be completely okay if Rare wants to give me a pirate name to proudly add!

[Q]: What other hobbies do you enjoy outside of gaming?

[A]: Along with gaming I also enjoy reading, a variety of crafts, refurbishing furniture, baking themed cakes and treats and a lot of other things. I enjoy being hands-on working on things, and when something is broken I love being able to fix it.

[Q]: Share a fun fact about yourself. Anything is fair game!

[A]: I am the mother to a beautiful daughter and the #1 aunt to 12 nieces and nephews. I was also born and raised a country girl on a farm near a river helping with livestock, farming and raising tobacco.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you, Carrots, for taking the time to chat with us. We look forward to seeing the rest of your Sea of Thieves (and streaming) journey play out, as well as all the other fun nicknames you pick up along the way!

That’s another Community Spotlight over, but we’ll be back again soon with another. Catch up on all previous Spotlights at our website, and don’t forget to check out our social channels to keep on top of everything Sea of Thieves.

Farewell!