Talk about lucky. I was recently contacted by an insider from Playboy.com and informed me about PLAYBOY.COM’s CYBERLGIRL of the YEAR 2008 none other than the beautiful Jo Garcia. Of course, to make things even sweeter, my contact even offered a chance to conduct an email interview with Ms. Garcia herself. And now without further ado, let me give you my Gamer Girl Special Feature, Playboy.com’s Cybergirl of the Year 2008, Ms. Jo Garcia!

Disclaimer: All pictures belong to Playboy.com. Pictures have been used with special permission from Playboy.com. Copyrights of the photos belong to Playboy.com and cannot be used without their permission.

Hi Jo, can you tell us something about yourself?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I was born and raised in New York City . I grew up in Harlem with my mom, dad and sisters. I started playing video games because it was a great way to bond with my dad (plus, it was a good excuse for dad to give to mom so that he could buy more games)! The first game that I finished with my dad was “Metroid” for NES. The infatuation for video games has been with me ever since.

How does it feel to be named Playboy.com’s Cyber Girl of the Year 2008?

CGOY JO GARCIA: It’s a huge honor to be named Playboy.com’s Cyber Girl of the Year! I competed against some of the most beautiful women in the country. To be selected from over 50 beautiful contestants is a great accomplishment. I know that I can make all the people who backed me proud.

Your gaming alias?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I’ve always just used my name as my handle. My name can be taken as a girl’s name or a boy’s name, so I win either way. When I sign up for site gaming, I’m “Airangel.”

What’s your main game? (the game you spent most of your time with)

CGOY JO GARCIA: Right now, my main games are “Final Fantasy XII” for PS2 and “Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII” on PSP.

Real life occupation?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I am a floating manager for a wireless company that I have been with for the past two years.

Your proudest gaming moment?

CGOY JO GARCIA: My proudest gaming moment was finishing “Parasite Eve.” I was told that girls can’t play games! I finished “Parasite Eve” in four days, and that was with work and school…I was so proud of myself.

Your other games? (other titles/game franchises that you like)

CGOY JO GARCIA:

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee (PS)

Parasite Eve 1 and 2 (PS)

Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee (Xbox)

Blood Omen 2: Legacy of Kain (Xbox)

Karaoke Revolution Party (Xbox)

Dark Angel (Xbox)

Xenosaga I, II, III (PS2)

Radiata Stories (PS2)

Final Fantasy VII, VIII, X, XII, X-2 (PS2)

Final Fantasy III (DS)

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP)

Kingdom Hearts (PS2)

GTA IV (Xbox 360)

Call of Duty 1,2,3,4

Your best gaming asset? (your edge or advantage as a gamer)

CGOY JO GARCIA: I’ve come to notice that a lot of gamers are all about how quickly they can get through a game; I am more about finding the hidden stuff. When I play, I tend to learn so much more about a game than the average player. I can practically write a walkthrough after I finish — that’s how much I nitpick while playing.

Favored genre? (RPG, shooter, platformer, action adventure, etc.)

CGOY JO GARCIA: I absolutely love RPGs. I love to get lost in the side-quests and enjoy the movies throughout the games. I love the battle styles and how some of the special moves have there own animated video. For example, when you use a mist in “Final Fantasy XII,” there’s a short battle-sequence video. I’ve played first-person shooters, but I don’t like them too much. First-person shooters are fun if you’re playing against a bunch of friends.

In an alternate universe where everyone is a gaming character, which videogame character are you? Why?

CGOY JO GARCIA: In an alternate universe, I would be Yuna from “Final Fantasy.” She was a summoner in “Final Fantasy X,” casting all kinds of espers, and then turned naughty in X-2. I think it’s sexy when innocent characters go rogue in the next game; she kicks major butt and does it with style.

Any clan or guild?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I am in neither a clan nor a guild. I’m afraid to get addicted to WOW, so I won’t even install the software onto my computer.

Official clan designation?

CGOY JO GARCIA: n/a

Wii, Ps3, or Xbox360?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I prefer PS3, even though it died after two weeks; I’m still loyal to PlayStation.

Nintendo DS or PSP?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I prefer PSP because it has better graphics and I can update it online. But, my DS is a close second. It’s great for my puzzle games and some RPGs that I have for it.

Online or Offline gaming?

CGOY JO GARCIA: I prefer offline gaming. I can pause and save my progress in the middle. Stuff happens and sometimes you need a save point. Online gaming is fun when you’re playing against other players, but what are you going to tell them when you need to pause the board: “I’ll be back in an hour?” Try that while playing Starcraft; you’ll come back and your board will be wiped out!

Other hobbies? (aside from gaming)

CGOY JO GARCIA: My other hobbies include going to the movies. I love arts and crafts that include drawing. I’m not very good at drawing, but I really like it. I also just got into golf and love it.

Do female gamers rock?

CGOY JO GARCIA: Female gamers rock faster, harder, and longer.

What’s your message to all the gamers out there?

CGOY JO GARCIA: Without us gamers, there would be no video games. Every player, big or small, matters. Keep rocking the planet!

Wow, thanks a lot Jo! You’ve been a big help in changing the public perception about gamers, no longer will they see gamers as geeks thanks to you. I’d like to extend special thanks also to Mr. Jared Albert of Playboy.com to whom I owe this feature. Thanks man!

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Related Links

Jo Garcia: Playboy.com’s Cyberl Girl for the Year 2008
Gamer Girls