Hey All
For some of you it has been a long time coming to speak again - am sure you have looked to this moment with breathless anticip....
...ation!
Before anything else, Vivi like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in making this the game it was. Thanks to
Selphie &
Kimahri Ronso, who made every challenge work, thought out all tha twists, made the game run as smooth as possible, all the while keeping us all on our toes.
Also, thanks to all of the cast, from
Cecil & the pre-Jury righ' thru to
Cloud who departed last night, and Lightning sitting beside Vivi here, and the lurkers beyond. It has been a pleasure getting to meet and enjoy the time with so many of' you and Vivi hope that, with at least a few of you, Vivi is able to maintain on the outs this game, once all over, irrespective of outcome this night. I'm grateful to you all.
And now for something completely different...
It would be very pleasing if everyone would have open mind as give consideration to who deserves to win. Each vote is very important, as is the person that casts each. Ireespective of Vivi gaining 1 vote or 7, Vivi is humbled and grateful.
There is no hiding the calibre of game Lightning has played, but hopeful more subtle Vivi every bit as played a solid game, built on having fun and enjoying every minute of being in this with you and tried to make each of you enjoy interacting with Vivi also.
Not always sure if this was achieved but this was the goal.
Vivi came into game with the sole intention of amusing self and those around. There was never eye on the end game, but embracing and enjoying the moment. That was Vivi mindset at the start of game, and by and large this was principle that Vivi tried to bring every time logged on.
Not knowing anything of FF or relationship of characters, or inded that of even Vivi, beyond what reading about Vivi on wiki after finding out who play as, literally day or so before game start. So just brought Vivi to life as best could - although according to someone who does know Vivi, apparently skip rope is Vivi game... but skip rope is just not same clas as hopscotch... and just as clumsy, if not moreso.
This game is as much about positioning and having a good idea of what's happening, every bit as much as it is about playing. It's not always about making big moves, but rather the right moves at the right time. These have got Vivi here, in this seat so Vivi have chance to put case to you.
Before going further tribute Vivi must pay to my fellow finalist, Lightning.
Lightning has played game in fine fashion and won many immunity along the way. Vivi cannot compete on that score - and simply rarely even tried to, because this is not what Vivi's game was. It is the case that Vivi would not be here without Lightning, but aqt the same time there was a reason that Lightning would take Vivi. Referring to the comment that Lightning made when voting out Cloud. To paraphrase, despite her belief would win the game 7-0 against Cloud, Vivi was the one that was taken to this point, despite concerns that Vivi may not be as easy to defeat.
This then is in your hands, dear Jury.
But Vivi can't say did it all alone, because Vivi didn't. First off, Vivi worked his ass off - if Vivi had an ass - talking with every person in the game that crossed my path, trying to invest time in with each of you. Secondly and equally importantly, this is above all else a social game, which tests to adapt to any social situation - including being ostracized by circumstance - something Vivi was able to successfully complete.
Vivi started the game being late in arriving - indeed first challenge had long completed before Vivi was able to log on. So from coming from this Vivi tried to make up for this by having a strong board presence as well as prove some use at the first, and ultimately futile count challenge... which reminds Vivi... a certain host still deserves being kicked in shins by all that had to do that. But more than that - Vivi made a home for self on EI. EI was in play for 5 rounds - and Vivi spent 4 of them at EI. This did a number of very important things:
- Avoid the crazy as people get on each others nerves early on so being out of line of fire worked at this.
- Make strong bonds that would stand the test of time over course of entire game with Lightning and Cloud
- Make people feel as though Vivi would owe them rather than them owe Vivi
This last point is very important and undervalued. Sometimes people resent the feeling as though they owe something - anything to others in these games. It can cause resentment. So if Vivi can avoid people resenting on this basis this is good thing. It makes people want to keep Vivi - if nothing more than as being an option to them. And that works just fine, because people would talk to Vivi, open up and talk game. The more Vivi appealed to the sense of dpendance, the more others would open up. The thing is, when you don't have multiple person alliances the need to be a viable option, a viable alternative and strong independant bonds is essential, as opposed to being an easy vote, which so many trips to EI may have otherwise made me.
I cannae lie and say that I was in control for all of the game, for that just isn't true. Nor would I want it to be. Rather Vivi was always in a position to know what was happening and plan accordingly. In tha early days, working on the count challenge especially (which as you all know is far from my strong point,
) to ensure getting through to the reshuffle intact. All along I was always on the look out for bonds that were real, and I felt that, even at that early point, would be key to playing such a strong social game.
When people all say where votes are going it also meant that Vivi could on occasion vote in the minority intentionally. This made Vivi generally speaking sometimes appear to be coming vrom position of weakness, without ever being at the bottom, and would not only set up what was immediately happening, it also meant that Vivi could refer to such instances in the past in truth when talking to new people, to lessen any thought others might have that Vivi could be a threat to get to this point.
Yet the proof is here. It worked. Vivi is here.
This was as true of my various EI companions individually as it was of people on Gallbladder.
In fact, until F7 Vivi played the entire game almost exclusively based on personal 1 on 1 connections and not multiple person alliances. And even at F7 it was an alliance of 3 within a group of 7 - which simply defies all Survivor theory. But Vivi made it work because of social game more than anything else. Sharing tall tales and true, limericks and more in PM's, and also a high on board presence, film festivivials, festivivial of the boot chatty, everything and anything.
And it worked. In fact, the only vote Vivi recieved in the entire game was a rebound one at the infamous F6 TC, when Vivi vote for Tidus rebounded back, but Vivi immune, thanks to Lightning.
This was all part of an over reaching strategy, to ensure the target was always kept directly off of me, and on rare moments played up minimal about of danger may be in. For example, after Rikku was voted out - the only time during course of entire game when Vivi was surprised by outcome of a vote (well, apart from Balthie's exit, but who could predict that?!?), comfortable in the knowledge that should we return to TC having others say they were willing to take out Kefka in order to preserve Vivi. Appear to be weak, never at the bottom.
At the merge thi same strategy was employed through the opening rounds, where lthe loss of Wakka and the long weekend where Vivi hoped to talk and get sense of where everyone - and do mean everyone stood. Unfortunately, perhaps because I had voted for Vanile at the merge TC, my messages went unanswered and this was a disappointment. But al the while Vivi's little glowing eyes were taking all in. Had sensed that Terra's distance and grown closer to Tidus.
That the...
baa-baa-ba-balamb...group were all tied in with Tidus and that even Cloud and Lightning were so entrenched with Tidus also. Tidus was the very much the lynchpin of the game very clearly, with all those with tinge of pink wanting him to be part of their long terms plans, and perhaps it was this that made Vivi's move to oust him initially unsuccessful, it was the catalyst for what would follow. Doubts had to be raised and although they did not immediately work, the seeds were sown and took root, for althoug Tidus himself would survive 4 more rounds, what had been such an intractable situation was made pliable.
Had my social game and this approach to information gathering not been usccessful, being able to maintain connections and work the margins,, as well a gaining the trust and ultimately making Vivi an attractive prospect for Balthie to want to flip and shake the game up by siding with, not only in blindsiding Seph, but I suspect in remaining true and sticking with us the following round despite the PM blackout - an arrangement that Vivi believes would have been solid through the rounds that followed.
Vivi's partnership with Lightning cannot be underated wither. We trusted each other implicitly, sharing ideas and pooling our resources, to our mutual benefit. Although Lightning was winning challenges, there were always a Plan B that we had to ensure that the next few TC's would go our way - or so we thought. Noone - and I dare the hosts to say differently - noone could have forseen that nutso F6 TC.
Even Alan the turtle was shaking his head at that.
NOT Alan the turtle So why should you vote for Vivi?
Because I worked my socks off - assumung I have socks under the shoes, even though don't have feet - for it and I wasn't nearly as UTR as I may've appeared on tha surface at times, as was acknowledged by a few of you as the game progressed... My acting daft or desperate was all a show... Either to ensure others viewed Vivi wasn't a threat, but to ensure that the connections I needed were in place for the times when I needed them, and not look like a threat, by making it always seem that I were relying on others, so they felt that my destiny was in their hands. If people feel like they have power over anything in this game - be it a situation or a connection - then that is something that they want and are not likely wanting to throw away. For me, it kept me safe and kept the target away as well as gave me the insight and information that was needed for Vivi to survive in a game where there was no multiple people alliance, just one on one connections.
Ironic, for now, that is precisely what it is. I repeatedly came from a position of being out of the numbers to being in a place where my position was never seriously challenged - as previously mentioned, never having a vote cast against me in the entire game, and didn't have to rely on loads of immunities to do it, but purely on gameplay, social interactions and a sound personal strategy.
You all know by now that Vivi is not great at challenges, but part of my strategy was to align myself with people that were - namely Tifa and Lightning. Because if Vivi can't have immunity, want it to be held by people that Vivi could be confident would have his back, and this was the case. Of course, my partnership with Lightning was much, much more than just that, but that is beside the point here. As seen in the early challenges where I can help I do work hard for my tribe at challenges, but some are just not my thing. I've made moves, mostly subtle ones, in this game, and even though Vivi doesn't have hands, have had to get them a little dirty, but it was all to benefit both Lightning and I, to get where I am now and as such, it is not necessarily a bad thing.
I’m sorry if any feelings were hurt. However the connects and friendships that were created were not just merely staged. I hope to continue to foster these after this has concluded & that my hand is always open in friendship.
It is a game and games are about having fun. And for better or worse, I had a blast. And hope a few of you did also.
But… first and foremost, I always viewed this as a game and in the end there can only be one.
I hope that over the course of your questions that I can explain what or why something happened as i did or what not. If it is in my power, they will be answered, and every answer will be genuine and honest. I am an open book and will own what is mine to own. But largely Vivi was not looking for confrontation, rather to enjoy the game , foirst and foremost. When the instinct kicked in to see opportunities and the playing field for what it was, I made efforts and took steps to change these. Most were subtle, and playing a subtle game was the key to Vivi in contrast to the personality presented. In this game I played a certain way and did what needed to be done. Whatever else I've loved every second and hope Vivi has brought some fun to you all also.
For my part the relationships were real, it were only tha game that divides us. Vivi had an absolute ball playing this game with you all. I hope the Vivi that you all encountered was able to bring that and hope that you can see a bit of what Vivi's game, that although often hidden, weas always there. And now, it is in your hands, that the fate of Lightning and I is to be decided. My game lacked the challenge punch of Lightning's, but on a strategical level genuinely believe that the two games are comparable and that Vivi has played a social game that is deserving of your consideration. This is a social game at the root of it all. And it is this why I look to each of you now to recognize the truth of this and the truth of the social game which you have seen played here.
Anyhow, I look forward to your questions.
