Viking Voices IS BACK! - Viking Hailey (Jan 20, 2021)

[Viking Andrew]

Hey YoFans,



I'm very excited to be bringing Viking Voices back from its hiatus. Things are changing a little bit this time around though. This likely won't be a weekly update anymore, as things are a bit busy around here these days. I'll try to get an update out as often as possible though.

I'm also no longer limiting it just to the YoWorld team. I want you all to get to know a little bit about all of the awesome Vikings we have working here!

Please check below for a list of all the current and past Viking Voices participants.

__________________________________________________


Past Viking Voices:

Viking Hailey (January 20th, 2021)
Viking Kyle (November 25th, 2020)
Viking Sam (October 6th, 2020)
Viking Tyler
Viking Jen (August 24th, 2020)
Viking Reggie (April 15th, 2020)
Viking Sean (April 1st, 2020)
Viking Tristan (March 26th, 2020)
Viking Adam (March 18th, 2020)
Viking Leora (March 11th, 2020)
Viking Nicki (March 4th, 2020)

[Viking Andrew]

For our first relaunch of Viking Voices, we'll be talking to a member of BVG's People and Culture Team, Viking Jen!



1) The basics -- What do you do at Big Viking Games and for how long have you been in this role?

I am part of the People & Culture Team and I have been here for 4 1/2 years!


2) What Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of?

Tough question! I love when I plan an event for the Vikings and it is really successful! Success is based on how happy people are at the event and my favorite one last year was at Medieval times.


3) What movie can you watch over and over again without ever getting tired of it?

I don’t watch a lot of movies but when I do I like a good dry humoured movie and they are usually british.


4) What is the funniest story (that is safe to share) that has happened to you as a Viking?

I don’t think I could choose just 1. Every day for me is an adventure. I love the people I work with and they always impress and surprise me with what they do and what they know. I feel very lucky to have the job that I do and to work with the Viking every day.


5) What is something you’re interested in that a lot of people may not know much about?

I love to run! I have completed 5 half marathons so far and I hope to do a few more.


6) If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The ability to read minds


7) What is your favourite (work safe) word in the English language?

I’m not sure if it's my favourite but I do say “amazing” a lot!


8) What song hits you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear it?

Bohemian Rhapsody!


9) Cake or Pie?

PIE!


10) If you were transformed into food, what kind of food would you be, and why?

A butter tart! Canadian, in a boat of sugar and butter and enjoyed by all!

[BadMoon (153955457)]

Can absolutely relate to number 3
Brit sitcoms are the best.

wished her avi had been posted tho

[Adeline (113719515)]

For our first relaunch of Viking Voices, we'll be talking to a member of BVG's People and Culture Team, Viking Jen!



10) If you were transformed into food, what kind of food would you be, and why?

A butter tart! Canadian, in a boat of sugar and butter and enjoyed by all!

Sounds delish. How about a recipe? Or picture?

[Viking Andrew]

For our first relaunch of Viking Voices, we'll be talking to a member of BVG's People and Culture Team, Viking Jen!



10) If you were transformed into food, what kind of food would you be, and why?

A butter tart! Canadian, in a boat of sugar and butter and enjoyed by all!

Sounds delish. How about a recipe? Or picture?

[Viking Andrew]

Can absolutely relate to number 3
Brit sitcoms are the best.

wished her avi had been posted tho

Not all Vikings in the Viking Voices now will have avatars that can be posted. However, I will post an avi for everyone that has one!

[Grand Viking Nicki]

For our first relaunch of Viking Voices, we'll be talking to a member of BVG's People and Culture Team, Viking Jen!



10) If you were transformed into food, what kind of food would you be, and why?

A butter tart! Canadian, in a boat of sugar and butter and enjoyed by all!

Sounds delish. How about a recipe? Or picture?

Oooh, if you've never had a butter tart before, I recommend this recipe!

Ingredients
FOR THE PASTRY

• 2 ¼ cups flour, pastry flour is best to use but all-purpose will do
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/2 cup shortening, Very cold and cut in cubes
• 1/2 cup butter, Very cold and cut in cubes
• 6 tbsp ice water, approximately, enough to bring the dough together

FOR THE FILLING

• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ cup raisins, substituting, pecans, walnuts or chocolate chips also make good variations

Instructions
TO PREPARE THE PASTRY

1. Pulse the cold butter and shortening into the flour sugar and salt using a food processor until the shortening or butter is reduced to pea sized pieces.
2. Sprinkle the water over the surface and toss with a fork until the water is just incorporated into the dough. Do not over work the dough; handle it only enough so that the dough stays together.
3. Form the dough into two rounds about an inch thick.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for about a half hour.
5. Roll out on lightly floured surface. Cut into rounds with 4 inch cutter. Fit into muffin cups. Chill in the fridge or freezer while you prepare the filling. Cold pastry heading into a hot oven will always be flakier.

TO MAKE THE FILLING

1. Combine all filling ingredients except raisins.
2. Mix well.
3. Sprinkle raisins in a single layer in the bottom of the pastry lined muffin cups.
4. Fill 2/3 full with syrup mixture.
5. Bake on bottom shelf of oven at 425 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Cool completely on a wire rack and remove tarts from from pans.

Notes
There is considerable debate about whether the filling in a butter tart should be runny or firm. Preferences vary, especially geographically but if you want a firmer, less runny filling simply add an additional egg, increase the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and decrease the corn syrup to 1/4 cup.

They are absolutely sumptuous Make sure you have friends or family on standby to help you eat them!

[McDangles (126579776)]

I want the job as the Party Machine for my company! LOL That's super cool Jenners. Thx for sharing a bit with a bunch of nosy Yos.

[Bookworm J (129336295)]

Hi Viking Jen!

[BEANS (110735736)]

nice meeting you viking Jen!

[Adeline (113719515)]

For our first relaunch of Viking Voices, we'll be talking to a member of BVG's People and Culture Team, Viking Jen!



10) If you were transformed into food, what kind of food would you be, and why?

A butter tart! Canadian, in a boat of sugar and butter and enjoyed by all!

Sounds delish. How about a recipe? Or picture?

Oooh, if you've never had a butter tart before, I recommend this recipe!

Ingredients
FOR THE PASTRY

• 2 ¼ cups flour, pastry flour is best to use but all-purpose will do
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/2 cup shortening, Very cold and cut in cubes
• 1/2 cup butter, Very cold and cut in cubes
• 6 tbsp ice water, approximately, enough to bring the dough together

FOR THE FILLING

• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ cup raisins, substituting, pecans, walnuts or chocolate chips also make good variations

Instructions
TO PREPARE THE PASTRY

1. Pulse the cold butter and shortening into the flour sugar and salt using a food processor until the shortening or butter is reduced to pea sized pieces.
2. Sprinkle the water over the surface and toss with a fork until the water is just incorporated into the dough. Do not over work the dough; handle it only enough so that the dough stays together.
3. Form the dough into two rounds about an inch thick.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for about a half hour.
5. Roll out on lightly floured surface. Cut into rounds with 4 inch cutter. Fit into muffin cups. Chill in the fridge or freezer while you prepare the filling. Cold pastry heading into a hot oven will always be flakier.

TO MAKE THE FILLING

1. Combine all filling ingredients except raisins.
2. Mix well.
3. Sprinkle raisins in a single layer in the bottom of the pastry lined muffin cups.
4. Fill 2/3 full with syrup mixture.
5. Bake on bottom shelf of oven at 425 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Cool completely on a wire rack and remove tarts from from pans.

Notes
There is considerable debate about whether the filling in a butter tart should be runny or firm. Preferences vary, especially geographically but if you want a firmer, less runny filling simply add an additional egg, increase the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and decrease the corn syrup to 1/4 cup.

They are absolutely sumptuous Make sure you have friends or family on standby to help you eat them!

Recipe is copied!!!!! OH Thank you so much!!!

[Smitten Kitten (136864592)]

[Angelic Rose (107404295)]

Viking Jen, Nice to meet you. I love British TV Sitcoms. I watch Sky TV myself and I love the commercials.

[CandyBoo (111892909)]

Nice to meet you Viking Jen...

[sNaPCaCkLeNPooP (12927062)]

Just seeing these started back. Nice to meet you Viking Jen! Sounds like you have the best job ever!

[Toink Toink (117686344)]

So how many Vikings are there for Yoworld now? Viking Andrew, Viking Nicki, Viking Overlord. ????

[sparkle sparkles (182613860)]

I am not happy with the new flash thing once that is gone how am i going to get back in

[Viking Andrew]

Hey YoFans!

We're back with another edition of Viking Voices!

Today, we're going to get to know Viking Tyler!






1) The basics -- What do you do at Big Viking Games and for how long have you been in this role?

Hey YoFans! I’m Tyler, and I’m a Player Support Specialist! I’ve been in this role since March 2020!

2) What is your all-time favourite item in YoWorld?

This is a tough question! Honestly, there’s too many to name. But - autumn is my favourite season, so I’d have to say my favourite item is anything from the recent Vacation in Vermont theme! I especially love the Clickable Treehouse Bedroom. I wish I had this item in real life - it looks so cozy and like a perfect place to read my favourite books!

3) What movie can you watch over and over again without ever getting tired of it?

Probably Beauty and the Beast. I loved this movie growing up and know the words to every song! I always looked up to Belle growing up because she was a book nerd like me!

4) If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

To be able to talk to animals!! I love my Kitty so much and I’ve always wanted to know what she’d say to me if we could talk.

5) What is something you’re interested in that a lot of people may not know much about?

I’ve always been a huge history nerd. I actually almost majored in History in university, and for a long time wanted to be a history professor! One of my biggest guilty pleasures to this day is watching historical documentaries!

6) How would you describe your personal fashion/style?

Hmmm, I would say that I have a comfy/cute style. I love wearing fun dresses from time-to-time, but I also love just wearing my vans, leggings, and a hoodie.

7) If there is one thing you could tell YoWorld players that you'd want them to know about you, your role, YoWorld, or Big Viking Games, what would it be?

If I could tell YoWorld players one thing, it would be that my favourite part of my job is helping you guys have the best experience of YoWorld that you possibly can. It’s extremely rewarding seeing you guys enjoy new themes, items, and features that get released in-game!

8) What song hits you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear it?

Definitely Hey Ya by Outkast, Smooth by Santana and Rob Thomas, and anything early 2000s John Mayer!

9) If you could invent one contraption, regardless of how realistic it may be, what would you create?

Hmmm.. probably a contraption that lets me learn whatever language I want in a short amount of time! There’s so many languages I want to learn, but I don’t have the time to learn them

10) Other than YoWorld, what is your favourite game to play? (Video, computer, board, etc.)

I have a 4-way tie for what my favourite game to play is!

Firstly, I absolutely love Pokemon and have since I was a little girl. There’s just something about hearing the music in-game and raising Pokemon that gives me an overwhelming feeling of happiness and nostalgia. If I’m ever having a rough day, I’ll just make some tea and play Pokemon!

I’m also a huge fan of the Legend of Zelda series, Spyro the Dragon, and League of Legends.

As you can see, I like a lot of older, more ‘retro’ games. I think I love them so much because they were some of the first games I ever played.

[ChloePumpkin (176209997)]

It's so nice to meet you, Tyler! I think it would be wonderful to be able to talk to animals. What a great superpower that would be! I babble about my Dachshunds all the time, as it is. If they talked back, I'd probably never stop talking about them!

I love your Yo. It's so nice to see someone else with the original eyes and lips!

[Bookworm J (129336295)]

Nice to meet you! I've always wished I could know what my dogs were thinking, it would be nice to be able to communicate