I knew Mike for 12 years, from 1997 to 2009. He was a great friend, flatmate, gamer and more than anything else, a brother to me during my years of university and beyond. Mike had a quiet and kind nature, but a sharp, witty and funny personality which always made me listen for his comments - one of his observations or jokes were worth twenty of other peoples'.

I got to know Mike initially through work at Quay Computers, where Mike was employed as a system builder. We quickly became friends as we liked the same game (Tribes) and both of us enjoyed the tactical and technical nature of the game. Mike was an excellent strategist and statistician, he always had an opinion on how our clan (team for those who aren't gamers) could plan moves within a game more effectively and helped all of us get better performance from our gaming configs. Eventually Mike and I moved into a flat with a number of others from our Tribes clan and were very early adopters of broadband, causing some notority that we all enjoyed. Mike had some great times in that flat with Richard (Scumbag), Scott (Pixie), Cyrus (Deth), myself (Mr Green) and all the others that visited us regularly, eg. all the Malks boys, Wiz, Lorraine, Furrycrew, Phantom, etc... Mike was always keen for a late night coffee at Midnight Espresso, which we often visited with Lorraine.

Eventually Mike and I moved out of that flat into a two bedroom flat in Glenmoore Street. It was a good home for a year, whilst we continued to play competitive tribes at a high level for both Malks and Alter Electus (AE). Simultaneously we started playing Everquest, a massively multiplayer game that captured both of our imagination. Again, Mike was amazing at knowing the most technical elements of the game and researching the optimum method of progressing through it. We had many fun times playing alongside Cyrus and John B (Saladin), people who I know Mike had strong and true friendships with.

Another workmate from Quay, Glen P (Hawkeye), recommended that the three of us get a flat together. This was a departure for Mike from previous flats, in that the main interest was not always gaming. Whether it be having fondue nights with friends, having people from upstairs down for drinks or the three of us enjoying coffee out, Mike was always there, always with a kind word, always listening and always making you feel like you were important to him.

Mike always loved big LAN parties where players would congregate to play computer games. The most regular was The Hub in Wellington, of which Mike was a founding member. Mike (or Xen, as he was known to most of us), was always smiling, helping others and providing a competitive ability that made everyone respect him. He was instrumental in the succcess of Malks and the Obot v Malks rivalry, something that gave all of us a great deal of pleasure to be part of. A particularly fond memory was arriving at The Hub in the Loaves and Fishes Hall late, powering on gear and making the whole hall lose power. Everyone hassled us, but Mike loved it - he loved technology, gaming and comradary from multiplayer gaming - it always seemed both his outlet and his passion.

Some of Mike's favourite things included: The music of the band named Volcano Girls, admiration of pole staff fighting, Tribes, Everquest, DAoC, Warhammer Online, Superfly by Joe Cartoon, the 'Wasabi' Budweiser commercial, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, anything else with Sarah Michelle Gellar in it - the man had good taste.

Most of all I will remember the characteristics of Mike's personality that I appreciated so much: loyalty, thoughtfulness and above all, kindness. Mike was there for the hard and good times, my 21st birthday, my engagement, my stag night, my wedding and my return from the United Kingdom to New Zealand. For all these reasons, times and more, I have been very fortunate to be Mike's friend. I mourn his passing and I celebrate the man he was.

Goodbye for now my friend, may you rest in peace and Xen-like calm.

Your friend and brother in spirit,

Chris, aka Mr Green