I'll make the controversial statement right off: I don't think it's possible for any player on any Transformers Mush, to do Soundwave justice. I know I certainly never have, and I have lived his life off-and-on since 1995. It has brought me some of the most rewarding as well as the most excruciating moments I have ever experienced on the Net; the time I, as Soundwave, got to blow away Optimus Prime with a transformed Megatron on TF2, still ranks as one of the highlights of my entire Mushing experience - while Soundwave's nightmare existence in the dismal post-Movie universe, which he should never have been subjected to, remains after all these years a bitter memory. In any situation, though, I did my best to live up to who Soundwave was, and was acutely aware of the times I fell short. Many times I wanted to rip the entrails out of some rustbucket over something that Soundwave wouldn't have reacted to at all; that was the Plumed Serpent talking, rather than the Decepticon Communications Expert. There were other times, though ... times when the words I typed were so dead-on as to seem not my own. Times when Soundwave really "came through." One could make a joke about channelling a cartoon character, but is this in truth any different from what a writer does when he/she says "The characters took over the story and surprised me with where they directed the plot"? Same concept, I would say.

I most recently "channeled Soundwave" on Decepticon Dominion Mush, a place where he cannot help but fit in perfectly. As I experienced the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, interactions and discoveries, of living Soundwave's life, I will still say that I did not do him justice. At least, not every time. I don't think it's possible. But I do think it's important that every effort is made. I say to those players who have taken on the challenge of Soundwave at other Mushes: treat the character with respect, and allow him to guide you. Follow his example and listen. In those moments when you get it right, you'll know it.