[TSL] Boxer, NightEnd, Sen, Fenix Interviews

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Q: Hello and welcome to the TSL3 tournament. Have you heard of TeamLiquid before? What made you decide to accept your invite? What are your goals for the TSL3?

I entered the tournament because Starcraft 2 is popular all around the world, and I want to try and play many games outside Korea. My girlfriend is reading TeamLiquid.net a lot ^^. I don’t get many chances to come across news because I’m spending so much time practicing, but she keeps me up to date with information and resources.

This is my first match in an international tournament since I started playing in GSL, so I’d like to do well. If Starcraft II wants to succeed outside Korea unlike SC1, we need more players to compete abroad, and we need more player exchanges.

Q: You were a legend in SCBW and many members of TeamLiquid remember your games. What do you think of your international fans who watch GSL and follow Starcraft? What do you have to say to them?

The fans that continue to cheer me on regardless of my inability to produce good results, are the reason I can’t quit progaming. Even though I’m not in my prime anymore, the fact that you still eagerly anticipate my games keeps me working hard. I hope I can go abroad to play in person.

Q: Why did you switch to StarCraft 2? What are your goals for your career in SC2? What do you feel SC2 has to do to succeed like SCBW in Korea?

To me, playing games is priority number one. I chose Starcraft 2 so I would not stagnate, and I do not regret this decision. Still, I’d like to win a championship. Korea movies and music are booming internationally, and even though [Korean] gaming has lots of potential, it hasn’t quite succeeded to that level. The players are the primary movers here, and if they can play quality games and achieve good tournament results abroad, I think it would be good for Korea’s image. Also, a fast and mutually agreeable solution to the Starcraft 1 situation would be great help.

Q: Do you think SC2 can succeed as an ESPORT outside Korea? What do you think has to happen for it to be a success internationally?

I’ll answer from a player’s perspective. As a player, you have to prepare as hard as you can for your games, and you have to tell a story and move the fans with that game. The more often you have entertaining games that draw interest, the more your base will grow. As the number of fans grows, the game can take place as its own unique culture, and then you can attract a sponsor that will help you expand the market rapidly. Entertain the fans and attract more fans to the game: that’s what the players must do.

Q: Tell us about your team Slayers. What is your goal with the team? What kind of players do you look for? Who are a few new Slayers players with lots of potential?

The goal of the team is “Improve our skill together, and improve the status of the team.” The reason I didn’t want famous players when we founded the team was because I wanted to find people with potential who could grow together. I think there are a few guys on the team right now who are showing exactly that.

Q: Do you think Korean Pro-gamers are more aware of international events? There are many big events like IEM and MLG with big prizes in America and Europe. Would you like to go to any of them in the future?

Occasionally I hear of things through PlayXP and other websites. Right now there’s a language barrier, and a lack of specialized personnel to gather information and systematically plan for foreign tournaments. More Koreans need to go abroad for foreign players to be directly influenced by them. Personally I would like more opportunities to compete in foreign tournaments.

Q: Who do you feel are the best non-Korean players? Who have you heard of and who do you wish to play against?

LIQUIDJINRO in particular was really impressive. He is modest, calm, and is very skilled… Though I haven’t had a chance to talk to him, I’d like to get to know him. Also, I’ve practiced with LIQUIDHUK for Blizzcon, and while he was already good back then, he’s become a really great player since he came to Korea. I think he’s a player who puts in a lot of effort.

Q: Your opponent is Prae.NightEnd, a Protoss from Romania. Do you know him? How will you prepare for him? Are you confident you will win?

Frankly I don’t much about international players… I always try my best at games. Since this is my first official international tournament, I’ll have to make to the finals ^^.

Q: Do you know how popular you are outside Korea? For instance, when you called Greg Fields (Idra) “Grack” by accident, many foreign fans declared it to be his new name. Are you ever surprised by how many international fans you have?

I always feel sorry towards Greg (Grack?) T_T

I was really surprised at the reaction from the people who came to Blizzcon. I was surprised once again when I checked TeamLiquid recently, to see so many posts and replies.

Q: Have you met and interacted with the Liquid players currently in Korea? What are your opinions of them?

I had a chance to meet the Liquid players at Blizzcon, but I was sick at the time and I was unfortunately unable to see them. Outside the ladder, there’s not much chance to interact with them. I think the TL players are working hard and doing a great job in Korea.

Q: What do you think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a player?

I think my strength is that I’m always studying the game and trying to discover new things. My weakness is that because I’m in such a hurry to put out good results, my gameplay has a trace of hastiness as well.

Q: Who do you believe will win the TSL3? How do you feel the Koreans will do against the best international players?

I think Jinro and Huk are the best foreign players, and they could very well win it all. I would like to be one of the favorites to win as well ^^

Q: You qualified by winning the second to last TSL qualifier. How did you feel when you won? What were your thoughts throughout the qualifier process?

Well after I won the qualifier, I felt glad I could win it because that was my goal that day, to win the TSL qualifier. I kept my calm through the entire qualifier and tried my best to win it.

Q: You are playing the legendary SlayerS_BoxeR. What do you think of him as a player?

I think he is a strong Terran even though I think I only watched 1 game with him. I'm sure he is a really hard working player.

Q: Are you confident you can beat him? How are you going to practice for your match?

I'm gonna practice as good as I can and as much as I can and I'm pretty sure I'll take him down.

Q: Many fans are saying the Koreans will dominate the TSL3. How do you feel about this? Do you think the international players have a good chance?

Probably the fans are right, but I think me, Thorzain, Naniwa, and Kas got a good chance at it .

Q: If you had to introduce yourself to our fans who never met you, how would you describe yourself? Write a few sentences about your personality.

I'm a hard working person, lover, intelligent, generous, very ambitious, and I'm not fake. I'm the guy you see when you speak to me.

Q: What do you think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a player?

My strength is my heart and my weakness is the thought I can lose.

Q: Which matches (other than your own) are you interested in? Why? Who do you believe will win?

I think I'm going to follow all the matches, I don't really have any interest in one particular match.

Q: Do you have anything to say to your fans and supporters before the Round of 32?

Thank you for your support as always and I'm going to win.

Q: Are you happy to be in the TSL3 from your seed last time? What are your goals for this TSL?

Actually I feel both pleased and worried about the TSL, because the top StarCraft 2 players from all the countries are assembled in the TSL. It is a great opportunity for me to express my talent well. I was the third place of last TSL, so I do not want to be eliminated at the first match. It is so cruel that my first match is versus my teammate, Fenix, but I will still do my best. And my goal is at least to achieve the top three.

Q: Your first round opponent is your teammate, Fenix. What do you think of him as a player?

There are only two players from team Fnatic; me and Fenix, and how unfortunately that we just meet in the first match. He is a friendly guy but also a strong opponent. We met on MLG last month, so I can tell you that he is a really good terran player. You can see that he was the champion of IEM North American Finals and GameGune Mexico 3rd Dreamhack winter, so I will never underestimate him.

Q: Are you confident you can beat him? How do you feel about playing teammates in general? Will you have some special strategies planned?

Of course I have the confidence to defeat Fenix, but in some ways I would not feel too happy or too sad, because we are teammates for a long time. And I do not have the special strategies toward any player because it depends on how the battle is developing.

Q: You qualified for a GSL and won your first round match, but you have since left Korea. Why did you leave? Do you plan on ever returning to compete in GSL?

When the loss in my first participation in GSL3, the officials in GSL have asked me if I would like to extend my stay in Korea to play in Code A. Unfortunately with much regrets, I declined as I am currently on my final year of university studies. There is no way I would give up my studies for anything until I complete them. With that being said, I would still be glad to participate in any of the GSL or NASL events upon graduation.

For those who are not aware yet, Taiwan is the first nation in the world who has brought StarCraft 2 into Local TV, the league is broadcast every weekend, like how it is for StarCraft:Brood War in Korea. You get paid, you get to live with your mates in a team house, etc. Taiwan has already started its StarCraft 2 league beginning of March so I am not so sure if I would still play for a foreign team or join one of those professional local teams in Taiwan. I’m looking forward to it catching up with the international standard of Starcraft 2 even though the standard of our league is still pretty low.

Q: Do you feel that the Koreans are just going to dominate the TSL3 or do you think that international players have a good chance to beat them?

I usually play ladder games in Korea server, and I sometimes beat lots of famous players in, ex. SlayerSBoxeR, HongUnPrime, Leenock, so I do not think the Korea players will dominate the TSL3, as long as we are well-practiced. But in some ways that the strong clans and players in Korea are really so many. When I was staying in Korea, living in the clan IM training room, at least 15 gosu players living together and sharing tactical exchange, etc., that makes you improve your skills easier and faster. It is undeniable that this is a great advantage, but it does not mean that the Korea players are unbeatable.

Q: If you had to introduce yourself to our fans who never met you, how would you describe yourself? Write a few sentences about your personality.

Hello, everybody, I am Sen, and I am from Taiwan. I was a StarCraft 1 player, you may have seen me before. I think I am a funny and humorous guy, I sometimes use pylons and creep tumors writing my ID on the map. I like to have fun during games.

Q: Which matches (other than your own) are you interested in? Why? Who do you believe will win?

I am most interested in Idra's matches. I watched his GCPL ace match, after Idra lost he said "This game a fucking joke!!! ROFL" I think he is just special. Sometimes I have those thoughts too after losing to an all-in, but I just hold them in and try not to say any bad words. And as for who's going to win this tour, I really have no idea, there are too many gosus here.

Q: Do you have anything to say to your fans and supporters before the Round of 32?

Thank you everyone who supports me! And if you are Zerg too, please write e-mails to Blizzard to tell them that we miss much 1 supply roach.

Q: You qualified for the TSL on points. How did you feel about qualifying? This is the second TSL you have played in. What is your goal for the TSL3?

I feel great that I qualified for this great tournament. I had a great time in TSL2, it was a great tournament. I had a great run but I lost in the Round of 8 vs Mondragron. My goal for TSL3 is to win it all.

Q: You are playing your teammate Sen. What do you think of him as a player?

He is a great player and I haven't played him in a while so I don't know how his game has evolved. Knowing him, he will come with a level of play that is amazing. I have mixed emotions to play my teammate on the first round, I wanted to be in the finals but it is what it is.

Q: Are you confident against him? Do you guys practice together often? Will you have any special strategies planned?

Like I said before I don't know what kind of strategies he will bring to the table, as for me I will play my standard game which I feel comfortable with.

Q: You are one of South America's very best players. Do you have any future plans to go to GSL in Korea or are you satisfied with traveling to events in America and Europe?

Korea is a future plan that I have, but as for now I only focus on the task at hand. I love traveling around the world and I love America and Europe.

Q: Many fans are saying the Koreans will dominate this tournament. Do you feel the international players have a good chance to win?

Well I don't know about that, I feel that we foreigners players have evolved from the Brood War days where it was IMPOSSIBLE to beat a Korean in a tournament. Look at Jinro and IdrA, they are doing great in GSL so I believe that BW dominance is over for now.

Q: If you had to introduce yourself to our fans who never met you, how would you describe yourself? Write a few sentences about your personality.

My name is Jian Carlos Joan Morayra better known as Fenix, I play Terran and my personality is friendly hahaha. I play a very aggressive style of Terran with a lot of multitasking.

Q: What do you think are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a player?

My greatest strength is my multitasking ability and my weakness is late game vs Protoss.

Q: Which matches (other than your own) are you interested in? Why? Who do you believe will win?

One of the matches I'm looking forward too is Liquid`Tyler (NonY) vs mouz.Strelok. I believe that Strelok is going to win.

Q: Do you have anything to say to your fans and supporters before the Round of 32?

Thanks for supporting me and I promise I'll be great again hahaha and thanks to my sponsors MSI, Steelseries, Bigfoot, Ugame, Slapa, and Raidcall.