Latest VOD: Xavier "Zoot" Dhorne
Hello Team Liquid
Gimble and I do a weekly webshow called the The Gimble and Arn podcast where we talk to various members of the community about anything and everything. Our goal is to help provide exposure to lesser known teams and players, to put the spotlight on parts of the community that are often overlooked (but are vital to our community) and bring you closer to the players. From Vile.State's love of guitar to Jason Potter's (Four Kings) thoughts on what it takes to make a team successful, we talk to players about the micro and the macro of their lives and Esports.
The podcast airs each Monday at 2pm PST/5pm EST/9pm GMT. You can catch us live at here and VODs are available here. We do take user questions from the chat so come join us and help direct the conversation.
For a little more about the show: the show will consist of two 30 minute informal interviews. Each will consist of around 20 minutes of questions by the hosts, followed by Q&A featuring user submitted questions. Guests will include, but not be limited to: players, management, commentators, interviewers, tournament staff, documentarians. The main focus for players will be on background and gaming history, but will be open to other subjects. Non-player interviews will be more centered around understanding their day-to-day lives.
Easy Access Archive List::
Episode 1: ItsGosuVibe and ItsGosuRum [Note: The first episode had some technical issues with skype so it is audio only.]
Episode 2: Mary Ratliff (director of the documentary Good Game)
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
1:12: What is Good Game and what are you hoping people will get out of it?
2:23: How do you make a computer game compelling when the visuals are just people sitting in front of a computer?
3:39: How did you first get involved in gaming and how did that turn into a desire to produce a documentary?
7:55: Why the decision to use the medium of a documentary for GG instead of a drama,cartoon, etc?
9:17: How receptive was EG about doing a documentary when you first approached them?
11:13: Was it really hard to strike a balance between not showing them as Gods but also not boxing them into the mold of being basement nerds?
13:12: How did you balance capturing those intimate, emotional moments that are often so powerful and respecting the players' private space?
17:34: Can you give us an overview of the process of film production? What have you done already and what will you do in the coming months?
22:30: Now that GG is in post-production, what are your responsibilities?
27:42: You just returned from filming in Korea, what was Korea like and how successful was the filming?
30:10: In Korea, were you able to hear Tastetosis casting?
32:43: Will you be covering much of the departure of Axslav and Strifeco in the documentary?
34:33: Who's narrating the documentary?
35:43: You said that you and your team, at least generally, don't like narration, what don't you like?
38:08: How and why did film production/writing become a passion and eventually a career?
41:26: By the time GG has completed, it'll have been almost 3 years worth of work. How do you find the funding to be able to work on a project for that long?
44:08: Given your background, do you share the film industry's apprehension about SOPA and PIPA?
51:15: Looking back on your 10 years of experience in the industry, is there anything that just took you by surprise? A hardship or a benefit that you weren't expecting?
53:32: What exactly does producing entail?
55:20: Do you have any plans for what you're doing after GG?
57:22: Do you ever find yourself slipping into “Director mode” when watching another film and trying to rearrange the pieces onscreen?
1:00:04: Are there any positions in the film industry that you haven't had a chance to do yet but would like to?
1:02:03: Favorite film and why you keep going back to it?
2:23: How do you make a computer game compelling when the visuals are just people sitting in front of a computer?
3:39: How did you first get involved in gaming and how did that turn into a desire to produce a documentary?
7:55: Why the decision to use the medium of a documentary for GG instead of a drama,cartoon, etc?
9:17: How receptive was EG about doing a documentary when you first approached them?
11:13: Was it really hard to strike a balance between not showing them as Gods but also not boxing them into the mold of being basement nerds?
13:12: How did you balance capturing those intimate, emotional moments that are often so powerful and respecting the players' private space?
17:34: Can you give us an overview of the process of film production? What have you done already and what will you do in the coming months?
22:30: Now that GG is in post-production, what are your responsibilities?
27:42: You just returned from filming in Korea, what was Korea like and how successful was the filming?
30:10: In Korea, were you able to hear Tastetosis casting?
32:43: Will you be covering much of the departure of Axslav and Strifeco in the documentary?
34:33: Who's narrating the documentary?
35:43: You said that you and your team, at least generally, don't like narration, what don't you like?
38:08: How and why did film production/writing become a passion and eventually a career?
41:26: By the time GG has completed, it'll have been almost 3 years worth of work. How do you find the funding to be able to work on a project for that long?
44:08: Given your background, do you share the film industry's apprehension about SOPA and PIPA?
51:15: Looking back on your 10 years of experience in the industry, is there anything that just took you by surprise? A hardship or a benefit that you weren't expecting?
53:32: What exactly does producing entail?
55:20: Do you have any plans for what you're doing after GG?
57:22: Do you ever find yourself slipping into “Director mode” when watching another film and trying to rearrange the pieces onscreen?
1:00:04: Are there any positions in the film industry that you haven't had a chance to do yet but would like to?
1:02:03: Favorite film and why you keep going back to it?
Episode 3: VileState and VileChance
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
Vile State segment
0:57: How did you get started gaming and how did you turn that into a career?
1:30: What'd you play before Starcraft 2 and when did you start gaming?
2:15: After joining Vile, when did it click that you were indeed a professional gamer?
4:20: Why did you take Starcraft 2 more seriously than you had other games in the past?
4:55: When you're practicing, what are you working on and how do you practice?
5:30: What about watching other people's streams do you find helpful?
6:17: Outside of Huk, who else do you like to watch stream?
7:21: How do you gauge progress when you're at your level?
8:22: How do you prepare for a team match as opposed to an individual event?
9:09: How far in advance and how heavily do you and your team prepare for team competitions?
10:13: As a full-time student, does Starcraft 2 conflict with school?
11:21: What about political science interests you?
11:49: Do you see Starcraft fitting into your long term career goals or is this just something you plan to do while in college?
13:21: What was the most satisfying win that you've ever had?
15:06: Has playing Starcraft competitively changed your outlook on other aspects of life?
15:40: Have you been able to balance school with gaming?
16:30: Any notable experiences from traveling or any favorite places you've gone?
17:23: After you'd signed with Vile, any perks associated with being a pro-gamer that you weren't expecting?
18:51: When you find some free time, what do you like to do?
19:20: What genres of books do you read?
20:30: How long have you been playing guitar?
21:41: Chat wants to know if you've read “Point, Counterpoint”
22:38: If you could change onet thing about Esports right now, what would it be? (Vile Chance jumps in and answers this)
24:48: (Directed at Chance) So are you saying you'd prefer to see the foreign scene reward hard work and strong play more and media exposure less?
27:42: How do you feel about there being more open brackets as opposed to invite-based?
Official Vile Chance start
29:55: [in relation to the previous question] So do you see open-brackets as the direction Esports should move in?
32:02: Given that the current foreign scene is very media-centric, as someone who's more focused on performance and less on exposure, how do you succeed?
35:02: Since you're not living in a house and not always immersed in the same kind of environment as a Korean team house (i.e. largely on your own), how do you regiment yourself and keep your disciplined?
37:59: People don't often get to hear from the people who put all of their time, passion, and effort into the game but aren't where they want to be yet...
43:58: Why do you think it is that there is this difference in values between the Korean scene and the foreign scene?
51:09: If team leagues become more important, do you think that'll help lesser known players gain exposure?
53:44: Do you think an organization in the spirit of KESPA, an organization to oversee and help legitimize Esports, would be a good idea?
55:31: Are there things that an overseeing body, in theory, could do to help foster a self-sustaining scene?
0:57: How did you get started gaming and how did you turn that into a career?
1:30: What'd you play before Starcraft 2 and when did you start gaming?
2:15: After joining Vile, when did it click that you were indeed a professional gamer?
4:20: Why did you take Starcraft 2 more seriously than you had other games in the past?
4:55: When you're practicing, what are you working on and how do you practice?
5:30: What about watching other people's streams do you find helpful?
6:17: Outside of Huk, who else do you like to watch stream?
7:21: How do you gauge progress when you're at your level?
8:22: How do you prepare for a team match as opposed to an individual event?
9:09: How far in advance and how heavily do you and your team prepare for team competitions?
10:13: As a full-time student, does Starcraft 2 conflict with school?
11:21: What about political science interests you?
11:49: Do you see Starcraft fitting into your long term career goals or is this just something you plan to do while in college?
13:21: What was the most satisfying win that you've ever had?
15:06: Has playing Starcraft competitively changed your outlook on other aspects of life?
15:40: Have you been able to balance school with gaming?
16:30: Any notable experiences from traveling or any favorite places you've gone?
17:23: After you'd signed with Vile, any perks associated with being a pro-gamer that you weren't expecting?
18:51: When you find some free time, what do you like to do?
19:20: What genres of books do you read?
20:30: How long have you been playing guitar?
21:41: Chat wants to know if you've read “Point, Counterpoint”
22:38: If you could change onet thing about Esports right now, what would it be? (Vile Chance jumps in and answers this)
24:48: (Directed at Chance) So are you saying you'd prefer to see the foreign scene reward hard work and strong play more and media exposure less?
27:42: How do you feel about there being more open brackets as opposed to invite-based?
Official Vile Chance start
29:55: [in relation to the previous question] So do you see open-brackets as the direction Esports should move in?
32:02: Given that the current foreign scene is very media-centric, as someone who's more focused on performance and less on exposure, how do you succeed?
35:02: Since you're not living in a house and not always immersed in the same kind of environment as a Korean team house (i.e. largely on your own), how do you regiment yourself and keep your disciplined?
37:59: People don't often get to hear from the people who put all of their time, passion, and effort into the game but aren't where they want to be yet...
43:58: Why do you think it is that there is this difference in values between the Korean scene and the foreign scene?
51:09: If team leagues become more important, do you think that'll help lesser known players gain exposure?
53:44: Do you think an organization in the spirit of KESPA, an organization to oversee and help legitimize Esports, would be a good idea?
55:31: Are there things that an overseeing body, in theory, could do to help foster a self-sustaining scene?
Episode 4: Reign Axslav and Slush
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
Axslav Segment
0:18: Nick, would you care to introduce yourself?
0:53: How did you get into Warcraft III and why did you decide to invest a lot of time into that?
1:58: Why do you invest so much time into the competitive RTSs? What is it about them that you find so appealing?
3:30: Did the increasing amount of time you were investing into gaming ever cause tension with your friends?
5:03: Once you'd signed with a team, were you initially able to make it financially viable or did that take time even after you were officially considered a professional?
6:05: Before gaming became financially viable, was there ever problems with parental support?
07:18: How is Reign? Are you finding it to be good so far?
9:58: What reactions have you gotten from people when you tell them that you are a professional gamer?
11:44: What do you do when you're not gaming?
13:32: Any movies out right now that you'd like to see but haven't had a chance to yet?
14:10: What about TV shows? Anything you're watching now?
16:15: Will you ever switch to 16?
17:49: At ESWC, there was a player who got in trouble for using 4:3 instead of 16, what're your thoughts on that?
19:44: What're your goals?
22:01: Do you see yourself moving past Starcraft at some point, into another field, or is Starcraft the only thing on your mind right now?
22:51: What's your favorite beer?
23:25: And your favorite food?
25:07: If a fan buys you a drink at an event, what drink should they buy you?
Slush Segment
26:30: Can you give us a introduction and tell us a little bit about what got you to where you are right now?
28:31: Why the switch over, from an RTS to an FPS, to Counter Strike for awhile?
29:43: Was there ever any tension with your family about your decision to pursue gaming?
31:29: Why the decision to pursue Starcraft II professionally?
34:52: Do you ever think you'll be forced to play in daily/smaller tournaments to gain exposure or are you confident that strong runs in the major events will be enough?
36:35: Do you have a non-Starcraft related goal that you want to achieve after you've finished playing or are you just thinking about Starcraft right now?
38:32: Given what they've announced about Heart of the Swarm, how do you feel about it?
40:29: What occupies your time when you're not playing Starcraft?
48:16: Who do you think is going to win the ETS finals this year?
49:45: What is it about poker and Starcraft that it has this huge crossover?
52:41: Does poker you be a better Starcraft player?
0:18: Nick, would you care to introduce yourself?
0:53: How did you get into Warcraft III and why did you decide to invest a lot of time into that?
1:58: Why do you invest so much time into the competitive RTSs? What is it about them that you find so appealing?
3:30: Did the increasing amount of time you were investing into gaming ever cause tension with your friends?
5:03: Once you'd signed with a team, were you initially able to make it financially viable or did that take time even after you were officially considered a professional?
6:05: Before gaming became financially viable, was there ever problems with parental support?
07:18: How is Reign? Are you finding it to be good so far?
9:58: What reactions have you gotten from people when you tell them that you are a professional gamer?
11:44: What do you do when you're not gaming?
13:32: Any movies out right now that you'd like to see but haven't had a chance to yet?
14:10: What about TV shows? Anything you're watching now?
16:15: Will you ever switch to 16?
17:49: At ESWC, there was a player who got in trouble for using 4:3 instead of 16, what're your thoughts on that?
19:44: What're your goals?
22:01: Do you see yourself moving past Starcraft at some point, into another field, or is Starcraft the only thing on your mind right now?
22:51: What's your favorite beer?
23:25: And your favorite food?
25:07: If a fan buys you a drink at an event, what drink should they buy you?
Slush Segment
26:30: Can you give us a introduction and tell us a little bit about what got you to where you are right now?
28:31: Why the switch over, from an RTS to an FPS, to Counter Strike for awhile?
29:43: Was there ever any tension with your family about your decision to pursue gaming?
31:29: Why the decision to pursue Starcraft II professionally?
34:52: Do you ever think you'll be forced to play in daily/smaller tournaments to gain exposure or are you confident that strong runs in the major events will be enough?
36:35: Do you have a non-Starcraft related goal that you want to achieve after you've finished playing or are you just thinking about Starcraft right now?
38:32: Given what they've announced about Heart of the Swarm, how do you feel about it?
40:29: What occupies your time when you're not playing Starcraft?
48:16: Who do you think is going to win the ETS finals this year?
49:45: What is it about poker and Starcraft that it has this huge crossover?
52:41: Does poker you be a better Starcraft player?
Episode 5: Four Kings Lost and Jason Potter(manager)
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
Four Kings manager: Jason Potter
1:16: Announcements (raffle for people listening to the show)
2:26: How did you get into gaming, where did that begin?
3:53: How did you get your first job with 4Kings? Did you just apply as a writer and get accepted?
5:42: When you were first applying for the position of writer, were you thinking “I want to make this a career” or were you thinking “I want to help my favorite team and I'll do it until I can't do it any longer?”
07:05: Can you speak to the debt that 4Kings owes to its past players?
8:21: Can you give us an overview of what being a team manager entails and what your responsibilities are?
9:26: You're the general manager for 4King but also the joint-managing director for Esports Media Ltd. So what's the relationship between those two organizations?
10:39: So you have these two organizations and they're connected but what exactly does Esports Media Ltd do as a business?
12:03: Do teams need to be very media-savy and able to promote themselves well to be successful and reach the spotlight?
Answer: yes. (Immediate followup question)
12:25: So if that's the case, how do you, as a smaller team, compete (promotion-wise) against the bigger teams and get yourselves out there in a way that makes tournaments take notice?
16:01: Do you compete directly with EG and Teamliquid, big giants in the industry?
17:23: How do you go about recruiting players?
18:31: How do you find players who look promising in the first place?
19:31: Do you treat your different gaming divisions differently? Is one rated higher than the other?
19:50: Do some get more exposure than others or are some more profitable than others?
21:09: How do you go about starting a new team as opposed to just adding a player to an already existing one?
22:30: Are there any misconceptions that you think the community has about the way Esports works or the way teams work?
24:55: As your position isn't one that many people often get to hear about, can you give us a sense of how intricate your work is?
28:23: How do you see us as a community bringing in that additional cash? Is there just one way?
30:00: Any thoughts on the recent outcry over the pay-per-view model?
32:23: What do you see as the biggest challenge the community has to solve this year?
Lost Segment
35:39: Lost, can you introduce yourself?
36:12: How did you get interested in Starcraft II and how did you transition into becoming a professional player?
39:22: When you got the offer from Domino of Eleven Gaming, why did you accept? Given the very volatile nature of professional gaming
40:32: Do you share the view that as a foreign player, a lot depends on your ability to sell yourself well?
43:11: If getting to the MLG Championship bracket 4 out of 5 times isn't enough to gain you significant community attention, what do you need to do to get the recognition you desire?
48:45: There seems to be a contradiction in our, viewers, behavior; we want to see new upcoming talent but when we actually decide what to watch, we inevitably choose the popular/more well-known player...
51:30: It seems much riskier to have a tournament with a lot of unknowns, even with a qualifier, simply because they don't have an already established fanbase to draw in viewing numbers...
54:43: If your position is so frustrating, what keeps you playing?
58:52: What are your goals as far as playing Starcraft is concerned? Is there anything in particular that you want to achieve before you stop playing?
1:01:57: Your best moment, so far, as a pro-gamer?
1:16: Announcements (raffle for people listening to the show)
2:26: How did you get into gaming, where did that begin?
3:53: How did you get your first job with 4Kings? Did you just apply as a writer and get accepted?
5:42: When you were first applying for the position of writer, were you thinking “I want to make this a career” or were you thinking “I want to help my favorite team and I'll do it until I can't do it any longer?”
07:05: Can you speak to the debt that 4Kings owes to its past players?
8:21: Can you give us an overview of what being a team manager entails and what your responsibilities are?
9:26: You're the general manager for 4King but also the joint-managing director for Esports Media Ltd. So what's the relationship between those two organizations?
10:39: So you have these two organizations and they're connected but what exactly does Esports Media Ltd do as a business?
12:03: Do teams need to be very media-savy and able to promote themselves well to be successful and reach the spotlight?
Answer: yes. (Immediate followup question)
12:25: So if that's the case, how do you, as a smaller team, compete (promotion-wise) against the bigger teams and get yourselves out there in a way that makes tournaments take notice?
16:01: Do you compete directly with EG and Teamliquid, big giants in the industry?
17:23: How do you go about recruiting players?
18:31: How do you find players who look promising in the first place?
19:31: Do you treat your different gaming divisions differently? Is one rated higher than the other?
19:50: Do some get more exposure than others or are some more profitable than others?
21:09: How do you go about starting a new team as opposed to just adding a player to an already existing one?
22:30: Are there any misconceptions that you think the community has about the way Esports works or the way teams work?
24:55: As your position isn't one that many people often get to hear about, can you give us a sense of how intricate your work is?
28:23: How do you see us as a community bringing in that additional cash? Is there just one way?
30:00: Any thoughts on the recent outcry over the pay-per-view model?
32:23: What do you see as the biggest challenge the community has to solve this year?
Lost Segment
35:39: Lost, can you introduce yourself?
36:12: How did you get interested in Starcraft II and how did you transition into becoming a professional player?
39:22: When you got the offer from Domino of Eleven Gaming, why did you accept? Given the very volatile nature of professional gaming
40:32: Do you share the view that as a foreign player, a lot depends on your ability to sell yourself well?
43:11: If getting to the MLG Championship bracket 4 out of 5 times isn't enough to gain you significant community attention, what do you need to do to get the recognition you desire?
48:45: There seems to be a contradiction in our, viewers, behavior; we want to see new upcoming talent but when we actually decide what to watch, we inevitably choose the popular/more well-known player...
51:30: It seems much riskier to have a tournament with a lot of unknowns, even with a qualifier, simply because they don't have an already established fanbase to draw in viewing numbers...
54:43: If your position is so frustrating, what keeps you playing?
58:52: What are your goals as far as playing Starcraft is concerned? Is there anything in particular that you want to achieve before you stop playing?
1:01:57: Your best moment, so far, as a pro-gamer?
Episode 6: Vile Atticus(manager)
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
0:43: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
1:14: How, where and when gaming first became a part of your life?
6:53: Do you see your success, with the many luck-based meetings, as possible because of the early stage that (Starcraft2) Esports was in at the time?
8:18: What takes up your time when you're not busy with work?
10:38: A little surprised that you still chose to game in your free time even when you spend all day immersed in gaming as a job...
11:40: What's the appeal of slackling? What do you find enjoyable about it?
12:53: How do you keep slacklining fresh and...not boring?
13:55: Since you said yo're a reader, what's your favorite author?
14:55: For someone who hasn't read Kurt Vaughnaget (SPELLING), what would you recommend I read first?
15:32: Since you said you're a fan of Praire Home Companion, for people who aren't familiar, can you tell them what it is?
17:23: As a radio listener, an off-topic question to you: Do you think that with the ease of access afforded by the internet, shows like Praire Home companion will continue to be produced?
18:57: Is there a hobby or an activity that you'd like to try out but haven't had a chance to yet?
20:37: Since you said you play a lot of games, are you just a player or do you try to keep up with trends and changes?
23:01: What makes Broodwar so strong as a competitive sport?
25:47: How is it that Broodwar is able to pull in lots of people who don't even play the game?
28:44: As someone with a view of the inner workings of the scene, do you see Broodwar continuing to coexist together with Starcraft II or do you see the community shifting toward one or the other (in this case, I guess I'm implying Starcraft II)?
30:24: Do you think we'll ever settle on a flagship game? Or is it the constant changing of guards something intrinsic to Esports?
32:07: There's a foreign Broodwar tournament starting up soon and I was wondering what your thoughts were on it...
34:15: (After watching Hotbid's Savior tribute video) For those who may not have followed the Broodwar scene, can you give us some more context for that video?
37:57: As a manager, how do you interact with your players?
39:41: Did you get advice from others about how to handle players or did you just jump straight in?
40:09: How often and in what ways do you interact with your players on a daily basis?
42:12: What can you do, as a manager, to make sure that the players lan experiences are as comfortable as possible?
43:36: What can/do you do to help promote your lesser known players?
45:09: It sounds like what you're saying is that to be successful, players can't just focus on playing exclusively, they also need to focus on self-promotion...
46:51: Given that you were just talking about how players are becoming harder to reach, in the future, do you see the way the community conducts itself changing?
48:13: Do you see any way in which we, the community, can continue at our current growth rate while still maintaining that close-knit feeling?
49:25: Looking at the year ahead, what're you goals as a team manager and as a individual?
51:01: Do you try to keep the players from knowing about and involving themselves in the team's financial situation?
52:14: How often do your players talk and practice with one another?
53:22: Now you've got an SC2 squad right now, are you looking into other games at all?
55:47: How do you feel about teams sponsoring non-esports gamers like Speed runners?
56:37: If you were looking to invest in Speed runners, would that depend more on personal interest or more on marketability?
58:14: How do you keep up with so many different scenes and how do you judge the marketability of a scene?
59:28: Do you ever dismiss a scene for not having enough marketability and then return to it later?
1:00:58: Why is it that I can watch any run-of-the-mill BW pro-league and it can be so compelling?
1:14: How, where and when gaming first became a part of your life?
6:53: Do you see your success, with the many luck-based meetings, as possible because of the early stage that (Starcraft2) Esports was in at the time?
8:18: What takes up your time when you're not busy with work?
10:38: A little surprised that you still chose to game in your free time even when you spend all day immersed in gaming as a job...
11:40: What's the appeal of slackling? What do you find enjoyable about it?
12:53: How do you keep slacklining fresh and...not boring?
13:55: Since you said yo're a reader, what's your favorite author?
14:55: For someone who hasn't read Kurt Vaughnaget (SPELLING), what would you recommend I read first?
15:32: Since you said you're a fan of Praire Home Companion, for people who aren't familiar, can you tell them what it is?
17:23: As a radio listener, an off-topic question to you: Do you think that with the ease of access afforded by the internet, shows like Praire Home companion will continue to be produced?
18:57: Is there a hobby or an activity that you'd like to try out but haven't had a chance to yet?
20:37: Since you said you play a lot of games, are you just a player or do you try to keep up with trends and changes?
23:01: What makes Broodwar so strong as a competitive sport?
25:47: How is it that Broodwar is able to pull in lots of people who don't even play the game?
28:44: As someone with a view of the inner workings of the scene, do you see Broodwar continuing to coexist together with Starcraft II or do you see the community shifting toward one or the other (in this case, I guess I'm implying Starcraft II)?
30:24: Do you think we'll ever settle on a flagship game? Or is it the constant changing of guards something intrinsic to Esports?
32:07: There's a foreign Broodwar tournament starting up soon and I was wondering what your thoughts were on it...
34:15: (After watching Hotbid's Savior tribute video) For those who may not have followed the Broodwar scene, can you give us some more context for that video?
37:57: As a manager, how do you interact with your players?
39:41: Did you get advice from others about how to handle players or did you just jump straight in?
40:09: How often and in what ways do you interact with your players on a daily basis?
42:12: What can you do, as a manager, to make sure that the players lan experiences are as comfortable as possible?
43:36: What can/do you do to help promote your lesser known players?
45:09: It sounds like what you're saying is that to be successful, players can't just focus on playing exclusively, they also need to focus on self-promotion...
46:51: Given that you were just talking about how players are becoming harder to reach, in the future, do you see the way the community conducts itself changing?
48:13: Do you see any way in which we, the community, can continue at our current growth rate while still maintaining that close-knit feeling?
49:25: Looking at the year ahead, what're you goals as a team manager and as a individual?
51:01: Do you try to keep the players from knowing about and involving themselves in the team's financial situation?
52:14: How often do your players talk and practice with one another?
53:22: Now you've got an SC2 squad right now, are you looking into other games at all?
55:47: How do you feel about teams sponsoring non-esports gamers like Speed runners?
56:37: If you were looking to invest in Speed runners, would that depend more on personal interest or more on marketability?
58:14: How do you keep up with so many different scenes and how do you judge the marketability of a scene?
59:28: Do you ever dismiss a scene for not having enough marketability and then return to it later?
1:00:58: Why is it that I can watch any run-of-the-mill BW pro-league and it can be so compelling?
Episode 7: ESV.Prodig
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
00:34: Can you introduce yourself for us?
00:58: Can you give us a small overview of how you got started and how you got to where you are now?
3:07: What's it like working with some of the new features in StarcraftII (xel'naga towers, gold minerals ,etc)?
4:11: Is there any feature that you wish you could play around with but isn't there yet?
5:11: These changes that you're suggesting, is it something that Blizzard needs to do or can a custom modder just create a new skin that everyone starts using?
7:06: Is map-making just a hobby to you? Could it ever be a full profession?
7:56: Is that true for your other team members as well? That this is something they just do in their spare time?
8:25: Can you give us an overview of the basic map-making process?
12:19: How easy or difficult is it to get a map tested by a bunch of players once it's ready for the public eye?
16:39: What's your main source of information when you're receiving all this data from players?
18:03: How do you go about deciding the aesthetics of a map? Do you have something specific when you make that first sketch or do you make it up as you go along?
19:26: Does the feedback from non-pro players and pro-players vary a lot?
21:08: What classifies as a tournament map? Is there a really specific definition?
23:59: If you, the mapmakers, don't try new things or try to flesh out maps, then how do we get truly new, innovative maps?
25:48: Are maps becoming too similar? Is it becoming too difficult to create a solid but unorthodox map?
30:08: Going back to your comment about forge fast expands (being considered a standard requirement for any new map), do you think map making will step in and try to make gateway expands more viable or anything like that?
32:32: Given that BW has been going on for over a decade, what's allowed it to continue to be so successful?
35:41: Do you think that after Legacy of the Void, when there will be no more expansions and the only two variables are the maps an the players, do you think we'll start seeing greater map rotation?
38:13: Are there any maps that you really like/don't like and why?
41:54: What's a really solid map and what makes it so strong?
45:13: (Followup response to Prodig's earlier analysis of why Brood War remains so beloved)
46:43: How do insert individuality into tournament maps when there are so many restrictions?
51:46: How do you get an establish map pool to change?
56:00: Why is it that map-makers tend to fall by the wayside (in terms of recognition for their contribution) so why do you think that is and is that changing/could it change?
1:00:53: What're your hobbies? Things you enjoy when you aren't doing Starcraft?
1:05:30: Have you ever thought of going professional with Tribes:Ascend? Or is it just something you enjoy as a hobby?
1:07:24: With Tribes, do you play with your old CoD clanmates? Is there any chance you'd start your own team or would you only want to join a team if you were going pro?
1:09:22: Going back a little bit, you mentioned Marvel Vs Capcom; I was wondering if you caught the final round yesterday at all?
1:12:01: You mentioned Magic: The Gathering, what kind of deck do you play with?
1:15:50: Any maps you're working on now?
1:17:09: Do you get inspiration for your maps or do they just come from your mind?
1:18:13: Do you think we'll see ESV do more non-tournament maps like 2v2s and 4v4s or will that just be, if it happens, a personal side project?
00:58: Can you give us a small overview of how you got started and how you got to where you are now?
3:07: What's it like working with some of the new features in StarcraftII (xel'naga towers, gold minerals ,etc)?
4:11: Is there any feature that you wish you could play around with but isn't there yet?
5:11: These changes that you're suggesting, is it something that Blizzard needs to do or can a custom modder just create a new skin that everyone starts using?
7:06: Is map-making just a hobby to you? Could it ever be a full profession?
7:56: Is that true for your other team members as well? That this is something they just do in their spare time?
8:25: Can you give us an overview of the basic map-making process?
12:19: How easy or difficult is it to get a map tested by a bunch of players once it's ready for the public eye?
16:39: What's your main source of information when you're receiving all this data from players?
18:03: How do you go about deciding the aesthetics of a map? Do you have something specific when you make that first sketch or do you make it up as you go along?
19:26: Does the feedback from non-pro players and pro-players vary a lot?
21:08: What classifies as a tournament map? Is there a really specific definition?
23:59: If you, the mapmakers, don't try new things or try to flesh out maps, then how do we get truly new, innovative maps?
25:48: Are maps becoming too similar? Is it becoming too difficult to create a solid but unorthodox map?
30:08: Going back to your comment about forge fast expands (being considered a standard requirement for any new map), do you think map making will step in and try to make gateway expands more viable or anything like that?
32:32: Given that BW has been going on for over a decade, what's allowed it to continue to be so successful?
35:41: Do you think that after Legacy of the Void, when there will be no more expansions and the only two variables are the maps an the players, do you think we'll start seeing greater map rotation?
38:13: Are there any maps that you really like/don't like and why?
41:54: What's a really solid map and what makes it so strong?
45:13: (Followup response to Prodig's earlier analysis of why Brood War remains so beloved)
46:43: How do insert individuality into tournament maps when there are so many restrictions?
51:46: How do you get an establish map pool to change?
56:00: Why is it that map-makers tend to fall by the wayside (in terms of recognition for their contribution) so why do you think that is and is that changing/could it change?
1:00:53: What're your hobbies? Things you enjoy when you aren't doing Starcraft?
1:05:30: Have you ever thought of going professional with Tribes:Ascend? Or is it just something you enjoy as a hobby?
1:07:24: With Tribes, do you play with your old CoD clanmates? Is there any chance you'd start your own team or would you only want to join a team if you were going pro?
1:09:22: Going back a little bit, you mentioned Marvel Vs Capcom; I was wondering if you caught the final round yesterday at all?
1:12:01: You mentioned Magic: The Gathering, what kind of deck do you play with?
1:15:50: Any maps you're working on now?
1:17:09: Do you get inspiration for your maps or do they just come from your mind?
1:18:13: Do you think we'll see ESV do more non-tournament maps like 2v2s and 4v4s or will that just be, if it happens, a personal side project?
Episode 8: Torch
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
0:23: Trevor, would you care to introduce yourself?
0:54: When did you first pick up gaming and why?
1:55: When did gaming become something more than a hobby or pastime to you?
2:58: Would you try to improve your Counterstrike play like you would soccer?
4:04: What do you find so enjoyable about practicing?
4:40: You mentioned playing Counterstrike with friends but when you were practicing, did you practice with them also or was it a solo activity?
5:48: Do you still talk about gaming with those friends or has that fallen into the background?
6:42: What were some of the highs of being a competitive gamer?
7:29: What about the lows?
8:38: Tracing your history with gaming (both professional and non-professional), what are some of the most memorable moments?
10:23: How do you differentiate between the different types of games? What makes a game an esports worthy game or not?
12:00: So then a game can be an Esport at one point and not an Esport at another?
13:20: Has gaming every caused tension in your relationship with Seltzer?
15:05: You mentioned, in the questions we sent you, that you're a fencer, can you tell us some more about fencing (since we're clueless)
15:55: How serious were you about fencing and what got you into it?
17:00: How do you practice fencing and when you practice, what are you looking to improve?
18:00: What about SC2 caught your eye when you first saw it?
19:23: When you were trying out for the GSL, what were you doing (non-gaming related) at the time?
21:50: Can you walk us through your experience with the qualifiers and then your actual competition day?
24:14: How was commentating the Artosis game?
25:34: How did family and friends react to your decision to try for the GSL?
26:51: Any regrets looking back?
27:11: Tell us how you first got involved with GOM, outside of being a player
29:56: What was a normal day like for you working for GOM?
30:37: How were your Korean language skills as you were the
31:14: Did you end up doing a lot of chaperoning for the foreign players when they first got there or...?
32:51: Did you have any culture shock while working for GOM and how was it working for them?
33:37: Did you have to go drinking with coworkers after work[strong Korean custom]?
35:54: As a foreigner, did you experience a lot of the social norms of the Korean workplace (like Korean karaoke [noraebang])?
37:11: While working for GOM were you able to attend the daily matches?
37:58: What GSL game really sticks out in your mind (aside from your own)?
39:43: How much preparation would Startale do for the GSTL and were you ever in the lineup?
40:53: How did you communicate with the Startale team members?
43:01: How did you get invited to the Startale team in the first place?
46:58: Given the elitism from the Starcraft II community about League of Legends, does anything like that exist in Korea?
48:09: Do you see one game dominating and overtaking the other or do you see them coexisting?
49:37: Are you devoting a lot of time to a single game or are you spreading yourself out to keep up with several games at once?
51:32: Are you focused more on the Korean scene or the foreign scene of competitive gaming?
52:28: Might we see you as a professional player again or do you want to take a more comprehensive role in uniting the scenes?
53:46: When I was able to listen to you cast, I really enjoyed it; any chance we'll see more of you in the caster's seat?
54:40: Is there a Kpop group that you particularly like?
55:36: Outside of Evia, are there other songs from different artists that you enjoy?
57:04: I recall there being a story about you being on a fruit truck...
59:24: Looking back on your experience in Korea, what was the most unexpected experience or realization?
1:00:51: Any advice for people going over to Korea to play Starcraft?
1:02:02: What do you think Starcraft II needs to do to keep it exciting as an Esport?
1:03:43: Is there a Lan option with League of Legends?
1:04:20: What's working better with League with respect to Esports?
1:06:12: What was it like to do the “Teaching English” segment with Seltzer at the GSL?
0:54: When did you first pick up gaming and why?
1:55: When did gaming become something more than a hobby or pastime to you?
2:58: Would you try to improve your Counterstrike play like you would soccer?
4:04: What do you find so enjoyable about practicing?
4:40: You mentioned playing Counterstrike with friends but when you were practicing, did you practice with them also or was it a solo activity?
5:48: Do you still talk about gaming with those friends or has that fallen into the background?
6:42: What were some of the highs of being a competitive gamer?
7:29: What about the lows?
8:38: Tracing your history with gaming (both professional and non-professional), what are some of the most memorable moments?
10:23: How do you differentiate between the different types of games? What makes a game an esports worthy game or not?
12:00: So then a game can be an Esport at one point and not an Esport at another?
13:20: Has gaming every caused tension in your relationship with Seltzer?
15:05: You mentioned, in the questions we sent you, that you're a fencer, can you tell us some more about fencing (since we're clueless)
15:55: How serious were you about fencing and what got you into it?
17:00: How do you practice fencing and when you practice, what are you looking to improve?
18:00: What about SC2 caught your eye when you first saw it?
19:23: When you were trying out for the GSL, what were you doing (non-gaming related) at the time?
21:50: Can you walk us through your experience with the qualifiers and then your actual competition day?
24:14: How was commentating the Artosis game?
25:34: How did family and friends react to your decision to try for the GSL?
26:51: Any regrets looking back?
27:11: Tell us how you first got involved with GOM, outside of being a player
29:56: What was a normal day like for you working for GOM?
30:37: How were your Korean language skills as you were the
31:14: Did you end up doing a lot of chaperoning for the foreign players when they first got there or...?
32:51: Did you have any culture shock while working for GOM and how was it working for them?
33:37: Did you have to go drinking with coworkers after work[strong Korean custom]?
35:54: As a foreigner, did you experience a lot of the social norms of the Korean workplace (like Korean karaoke [noraebang])?
37:11: While working for GOM were you able to attend the daily matches?
37:58: What GSL game really sticks out in your mind (aside from your own)?
39:43: How much preparation would Startale do for the GSTL and were you ever in the lineup?
40:53: How did you communicate with the Startale team members?
43:01: How did you get invited to the Startale team in the first place?
46:58: Given the elitism from the Starcraft II community about League of Legends, does anything like that exist in Korea?
48:09: Do you see one game dominating and overtaking the other or do you see them coexisting?
49:37: Are you devoting a lot of time to a single game or are you spreading yourself out to keep up with several games at once?
51:32: Are you focused more on the Korean scene or the foreign scene of competitive gaming?
52:28: Might we see you as a professional player again or do you want to take a more comprehensive role in uniting the scenes?
53:46: When I was able to listen to you cast, I really enjoyed it; any chance we'll see more of you in the caster's seat?
54:40: Is there a Kpop group that you particularly like?
55:36: Outside of Evia, are there other songs from different artists that you enjoy?
57:04: I recall there being a story about you being on a fruit truck...
59:24: Looking back on your experience in Korea, what was the most unexpected experience or realization?
1:00:51: Any advice for people going over to Korea to play Starcraft?
1:02:02: What do you think Starcraft II needs to do to keep it exciting as an Esport?
1:03:43: Is there a Lan option with League of Legends?
1:04:20: What's working better with League with respect to Esports?
1:06:12: What was it like to do the “Teaching English” segment with Seltzer at the GSL?
Episode 9: Cynical Brit's Alris and Bunkerface
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
Bunkerface Segment
0:39: Bunkerface, tell us who you are and how you got started with Cynical Brit?
01:55: For those not familiar, what exactly is Cynical Brit and what are some of the shows it produces?
03:08: Has WTF changed/evolved at all since its inception and if so, in what way?
4:18: Can you walk us through the process of selecting a game for WTF?
05:03: What standards does a game need to meet to be eligible for WTF?
6:26: When you were first starting WTF, did you have any trouble getting games to review?
7:30: How successful has WTF's promotion been for these games?
8:51: Bunkerface, what's it like being TB's Public Relations guys?
11:10: It seems like you don't have to do too much as TB promotes himself so well...
13:14: Looking back on your work with CB so far, can you share with us some of the memorable moments?
16:14: What do you do when you have free time?
17:25: Bunkerface, how do you keep up with all that's going on in the gaming world? Or do you just play games?
21:20: Doing the work you do, don't you become cynical about the state of gaming?
27:20: Favorite video game and why
Alris Segment
33:03: Tell us about your involvement with CB and WTF
43:03: How many unique emails/topics do you get a day?
45:20: Are there people that send in emails so often that you can recognize them by address?
50:27: What do you do when you're not checking emails for CB?
53:08: I heard you like cigars?
1:00:59: When will we see TB with a cigar?
0:39: Bunkerface, tell us who you are and how you got started with Cynical Brit?
01:55: For those not familiar, what exactly is Cynical Brit and what are some of the shows it produces?
03:08: Has WTF changed/evolved at all since its inception and if so, in what way?
4:18: Can you walk us through the process of selecting a game for WTF?
05:03: What standards does a game need to meet to be eligible for WTF?
6:26: When you were first starting WTF, did you have any trouble getting games to review?
7:30: How successful has WTF's promotion been for these games?
8:51: Bunkerface, what's it like being TB's Public Relations guys?
11:10: It seems like you don't have to do too much as TB promotes himself so well...
13:14: Looking back on your work with CB so far, can you share with us some of the memorable moments?
16:14: What do you do when you have free time?
17:25: Bunkerface, how do you keep up with all that's going on in the gaming world? Or do you just play games?
21:20: Doing the work you do, don't you become cynical about the state of gaming?
27:20: Favorite video game and why
Alris Segment
33:03: Tell us about your involvement with CB and WTF
43:03: How many unique emails/topics do you get a day?
45:20: Are there people that send in emails so often that you can recognize them by address?
50:27: What do you do when you're not checking emails for CB?
53:08: I heard you like cigars?
1:00:59: When will we see TB with a cigar?
Episode 10: ESV.Diamond
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
00:47: To start off, one word you would use to describe yourself?
1:43: You just got back from the 2012 MLG Winter Championship, tell us about that.
3:18: Given some of the recent animosity between the Fighting Game Community and the Starcraft II community, you didn't feel any animosity between the two groups at MLG?
6:32: Were you able to be in the crowd for the finals?
10:04: What first got you into video games and what was the first game you played?
11:54: When you start playing Broodwar, what did you do? Multiplayer? Big Game Hunters?
14:55: What about seeing Broodwar being played at a whole other level was enticing and not just strange or silly?
19:27: In making tweaks to your Broodwar gameplay that would complement what was known about Starcraft II at the time, did that end up working out?
22:36: How did your love of Starcraft eventually translate into ICCup and ESV?
26:06: In the beginning, when you were creating all this content for the first time and there wasn't much reference in the Starcraft II community, did you rely on Broodwar for inspiration or did you throw BW out the window?
28:26: Given that you don't speak Korean, how did you get the Korean Weekly started?
33:45: When you say that the Koreans didn't understand the concept of a weekly tournament, was there any hostility to the idea once you'd explained it?
38:26: Do you have a job in addition to running ESV and the ESV Weekly?
39:58: Which tournament, that you've run, are you most satisfied with and why?
45:23: And which tournament was the worst?
47:14: How have tournaments evolved, both the good and the bad?
50:38: Do you see anything being lost as the scene becomes more corporate?
52:02: What is it about the map pools for tournaments that you hate so much?
56:35: Traditionally, there hasn't been much interaction between map makers and Blizzard. But if you're saying Blizzard focuses more on debugging maps, why isn't Blizzard letting the community submit maps and then they simply debug the community tested and approved maps?
59:20: Help us see a map from a map makers perspective. You've complained about Entombed Valley before, what makes it so bad?
1:03:57: If I'm understanding you correctly, then a good map allows for a variety of play and a bad map forces certain strategies?
1:05:41: Are there ways in which you'd like to see the gold minerals, rocks, xel'naga towers, etc used? Can we have, the gold minerals for example, on a map and it still be balanced and fun?
1:09:08: Do you think we're at the point where maps are the way to balance the game until Heart of the Swarm?
1:12:09: Do you want to see more things like the neutral command in a BW map that let you spawned infested terran with the queen? i.e. More things to play with on the map
1:17:43: How are map makers supposed to design innovative maps if the people playing them will just complain that it's not standard?
1:21:22: What's the best way to get people to play your maps?
1:43: You just got back from the 2012 MLG Winter Championship, tell us about that.
3:18: Given some of the recent animosity between the Fighting Game Community and the Starcraft II community, you didn't feel any animosity between the two groups at MLG?
6:32: Were you able to be in the crowd for the finals?
10:04: What first got you into video games and what was the first game you played?
11:54: When you start playing Broodwar, what did you do? Multiplayer? Big Game Hunters?
14:55: What about seeing Broodwar being played at a whole other level was enticing and not just strange or silly?
19:27: In making tweaks to your Broodwar gameplay that would complement what was known about Starcraft II at the time, did that end up working out?
22:36: How did your love of Starcraft eventually translate into ICCup and ESV?
26:06: In the beginning, when you were creating all this content for the first time and there wasn't much reference in the Starcraft II community, did you rely on Broodwar for inspiration or did you throw BW out the window?
28:26: Given that you don't speak Korean, how did you get the Korean Weekly started?
33:45: When you say that the Koreans didn't understand the concept of a weekly tournament, was there any hostility to the idea once you'd explained it?
38:26: Do you have a job in addition to running ESV and the ESV Weekly?
39:58: Which tournament, that you've run, are you most satisfied with and why?
45:23: And which tournament was the worst?
47:14: How have tournaments evolved, both the good and the bad?
50:38: Do you see anything being lost as the scene becomes more corporate?
52:02: What is it about the map pools for tournaments that you hate so much?
56:35: Traditionally, there hasn't been much interaction between map makers and Blizzard. But if you're saying Blizzard focuses more on debugging maps, why isn't Blizzard letting the community submit maps and then they simply debug the community tested and approved maps?
59:20: Help us see a map from a map makers perspective. You've complained about Entombed Valley before, what makes it so bad?
1:03:57: If I'm understanding you correctly, then a good map allows for a variety of play and a bad map forces certain strategies?
1:05:41: Are there ways in which you'd like to see the gold minerals, rocks, xel'naga towers, etc used? Can we have, the gold minerals for example, on a map and it still be balanced and fun?
1:09:08: Do you think we're at the point where maps are the way to balance the game until Heart of the Swarm?
1:12:09: Do you want to see more things like the neutral command in a BW map that let you spawned infested terran with the queen? i.e. More things to play with on the map
1:17:43: How are map makers supposed to design innovative maps if the people playing them will just complain that it's not standard?
1:21:22: What's the best way to get people to play your maps?
Episode 11: TumbaSC, Adebisi, Robin
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
0:00: Intro
0:40: Adebisi self intro
1:19: Robin self intro
1:39: Tumba self intro
3:00: Tumba: where starcraft started with you and why/how that became casting?
4:20: Robin: same question
5:43: Adebisi: same question
7:15: What do the three of you see for the future of esports? (SC2 more specifically)
12:20: Robin: Do you think you need to be media savvy to be a caster?
16:35: Is there a difference between esports/SC2 and other industries in terms of ways to promote and
succeed?
18:35: Adebisi: How do you see the future of esports?
23:05: First game you ever casted?
25:00: Best casting moment? (or notables)
32:20: User question asking for advice about how he can market himself better
43:20: Where do we need to go for Casters to make a living?
47:05: How do you balance real life and casting?
57:50: As a player, your goal is to win. As a caster, what are your goals?
1:07:15: Break
1:07:30: What do you guys do for fun/hobbies when you’re not casting?
1:15:20: Adebisi: Most extravagant meal you’ve ever made?
1:18:13: Adebisi: Do you ever hang out with Axslav? (both cooking fans)
1:19:10: Open question about casting/hobbies
1:23:35: Tumba: How interested are your family (kids specifically) in your casting?
1:28:45: Conversation about Adebisi observing starts
1:30:15: How did you get interested in observing?
1:35:00: Why are we only getting an observer now?
1:49:37: As an observer, what is your goal?
1:53:18: Observing for different people
1:58:40: Outro
0:40: Adebisi self intro
1:19: Robin self intro
1:39: Tumba self intro
3:00: Tumba: where starcraft started with you and why/how that became casting?
4:20: Robin: same question
5:43: Adebisi: same question
7:15: What do the three of you see for the future of esports? (SC2 more specifically)
12:20: Robin: Do you think you need to be media savvy to be a caster?
16:35: Is there a difference between esports/SC2 and other industries in terms of ways to promote and
succeed?
18:35: Adebisi: How do you see the future of esports?
23:05: First game you ever casted?
25:00: Best casting moment? (or notables)
32:20: User question asking for advice about how he can market himself better
43:20: Where do we need to go for Casters to make a living?
47:05: How do you balance real life and casting?
57:50: As a player, your goal is to win. As a caster, what are your goals?
1:07:15: Break
1:07:30: What do you guys do for fun/hobbies when you’re not casting?
1:15:20: Adebisi: Most extravagant meal you’ve ever made?
1:18:13: Adebisi: Do you ever hang out with Axslav? (both cooking fans)
1:19:10: Open question about casting/hobbies
1:23:35: Tumba: How interested are your family (kids specifically) in your casting?
1:28:45: Conversation about Adebisi observing starts
1:30:15: How did you get interested in observing?
1:35:00: Why are we only getting an observer now?
1:49:37: As an observer, what is your goal?
1:53:18: Observing for different people
1:58:40: Outro
Episode 12: CSN's John Clark
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
00:32: Can you give us an overview of your history with gaming and what you do now?
9:14: Following up on how you met your wife through gaming, how did that communication and connection happen?
15:00: You said that in the 15 years you've been involved with professional gaming, the longest time you went without being involved in the scene was 6 months?
16:33: It's unbelievable, as someone who just got into the competitive gaming scene recently, that you could be involved for so long and with such consistency.
20:46: What are a couple moments that stand out for you in all the work you've done so far?
31:53: Can you tell us about CSN and how you got involved with them?
43:20: Looking at the Brazzers interest in getting involved with the Fighting Game Community and the response from the FGC and then from the Starcraft II community, this tension seems to highlight fundamentally different views. FGC is happy to let every gaming community develop individually while Starcraft II fans seem to be very adamant about uniting all games under a single banner to legitimize the activity. How do you see these two ideas playing out in the future?
53:01: How do you see us progressing forward as Esports in the next year or two years?
9:14: Following up on how you met your wife through gaming, how did that communication and connection happen?
15:00: You said that in the 15 years you've been involved with professional gaming, the longest time you went without being involved in the scene was 6 months?
16:33: It's unbelievable, as someone who just got into the competitive gaming scene recently, that you could be involved for so long and with such consistency.
20:46: What are a couple moments that stand out for you in all the work you've done so far?
31:53: Can you tell us about CSN and how you got involved with them?
43:20: Looking at the Brazzers interest in getting involved with the Fighting Game Community and the response from the FGC and then from the Starcraft II community, this tension seems to highlight fundamentally different views. FGC is happy to let every gaming community develop individually while Starcraft II fans seem to be very adamant about uniting all games under a single banner to legitimize the activity. How do you see these two ideas playing out in the future?
53:01: How do you see us progressing forward as Esports in the next year or two years?
Episode 12.5: Reflection/Commentary on the first 3 months
Episode 13/14: Lgn.Theory
Timestamps: + Show Spoiler +
0:00: Intro
1:10: Tell us a little about your history with gaming
2:07: Did you play any other games, before Starcraft II, competitively or try to go pro?
2:49: With CounterStrike, did you play with family or friend?
3:29: Why was Starcraft II the game you decided to play professionally?
4:35: When we talked earlier, you mentioned how the place you grew up had a big impact on your gaming, tell us some more about that.
5:32: What's it been liking transitioning from high school to college with the extra responsibility of being a pro-gamer?
6:50: Tell us about your involvement with your school's CSL team.
7:55: Do you guys[CSL team] practice together at a physical location or just play online?
8:42: Since you're on both the Georgia CSL team and Team Legion, how does your mindset, preparation for matches, and competition differ?
9:35: Backpedaling a bit, tell us how the story behind joining Legion.
11:07: What does it mean to be on a team, besides going to tournaments and having the name?
13:37: How do the amenities ('free' gear, prospect of a team house, inflow of sponsors) affect your wellbeing as a player?
14:50: As a college student, how do you balance preparation for team leagues and individual showings with schoolwork (in this case, Finals)?
15:44: Question from chat: Can you talk about your build “Chong,” how it works, and what it's supposed to be able to deal with?
16:16: Question from chat: You were with the C-town boys back in the BW days, do you know what they're doing now?
ANSWER: doesn't know. [super short response]
17:20: As a pro, how do you gauge progress?
18:50: When you have a lot of real-life responsibilities piling up at once (like now with the Finals), how do you stay on top of your game?
19:40: What streams do you watch?
20:09: What about your favorite streamers'[Vines and HongUn] play makes them useful to watch?
21:44: If you had a choice between a stream of HongUn and a replay of HongUn, which would be more beneficial to you?
22:34: What's a significant gaming-related memory that sticks out for you and why?
24:42: Is there a moment in Starcraft II that also stands out?
24:56: Is there a particular all-in that sticks out?
25:41: Since your first game of Starcraft II till now, have you had any big “Ah-ha!” moments?
27:18: Do you think we, as a community, are starting to figure out SCII or are we still fumbling?
29:15: Two part question: 1) What's the hardest part of being a professional gamer? And 2) Is there anything that the community doesn't understand or are there any misconceptions about what you do?
31:39: Follow up to part 2 of the previous question: Talked with Vile.Chance a few months back about how he thought it was really difficult to break into the scene. That if you didn't have a stellar showing at an MLG or IPL, no one batted an eyelash, your thoughts?
33:50: Do you think it's enough just to play well and show good results or do you need to also market yourself?
35:12: Do you have a plan for your degree after college?
36:25: Tell us how you got into guitar. Favorite styles?
37:23: Is guitar a solo thing for you? Do you still play often now that you're in college?
37:59: How did you find DDR and why do you play so much?
39:02: Starcraft, DDR...what other Asian things can I ask you about? Do you play piano?
39:45: Are you a sports person?
40:24: Do you still play football? On the intermural team perhaps?
41:00: So what's the story behind your enjoyment of ping-pong?
42:22: Do you play Osu?
43:16: How'd you find Osu and Stepmania? From friends?
44:17: Do you play any single-player games? Or are all the games you play competitive?
45:24: What sort of music do you listen to?
45:30: While I can't ask much about Zepplin or Metallica, I can quiz you on your kpop. What do you listen to? Favorite bands? Songs?
47:15: Let's go to literature now, do you read a lot?
48:23: Any other works besides 1984 that you really enjoyed?
49:18: What's so great about “One Flew Over the Coocoo's nest?”
50:32: Hitting movies, you mentioned Lord of the Rings, which is your favorite?
51:54: Is there another movie or movie series that you really enjoy or does LotR just stand above everything else?
53:19: Favorite kind of food?
55:05: Is there a single food that you could eat forever and never get sick of?
59:58: Question from Chat: Considering you're college, would you go to Korea if the opportunity was offered to you?
1:01:58: Question from Chat: Favorite Pokemon?
1:03:09: Question from Chat: Who's your favorite Starcraft II player?
1:04:22: Question from Chat: Ask about the player who knocked Theory out of the tournaments
1:05:05: Goal for 2012 as a gamer?
1:10: Tell us a little about your history with gaming
2:07: Did you play any other games, before Starcraft II, competitively or try to go pro?
2:49: With CounterStrike, did you play with family or friend?
3:29: Why was Starcraft II the game you decided to play professionally?
4:35: When we talked earlier, you mentioned how the place you grew up had a big impact on your gaming, tell us some more about that.
5:32: What's it been liking transitioning from high school to college with the extra responsibility of being a pro-gamer?
6:50: Tell us about your involvement with your school's CSL team.
7:55: Do you guys[CSL team] practice together at a physical location or just play online?
8:42: Since you're on both the Georgia CSL team and Team Legion, how does your mindset, preparation for matches, and competition differ?
9:35: Backpedaling a bit, tell us how the story behind joining Legion.
11:07: What does it mean to be on a team, besides going to tournaments and having the name?
13:37: How do the amenities ('free' gear, prospect of a team house, inflow of sponsors) affect your wellbeing as a player?
14:50: As a college student, how do you balance preparation for team leagues and individual showings with schoolwork (in this case, Finals)?
15:44: Question from chat: Can you talk about your build “Chong,” how it works, and what it's supposed to be able to deal with?
16:16: Question from chat: You were with the C-town boys back in the BW days, do you know what they're doing now?
ANSWER: doesn't know. [super short response]
17:20: As a pro, how do you gauge progress?
18:50: When you have a lot of real-life responsibilities piling up at once (like now with the Finals), how do you stay on top of your game?
19:40: What streams do you watch?
20:09: What about your favorite streamers'[Vines and HongUn] play makes them useful to watch?
21:44: If you had a choice between a stream of HongUn and a replay of HongUn, which would be more beneficial to you?
22:34: What's a significant gaming-related memory that sticks out for you and why?
24:42: Is there a moment in Starcraft II that also stands out?
24:56: Is there a particular all-in that sticks out?
25:41: Since your first game of Starcraft II till now, have you had any big “Ah-ha!” moments?
27:18: Do you think we, as a community, are starting to figure out SCII or are we still fumbling?
29:15: Two part question: 1) What's the hardest part of being a professional gamer? And 2) Is there anything that the community doesn't understand or are there any misconceptions about what you do?
31:39: Follow up to part 2 of the previous question: Talked with Vile.Chance a few months back about how he thought it was really difficult to break into the scene. That if you didn't have a stellar showing at an MLG or IPL, no one batted an eyelash, your thoughts?
33:50: Do you think it's enough just to play well and show good results or do you need to also market yourself?
35:12: Do you have a plan for your degree after college?
36:25: Tell us how you got into guitar. Favorite styles?
37:23: Is guitar a solo thing for you? Do you still play often now that you're in college?
37:59: How did you find DDR and why do you play so much?
39:02: Starcraft, DDR...what other Asian things can I ask you about? Do you play piano?
39:45: Are you a sports person?
40:24: Do you still play football? On the intermural team perhaps?
41:00: So what's the story behind your enjoyment of ping-pong?
42:22: Do you play Osu?
43:16: How'd you find Osu and Stepmania? From friends?
44:17: Do you play any single-player games? Or are all the games you play competitive?
45:24: What sort of music do you listen to?
45:30: While I can't ask much about Zepplin or Metallica, I can quiz you on your kpop. What do you listen to? Favorite bands? Songs?
47:15: Let's go to literature now, do you read a lot?
48:23: Any other works besides 1984 that you really enjoyed?
49:18: What's so great about “One Flew Over the Coocoo's nest?”
50:32: Hitting movies, you mentioned Lord of the Rings, which is your favorite?
51:54: Is there another movie or movie series that you really enjoy or does LotR just stand above everything else?
53:19: Favorite kind of food?
55:05: Is there a single food that you could eat forever and never get sick of?
59:58: Question from Chat: Considering you're college, would you go to Korea if the opportunity was offered to you?
1:01:58: Question from Chat: Favorite Pokemon?
1:03:09: Question from Chat: Who's your favorite Starcraft II player?
1:04:22: Question from Chat: Ask about the player who knocked Theory out of the tournaments
1:05:05: Goal for 2012 as a gamer?
Written interview: Lgn.JimRising
Episode 15: Delayed. Only able to record half of the interview, VOD will be up when we record the second half.
Episode 16: Kevin Knocke
Timestamps:+ Show Spoiler +
1:23: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your history with gaming.
3:53: You mentioned Morrowind as one of your most favorite games ever, what about it captivates you so?
6:00: In telling us about your history, you mentioned a bunch of games and genres, did BroodWar have a place in any of that?
7:46: How does someone who's so competitive at FPSs, find his way to SC2?
9:20: Once you'd decided you wanted to try your hand at casting, what was your first cast like and how'd you go about it?
14:27: With your radio background, I was curious if there was anything (radio or otherwise) that really influenced your casting in the beginning?
16:15: You mentioned a slew of radio shows you were doing, as well as being a graduate student married....did you ever get burned out doing so much?
17:26: You used to go by the name CatsPajamas and you've since switched to using your name Kevin Knocke, what was the reason for that change?
18:30: What's reception been like? Have fans liked the change?
19:42: Most of us know you best for your casting with IGN but that's only a sliver of what you do, so can you elaborate on your other responsibilities?
21:25: Has your work with marketing changed the way you cast or the way you look at Starcraft/Esports?
22:13: Question from Chat: As a talent manager, how do you acquire new talent? Do you watch new streams and search them out? Or do you receive applications?
23:18: How much of the day do you spend watching Starcraft streams or LoL streams up?
23:57: Any highlights from what you've done so far?
25:27: Now you prepared heavily for your IPL4 announcing position for the GSTL finals, tell us what you did to get ready.
26:20: When you talk about ques taken from Koreans, can you talk a little more concretely about what that means? Can you give us an example?
27:50: From your first cast of QXC to your most recent cast, what's changed the most for you?
29:11: Question from Chat: How often does he play Starcraft and how does that effect your ability to cast?
32:04: You mentioned all the information you need to have at your fingertips, is that information gathered for you or do you seek out that information yourself?
33:34: Question from Chat: How does a small-time caster break in to the scene and get themselves more well known?
35:04: You mentioned college, what was your degree and did you have a plan for that degree before Starcraft II happened?
37:15: Given that you're doing something similar now to what you were studying in Grad school, is there a need to finish Grad school?
38:37: Give us your analysis on Esports in general and then Starcraft II specifically.
40:20: [Where Starcraft scene analysis starts]
41:25: Do you have an idea of what that something could be to jumpstart the Starcraft scene?
42:44: If I'm understanding you correctly, organizations need to further specialize and we need to weed out the lesser organizations that aren't contributing something significant?
44:58: Question from Chat: What do you see for the future of SCII and LoL in the next couple years and is there another title that looks promising?
46:16: Question from Chat: What's the best way to get feedback on your content when it's difficult to get noticed by Reddit or TL?
47:38: Question from Chat: Will we see more players switch to coaching as we did in BW?
48:26: What do you do to wind down?
50:07: Question from Chat: If money were no issue, what car would you buy?
51:21: What's your favorite food?
52:23: What's your favorite music?
53:59: Got a couple artists, or a list, that you enjoy right now?
55:10: Do you watch a lot of movies?
56:24: Do you do any reading?
3:53: You mentioned Morrowind as one of your most favorite games ever, what about it captivates you so?
6:00: In telling us about your history, you mentioned a bunch of games and genres, did BroodWar have a place in any of that?
7:46: How does someone who's so competitive at FPSs, find his way to SC2?
9:20: Once you'd decided you wanted to try your hand at casting, what was your first cast like and how'd you go about it?
14:27: With your radio background, I was curious if there was anything (radio or otherwise) that really influenced your casting in the beginning?
16:15: You mentioned a slew of radio shows you were doing, as well as being a graduate student married....did you ever get burned out doing so much?
17:26: You used to go by the name CatsPajamas and you've since switched to using your name Kevin Knocke, what was the reason for that change?
18:30: What's reception been like? Have fans liked the change?
19:42: Most of us know you best for your casting with IGN but that's only a sliver of what you do, so can you elaborate on your other responsibilities?
21:25: Has your work with marketing changed the way you cast or the way you look at Starcraft/Esports?
22:13: Question from Chat: As a talent manager, how do you acquire new talent? Do you watch new streams and search them out? Or do you receive applications?
23:18: How much of the day do you spend watching Starcraft streams or LoL streams up?
23:57: Any highlights from what you've done so far?
25:27: Now you prepared heavily for your IPL4 announcing position for the GSTL finals, tell us what you did to get ready.
26:20: When you talk about ques taken from Koreans, can you talk a little more concretely about what that means? Can you give us an example?
27:50: From your first cast of QXC to your most recent cast, what's changed the most for you?
29:11: Question from Chat: How often does he play Starcraft and how does that effect your ability to cast?
32:04: You mentioned all the information you need to have at your fingertips, is that information gathered for you or do you seek out that information yourself?
33:34: Question from Chat: How does a small-time caster break in to the scene and get themselves more well known?
35:04: You mentioned college, what was your degree and did you have a plan for that degree before Starcraft II happened?
37:15: Given that you're doing something similar now to what you were studying in Grad school, is there a need to finish Grad school?
38:37: Give us your analysis on Esports in general and then Starcraft II specifically.
40:20: [Where Starcraft scene analysis starts]
41:25: Do you have an idea of what that something could be to jumpstart the Starcraft scene?
42:44: If I'm understanding you correctly, organizations need to further specialize and we need to weed out the lesser organizations that aren't contributing something significant?
44:58: Question from Chat: What do you see for the future of SCII and LoL in the next couple years and is there another title that looks promising?
46:16: Question from Chat: What's the best way to get feedback on your content when it's difficult to get noticed by Reddit or TL?
47:38: Question from Chat: Will we see more players switch to coaching as we did in BW?
48:26: What do you do to wind down?
50:07: Question from Chat: If money were no issue, what car would you buy?
51:21: What's your favorite food?
52:23: What's your favorite music?
53:59: Got a couple artists, or a list, that you enjoy right now?
55:10: Do you watch a lot of movies?
56:24: Do you do any reading?
Episode 17: JoJo
Timestamps:+ Show Spoiler +
0:26: Tell us about the interview you just finished and give us an idea of what you talked about.
1:47: When most people think of Starcraft II, their first thought isn't “talk show.” So what was the inspiration for “In the Spotlight?”
3:43: What was your first interview like?
6:13: How'd you decide which guests would be on your show?
9:46: Why do you feel like it's important to know the person behind the character?
10:50: After talking to these figures in the community(voice actors, TL staff, map makers, etc), has your view of Starcraft II community changed at all?
12:11: In what ways have your views changed?
16:26: Out of all the interviews you've done so far, is there one that stands out as particularly memorable in some way?
18:43: From your first interview with Robert Clotworthy to your latest interview with
19:58: When you ask a question and the answer is really short or even just a flop, how do you deal with that?
21:42: How did you transition out of that awkward question with Smix so smoothly?
23:48: Did you play a lot of games before Starcraft?
25:13: Talk to us about your love of acting.
29:30: You mentioned “breaking out of the bubble” as a reason for not going into acting as a full-time job but aren't you still in a bubble with “In the Spotlight?” Starcraft is a pretty small and insular community.
31:19: What is it that you do right now? Are you still a student? Working?
32:09: When you graduate, do you have any idea how you want to use those degrees?
36:14: Question from Chat: Do you play an instrument?
38:16: What are your personal aspirations and aspiration for the show?
40:23: Given that Gimble and I were looking for a new show name, we were curious how you came with your own show name and if you have any tips for creating a strong name.
42:41: Out of the people who you haven't talked to yet, who would you like to interview the most?
45:20: You've asked a lot of questions to a lot of people; is there a question you've ever wanted to ask but haven't? Or a question you've ever wanted to be asked?
1:47: When most people think of Starcraft II, their first thought isn't “talk show.” So what was the inspiration for “In the Spotlight?”
3:43: What was your first interview like?
6:13: How'd you decide which guests would be on your show?
9:46: Why do you feel like it's important to know the person behind the character?
10:50: After talking to these figures in the community(voice actors, TL staff, map makers, etc), has your view of Starcraft II community changed at all?
12:11: In what ways have your views changed?
16:26: Out of all the interviews you've done so far, is there one that stands out as particularly memorable in some way?
18:43: From your first interview with Robert Clotworthy to your latest interview with
19:58: When you ask a question and the answer is really short or even just a flop, how do you deal with that?
21:42: How did you transition out of that awkward question with Smix so smoothly?
23:48: Did you play a lot of games before Starcraft?
25:13: Talk to us about your love of acting.
29:30: You mentioned “breaking out of the bubble” as a reason for not going into acting as a full-time job but aren't you still in a bubble with “In the Spotlight?” Starcraft is a pretty small and insular community.
31:19: What is it that you do right now? Are you still a student? Working?
32:09: When you graduate, do you have any idea how you want to use those degrees?
36:14: Question from Chat: Do you play an instrument?
38:16: What are your personal aspirations and aspiration for the show?
40:23: Given that Gimble and I were looking for a new show name, we were curious how you came with your own show name and if you have any tips for creating a strong name.
42:41: Out of the people who you haven't talked to yet, who would you like to interview the most?
45:20: You've asked a lot of questions to a lot of people; is there a question you've ever wanted to ask but haven't? Or a question you've ever wanted to be asked?
Episode 19: CSN Vid Maric
Episode 20: Mouz.Kaelaris and LgN.Karmy
Episode 21: Frodan
Episode 22: Mike Blair [Starcraft expertise study]
Episode 23: Joshua "Clutch" Gray
Episode 24: James Banks
Episode 25: Erik "Doa" Lonnquist
Episode 26: Victoria "xVixen" Gong
Episode 27: Michael Bolton III, CCP Bro, Kil2
Episode 28: Xavier "Zoot" Dhorne
Episode 29: VOD will be up shortly
Arnfasta, or Lewis Reining, is 22 year old Korean American adoptee who has extensive experience in Public Radio. His interviewing experience first began at the Youth Voices workshop where he produced a 5 minute feature piece entitled “Being Bicultural” for WAMU 88.5(Public Radio station in Washington DC). He went on to work with WAMU several more times; creating pieces about how relationships have been affected by digital technology, the Odyssey of the Mind afterschool program, as well as a charter math and science school in Virginia, USA and a commentary about his experience abroad in South Korea. Currently, he is a fourth year student at the University of Virginia studying East Asian Language, Literature, and Culture with a focus on Korea. He is also a NA platinum Zerg and competed in both GSL Season 2 and Season 3 opens (but was knocked out immediately).
David Gimble Barrett is a 22 year old full time carer and ex-sponsored Starcraft 2 player. Currently residing in England, he spends his time working on streaming related esports projects and is a member of the video game community and content group LThan3.
Questions, Concerns, and Comments can be sent to gimbleandarnpodcast@gmail.com
Our official twitter is: @Gimble and Arn and our Facebook page is: Gimble and Arn Show
You can follow us individually at @Arnfasta and @GimbleB.
This thread will be kept up to date with information on the show.