During the last few weeks Alien Invasion secretly built the dream every team has at one point: an own team house. Everyone heard the stories about the Koreans being so good because of the infrastructure they created since Brood War. We’ve asked Heiner “AiTotoro” Knüppel, team owner of Alien Invasion, what his vision is for the brand new Alien Invasion team house.
Team Alien Invasion: Hey Heiner, alright how big is the new Ai team house?
Heiner “AiTotoro” Knüppel: All in all the whole apartment measures around 110 square metres spread over 6 different rooms. A sleeping room, living room, guestroom, kitchen, bathroom and last but not least the practice room.
Is the apartment already finished for daily use ?
Generally speaking, yes. Some parts are still missing here and there. If you want to help us and have spare furniture, we would be happy when you message us. At the moment we desperately search for a dishwasher.
Who will be living there ?
Oh “AiReal” Jin Shil and Fabian “AiHanfy” Kattner will be definitely living there. Patrick “AiTarra” Dann will visit the house during his semester break for one or two months.
Other pro-gamers are also welcome to live in the apartment, right? How much will the rent be?
Of course. The apartment is open for every pro-gamer. Alien Invasion member or not the monthly rent will be 300 €. Water, electricity, internet and heating included.
How do the players in the team house finance their living?
Salary, tournament prize money, stream revenue and some pocket money
Is this the offensive of Alien Invasion? The challenge against all the teams at the peak?
For us there are no “teams at the peak”. I would say three different kinds of teams exist: The ones with a lot of money like Evil Geniuses or Millenium, then those with a bit of money, like ourselves Alien Invasion, and at last the teams which have to survive without any money. Nowadays the money is a big factor for success, because whoever has the money also has the power to spend it on the best players. But we will just pursue our own way.The team house is the chance for our players and possible others to get the best environment to play full time and aim for perfection and success.
The last team house in Germany just vanished from the landscape at one point. What will you do differently ?
The Type II team house was created for profit, to give the founder a financial advantage. Regarding our house there is no such thing and it’s financially secure. No player will be forced to give us his stream revenue or prize money. We created the team house for the players not to be better off. Potential money from sponsors of the team house will be used directly to improve the apartment.
Fascinating question: Why Duisburg?
Better question: Why not ? Any downsides?
I’m just kidding. Duisburg looks kinda strange as a place for a team house at first. But like many things in life, it turned out like this in the end. Our Korean hope AiReal wanted to live in Nordrhein-Westfalen again, because he knows a lot of friends from his past there and as luck would have it a relatively cheap apartment was available in Duisburg and Real’s wish to live in Düsseldorf or Krefeld was just to expensive. Real’s new neighboor is also Korean, perfectly fitting for a Starcraft team house, which is a big plus for Real and the whole team because in difficult cases he can help communicating between German and Korean. Furthermore the next transport connection, Duisburg central station, is only five minutes away by foot so Real has an easy access for travelling.
The Ministry-of-Win house is mostly known for the bad meals during the last few months: Will you only provide wholefood products for the house ?
No, the players can decide what they want to eat at the house as long as they cook for themselves.
The team house is no hotel, the residents are mature and know how to take care of themselves. The players live healthier than you would think at first and also visit the gym multiple times a week. They find everything in a near distance from the apartment like a grocery store or a bakery. The idea to provide meals for everyone in a team hose with 300 € is needless, because every player has a different taste and nobody would be happy in the end. Last weekend we sat together in the apartment and ate very well for a reasonable price. I think the residents will continue this routine in the future. And whoever loses in Rock-Paper-Scissor has to do the washing up which happened to be Real the last few times.
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StateofReverie United States. November 24 2012 03:51. Posts 632
