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Osaka25953 Posts
I once did an interview with Artosis when I was nerding out in Korea. The reactions were generally positive, but Geoff was there to give me the straight dope about my choice of facial hair..
On August 07 2009 05:07 iNcontroL wrote:
what the FUCK is on his chin?
FIXXXXXXXX
When SC2 was still in development, Pillars asked me for some names to be beta testers, and gave him a list of people I thought would be good (full disclosure, I included myself on that list with ZERO qualifications). The recommendations disappeared into the depths of Blizzard, but Geoff was really excited about it. That enthusiasm never went away.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/TOohE9n.jpg)
I got these answers before the incontrol vs idra liquibition, and found them again yesterday when I was looking through my old PMs.
Ok we are ready to go for next saturday!
Pre-fight interview
Please answer the following questions for my news post tomorrow:
- Name, age, sexual orientation (or race, whatever you prefer): Geoff, 21, zerg
- Length of time on TL.net:- 4 years now
- Times banned on TL.net:- 1 perm several temp w00t
- Major accomplishments in BW: - 4th TLT2, won a wcg prelim came in second in another small tourney wins, ToT etc
- Favorite unit in ZvT:- Ultra
- Favorite ability in ZvT:- Hold lurkers
- Favorite pro player, and why:- Silver. Love his hydralisk micro early on
- Best up and coming foreign player for each race, and why:- Terran - IdrA. Has amazing talent and is able to train with the best. If he didnt have a stick up his ass he'd go for miles. Zerg - Whistler. This guy has made me a believer, really nice player. Protoss - Iefnaij. Came from 88 and is now recognized as one of the best, at 14.
- Player who will take a game from a Korean in WCG:- Testie
- Player who will puke at a WCG party:- Me
- If you could have one player play a game of BW for your life, who would it be:- Savior (irony?)
- Chicken or Beef:- I dunno I eat as much as small countries of both
- Any shit talk about foreign Terran players:- They all blow TvP and have attitude problems as a rule
- The last word is yours:- Greg will fit in my backpack.
Like many I am trying to come to terms from the news. I actually read it while supervising a study class. My reaction was physical, as in my head rocked back from the recoil of the words on the screen.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/PBAhrQv.jpg)
I think part of the reason I reacted so strongly is that we all grew up on TeamLiquid, more than maybe any of us know. It is where many of us learned to exist online. TeamLiquid was a place that demanded posters be true to themselves, and in that way, I think Geoff embodied that spirit more than most.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/DYm3p55.jpg)
We talked about the site and the BW scene a lot, and worked together with the TSL ladder and uploading replays. When the stick up my ass got to be too much, or I got too self-important, Incontrol was the one who would tell me straight.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/3CBxFFy.jpg)
When it came to the real things in life, there was never anything fake about Geoff. When you talked to him, it always felt he was being completely honest with you. The good, the bad, the drama, the laughs, it was all real.
So like the childhood friend from elementary school you lose touch with, the memories of the times spent together are still important and cherished. They help inform who we are today. In that way, I think it would be foolish to underestimate the power and importance of the time we have all spent here.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/7KAUXbx.jpg)
It hurts.
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Baltimore, USA21777 Posts
<3 Mani, glad you posted this.
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Many of us did a lot of growing up here on TL but this feels like the first big "life" experience that has truly affected many here. Thanks for sharing Mani and it's helping me read some of his words from the past.
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Aotearoa38203 Posts
Two week into my tenure as a TL staffer I reached out to inc for input on a group stage preview.
+ Show Spoiler [PM exchange] +PlexaOriginal Message: Hey inc, Would you be interested in sharing some of your gosu knowledge  By that i mean would you be interested in giving some opinions on the groups for the invitational even? iNcontroL
Original Message:
of course! PlexaOriginal Message: Cool Just mention anything you think is worth mentioning! And any random tidbits of info Here is a list of groups; Map order; Blue Storm, Katrina, Blue Storm, Katrina, Baekmagoji, Baekmagoji Group A (Savior, Flash, Anytime, Mind) Savior vs Flash Anytime vs Flash Anytime vs Mind Savior vs Mind Savior vs Anytime Flash vs Mind Group B (Jaedong, Nada, Much, Boxer) Jaedong vs Nada Much vs Nada Much vs Boxer Jaedong vs Boxer Jaedong vs Much Nada vs Boxer Group C (Stork, Iris, Hwasin, Free) Stork vs Iris Hwasin vs Iris Hwasin vs Free Stork vs Free Stork vs Hwasin Iris vs Free Group D (Bisu, Sea, GGplay, Light) Bisu vs Sea GGplay vs Sea GGplay vs Light Bisu vs Light Bisu vs GGplay Sea vs Light iNcontroL:
GroupA: Unfortunately with maps like Katrina and blue storm in the rotation this league will feature a protoss imbalance common with what we have seen. Group A will be especially handicapped by having a particularly deadly protoss in Anytime running amuck. An interesting test of this however is the two strong terrans in Flash and Mind and a struggling but potentially powerful zerg in Savior. Personally I simply think the map imbalance will be too much. I hope Flash's cheese can cause a stir but I think the more intriguing games will be Savior vs the T's and the T's vs each other. Anytime is a clear favorite but who can come second in that group is a bit muddled. Mind has been very hot while Flash isn't too far behind him. My personal bias wants to see a Savior in that group emerge.. being the zerg player!
GroupB: This is the most interesting group in my opinion. Jaedong, the most feared player finds himself in a group with a powerful captain in Much, the Emperor himself and another classic: Nada. If anyone can overcome the map imbalance it is Jaedong with his flooding mechanics and superb gameplay. After that I see Much cleaning house. Nada versus Boxer will be a fun spectactle for the nostalgic but I predict it to be fairly unimportant as far as how that group pans out. Jaedong is head and shoulders above the terran players in this group and Much wont give.. much of a fight. That being said, Katrina is a zerg graveyard. If these terrans and this protoss ever had a chance against Jaedong it would certainly be on these maps.
GroupC: Two terrans and two protoss. Stork should dominate with Hwasin being uninspiring as of late and Iris faultering in my eyes. Free is a PvZ specialst in my opinion and shouldn't be much of a problem for Stork. The second place finisher in this group however will be a terran. I think Iris will make some moves and come out ahead. Call it a hunch.
GroupD: I find this group very interesting actually.
All 4 players can look at each other and say, "What happened to us?" Light was supposed to be the next big T. But wait, Sea was the young prodigy, what happened? Bisu revolutionized protoss, and then fell into a slump. Oh and lets not forget GGplay, won a OSL and has yet to win since then (not literally). All 4 were supposed to be THE big new players. All 4 are simply, not. But they haven't forgotten. I expect this group to be the bloodiest most desperate group. This isn't just another day in the park for them. They are all players who have tasted the champions blood.. they want it back. Predictions in this group are silly..I predict. My only bet is that the 2 representatives will have a drive that will be hard to match for the other players.
I have no less than 3 pages of PMs exchanged with inc over the next 3 or so years, culminating in me sharing my EU SC2 account with him - and I'm pretty sure he used that as a smurf for some time.
iNcontroL was one of us, I grew up with him on the forums and held immense respect for him as a person. This hits so close to home. It feels like a death in the family 
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4634 Posts
This blog inspired me to look through my own PM box and see if I had any talks with Geoff, surely enough I found a few.
This was from 2013 when I was playing SC2 a lot more and wanted to go pro.
+ Show Spoiler +
I'm amazed he found the time to talk with me and even encourage me, the man was truly inspirational.
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On July 23 2019 10:37 Plexa wrote:Two week into my tenure as a TL staffer I reached out to inc for input on a group stage preview. + Show Spoiler [PM exchange] +PlexaOriginal Message: Hey inc, Would you be interested in sharing some of your gosu knowledge By that i mean would you be interested in giving some opinions on the groups for the invitational even? iNcontroL:
GroupA: Unfortunately with maps like Katrina and blue storm in the rotation this league will feature a protoss imbalance common with what we have seen. Group A will be especially handicapped by having a particularly deadly protoss in Anytime running amuck. An interesting test of this however is the two strong terrans in Flash and Mind and a struggling but potentially powerful zerg in Savior. Personally I simply think the map imbalance will be too much. I hope Flash's cheese can cause a stir but I think the more intriguing games will be Savior vs the T's and the T's vs each other. Anytime is a clear favorite but who can come second in that group is a bit muddled. Mind has been very hot while Flash isn't too far behind him. My personal bias wants to see a Savior in that group emerge.. being the zerg player!
GroupB: This is the most interesting group in my opinion. Jaedong, the most feared player finds himself in a group with a powerful captain in Much, the Emperor himself and another classic: Nada. If anyone can overcome the map imbalance it is Jaedong with his flooding mechanics and superb gameplay. After that I see Much cleaning house. Nada versus Boxer will be a fun spectactle for the nostalgic but I predict it to be fairly unimportant as far as how that group pans out. Jaedong is head and shoulders above the terran players in this group and Much wont give.. much of a fight. That being said, Katrina is a zerg graveyard. If these terrans and this protoss ever had a chance against Jaedong it would certainly be on these maps.
GroupC: Two terrans and two protoss. Stork should dominate with Hwasin being uninspiring as of late and Iris faultering in my eyes. Free is a PvZ specialst in my opinion and shouldn't be much of a problem for Stork. The second place finisher in this group however will be a terran. I think Iris will make some moves and come out ahead. Call it a hunch.
GroupD: I find this group very interesting actually.
All 4 players can look at each other and say, "What happened to us?" Light was supposed to be the next big T. But wait, Sea was the young prodigy, what happened? Bisu revolutionized protoss, and then fell into a slump. Oh and lets not forget GGplay, won a OSL and has yet to win since then (not literally). All 4 were supposed to be THE big new players. All 4 are simply, not. But they haven't forgotten. I expect this group to be the bloodiest most desperate group. This isn't just another day in the park for them. They are all players who have tasted the champions blood.. they want it back. Predictions in this group are silly..I predict. My only bet is that the 2 representatives will have a drive that will be hard to match for the other players.
One thing that absolutely fascinated me about iNcontroL was just how colorful his language was for someone who looked like just another high school football-playing jock. It's the main reason why I (still) like watching his old interviews on youtube. He was unforgettable from the first moment.
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Osaka25953 Posts
iNcontroL:
GroupA: Unfortunately with maps like Katrina and blue storm in the rotation this league will feature a protoss imbalance common with what we have seen. Group A will be especially handicapped by having a particularly deadly protoss in Anytime running amuck. An interesting test of this however is the two strong terrans in Flash and Mind and a struggling but potentially powerful zerg in Savior. Personally I simply think the map imbalance will be too much. I hope Flash's cheese can cause a stir but I think the more intriguing games will be Savior vs the T's and the T's vs each other. Anytime is a clear favorite but who can come second in that group is a bit muddled. Mind has been very hot while Flash isn't too far behind him. My personal bias wants to see a Savior in that group emerge.. being the zerg player!
GroupB: This is the most interesting group in my opinion. Jaedong, the most feared player finds himself in a group with a powerful captain in Much, the Emperor himself and another classic: Nada. If anyone can overcome the map imbalance it is Jaedong with his flooding mechanics and superb gameplay. After that I see Much cleaning house. Nada versus Boxer will be a fun spectactle for the nostalgic but I predict it to be fairly unimportant as far as how that group pans out. Jaedong is head and shoulders above the terran players in this group and Much wont give.. much of a fight. That being said, Katrina is a zerg graveyard. If these terrans and this protoss ever had a chance against Jaedong it would certainly be on these maps.
GroupC: Two terrans and two protoss. Stork should dominate with Hwasin being uninspiring as of late and Iris faultering in my eyes. Free is a PvZ specialst in my opinion and shouldn't be much of a problem for Stork. The second place finisher in this group however will be a terran. I think Iris will make some moves and come out ahead. Call it a hunch.
GroupD: I find this group very interesting actually.
All 4 players can look at each other and say, "What happened to us?" Light was supposed to be the next big T. But wait, Sea was the young prodigy, what happened? Bisu revolutionized protoss, and then fell into a slump. Oh and lets not forget GGplay, won a OSL and has yet to win since then (not literally). All 4 were supposed to be THE big new players. All 4 are simply, not. But they haven't forgotten. I expect this group to be the bloodiest most desperate group. This isn't just another day in the park for them. They are all players who have tasted the champions blood.. they want it back. Predictions in this group are silly..I predict. My only bet is that the 2 representatives will have a drive that will be hard to match for the other players.
Lets see how he did. GOMTV Invitational.
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/0BH23PJ.png)
Fucking nailed it.
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Aotearoa38203 Posts
Better than we managed back in our coverage days
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one of us <3
full transparency! i am very selfish,
.. i wanted to make him laugh ...
(you know? for balance sake.. he had make me laugh so many times )
..and now that will never happen
ty4sharing
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United States23602 Posts
Thanks for sharing Mani.
I normally don't get affected much by the loss of other people. But this one, I keep seeing the thread and it makes me pause in whatever I am doing every time. I wouldn't say I was close to him but he's deeply tied into my past, my life which has involved this community for so long now.
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+ Show Spoiler +
Thank you for posting this, made me look back to see what PM's I had from him...I had completely forgotten about this but Geoff basically got me my one and only legit job in the esports industry lolol... Really gonna miss him
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Thanks Mani, now it hurts even more.
I just looked through my own PMs from Inc, not sure what to expect (we certainly had a few run-ins on the forums) and found nothing but positivity. Including a couple PMs thanking me for finally banning certain longtime problematic posters lol.
I'm glad you sent him that last message. When I first came back after a few years away, the two big things that stood out were how ridiculously huge our little home team has become (still blows my mind), and how successful Geoff has been, while still being 100% himself. Like Plexa said, he really was one of us, and I really hope he knew how proud we all are of him.
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FuDDx
United States4847 Posts
<3 family man...
Stole this from Binky...
From the party in our room at WCG world finals 2007 in Seattle
![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/bM3woTc.jpg)
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United States10916 Posts
love you mani, this is a great blog and you're right, it does hurt. i hope you're doing well.
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Germany25044 Posts
Thanks Mani.
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This is a really nice blog Mani.
The childhood friend thing is dead on. I ended up going through a bunch of old posts and pms i had with him after. I butted heads with him more than a few times but he was a genuine good, funny dude with unmistakable passion for this place and BW/esports. Even just stupid crap like helping me out when I was editing the Pony Express. We had a bit where he looked for his favorite shitposts of the week and were trying to come up with a name and he pitched Inc's Funny And Trolling post of the week lol
Never met him but interacted with him a bunch here over damn near 15 years. It's really sad.
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Kau
Canada3442 Posts
On July 24 2019 11:03 QuanticHawk wrote:
This is a really nice blog Mani.
The childhood friend thing is dead on. I ended up going through a bunch of old posts and pms i had with him after. I butted heads with him more than a few times but he was a genuine good, funny dude with unmistakable passion for this place and BW/esports. Even just stupid crap like helping me out when I was editing the Pony Express. We had a bit where he looked for his favorite shitposts of the week and were trying to come up with a name and he pitched Inc's Funny And Trolling post of the week lol
Never met him but interacted with him a bunch here over damn near 15 years. It's really sad.
Ya all my PMs with him were for pony express. I would go so far as to say that he was more than childhood friend, it was all such a family feel back in the day and that's what makes this so heartbreaking.
Thanks for this blog Mani and thanks everyone for sharing little glimpses into the interactions you've had with incontrol.
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Osaka25953 Posts
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Germany16605 Posts
Thanks for sharing Mani.
Also made me look - I don't have a lot of interesting PMs from him, but he did confide in me!
![[image loading]](/staff/Carnac/inc2.png)
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WCS![[image loading]](https://i.imgur.com/aVSIpMu.png)
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