EPT
mensrea: So, did you win?
ElkY: Yeah, I got kinda lucky tho. It was just a practice game, even tho ChRh said himself he's not the one who could teach me how to beat Nada.
mensrea: Doubt there's a Terran player who could... If you went toss tho, forU (Lee Jae-hoon) may be able to help...
ElkY: I think Oddysay could help me as a T player v Nada... even tho our WCG plan failed - we were supposed to meet in final and share the money! But Boxer and Yellow got in our way...
mensrea: Those fiendish bastards - they're ALWAYS in EVERYONE's way! But, speaking of WCG, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this year's event...
ElkY: I'm kinda disappointed of course cuz I always expect to do better and 4th place isn't really good. On the other hand, I once again only lost to Boxer and Yellow, so that's not SO bad.
mensrea: Crap, I'd say 4th place is pretty damn good considering the level of the competition...! And, if nothing else, you walked away with $2500, right?
ElkY: Yeah, but I would have liked to have played Blackman. He defeated Oddysay ZvT on Valhalla so he must be pretty good. At the same time, I like playing Zerg users, and "foreigners" even more. I hope I get the chance to face him this coming Liquid Tourney. This time no Boxer or Yellow in my way. The more I think about it the more this year's WCG reminds me so much of this past Starleague - 4th place, losing to both Boxer and Yellow.
mensrea: What do you consider was the BIGGEST upset of the WCG tournament this year? We had a poll on this at the Liquid site and the majority agreed the biggest surprise was Jose Farias's (aka "The Peru Guy") defeat of Boxer...
ElkY: I think I'd have to agree and say Jose vs Boxer, even tho I really got surprised by Froz beating Boxer twice, as well as by Blackman beating Oddysay.
mensrea: What sorts of changes would you make to the WCG SC/BW tournament?
ElkY: I'd make the winners' bracket games best of 3, so maps and luck would have less of an influence on the final result, altho I can't say Boxer or Yellow were lucky or anything - they were just the best in the Tournament. Personally, I'm pretty much used to the WCG format already, since it's the format of most of the leagues or tournaments out there anyway. But, for the WCG, they have time to set up something bigger and better I think...
mensrea: Last year's 2nd place finish notwithstanding, would you say you're a better player overall this year than last? In other words, has your experience as a pro gamer here in Korea improved your skills?
ElkY: I think so, yeah. I'm getting much more used to the Korean style of play, especially since all the practice I have with Korean players, and my experience here has made me better in every aspect of the game. I really became professional here and I don't really see the game the same way anymore. Comparing WCGs tho, last year my bracket wasn't so hard compared to this year and I wasn't that known then so it was much easier for me. Now everybody knows my strats, my style and everything, and they all want to beat me really badly because I'm kind of lumped together now with Grrrr... since we're both pro gamers in Korea.
...
mensrea: You're up against Nada this coming Friday (Nov. 22). Lucky you! How are you preparing for it? Voodoo dolls, or other such supernatural contrivances perhaps...?
ElkY: I'm mostly just playing against the same practice partners - Sync, ChRh, Xellos, Gundam and Oddysay. I also try analyzing for weaknesses, but Nada doesn't appear to have any in the TvT matchup. On the other hand, I have much better results personally against Nada's style of play, which I think is closer to Byun Gil-sub's [Sync] style, than Boxer's. Nada's style isn't so aggressive and not so much about out-microing the opponent in any way u can. I also think Boxer knows me way too much now...
mensrea: So, who's gonna do well this Starleague (Panansonic 2002) you think (besides yourself, of course)?
ElkY: I have a lot of confidence in Xellos. And, of course, u can never ever count out Boxer or Yellow. Jinnam, Oddysay and Junwi have a good shot at it, as well as whoever makes it up from my Group [A].
mensrea: I think everyone in your Group should all just get a free ticket to advance into the Final 8 - and SCREW what happens to the players in the other Groups! Ok, if you had to pick ONE player tho to win it all this time (besides yourself)...?
ElkY: Emmmmmm ... I'd say Nada. He's impressed me the most because he's so steady and just seems to be able to beat everybody so easily.
mensrea: True...in other tournaments (i.e. KPGA). I know I may be a bit crazy to say this, and it's certainly too early to tell and I'm more than ready to eat crow later on, but I somehow feel Nada won't do that well in OGN - at least not this time. It's just a feeling I have after watching Nada in the OGN Challenge League and Duel Tournament. Maybe he just wasn't prepared when I saw him play v Chojja, Nal_rA and ChRh, but it definitely didn't feel like the same Nada who eats all opponents for breakfast in the KPGA. Time will tell, I guess...
ElkY: I'm not so sure about your prediction on Nada. Even tho it wasn't so great vs Chojja, he did really well in his other games. Yes, time will tell us...
...
mensrea: Ok, what's a typical day like for you?
ElkY: When I don't have any tournament games or events to attend, I usually wake up around 11 or 12. I go to work out a bit with Giyom [aka Grrr...] sometimes, then I'll go practice with Jinnam and Gundam at the office two times a week, usually from 2 to 6 pm. After that I get Korean language lessons for 2 hours, 2 times a week, and then, depending on the incoming schedule, I'll practice at home, hang out with friends or go out with my girlfriend. ... I have interviews pretty often, too.
mensrea: D'OH! *cough* *cough* [Regains composure] Ahem. So, in a typical day, how many hours do you spend practicing SC?
ElkY: Altogether, I play games more than 6 hours a day, but effective gaming time would be closer to like 4 hours I think. But, when I have too many games or events, and if I have to travel, it gets more complicated... Still, things are pretty cool overall because I'm living with Gundam right now, and we're both gonna live with Giyom pretty soon, so it's easier for us to focus on the game and practice.
mensrea: You also do WarCraft III, right? Do you think it will be as big as SC, at least in terms of the pro gaming scene?
ElkY: I'll be ready for the next War3 leagues, yes, cuz I couldn't prepare for the last ones well enough because of WCG. Regarding War3 success, I'd have to say it won't be as big as SC if they don't change the game. It's not spectacular enough in my opinion, and also not deep enough, at least at the pro gaming level.
mensrea: Anything specific you would change and/or introduce in the next patch?
ElkY: I'd make the game more about players interacting/fighting with other players, instead of rewarding players so much for creeping. Obviously, there are also some balance issues that need to be addressed, but I'm not 100% sure about those yet, so I won't comment. Also, making the game faster would be nice too - speed is pretty slow now. I suppose the sense of "deepness" I find in Broodwar is missing in War3. Like there can never be fights at 3 places at the same time, because of the supply limit and Hero system. I guess it's just another way to play [an RTS game], but I just prefer fights everywhere on the map at once, as well as the fact that u can keep positions (bridges, cliffs) in SC. And expanding in War3 isn't really good either...
mensrea: That's true about expoing in War3. I doubt Starcraft_Side or Blackman will be making the switch anytime soon...
ElkY: Hehe, I actually kinda enjoy War3, but I think mostly because its new and not because its a better game than Starcraft, unfortunately.
mensrea: I still have confidence in Blizzard. I think they can turn it into a kick-ass product yet - just needs more tweaking and time. Ok, switching gears a bit, what's the best and worst part of being in Korea for you? You've been here for almost a year now...
ElkY: I'd say the best part is being able to live off my passion, making a lot of new friends, learning a new culture and language. The worst would be opportunities to meet Lim Yo-hwan...!
But, seriously, I think the worst part would have to be being so far away from my family and friends in France. But, besides a bit of homesickness, everything's really nice for me in Korea.
...
mensrea: Ok, let's quickly talk about what it's mostly all about - MONEY. How much prize money is involved in the various tournaments in Korea?
ElkY: OnGameNet Starleague is like US $30, 000 total [with 1st prize around US $16,000] + appearance fees and a LOT of recognition. I guess KPGA is like US $15, 000 total [with 1st prize US $8,000]. The WCG is US $40, 000 total purse [with 1st prize US $20,000].
mensrea: How much do players receive as appearance fee in the Big Four tournaments/TV shows (OGN, KPGA, GhemTV and iTV)? Oh, and also the now-defunct Gembc Race Wars...
ElkY: It depends on the type of the league, but usually between KRW 100,000 - 200,000 [= US $80 - 160] per appearance. GhemTV 1st prize is KRW 6 million [= US $5,000] and like KRW 70,000 per appearance [= US $60]. iTV has no prize money for their league, just KRW 100,000 [= US $80] as appearance fee. Gembc Race Wars was KRW 250,000 per appearance for the winner each day and KRW 100,000 for the loser [= US $200 and $80, respectively], but u come back if u keep on winning, so it's pretty good for a night's work.
mensrea: Ok, I don't wanna seem uncultured or anything, so let's move on to a different subject. Who among the foreign-based players do you think may do well as a pro gamer here in Korea?
ElkY: I hope Smuft and Nazgul could follow in the footsteps of Giyom 3 years ago. They have the skills for it, but it's also about determination.
mensrea: Here's a silly, but infinitely popular question - who do you think has the fastest hand speed in SC? Many say Chojja, but a certain famous Protoss user (I won't name names, but let's just say he's from the Netherlands and his initials are V.G. and he LOVES the Lord of the Rings and he...) claims Chojja ain't as advertised in real life...
ElkY: I think Chojja's keyboard hand speed is insanely fast, but Nada and Xellos are really close and ChRh's mouse speed is crazy, too.
mensrea: Well, they DO call him "The Mouse of Zorro" here in Korea... (I can't believe the OGN commentators say such things on TV...)
ElkY: Haha, yeah. But, of course, every pro gamer is really fast with both hands and speed doesn't matter so much after a certain point.
mensrea: Another "silly-but-infinitely-popular" question - if your life depended on a single SC match and you couldn't play yourself, who would you pick to play for you?
ElkY: I think I'd pick Nada because his style is very solid and good for all situations. Also, he's a nice kid and he wouldn't let me die for sure.
mensrea: Good answer! Any final comments?
ElkY: Just like to thank everybody who supports me and I hope I can do my best for all of u this OGN Starleague.
[Note To All Rabid ElkY Fans]: Now that I've delivered Part II, please stop sending me viruses and emails threatening to do all sorts of weird and permanent things to me and the children I don't yet have, ok? Thx.
gw mensrea~
