Here is a little sneak peek at some of the questions:
Many people believe that as you get older, you should stop playing games. You are still young, but at what age do you think you will stop playing Starcraft? What are your plans after you are finished gaming?
[MVP]: As long as I can remain competitive, I will not quit playing Starcraft, even after I am 30 years old. I’m more of a now-and-here guy when it comes to careers. I just want to focus on being a finest Starcraft 2 player, so I have yet to think about what I want to do after Starcraft. I am not going to begin planning for life after Starcraft 2 for a while. Only God knows what I will be doing.
At what age did you decide you wanted to be a professional gamer? What helped you come to this decision and are you happy?
[MVP]: I was 17 when I committed myself to be a professional gamer. After I won several amateur tourneys, my father strongly urged me to consider making career out of gaming. He himself is very good at playing Starcraft, even though he usually only plays unlimited fast-mining-mineral maps xD.
Edit: Nestea was supposed to be released today, but he was upset with himself due to Code S... On the nestea AMA we will include names of everyone who contributed though. Thank you all for reading :D!
Nestea was supposed to be released today, but he was upset with himself due to Code S... On the nestea AMA we will include names of everyone who contributed though. Thank you all for reading :D!
This was a great AMA piece, I usually skim over things like this, but it's really nice to see a bit more into the life of someone we're used to only seeing on the big stage.
MVP has won an amazing sum of money - the GDP per capita in Korea is 21k (since kids are probably included in that number, lets assume average salary is maybe 30k a year). That's a lot of money (maybe take an average guy 7 years) for these guys doing something they are passionate about.
I also lol'ed at his Dad's unlimited money maps.
Also poor MVP not being as cute as MKP and that's why the lack of fangirls.
this is awesome, hands down. I respect other people's opinion, but if you don't agree with me here, I am sorry: you are logically wrong, I can prove that.
"After I won several amateur tourneys, my father strongly urged me to consider making career out of gaming."
and
"They admire my career. Whenever my games get streamed or aired, they always try to watch it together and text-message me after every single match whatever the result may be."
That sounds like family support to me. I bet his success is influenced by this.
You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: Saving up I have been. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
On November 18 2011 00:57 TheSwamp wrote: You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: Saving up I have been. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
So MVP is secretly yoda :D
LOL! I thought the same thing too! It sounded a bit weird while reading through the interview.
Great interview, its nice to see a more personal approach than just "why do you kick so much ass in SC?" Looking forward to the Nestea interview. Keep it up
It's nice to see that you can still have a life outside of SC and still be considered the best or one of the best. Good to see that he isn't just playing all day, day in and day out and hating it.
On November 18 2011 00:57 TheSwamp wrote: You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: Saving up I have been. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
So MVP is secretly yoda :D
Thank you for pointing this out. I tried to edit up the answers so that they made a bit more sense. I think I read over that answer and in my head I made it sound OK when in reality it was weird.
Haha, great interview. I wonder if Artosis will like MVP anymore after he says that the future of TvT may not in fact be all-mech. And his dad played BW...? My childhood pales in comparison to his...
Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose.
LOL. Artosis is going to be so sad if he hears about this.
" I have yet to think about what I want to do after Starcraft. I am not going to begin planning for life after Starcraft 2 for a while. Only God knows what I will be doing."
then he says "I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at." haha, so does he plan ahead or not...
Funny how he got advised to become a progamer by his father. Such a difference in culture, I can't imagine a european actually being advised to become a progamer by his parents. Support is one thing but actually advising it..
"Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
On November 18 2011 01:35 Assaulter wrote: " I have yet to think about what I want to do after Starcraft. I am not going to begin planning for life after Starcraft 2 for a while. Only God knows what I will be doing."
then he says "I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at." haha, so does he plan ahead or not...
Exactly what I was thinking. Perhaps something was lost in translation.
ahaha I bet artosis is gonna be upset about that TvT statement. Expect MVP's play to be criticized very heavily the next time around Artosis cast his games ^^
On November 18 2011 01:45 dtz wrote: ahaha I bet artosis is gonna be upset about that TvT statement. Expect MVP's play to be criticized very heavily the next time around Artosis cast his games ^^
Criticized as he rips off the nerd arms of his opponent. Then artosis will feel like a goober.
Hmm, it might be the translation, but Mvp seems like a super-mannered guy. He seems really upbeat.
On a different note, I don't think Quantic has the right to claim that Mvp is a Quantic player. He is still on Incredible Miracles, and when he is at a foreign event, he wears the QIM tag.
On November 18 2011 01:43 Flowjo wrote: "Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
Rofl artosis
isn't that actually what artosis has told us though? He's always told us that bio is viable if you can play base trade scenarios and they will always work better on larger maps. I also thought he told us that MVP has always made fewer mistakes which is the reason why he wins, it just so happens that he uses mech and wins by huge margins when he does play perfectly. Mech has to be played perfectly in order to win because it's so hard to rebuild, but it truly IS the strongest army in TvT.
I don't see how artosis is wrong here, MVP is only confirming that mech play can't be unique, it can only be played perfectly and he's only telling us something we already knew, bio is more mobile and does better on larger maps.
On November 18 2011 01:43 Flowjo wrote: "Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
Rofl artosis
isn't that actually what artosis has told us though? He's always told us that bio is viable if you can play base trade scenarios and they will always work better on larger maps. I also thought he told us that MVP has always made fewer mistakes which is the reason why he wins, it just so happens that he uses mech and wins by huge margins when he does play perfectly. Mech has to be played perfectly in order to win because it's so hard to rebuild, but it truly IS the strongest army in TvT.
I don't see how artosis is wrong here, MVP is only confirming that mech play can't be unique, it can only be played perfectly and he's only telling us something we already knew, bio is more mobile and does better on larger maps.
Not really, artosis wants mech on every map, not just the small ones.
On November 18 2011 01:50 emc wrote: oh shit! he talked about god! reddit gonna go ape shit lolol
on the real though, nice interview!
More than likely, just an expression. Atheists like myself use "god damn", "god, that sucks", or "god knows what" all the time. In addition, in many Asian cultures (at least I know in China and Korea), the translation for god has nothing to do with the judeo-christian version - could be pantheistic or pagan, or just about anything, really.
I'd like to hear more from him about his outside gaming interests, mostly if he thinks they help him keep focus. U know, having other places where your mind can let your job go for a while, just relax in other activities.
Great interview, liked it a lot. Always nice to hear a bit about how their lives are outside of playing etc. MVP definetely seems like a nice guy. So awesome that his dad plays too lol. :D
On November 18 2011 01:43 Flowjo wrote: "Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
Rofl artosis
isn't that actually what artosis has told us though? He's always told us that bio is viable if you can play base trade scenarios and they will always work better on larger maps. I also thought he told us that MVP has always made fewer mistakes which is the reason why he wins, it just so happens that he uses mech and wins by huge margins when he does play perfectly. Mech has to be played perfectly in order to win because it's so hard to rebuild, but it truly IS the strongest army in TvT.
I don't see how artosis is wrong here, MVP is only confirming that mech play can't be unique, it can only be played perfectly and he's only telling us something we already knew, bio is more mobile and does better on larger maps.
Not really, artosis wants mech on every map, not just the small ones.
I clearly remember him saying that it was much much harder in big maps, but that it was doable, and he thought that if mastered perfectly it should be the norm, I think what makes it hard for mech in this big maps is the 3 supply tanks D: .
Thanks for the awesome interview! It must be cool to have a dad like MVP :D. Lol , i didn't expect him to love agatha christie's books. Too bad he doesnt pick up all the hot girls on the street, even though he already has a gf ^^
On November 18 2011 04:38 ImperialTea wrote: Thanks for the awesome interview! It must be cool to have a dad like MVP :D. Lol , i didn't expect him to love agatha christie's books. Too bad he doesnt pick up all the hot girls on the street, even though he already has a gf ^^
MVP probably could if he wanted lol. Yeah it's awesome to see the personality behind these players
Artosis constantly hintsSLEDGEHAMMERS that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
There's no mystery as to why this guy is a total boss. He has such a healthy mindset - cool, calm, confident, mature.
This Q and A says it all to me:
You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
Even when all of the Brood War pros come to Starcraft 2, MVP will still be owning it up for many years to come.
[MVP]: Zerg Idra, Protoss Huk, and Terran Thorzain. If you are talking about difference in skill levels, I don’t think there is any. In my opinion, it’s just that these foreign players are amazingly good at creative tactics and strategies. Also, all of them have extremely acute game sense. On the other hand, I’m more comfortable with standard and solid play-style.
Thorzain, Huk and Idra. What an honour to hear that from MVP <333
Holy shit MVP is such a cool and down to earth guy. I always thought he didn't really care about anything really but his answers are hella awesome answers with how much he appreciates his friends, family, and fans. Makes me love him even more.
On November 18 2011 01:41 Markwerf wrote: Funny how he got advised to become a progamer by his father. Such a difference in culture, I can't imagine a european actually being advised to become a progamer by his parents. Support is one thing but actually advising it..
It's hardly a difference in culture - that kind of support is far from common in Korea. It can just as easily happen to a random European or NA player, but it's not something that the parents are likely to support anywhere in the world. If I had to bet on a country where it's most likely to happen, I'd probably pick Sweden actually.
On November 18 2011 01:41 Markwerf wrote: Funny how he got advised to become a progamer by his father. Such a difference in culture, I can't imagine a european actually being advised to become a progamer by his parents. Support is one thing but actually advising it..
It's hardly a difference in culture - that kind of support is far from common in Korea. It can just as easily happen to a random European or NA player, but it's not something that the parents are likely to support anywhere in the world. If I had to bet on a country where it's most likely to happen, I'd probably pick Sweden actually.
The fact that BW has become so popular and there are many more jobs in SK for progaming probably doesn't hurt. Compared to the US at least more people seem to accept it as a legit profession and not as a hobby that you happen to make money doing.
On November 18 2011 02:09 tuestresfat wrote: i think i just became a fan
haha how have you not been a fan already ?
iono, I always liked his style and recognized him as a really good/solid player, but I never went out of my way to watch his games, grab his replays, or find out what he does outside of sc2 or things like that.
Awww man I usually cheer against mvp just because he's always been the huge favorite, but now I will cheer him on a lot more. I love how he's like "no artosis you're wrong"
Wow this interview was awesome. Before this tournament, I admit that I only knew MVP as "that really good Terran player", but now I can get an idea of this player as a human being. Please do more of these kinds of interviews.
As for other teams, do more of these as well please. I really want to see what type of people these progamers are when they are not just in a booth or playing. Thanks
On November 18 2011 01:43 Flowjo wrote: "Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
Rofl artosis
isn't that actually what artosis has told us though? He's always told us that bio is viable if you can play base trade scenarios and they will always work better on larger maps. I also thought he told us that MVP has always made fewer mistakes which is the reason why he wins, it just so happens that he uses mech and wins by huge margins when he does play perfectly. Mech has to be played perfectly in order to win because it's so hard to rebuild, but it truly IS the strongest army in TvT.
I don't see how artosis is wrong here, MVP is only confirming that mech play can't be unique, it can only be played perfectly and he's only telling us something we already knew, bio is more mobile and does better on larger maps.
The point I think MVP is making is that mech is going to become less and less the optimal choice as the current trend toward bigger maps continues. If you're playing to win, are you really going to choose the style that requires perfect play in order to succeed when you can become the best at a different style that allows more mistakes but still allows you to walk away with the win?
Also, when he was talking about mistakes, he was talking about his mech play in relation to the mech play of others, not necessarily vs bio.
In the end, mech is never going to be optimal as long as Terran still has marauders. Or unless one of the upcoming expansions introduces a factory unit that can handle them without the high risk of getting caught unsieged that tank play possesses.
Awesome that his dad actually encouraged him to do gaming. And LOL at his response to Artosis. Now Artosis has to argue against the best Terran in the world or give in.
Poor Artosis, all his dreams shattered... All the koreans seem to have huge respect for Thorzain (I can understand, he's amazing) relative to foriegners.
On November 18 2011 01:43 Flowjo wrote: "Artosis constantly hints that in TvT, mechanical is the future. Do you believe this is true? What makes your TvT mech play better than everyone else's?
[MVP]: Not really. In my opinion, as new maps tend to get bigger and bigger, marine and marauder composition will grow stronger. And I don’t think my mech is more solid than others. I just make fewer mistakes in bigger matches I suppose."
Rofl artosis
isn't that actually what artosis has told us though? He's always told us that bio is viable if you can play base trade scenarios and they will always work better on larger maps. I also thought he told us that MVP has always made fewer mistakes which is the reason why he wins, it just so happens that he uses mech and wins by huge margins when he does play perfectly. Mech has to be played perfectly in order to win because it's so hard to rebuild, but it truly IS the strongest army in TvT.
I don't see how artosis is wrong here, MVP is only confirming that mech play can't be unique, it can only be played perfectly and he's only telling us something we already knew, bio is more mobile and does better on larger maps.
The problem with artosis is that he states that if you play perfect mech vs perfect bio the mech guy will always win. But that isn't nessarcily true. It most likely is map dependant, and even then we dont really know.
The logic of Artosis is that if you just defend perfectly with mech you will eventaully win. But thats not true if the bio player (if he plays perfectly) is able to get a better economy every time and hence tech to air and beat the mech guy.
Wow, that was a great interview. I love to get to know the players a little as opposed to just seeing them as a sick nerd baller. I would really love to meet his dad (or see them play a 2v2), he seems like a really cool dude. The interview made me like mvp a lot more.
On November 18 2011 06:21 zerious wrote: Should have asked him about streaming. He would get 8k+ viewers ez.
I doubt that tbh. There is/has been some really good Code S players streaming here (not GSL champions tho but still) but they get like 1k viewers from TL because they aint Zerg.
On November 18 2011 06:21 zerious wrote: Should have asked him about streaming. He would get 8k+ viewers ez.
I doubt that tbh. There is/has been some really good Code S players streaming here (not GSL champions tho but still) but they get like 1k viewers from TL because they aint Zerg.
If it was MVP, race bias and player favouritism wouldn't matter. He's the best goddam player in the world...
On November 18 2011 06:21 zerious wrote: Should have asked him about streaming. He would get 8k+ viewers ez.
I doubt that tbh. There is/has been some really good Code S players streaming here (not GSL champions tho but still) but they get like 1k viewers from TL because they aint Zerg.
i always die a little inside when i see destiny with 4k and a top code s player with 900
On November 18 2011 06:21 zerious wrote: Should have asked him about streaming. He would get 8k+ viewers ez.
I doubt that tbh. There is/has been some really good Code S players streaming here (not GSL champions tho but still) but they get like 1k viewers from TL because they aint Zerg.
i always die a little inside when i see destiny with 4k and a top code s player with 900
No joke rofl
I see Polt/JYP streaming, floating at 1k viewers, and see Catz and Destiny streaming and getting more.
Destiny has a huge fanbase already, sure.
But CatZ?
Either way, if MVP or Nestea streamed, I'd shit myself if it didn't get 6k+
MC streamed not too long ago and was at 6.5k~ when I checked.
Really awesome interview. I've been wanting to know something about Mvp as a person for a while now I think we should take his statement about mech with a grain of salt. When Artosis interviewed him about half a year ago, he also mentioned that he saw terran as the weakest race, as maps were getting larger in general. Not that mech is neccesairly stronger, but Artosis's statement about mech being the future of TvT might still be true.
Really great interview, good questions that got good responses i actually kinda see mvp as a person now instead of a complete killer in the booth, sick family support i wonder how much of a factor that is to his success. Also gg artosis.
Nice interview, I think its kind of ironic he says he is a "here and now guy" and then says he is saving the money for the future, "That's what I always excel at" XD
Thanks for all of the positive and negative feedback. I have read every comment and I will be sure to fix what is wrong and keep doing what is right. I appreciate all of your support, and I am ecstatic that you enjoyed the interview.
The Nestea AMA will be up sometime after providence when he is not so down on himself. We will be approaching him the same way, attempting to "humanize" him as well.
On November 18 2011 01:35 Assaulter wrote: " I have yet to think about what I want to do after Starcraft. I am not going to begin planning for life after Starcraft 2 for a while. Only God knows what I will be doing."
then he says "I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at." haha, so does he plan ahead or not...
Exactly what I was thinking. Perhaps something was lost in translation.
I thought it was rather simple. He doesn't plan on doing anything else, because by then he'd have so much banked from his illustrious SC career that he won't need to.
On November 18 2011 07:53 Spicy_Curry wrote: MVP just crushed Artosis' dreams
I thought Artosis said that quite a while ago, I think his prediction might be different if you asked him now... Idk though.
Artosis has always said had a HUGE mech bias and even goes as far as saying that's the future. Players who actually play mech all the time (a la MVP and Jinro) have said at the moment bio is looking like it's here to stay for a long time.
Planning for the future. You see that in his games as well. Every move is meant to give him an advantage going into the late game unless he decides to cheese or execute a timing attack.
You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
mvp macroing irl like a boss. thanks for the interview!
Mvp #1 consistency is everything I see him dominating for a long time to come, especially with the new hots units seemingly integrating well with his solid mech style.
You have been earning a lot of money from all your top finishes at most events you enter. What have you been doing the money? Have you been saving up for your future or spending it?
[MVP]: I have been saving up. I always plan for future. That’s what I excel at.
mvp macroing irl like a boss. thanks for the interview!
To be completely honest, I’d say no. I rarely get recognized by people in public, let alone hot fan girls. T_T
Dream denied?
Nah, maybe he just has to work harder :D
Boxer is the guy. When I first watched a professional SC game on TV, he was there playing this great match against Yellow. Ever since then, I’ve admired him and his passion.
<3
I love to engage in physical activities. I used to work out regularly, but nowadays I prefer jogging and doing some pushups. Other than that, I usually read books. The books that I most enjoy are detective books written by Agatha Christie.
Is he sure he's not reading the secret journal entries of Detective Tea as he tries to find out new ways to defeat his enemies?
On November 18 2011 13:49 GGPope wrote: MVP sounds like an incredible human being. I hope (I mean, I know) that he will do well at BlizzCon...but I still secretly hope IdrA or Huk beats him.
I think your talking about providence. MVP has already won BlizzCon.
On November 18 2011 07:53 Spicy_Curry wrote: MVP just crushed Artosis' dreams
I thought Artosis said that quite a while ago, I think his prediction might be different if you asked him now... Idk though.
Artosis has always said had a HUGE mech bias and even goes as far as saying that's the future. Players who actually play mech all the time (a la MVP and Jinro) have said at the moment bio is looking like it's here to stay for a long time.
Well, mech TvT DID get heavily nerfed when BFH got nerfed AND the maps are becoming harder to split map and harder to contain on, so it's kind of hard to say he was wrong when things have changed so much. That and the fact that there is a lot of experimenting/refining/game changes to come in the future anyway.
Either way, I hope something happens and does make mech the standard in TvT and TvP.
On November 18 2011 07:53 Spicy_Curry wrote: MVP just crushed Artosis' dreams
I thought Artosis said that quite a while ago, I think his prediction might be different if you asked him now... Idk though.
Artosis has always said had a HUGE mech bias and even goes as far as saying that's the future. Players who actually play mech all the time (a la MVP and Jinro) have said at the moment bio is looking like it's here to stay for a long time.
Well, mech TvT DID get heavily nerfed when BFH got nerfed AND the maps are becoming harder to split map and harder to contain on, so it's kind of hard to say he was wrong when things have changed so much. That and the fact that there is a lot of experimenting/refining/game changes to come in the future anyway.
Either way, I hope something happens and does make mech the standard in TvT and TvP.
On November 18 2011 07:53 Spicy_Curry wrote: MVP just crushed Artosis' dreams
I thought Artosis said that quite a while ago, I think his prediction might be different if you asked him now... Idk though.
Artosis has always said had a HUGE mech bias and even goes as far as saying that's the future. Players who actually play mech all the time (a la MVP and Jinro) have said at the moment bio is looking like it's here to stay for a long time.
Well, mech TvT DID get heavily nerfed when BFH got nerfed AND the maps are becoming harder to split map and harder to contain on, so it's kind of hard to say he was wrong when things have changed so much. That and the fact that there is a lot of experimenting/refining/game changes to come in the future anyway.
Either way, I hope something happens and does make mech the standard in TvT and TvP.
I don't I like my marine/tank and bio play!
I'd like all 3 to be viable, I just want mech to be the style we see most often ~_~.
MVP is exactly the kind of person who deserves to be the best player in the world. Humble, mature and ambitious. He may be overlooked because of his plain stage persona but if people were willing to look beneath the surface they'd see he's still quite the interesting person.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SsNlk.jpg)
