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Who Is This “Robin” Guy?
Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tim “Robin” Frazier, whom I'd [finally!] met in Providence during the 2011 MLG Pro Circuit Grand Finals. He has been nicknamed “PassionMan” by a few from the interwebs, and I have to say: they were spot-on with that name. Why? Because Robin is, by far, the SC2 community's most soulful casting personality with an ever-growing passion for the game and the people surrounding it.
I first learned of Robin's existence back in September (2011) when he posted a submission on reddit titled: “Robins MLG Orlando Casting Project: The goal to be a better commentator." And when I say "I learned of his existence", I really mean: I happened to look at SCreddit that day, and must have clicked the "new" link at just the right time, because when I just checked (before writing this), that post only had 6 comments – two of which were his own.
Anyhow, I took a peek at the links he posted, watched his video introduction, and decided to follow his posts on twitter (@Robintivo - in case anyone wants to follow) - I figured, well, I took the time to look at his post without immediately wanting to move on to the next thing (okay fine, his post impressed me), so I gave him a bit of support as he'd requested. Also, he'd mentioned he would be competing in the open bracket at the MLG Orlando Pro Circuit, and I always like to meet people at events, so why not?
Well, this is the StarCraft community, and a lot happens rapidly here. By the time the Orlando Pro Circuit rolled around in October, MLG had made the announcement, about a week prior, that they would be debuting the Beta streams. They opened up the applications for community casters, and Robin went for it. After a few days, the announcement was made that he would be casting, and thus began his journey to awesome casterhood.
In our recent chat, I learned a little more about Robin's gaming and casting history, so without further babbling from me, I present you one of the hardest working, most driven, and most appreciative talents in the SC2 community: ROBIN
As a quick Intro, Robin is 22 in human years, from Belton, MO, is one of four larvae, and works full-time. When he's not “at work”, he's streaming games, reading feedback, and actively honing his casting skills over at Playhem.tv, where he hosts and casts the {super-fun, super-cool} Playhem Daily tournaments.
BrightSide: When did you begin gaming, and what games did you play the most along your gaming time-line?
Robin: Oh wow, ever since I was little. Always watched my parents play Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, Mario, etc. I didn't really get to game until the n64 times. Super Smash Brothers was by far my favorite game. I love competition, the trailer park kids and I would all gather around the n64 and I would pwn them hard. Eventually my love for gaming found its way over to the xbox where I discovered halo. That became my main game to toy around with til I found MLG. I hopped on at the start of Halo 3, went to a couple of competitions, and had a lot of fun meeting a number of people. Halo Reach came out and it was quite horrible in my opinion, and so I started watching Starcraft. Decided to get the game and build myself a computer and been stuck on it since.
Robin: Sorry for the wall of text, btw.
BrightSide: It's okay I don't mind the wall of text - the more, the better.
BrightSide: Where's LoL come into play in all that?
Robin: League of Legends is an easy game for me. I play it to chill out. Last couple of months have been quite stressful for me, as I have been diving into anything Starcraft. After Providence, I wanted to try a new game, and my ventrillo crew play it, so I jumped on the bandwagon. Its fun, and it has its audience but my loyalty is to Starcraft. The game has been quite nice to me.
BrightSide: Really - wow - after Providence?
Robin: Well actually I guess it was a week before Providence.
Robin: I hopped on every once in awhile, but I have been playing it like crazy after Providence.
BrightSide: Gotcha.
Robin: lst few months been kind of a blur.
BrightSide: Okay... I know the short answer on where your name “Robin” came from, but please will you elaborate on the when/where/why a little.
BrightSide: And why all the iterations?
Robin: Well, back in the Halo days I was known as Ariez_ftw. There was another player named aries_carries, and after I went to my events people thought I was trying to POSE as him. After watching some Batman movies, I decided I wanted to change my name to Robin. I always play support roles in any game that I play. Robin, in my opinion is one of the best characters in DC in terms of sidekicks. He's always there to help out in a team situation, but has the ability to really stand out if need be, as he eventually becomes Nightwing. So kinda nerdy, but reasoning behind the name is justified. And his leadership is pretty legit in the show Teen Titans. Can't go wrong with Robin.
BrightSide: So, what about the other iterations - like why “Robintivo” ? and ... okay I guess I can see “Robin_Wonders”.
BrightSide: I know why mine are different - but I often wonder about others'.
Robin: Ya, Robin Wonders is a play off of Robin The Wonder. Of course that would not fit on an xbox gamertag as the character slots are kinda low. But Robintivo is because someone took Robintv. So again trying to be funny, and trying to stay with the same concept, I put in Robintivo. But, it just seems to confuse people.
BrightSide: Well, at least one person is no longer confused about that today.
BrightSide: You've mentioned you didn't play Broodwar. How did you get into SC2?
Robin: Again MLG. I watched my dad play Starcraft when it first came out and I played custom defense games on the first one but I never knew there was such a competitive following. Once MLG decided they were going to pick up the sequel, I started watching and becoming very interested. My friend Hot_blondenurse actually bought me Starcraft II for Christmas. Problem was, my computer could not play it so I had to wait til about February where I bought my own computer and built it from the ground up. At that point, since I had put so much money into a game, I decided I would have a go at casting and see where it went from there.
BrightSide: Coolios. (I've seen Hot_blondenurse in your chat)
Robin: Yeah, she's a good friend of mine and she has been quite supportive of my goals with Starcraft. Less time for her though of course. Nothing will get in the way of casting. I enjoy it too much.
BrightSide: Dedication. Would you attribute any one player, team, or caster who was your inspiration to keep up with SC2 play/casting, or solely the investment?
Robin: Idra, and Husky. Husky was the only person I would watch cast, he just made casts so exciting. Then I got wind of some player playing over at GOMTV that was from NA, it was Idra - and it was really my first time being introduced to high level play. He is the reason I play Zerg and by far one of my favorite players.
BrightSide: I love watching Idra play.
Robin: Who does not? The man is a beast and his play is so mesmerizing. Every time I cast him I feel like the game is just flowing so naturally. Everything is perfect and precise and I'm always quite sad when it ends.
BrightSide: So - you love casting Idra - What would you say is your favorite matchup to cast?
Robin: As of now its Zerg vs Protoss. I love seeing the match ups metagame slowly changing. Right now, most play is kinda oriented around the 3rd base that zerg tries to grab. I love seeing and understanding what 'toss is going for. I have to say though that ZvT is slowly starting to take over that match up in my opinion. Might as well say this while were on the subject: F TvT. Until I learn how to play Terran, I will just be a play by play commentator on that match up.
BrightSide: Lol. well - guess you kind of answered a few there. Fewer things for me to ask.
Robin: You got me talking about Starcraft. Gotta be careful or Ill start spewing info.
BrightSide: Love it. Have you dabbled in Terran at all, play-wise?
Robin: I played random once in a Playhem caster vs viewer showmatch. I hated it. The mechanics for Zerg are quite different from that of 'toss and Terran, and it was so weird building units early. My fingers were literally hurting from being so confused. I can understand what Terran needs to do in said match ups, but I don't know if I can ever really force myself to play the race, same for 'toss. Zerg for life.
BrightSide: So, tell me a bit about how you got in with Playhem, please.
Robin: I met Frodan over at the MLG community, and he has been quite nice in helping me out with tips since the start. A little bit before the Playhem stream became a reality, it was just a website that Frodan streamed on his own channel. I got a tryout once, and they thanked me but I don't think it went so well. So, I worked really hard and got another opportunity when they needed someone to cast when Tumba couldn't cast one night (or something like that). I tried my heart out and I think I nailed the cast pretty well so they asked me to stay. I'm really glad to be part of the team. I think Playhem is fantastic, so many high level games, great commentary from an amazing team (which I learn so much from, especially Frodan), and great administration. Truly from a caster perspective, I am spoiled there. So in return, I try to spoil our viewers. They are awesome so I try to get them as many shoutouts and as much interaction as I can. They deserve it.
BrightSide: They DO deserve it - and you are great at it. It's really super important to interact with your audience - people LOVE to hear their own names, and hear their comments broadcast, so yeah man, keep it up.
BrightSide: Is there anything you do besides cast and mod with them, or is that the extent of it?
Robin: That's the extent of it. everything else is well covered by Neeb and Ben (Godulous) They are kind of like our bosses. But let's be honest, as amazing as Neeb is, he's scared of me. I am too much man
BrightSide: Haha.
BrightSide: So, to MLG - You said you got lucky (mister humble), but how did that all pan out?
Robin: Well again. Luck. I was browsing twitter and MLGLee posted that he needed some community casters to post replays from tournaments. I sent him a tweet letting him know I was interested. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of staff guys from MLG on my side as well. HUGE shoutout to Nexy and Brynk who vouched for me. Clutch08 as well, I think had something to do with me getting in the caster pool. I did a few casts for them on replays and eventually Lee asked the Community Caster pool who was interested in going to an MLG and cast at the event LIVE! I responded immediately. I knew I was not really ready for it, but I was not going to let this chance escape me. Somehow, they decided that I was good enough to go, and I got the invite along Nerski, Adebisi, and Tumba.
BrightSide: Ezpz
BrightSide: You posted on reddit, pre MLG Orlando about wanting to be a better caster. Well, you're succeeding, imo – You've improved so much from Orlando – sooo much. Did you expect to get called back? To Providence, I mean?
Robin: I did horrible in Orlando. A combo of being nervous, excited, and just the scale of the tournament really hit me. On Friday after my cast I was seriously considering calling it quits. Luckily I had some very nice reassuring tweets from a few groups of people and I decided to go into Saturday with a better attitude and attempt to try harder. I got a little better but nothing noteworthy in my opinion. Come Sunday, I was starting to think that there was no way I was coming back. Constant complaints of my lisp, speed talking, and mumbling were constantly stacking up against me. I decided as soon as I got home I would start working on enunciation practices in hopes of becoming better at speech and keeping up with it until I knew for a fact I would not be returning to Providence. I upped my focus when casting Playhem, sought guidance and tips, and even had a reddit thread asking for more criticism. I took all the tools and tried to hammer myself into shape for casting. A couple weeks later, I got the invite back to Providence and that drove me to work even harder. I feel like from Orlando to Providence I improved A LOT, but I'm well aware that I have so much more work to do if I want to be a top tier caster. At this moment, I am happy with my performance and quite grateful for the invite back to Providence. Orlando was a rock bottom for me in casting and I'm glad it happened. It gave me so much drive to become better.
BrightSide: And better you did become. It's wonderful that you're so open to criticism, and actually work your ass off to improve.
Robin: Why wouldn't I be? I'm putting myself in front of the community. To ignore them and shut them out would be ignorant and stupid of any caster to do. Some criticism can be mean, but what it comes down to is that it is something someone believes you can work on. As a caster, I need to decide if that criticism is worth listening to.
BrightSide: Yep yep. You've done so much solo casting at the MLGs. When you do have a co-caster, who has been the person you feel you have worked best with?
Robin: Frodan. That guy is amazing and it upsets me that he has not had a chance to really break out into the mainstream. He works well with everyone, and overall is just great. He has been so nice to me and anyone wanting to cast. No ego whatsoever, just fun, exciting, and correct casting. I hope that maybe one day we can be on a main stage casting together, that is the true dream for me. Dude for real is a champ. If there were some way I would have given him my casting gig at MLG just for the fact that he deserves it and is just so much better than so many amateur casters out there.
BrightSide: ^^Wow - I hope he knows you're rooting for him as well.
BrightSide: Any clue who/where "Based Passion Man" came from?
BrightSide: I mean - there's a ton of it here - and I'm beginning to think the name creator is a genius.
Robin: Yeah, I got a clue. But "they" don't like shotouts, so Ill grant their wishes. Its an interesting nickname, and way better than I thought I was going to get.
BrightSide: Lol.
BrightSide: So, now this recent GSL opportunity has shown its face. How are you feeling about that today? I know you were kind of flipping out when you applied. How does one go about applying for such a gig?
Robin: Well, with Doa leaving, it leaves a spot open and I kinda joked about it, but the more I dug into it and really thought about it, I think I may have a chance. I'm at a point of my life where I can kinda follow my dream if I want to, so I elected to ask, and at least get my name in the pot. It's very highly unlikely, as I have a lot of work to do be a caster, but going to Korea and working on nothing but Starcraft would honestly make me so full excitement that I could probably barely contain it. But I have heard of a few casters that are attempting already to get it and they are solid competition. I'll try, and if I get it great, if not I'm content with trying. I'll always have Playhem to lay on.
Robin: Its a huge toss up
BrightSide: I like your attitude on it though - if it happens it happens.
BrightSide: (I'm hopeful for you)
Robin: Well thank you. I'm hopeful as well. I've only told my mom and she is not ok with me going but Im trying to not be to excited about it. It's like shopping for a new car to find what you like but don't get your hopes up.
BrightSide: Would you prefer to stick it in the back of your mind and not process until you hear anything else? - Or, would you mind delving into the dream and say what you imagine it would be like if you WERE to get the gig? I mean like - leaving your whole life in the US behind - to begin a brand new life abroad... and maybe return once in a while to visit/cast.
Robin: I don't know. It drifts through my head and I often times think about what I would say if I was introducing the GSL. Lol. I confess. Idk, again its something that's just there, so I am just trying to not get to excited about it.
BrightSide: Ha – so: 'not processing –'
Robin: Lol clever ^
BrightSide: Well, Tim - I think that's about all I have for now.
Robin: Awesome. It's quite nice of you to do this. I truly appreciate it.
BrightSide: You're awesome. Keep it up. I'm really glad you took the time to chat with me.
BrightSide: Anything else you want to add before I stop bugging you?
Robin: Ha well of course shoutouts if that's cool?
BrightSide: Duh - of course.
BrightSide: I can't keep that from you.
Robin: Playhem for all they have done for me, truly an amazing team I get to be with. Cochoz who was the first to truly believe in me, MLG community, the Girls of Starcraft, who for some reason won't let me join their facebook group, and of course all my followers on Twitter, every single one of them have been amazing to me and I would like to keep reminding them how awesome they are!
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Truly an amazing talent, with a passion for the Starcraft community. Check out Robin's casting over at playhem.tv, bless him with a follow @Robintivo, and check out/follow his stream at: twitch.tv/robin_wonders - where he streams StarCraft II, LoL, and the occasional newest game (sometimes in costume!) and always shows his love to the chat.
~~~
Wish you the best!
