EPTSource : http://www.esportsfrance.com/actualites/26151/stephano-la-gsl-n-est-pas-un-de-mes-objectifs-
Translation: by me =)
As he is on the trail to become one of the best players in the world, we went and met Ilyes "Stephano" Satouri, the young player from Millenium.
Starting his career aged 14 with Warcraft III; he is now, since a few months, the most conspicuous French player on Starcraft II. Unceasingly improving, he is lately taking part in many more international competitions. He was revealed to the worldwide scene with his participation in the Home Story Cup III, his popularity increasing each times he plays. He arrived on the second day of HSC III and beat 2-0 iNSoLeNCE, NaruTo and HuK, who’d just won DreamHack Summer 2011. His defeat against ThorZaIN sent him to the lower bracket where he faced and defeated Jinro, XlorD and White-Ra. His encouraging results were confirmed in August when he finished third behind DIMAGA and NaDa in the Assembly Summer. A few days ago, he even beat three Koreans including MMA while qualifying for IPL3.
Esportsfrance.com: You decided to devote a year playing Starcraft II and then to resume your studies. What made you choose eSports over studies?
Ilyes "Stephano" Satouri: I’ve been thinking about this question for a long time and I eventually told myself that I had to take this opportunity; otherwise I would have lose 10 months playing to Reach a descent level for nothing! It’s an opportunity to take advantage of this “hard work”.
How did your family react to your decision? Do they support you in your choice? Do they take interest in eSports and in your place within it?
At the beginning, my mother seemed to be hostile to the idea of me stopping my studies to play a video game. But when she saw the money that I’ve won with it; she kind of change her mind.
When Millenium exposed to the public your choice on the coming year, they also talked about the Gaming House of Marseille. Can you tell us a bit more about that? Are you going to go there at least part-time?
For the moment nothing has been decided and I can’t say anything more.
You are more and more conspicuous on the European and international scenes thanks to your great results in the Home Story Cup III or to your qualifications in IPL3. How do you react to the supportive messages and to the potential that some people sees in you?
It obviously helps not to be the only one to believe in me.
People talks about you as being the best French player and as having the greatest potential to reach the world’s top players; do you have the intention to go to Korea and make the most of your potential and, why not, take part in the GSL?
For the moment, the GSL is not part of my objectives. If one day I am to go to Korea, it will be for training purposes rather than to win the GSL. But if I can get a slot via the MLG; why not?
ToD has left team Millenium in order to go to South Korea. How do you see his decision as? Do you think he has chances to become famous?
He made his choice, if he thinks that he will improve much better in Korea then let’s hope that he is right. He managed to become famous on Warcraft III so he also has the possibility to do it on Starcraft II; even if, in my opinion, his level has been slugging lately hence his urge to go to Korea, maybe.
Regarding international tournaments, you have been qualified for the IPL3 which will take place in October. Are you ready to travel more and participate in MLG if team Millenium gives you this opportunity?
It is more likely that I will take part in the MLG Which is one week after the IPL3.
How do you see your future in Starcraft II? Do you think that you will Stay with team Millenium as long as you’re not limited by the possibilities they give you or are you willing to join a worldwide known team such as Evil Geniuses or TeamLiquid? Did you receive offers from other international or European teams?
I’ve already received offers from “worldwide known” teams which I had declined. So I will be spending this year with Millenium I think. Almost all of the big European teams made me an offer.
How’s the atmosphere amongst the Starcraft II section of team Millenium? Do you get along with all of the players? Do you often train together and do you see each others outside of the training time?
We’ll skip this question if possible
.Globally, who are the players that you admire, who inspires you or that you like? And who do you fear?
There’s not someone whom I take inspiration from, I used to watch DIMAGA’s replays when I started to play. DIMAGA, MaNa and Grubby are one of the players that I like.
Talking about the game itself, what do you think about nerfing the Infertor? Globally, What do you think about the game’s balance?
I think that I’m starting to understand how Blizzard sees things. Zergs are staying too much on T2 mixes in my opinion; the Infestor nerf will weaken mixes based on Roaches/Zerlings/Infestor in the long term; and allow a better transition to T3 units with the Ultralisk buff, which will come out a lot faster. Most of the time, I try to convince myself that the game is perfect so that I don’t start a game thinking that I will lose because I’m playing against a Protoss player.
If you were working in Blizzard, what will you change in order improve the balance and battle.net?
In my opinion, the biggest problem in the game is the Sentry which allows Protoss players to be almost unattackable on many maps like Xel Naga which has with three little paths to attack, Shattered Temple and Metalopolis which has one entrance for 3 bases once they’ve walled B3, etc.
I don’t know how to modify the Sentry but they have to find a way even though it’s true that without this unit Protoss players will get owned very early in the game. And about the battle.net, I don’t care, players are used to it!
Thanks for answering those few questions!
Note: I'm not a professional translator so you may find a few mistakes in this translation. But I did my best so that it can correspond to the original interview!
