Interviews VileIllusion, NrGLuckyFool, Torenhire

How did you go about finding this LAN center and asking them to run an event like this? Was is difficult setting an event of this size up?

It's a long story, but to keep it short, we have been bouncing around LAN centers in the northern Virginia area, because we keep outgrowing them! Luckyfool and I hosted Brood War LANs together and were using another LAN center, when someone suggested Netolic to us. However at that time, Netolic was being sold or changing management or something along those lines...years later after some construction, we're back at Netolic! I think everyone that showed up today has agreed that this is the best LAN center we've been to, but we're already too big for Netolic!

The most difficult part is getting the groups and brackets set up to a "decent" number. I think we had 24 Diamond and Under tournament players, so the bracket got kind of wacky. Other than that, things are pretty smooth once the event gets started!

How is it running two tournaments at once?

Tiring, would be the first answer! It's a lot of fun though, and a lot of the DC LAN regulars are very self-sufficient at this point, so I don't have to babysit anyone or anything like that. Usually once I tell people groups or brackets are posted, they're off on their own and only have to flag me down to report wins! However, I do pull people for help in making groups, making brackets, signing players in, and so on, and I appreciate their help a ton!

From what I am hearing, it seems this has been the biggest turnout for a D.C. LAN. When do you feel that these events will start attracting sponsors?

It's definitely the largest turnout we've ever had, I think the Diamond tournament is to thank for that. We had some feedback that people were getting discouraged now that more masters and grandmasters are showing up to play, so Luckyfool and I decided to host a tournament for the Diamond and below ranked players. It ended up being a fantastic plan and I think that helped our turnout a bunch! We'll definitely be doing this from here on out!

In the past, I had emailed a few places for sponsorships for a LAN, but nothing ever ended up coming from it. It's more of a passive search, other than reaching out for sponsors via email, I don't do anything more active than that. Maybe if we have another LAN with this same amount of interest, we'll start being a lot more active in a sponsor search!

Your are anotable player that has been to a few MLG events and IPL 3 almost making it into the Championship bracket a few times. Do you plan on going to any MLG/IPL events this year? If so, how many and what is your goal for those events?

I do plan on getting out to as many MLG's as I can. I have many friends in the Starcraft 2 community so I expect I will probably continue to compete at these events and travel around. Starcraft 2 is a hobby for me, I work full time so I don't really have time to try to make it full time in Starcraft 2, the money isn't really there to try to dedicate my life for Starcraft 2. I don't go to MLG's to make money, I go to compete and to travel and meet new people and also being there live to watch games is super exciting too.

What is your daily practice schedule during months with events in it? Does it vary or stay fairly consistent?

I play consistently around 20-25 hours a week or so. This is not much compared to other pros but I can't really dedicate more than that because of work and life. In the future if something ever happens I may be able to change my living situation to play more but right now I'm pretty happy.

The 2012 MLG has already announced their first venue for the year. Will you be going to that event? Also, will you try going to any other MLG and IPL live events throughout the year, if so how many?

I'm not too sure how the new mlg format works, but I will try to attend every live event I can. Whether it be MLG, IPL, I will try to attend (IEM Sao Paolo :D)

Are there any other tournaments or events that you wish to go to throughout this year? If so which ones?

I really want to go to DreamHack but the fee to go over there seems crazy @_@.

You are an extremely talented player at the young age of 15. What is Starcraft 2 to you at this point and time? A hobby or profession?

Definitely a Profession, I look forward to doing this full time.

Do you feel that your age is a hindrance or does it help you?

I don't know how it feels to be 20+ so I couldn't say. I would think that it shouldn't matter too much, unless you are 30 years old or so.

Where do you see your Starcraft 2 career going and how far are you willing to go to achieve said career?

I'm aiming to become a respected player, as well as one of the best. I will practice day and night to achieve my goals and nothing is going to get in the way of that.

It seems that you have tons of talent that can flourish in the right environment. Would you ever go to Korea to stay at a team house? If so which one?

I don't know which team house I would stay in but yes I would go to Korea. I'm not sure if I would like the environment but it would be a good experience for me.

If there was something wrong with the thread feel free to PM me and I will change it....Sorry for anything