EPT
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Welcome. Please say hello to your fans on ThisisGame and other eSports fans in general.
Hello, I am Aphrodite from Startale. I won Zowie Divina Season 1 and took first and second place in Iron Lady tournaments. My main race is Terran and I am practising hard.
How have you been performing lately? We recently saw you take second place in Iron Lady.
I’ve been going to lots of places to promote female presence in the eSports scene. I’ve been practicing hard and attending tournaments. I’ve been practicing for Zowie Divina Season 2 which is set to take place in September of this year.
Second place in Iron Lady leaves a lot to be wanted. Since Zowie Divina Season 1, this is your first second place. How did it feel?
I wanted first places only. In my career, that is. Rainbow always told me that there is no point unless you come first and I really felt those words when I took second place this time. I’ve been acting as if there were no rivals but a lot has changed since taking second place. I think this will motivate me further.
How long has it been since you started playing Starcraft 2? It feels like a long time.
I started last August. Time really has flown. I got into master league in less than a month but my control was lacking so focusing on that aspect of my play has helped a lot. My approach to the game has changed as a result.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/wOEqB.jpg)
You are now an established progamer. Do you see any change in how people perceive you?
Yes. In particular, I have a lot of foreign fans now. There are so many messages cheering me on on facebook and a lot of fans talk to me on Bnet. People tend to think of me as the best female player.
How did you start Starcraft 2?
When I first met Rainbow, Starcraft 2 had just been released. I only played team games at first but I once played a game on Rainbow’s stream and the foreign fans praised me saying that I’m really good. That’s when I really started laddering.
How did you make the determination to become a fully fledged progamer?
Honestly, I believed that I was more talented than others. I thought that I would be pretty good if I spent some time on the game and became interested in the game too. So, here I am. Naturally, I entered Zowie Divina, and with my victory, I started my progaming career.
What did you do before becoming a progamer?
I’m originally a student. I’m on leave at the moment but I major in tourism.
You seem to be good at games naturally. What games do you play in your free time?
I never played Starcaft 1 and the only game I ever played was Tetris. Then, as I started watching Starcraft 2, my understanding of the game just improved. Even now, Starcraft 2 is the only game I play.
To be frank, a female progamer is a rare occurrence. How did people around you react?
My friends just went wow. My parents weren’t happy. Still, they told me to have a go if I believed in myself. They did suggest that I should finish studying first. Nowadays, they like seeing footage of me overseas and stuff and brag to their friends. Things have changed a lot.
What was the reason for choosing Terran? Also, tell us about your ID.
Terran was the natural choice. Nowadays, I think about switching to Protoss. I still find Terran fun though. I just randomly chose my ID when I started laddering but I really like it now.
So far, you haven’t been able to show how good you are to fans in Korea. Where do you think your skill level lies?
I’m still far behind the male progamers. Still, I take games off of them on ladder from time to time. There is a long way to go but I am confident. I am a high rank master (with star).
You participated in 2012 GSL Season 1 Code A qualifiers. How did that go?
I am glad that I was able to play among the best and I was able to accurately gauge my skill level. It was a game against FXOSirius and I was really nervous. I felt that experience really did matter. I didn’t attend the second qualifier because I felt that I wasn’t ready yet. However, I plan to attend the upcoming one.
You must have improved a lot since then.
I really regretted not going to the last qualifier. If I had, I think I could have made Round 1 or 2 at least. It’s because I had a sudden jump in skill then. My game sense was good and I was catching some momentum. Those were the thoughts I had looking at the bracket.
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You are part of Startale. Do your teammates help you a lot?
At the moment, they are too busy to practise with me. However, when they play against each other, I observe their games and stuff. Bomber is a ton of help. When I watch his games, I always marvel at his decision making. I want to be an aggressive player like Bomber. I’ll have to think a bit more about mule ceremonies.
Competing against male progamers is rather hard so you must have had some confidence when you started.
I practised on ladder mostly and I’ve met quite a few players. Having played against them, I feel like I can definitely beat them. I thought it’d be a great experience if nothing else. Nowadays when I meet progamers on ladder, they always act surprised. They often ask me if I really am Aphrodite. I feel a surge of pride each time.
In Starcraft 1, there was Tossgirl but she wasn’t able to post notable results. However, in Starcraft 2, there is opinion that female progamers may have more competitive value.
I’m not sure since I haven’t played Starcraft 1 a lot but I do hear that control is much easier in the current game. I think female progamers will be able to compete against the male counterpart in Starcraft 2. Still, I think male progamers have much better multitasking capabilities as the game goes on. Their reaction time is slightly better too. Also, female progamers can be careful to a fault.
You had your first victory at Zowie Divina. What did that mean for you?
I had no idea there were female progamers that good. I expected an easy win but they were actually very good. There was even a player with a 10 year long career. Initially, I thought I was the best player based on ladder rankings. However, I got too nervous and had a mental blank. Other players had improved a lot by then too. Many of them were used to the stage.
I barely reached fourth place in Group play after a rematch and in ro4, I meat a Chinese player who had a 10 year long career. I dropped the first set but succeeded in turning the series around and made the finals. I won but I felt I was lacking in so many areas. Tournament exposure and consistent practice were things I really needed.
You stopped at second place in Iron Lady. You won against SlayersEve twice. How were those games?
She was better than I expected. I saw in an interview by her that she was confident in taking me on, so I had fairly high expectations too. I won both games this time but I hope we get to meet again at a LAN event in the future.
How was the transgender gamer from Canada, Scarlett?
It felt like playing against a male progamer. She was that good. Her creep spread was out of control and she had her own style. I’ve always thought that I was the best female progamer but I’ve met a strong rival in Scarlett. I have to overtake her as soon as possible.
Who is Rainbow to Aphrodite?
Without Rainbow, there wouldn't be Aphrodite the female progamer. Everything I know, I learned from Rainbow. It was thanks to Rainbow that I was able to work hard and improve. Lately, I’m receiving help on stuff outside the game. Things like taking care of myself and controlling my mental state. He’s almost my personal coach. Lately, he told me to learn, not just his style, but others’ as well. He’s the hardest player to beat for me. I haven’t played TvT much at all.
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Your appearance has made you quite popular too.
I love it when fans tell me that my ID, Aphrodite, was well chosen or that it suits me.
Lately, you’ve been streaming on foreign sites a lot. What are the fans’ reactions like?
I started streaming because I wanted to show off my skill. I want to show my improvement too of course. I’m happiest when they tell me that I have “Best Play”. A lot of foreign fans tune in. I haven’t been able to stream a lot because of attending foreign events and such. This month, I happen to focus on practice so I’ll be streaming often.
At tournaments, there are many fans who wish to meet you. Aren’t you attending too few events (laugh)?
Of course I want to attend more tournaments if I get the chance. I want to participate once my skill is adequate but firstly, I want to cheer on my team. It might be good to go on other broadcasts too.
You plan on trying for the GSL, when should we expect to see you post some results?
In my interview in January, I said it would take me six months but time really flies. I’m pretty close to my first goal. However, I have a lot of room for improvement in many areas so if I had to say, I should be able to achieve something before the year ends. I am talking about getting into Code A.
We want to get your opinion on having a female league in Starcraft 2. There seems to be quite a few female players overseas unlike in Korea.
I really want one. Attending Iron Lady, I felt that the fans definitely were interested. I want to be able to show off my skill and having female progamers play amongst each other will help us improve. The interest of the fans is most crucial. I hope we get more female players in Starcraft 2 as well.
Tossgirl is practising all out Starcraft 2. Do you want to take her on sometime?
Of course. She’s the best female progamer from Starcraft 1 so I want to face her in Starcraft 2. I have confidence too. I think Tossgirl will be great in Starcraft 2.
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What are you plans from now on? Any plans to attend foreign tournaments?
I will attend every single female tournament online or offline. Also every GSL qualifier. I will practise even harder. I don’t tend to play too many games. My stamina isn’t fantastic. So rather than playing , I tend to watch a lot more so I will improve my understanding of the game, get experience and reinforce my weak points.
What kind of player do you want to be?
Rainbow told me to take January as my role model. She was very focused during her progamer days and worked hard. Lastly, I want to be a female player equal to the male players.
Lastly, a word to the fans of eSports
I hope more of you take an interest in female leagues and myself. Some fans say that I was only able to enter Startale because I’m a girl, and it’s understandable. I’ll just have to prove them wrong with my skill.
Source: http://www.thisisgame.com/board/view.php?category=13438&id=1187330
