[Interview] BWC Finals Day 1

EG.Stephano



Source: This Is Game

You took down HerO by a score of 2-0 and advanced to the winners' round. You showed a great form to start with. How do you feel?

I think that match was my best match out of all the matches I've played so far. I wasn't able to practice well since I was constantly on the move for about a week. But I hope to make a really nice result for this tournament.

Any rivals or specific players you want to take down for this tournament?

I haven't had a chance to face any KeSPA players yet. I heard that Rain was the strongest player. He even won WCS Asia. But I don't specifically have anyone I consider a rival.

How do you feel about Scarlett who is also at this tournament?

I think Scarlett is a really good player. About half a year ago, she really wasn't a well known player at all. But nowadays she is an excellent player.

Group stages are double elimination and the playoffs will be bo x matches. Seems like this kind of tournament format is going to be really difficult but what do you think?

To answer your question, this is the first time an overseas tournament has adapted this format. I think it's really great. Although I kind of wish they would at least allow double elimination for the winners' round as well.

For the 2012 ESWC, you grabbed third place. However, you were unable to attend any tournaments last month because of disciplinary action. Did that affect you at all?

The one month break was actually an opportunity for me. It was important that I disappear for a bit. Rather than be all down about my consequences, I just focused really hard for the next three weeks on my training in Korea. And then of course, I was rather disappointed in my performance for the 2012 ESWC. But after that tournament, I gained a lot of confidence. A lot of people around me told me that they saw me as being the BWC champion. I think Nerchio and Scarlett are excellent Zerg players. And as for KeSPA players, I don't really know a lot about them so I can't say much.

You've stated in the past that you would retire from your pro gaming career once you've made enough money. Is this still true?

I kept on winning multiple tournaments and now my opinion has changed because people have started calling me the world's best player. Right now I just want to keep on playing and have busy schedules. But if you were to ask me this same question next year, I would probably say something like "I might give up my pro gaming career and go back to focusing on my education." Who knows?

After BWC, you will have chances to attend many tournaments like DreamHack, IPL, and NASL. How many championships do you see yourself winning in the future?

Personally, I think I'll be able to win several more. But with every championship, that means players will study me and dissect my style so it will be hard for me to win multiple tournaments in a row. I'm sure people would end up doing that even just by seeing my performances.

HotS is currently in beta. What do you think about the new units?

I haven't really played it yet. I have a lot of tournaments to attend so I'm focusing on WoL right now.

You are the first player to use a play style that involved getting 200/200 roaches in a major tournament. Now it seems like people will be expecting even more incredible plays from you.

I think all Zergs know what they need to do these days. As of right now, I don't think we're at a stage where Zergs need to keep coming up with new strategies.

These days, everyone is saying that the infestor/brood lord composition is too strong. What do you think?

When the game progresses in to the late game stages, it's true that infestor/brood lord composition is really powerful. I think it's the strongest composition alive right now and it can take on any composition Terran or Protoss can throw at us. Personally, I do think a balance fix is somewhat needed.

Have you prepared any ceremonies for when you've won the championship?

If I am able to win the championship then there is a ceremony I've prepared to use but for the sake of everyone who's going to see it, I'll keep it as a surprise.

StarTale_PartinG



Source: This Is Game

Did you expect to advance out of your group as first?

After seeing who was in my group, I assumed that if I ended up getting eliminated, my pro gaming reputation would take a major hit. So I approached my games while telling myself to play it safe.

You will face the second place winner of Group H in the Ro16. Who would you like to face?

Everyone in Group H is really good. I want to avoid Creator if possible. On the other hand, the player I would like to face would be mOOnGLaDe. However, Nerchio and Scarlett are both fine as well.

From the Ro16, you will be playing bo x matches.

Personally, I think it's better that the Ro16 will be bo5s.

Is it challenging to play games in China?

It wasn't challenging but I did get a little tired. I wanted to play my games right away but I was tired. But I always have fun whenever I come to China. I think it's more amazing then (서양권?)

Do you have anyone in this tournament you view as a rival?

I have a chance to face Rain hyung in the finals so I hope he makes it all the way there so I can grab my revenge.

In Stephano's interview, he stated that he didn't have any rivals here.

I've lost to Stephano in the past but if we get a chance to face each other in this tournament, I will show him that I am a rival to him.

Anything else you would like to say?

I am so glad that I was able to advance to the Ro16 as first out of my group. I hope that the other Korean players who got eliminated keep their chin up. I want to ask that the fans cheer on hard so that a Korean player can win the championship. I wasn't feeling all the great since I lost in the GSL but I came to this tournament with hopes of at least grabbing second place. I will beat everyone I face tomorrow so that I can at the very least make it to the finals. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors ZOWIE, Joy Gear, and Red Bull.

StarTale_Curious



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the playoffs.

I lost my first match so it was a difficult road. I'm still happy that I was able to advance though. But if there's one thing I wasn't happy about, it was the fact that I had to take down a fellow Korean player in CJ's herO.

How come you lost that first match to TitaN?

My first match just didn't go well. I made a lot of mistakes. I had the advantage in that final game but I made a wrong decision and it ended up costing me the game.

You faced herO in the winners' round. You started off with a loss from the first match but how were you able to beat him?

All three games against herO were really difficult. I was unable to block his immortal all in for game one so we ended up going all the way to an elimination race, where I ended up failing to grab the victory. I was also at a disadvantageous situation for game two but I got lucky and then game three actually went my way for once.

What was the motivation behind you being able to defeat herO in the winners' round and advancing to the playoffs?

After I lost my first match, it affected me a lot. But then the coach was able to help me out a lot afterwards. And I also had a lot of time before my next match so I was able to regain my composure during that time.

You will face the player who advanced first out of Group C. You will face either Grubby or Sen. Who would you prefer to face?

If I play a ZvP then the games will progress in to really long macro games. I can only win if I play a style that I don't get to have any fun doing. I want to play a ZvZ where I can enjoy the games.

From the Ro16, you will play bo x matches. Is that advantageous for you?

Rather than the group plays like I have to undergo for the GSL, I would much rather prefer to play bo x matches. But I think it's a shame that the playoffs are not double elimination. I'm going to have to grit my teeth and just do my best.

Any specific player that you feel like would stand in the way between you and the championship?

After playing today's matches, I got the feeling that I can't actually pick just one specific player that would hinder me from the championship. I'm going to have to concentrate on every single opponent that comes by my way to try to win this.

Teammate PartinG advanced to the playoffs as well. If you guys keep on winning, you will face each other in the semi finals.

I think it would be great if that could actually happen. I lost to him several times during WCS Asia so I want to pay him abck for that. I really hope I end up as the victor this time.

Was there a player that specifically caught your attention?

None of the matches ended quickly so I didn't get a lot of chances to observe the other games.

Anything else you would like to say?

It was a difficult road for me but I did end up advancing. I will work hard so I can put up great results. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Red Bull, ZOWIE, and Joy Gear.

SK Telecom T1_By.Rain



Source: This Is Game

You advanced to the playoffs pretty easily.

I figured I would advance pretty easily after seeing my group but I advanced out of my group as second so I am really disappointed in myself.

Why do you believe that you lost in the winners' round?

Before the matches began, I heard that BabyKnight was a really good player. After actually playing him, I know that this is true. If I had to point out why I lost, it's because I couldn't maintain my focus in a game that I could have won.

Your Ro16 opponent will be IdrA.

After watching his games today, I can see that he is a good player. I am nervous and all but since it'll be a bo5, as long as I plan well today, I should be able to take him on.

Any specific player that's going to stand in the way between you and the championship?

If I had won both my matches today and had advanced out of my group as first I probably would be talking about the championship but I lost a match today so I'm going to have to save it for the next time. If I can just beat IdrA, I think the championship will be a possibility. I think Zerg players like Stephano and Scarlett will be the players to look out for.

How do you feel about having to play several matches all in one day?

This is my third overseas tournament but I still haven't adapted to it yet. There's a lot of wait time so I think that's why I get exhausted easily.

How do you feel about the BWC tournament format?

I think it's good for the players to have a losers' round. It's because you know you're not immediately eliminated even if you suffer through a loss. It's a shame that the playoffs are single elimination but since they're bo5s, I think it's fine.

Would you like for Korean tournaments to also adopt this kind of format?

Personally I think it would be great but I think it would be difficult for the viewers.

Anything else you would like to say?

Before coming here, my goal was to make the Ro8. I'm glad that I was able to make it to the Ro16 and as long as I do well for my match tomorrow I think I'll be able to make it all the way to the finals.

CreatorPRIME



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the playoffs.

I am happy that I came out alive from the group of death.

How was the victory against Scarlett?

She is a really good player. I think I did a good job by forcing her in to corners. I think I won a little easier than expected because I was able to make the games flow my way.

The first match seemed difficult.

After losing my first game, the air conditioner all of a sudden came on really powerfully. So my hands froze up as I was playing and I ended up losing. Which is why I put on my thick jacket for my second match and played the rest of my matches that way.

What kind of thoughts did you get after seeing your group?

I guess you could say I was frustrated? I could've gone to an easy group but I ended up going to a difficult one.

Your Ro16 opponent will be Illusion.

He's a Terran and he's a player who underwent the American practice regime so I think I'll win.

Any specific player that will stand between you and the championship?

I think everyone is going to be a challenge. I'm just going to have to take down every opponent that comes my way.

Do you like this tournament's format?

I am satisfied with this format. I also think the bo x matches is going to help me out a lot.

You've stated before that you want to let people know what kind of player you are but your style still seems to remain relatively unknown.

I think I've had a lot of great chances to reveal what kind of player I am through OSL, GSL and through Twitch.tv. My style is not really to play flashy games but rather to just overthrow my opponent with brute force. I like to play styles where I do one big final attacks so I hope my fans will anticipate that.

Anything else you would like to say?

The skill level of this tournament is so high that I am starting to get greedy. I am going to focus well and do my absolute best so that I can make it as high as possible.

Liquid`HerO



Source: This Is Game

Tell us how you feel about advancing to the playoffs.

PvZ is so difficult these days so I thought I would get eliminated early. But I was able to advance out of my group as second place and even though it's still unbelievable, I am glad.

After losing to Stephano in the first round, you grabbed revenge in the final round. How did you prepare for the rematch?

Honestly, after losing my first match by a score of 2-0, I really wanted to face IdrA in the final round. I was able to win however because RorO gave me a lot of great advice. It was a lot of help.

In game three against Stephano, you hallucinated colossi and lured Stephano's corruptors.

On average, I watch Stephano's matches a lot. It seemed like he would fall to the hallucinated colossi trick quite often. Which is why I wanted to go for it if I ever met him.

Your Ro16 opponent will be BabyKnight who took down Rain.

When I heard that he took down Rain, I was dumbfounded and just couldn't believe it. But I think I'll be able to defeat him easily.

If you make it to the semi finals, you will have to chance to face PartinG who you lost to in WCS Asia.

I saw him as like a younger brother to me but then he started building nexuses to taunt me during WCS Asia. I didn't say anything to him but I was angry about it and I was also sad about it. If I do meet him in the semi finals, I will grab my revenge.

You may end up facing a lot of Zergs even in the playoffs.

Even today, I only played against Zergs. I'm worried about all the other Zergs I could eventually end up facing. I think I'm just going to have to do my best as I try to win.

We saw you this morning and you were hugging a pillow. Did that help?

It helped so much. I can use it to sleep on the bus and I can use it to place on top of my chair so I can sit on it if ever I need to control the gaming desk's height.

Anything else you would like to say?

I'm so happy that I brought down a championship contender, Stephano (laughs). I've been able to take down a lot of players who beat me in the past so I feel content. I was able to gain confidence through this victory. As one of Korea's representative, I need to make sure I don't make any embarrassing results. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsors Twitch.tv, RAZER, and The Little App Factory.