EPTNot many people know me, but those who do would say that I'm not a very die-hard Starcraft fan at all. In fact, everytime I re-install SC/BW, I usually start playing some other game (like Rome: Total War). But recently, the WCG US Finals came to my hometown. When I found out that I had a chance to see Starcraft Pro-Gamers live, I knew I had to see this. I had the pleasure of seeing all of those awesome American players including iNcontroL who eventually won the US Finals. Aside from a huge check, iNcontroL also won the honor of representing the USA at the WCG Grand Final in Seattle coming next month.
Following in the footsteps of mnm, I decided to give iNcontroL my own interview to have my own questions answered...meet the American Starcraft champion, iNcontroL...
Pole_FighteR: First off, tell us about yourself: why'd you pick "control" as your screenname?
iNcontroL: The name iNcontroL comes from my first major clan, IN. I joined and needed a handle that went with the "IN" tag, hence IN control.
Pole_FighteR: What other computer/console games do you play?
iNcontroL: I began playing WarCraft II and the C&C games. Both of those series ended for me in part when I found SC but also when they made newer versions of those games. I also dabble in CS but only when I am at my friends house (I basically live there during the summer). I have always played console games. I consider myself the best GoldenEye64 player on earth. I really enjoy Mario Kart and other games on 64 but my real passion is with my PS3 and the big games for that console like "Oblivion" or "The Darkness."
Pole_FighteR: Favorite movie and why?
iNcontroL: I am a movie fanatic from a movie town (Seattle). Picking my single favorite is nearly impossible. Maybe "ClockWork Orange" for its insane depth and the critique it posed on society. "Requiem of a Dream" comes to mind as one of the most powerful movies I can fathom. And recently "Shoot 'em Up" for its style and humor.
Pole_FighteR: Favorite book? And did the Harry Potter craze catch on you with you?
iNcontroL: George RR Martin books, and absolutely not. I hear all the time they are good books and that I would enjoy them, but I have yet to test the theory.
Pole_FighteR: Your Zerg skills are amazing. Have you always been a Zerg player? Why'd you pick this race over the Terrans and Protoss?
iNcontroL: I came to SC/BW because of the zerg race. Previous to playing this game I collected/played WarHammer40k. I played THAT game because of the Tyranids and how they functioned/looked. The zerg are basically copies of them so the gravitation was natural.
Pole_FighteR: What principles guide you in each of your battles? What is your mentality going into each battle?
iNcontroL: I win and play games based on the idea that I will be able to out position, catch off guard or simply out think the opponent. Sometimes this philosophy makes ME look silly because I try to do too much or I try something fancy when I really dont need to. Generally my style translates to a unpredictable and super aggressive style that aims at securing some sort of an advantage early.
Pole_FighteR: Your biggest Starcraft role-models?
iNcontroL: The gamers that helped me get to a higher level: Agent911, Testie, G.s guild on west and my first ToT contact Hexer.
Pole_FighteR: What is your favorite Z v T strategy?
iNcontroL: My favorite ZvT strategy that I cannot do to save the life of me is muta+ovie harrass. That can be absolutely gorgeous when executed well. My favorite ZvT strategy that I can actually DO is lurker/ling counters. I think it is the best way to end a game and I also think the positioning / timing of it is fun.
Pole_FighteR: You have a very striking physical appearance. You look more like a football player than a Starcraft player. If you could beat any pro-gamer's ass in a boxing match, who would it be?
iNcontroL: Whoever it was that did the airplane celebration after beating Savior. I think the honor of that beatdown SHOULD go to savior but since he is far too civil for such actions I will have to champion him. That kind of shit doesnt belong in professional sports.
Pole_FighteR: What were you impressions meeting your fellow gamers in person at Universal Studios?
iNcontroL: Delightfully surprised. ALL of the guys were hilarious, intelligent and genuinely good people. I bonded with all of them fairly fast and loved every moment of it. I am actually saddened that we are stretched so far across the country because these are the kind of fellas I would want to spend regular time with.
Pole_FighteR: I enjoyed watching your stage matches against Evade. During the second game, however, there was some kind of network crash. This gave me the opportunity to leave and get lunch. But how did you feel about the delay?
iNcontroL: Any bw gamer knows that the nature of this game is outside forces can ruin or change the situation at any given moment. I grew up playing this game on a 56k modem with a firewall that disconnected me whenever someone cussed. Thats right, cussed. So my circle of friends thought it funny to type "FUCK" when I was winning and give me the boot. Oddly, this didnt happen NEARLY as much as it should have (If I knew someone with this problem I would whisper them disc words all the time!). That being said this happening was unusual and unwelcome but definately something we were both prepared to deal with.
Pole_FighteR: I saw that NonY had a kickass shirt with his screenname on the back. You ever think about doing anything like that?
iNcontroL: I told Skew and Artosis before the tourney that if I won I would get a small bw tattoo on me. They forgot and I wasnt in a hurry to remind them. So my body remains nerd free at this moment. Nony didnt win/lose a bet to wear that shirt
Pole_FighteR: Since the WCG Final was held at Universal Studios, you had the chance to enjoy some of the rides. What was your favorite ride at Universal Studios?
iNcontroL: I didnt go on any because I hate rides. I was terrified from "Splash Mountain" at Disney World, you do the math!
Pole_FighteR: You got to hang out with the other players outside of the WCG tourney. What was the mood like between the players? Any bad blood?
iNcontroL: None at all. I was worried Skew would deny me use of his gear after I beat him but he was quick to help me out despite the loss. Nony as well. The players were all very committed and very stressed about winning/doing well at WCG but none of them took those emotions over the top and allowed it to effect how they interacted with other players. The only time that came close to happening was after I beat Skew in the tie-breakers he typed "cheesy newb" instead of "gg." He was joking but I was worried I had lost a friend over a bw game. The look he gave after that game was what made me think that.
Pole_FighteR: What separated you above the players at the tourney? How much of an impact did being the only Zerg player there have on you winning the US Finals?
iNcontroL: I had the advantage of being able to prepare for mostly terran players. Almost none of them practiced the maps versus zerg at all. This gave me a preperation advantage but also a comfort advantage. Where they were all used to the mechanics of TvT or perhaps TvP I was completely used to ZvT which worked to my advantage, not theirs. Additionally, I play better when comfortable at a lan as oppose to how I play online. When I am at a lan I am only thinking about that game and winning it. At home I usually have several friends in the basement with me, TV going, Drinks being passed around or at the very least animals clawing at my legs wanting attention (damn cats). I've played this game for 10 years and it has resulted in a hacker esque gaming sense that helps me predict what would be a good move but also what they are likely doing.. that pays off at a lan.
Pole_FighteR: What was your favorite memory during the tourney?
iNcontroL: The club probably. All the gamers went to a club that WCG rented out and got 5+ free drinks. We were all loose and having fun and Artosis got hammered in 2 seconds flat. The fun we had there and at the hotel afterwards will be tough to beat.
Pole_FighteR: You implied in another interview that Korean pro-gamers are the best at Starcraft. Why do you think the pro-gamers in Korea are better than their American counterparts?
iNcontroL: Hahah I debated Nick Plott on this (Tasteless). Korean progamers are raised up in a culture that celebrates and cultivates amazing e-sport players, specifically bw players. They have access to training partners that are either on level, or miles above the top 1-5 non korean players (which is a fairly tight circle that will only play amongst themselves and very few others). Or at the very least they have access to WATCHING the best in the world first hand, where they can learn mechanic tips, preperation, strategies etc.. they simply have access and are encouraged to utilize that access whereas non korean gamers are discouraged and even mocked for attempting to access said channels.
Pole_FighteR: In the event that you were given the opportunity, how would you feel about moving to Korea as a pro-gamer?
iNcontroL: There is a tourney coming up where the top prize is supposedly a minor stint on a professional team in korea. If I were to somehow win that tourney or at least get that offer I would strongly consider it. Not because I think I could have an impact over there, but because of the cultural learning and experience I could get out of it. Also it would elevate my game to a level previously impossible to obtain.
Pole_FighteR: Regarding the Far East, what are your favorite things? Fav anime? Fav food? Fav car? Fav anything?
iNcontroL: I've been to China for an extended period of time. Did not like it. I do not particularly like the far east in terms of living or visiting. I enjoy their americanized food and technology but I am not an anime kind of person etc.
Pole_FighteR: I read that the top Korean players get to design their own costumes for certain events. What would your costume look like?
iNcontroL: You know that monster truck robot that breathes fire and smashes cars? I'd come out in that. GL beating me then.
Pole_FighteR: Since you kicked a lot of ass at the WCG Finals, you're going to represent the USA in Starcraft. Do you see the WCG Grand Final as a patriotic event or is it more about the personal glory of owning everyone?
iNcontroL: I am leader of Team USA and take that role pretty serious. I go not just as a representative of myself but also my country. WCG world finals will have an American player that will do its best and act respectfully. It'll be me
(and Nyoken I am sure!)Pole_FighteR: One of your first round opponents is a very famous Russian player, Androide, who has appeared on television for his past exploits. How do you see your matchup with him going?
iNcontroL: Groups are changed, I do not play him anymore afaik
Pole_FighteR: Lucky for him!
Pole_FighteR: So how far do you think you and Nyoken will get in the Grand Finals?
iNcontroL: Well our groups just switched afaik
He has a very easy group with his toughest player being another Terran! If Nyo ever had a chance at doing really well its now! I think if he prepares like he is capable of doing (Hello By. clan) he can make it out of his group and do some damage from there.Pole_FighteR: If you had to pick 1 name from the list of players going to Seattle, which non-Korean player will have the best chance of winning the Grand Final?
iNcontroL: It is tough to vote against the usuals, whoever makes it out with savior has my vote as doing the best. Also Androide has gotten second already and can certainly do it again.
Pole_FighteR: I read that you're a huge fan of sAviOr. If you could ask him 1 question, what would it be?
iNcontroL: Can I play some games with you and your friends?
Pole_FighteR: What else do you want the readers to know?
iNcontroL: I was considering playing Androide with the name "Ronald Reagan" (is it with an E?) hahaha
Pole_FighteR: haha! Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Good luck in Seattle, and don't forget to kick ass and take screennames!
iNcontroL and Nyoken will represent the USA at the WCG Grand Finals in Seattle. For those of us too poor to attend that event, we eagerly await the replays! Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to compstomp on b.net.
[This interview was conducted Monday (September 24, 2007)]
