The Champion of the North American CPM community, VORPAL, granted me permission to do an interview with him. The following covers his views on the NA community, Euro community, and what it took to become the best CPM player out there...

After becoming the undisputed champ of the NA community do you feel like you still have the same motivation to keep playing CPM?
VORPAL: Well, not really! The competition in the North American community is a joke. I realize that I am a prodigy and all. Much like William James Sidis. However, there is no excuse for me dominating the NA scene so hard.

Who was your toughest opponent in becoming champion of NA?
VORPAL: That is a good question! Unfortunately, all my opponents were easy. However, if I had to place a wager on who would be second place to me, I would put stock in THE FALKO.

He's polish though.
VORPAL: I realize this! Nobody is perfect.

I have come to understand that you're a white christian.... how does this affect your everyday life?
VORPAL: Well, this does take about an hour out of my daily life to train for prayer and what not and about 6 hours from Sundays from attending church

What denomination of Christian?
VORPAL: Baptist... I think it is quite a shame that the North American community is filled with heathens who drink/smoke.

Do you think that gives you an edge over your opponents?
VORPAL: In a way yes, most of my opponents are sinners. And before every match I pray, and I know that Jesus will guide my way to victory. So far it has worked -- I hope it stays that way!

Any hobbies?
VORPAL: None at all.

What hardware do you use?
VORPAL: MSIE3.0 and QcK+ -- I heard the previous champion before me used that.
Who was that?
VORPAL: Vamp1re. He wasn't so [happy] in having me take his throne... as we all saw from my previous ESR demo post.

What is your most favorite and least favorite maps on CPM?
VORPAL: My favorite of course would be 22 because I don't have to play for 10 years and get amazing aim to conquer it. My least favorite would be 1a, because it is a shitty map. There is nothing appealing about it -- only shitty Europeans like 3a/1a.

How did you become so good at CPM?
VORPAL: Well, there is a reason they call me the prodigy! I have a tested IQ of 136 and I am in the Mensa Society. I played a lot of good players in my ladder climbing to the top and I think my genetic intelligence has given me the gift to overcome the learning curve quickly, to be honest. I'm always thinking ahead for what my opponents are going to do. I'm always a few steps ahead -- sometimes four, maybe five -- of my opponent because of this natural intelligence which the Lord has blessed me with.

Do you plan on representing the USA at Dreamhack?
VORPAL: Good question! I have asked the North American community to pool some money to fly me out to Sweden as I am currently a student and unemployed. However, no one has been kind enough to do so. Apparently NA has no concerns with having their best player win Dreamhack.

The map-pool is the big 5 (1a/3a/15/22/24) for Dreamhack. Many people accuse you of being only good at 22. What do you say to that?
VORPAL: Listen, I have proven what I have needed to as far as my skill goes. I've beaten many of the top players on all of those maps except for 1a (which I never plan to play).
Never?
VORPAL: Correct.
What if you were put into a situation where you had to play 1a or forfeit?
VORPAL: Good question! Lets hope I never end up in that situation. I would forfeit though

What do you think of the EURO CPM scene?
VORPAL: It is a joke to me. Apparently Vo0 is their best player and he was no match for me on 22 when he was in America.
What maps did you play?
VORPAL: 22, 3a and amphi, I won all 3 maps. Honestly the euro scene is a joke. Their players lack skill / strategy. Anyhow, I wont go into detail

Thank you for your time. Is there any shout-outs you'd like that make?
VORPAL: Thank you, JAMAL and Falko for being there for me on my way to the top!


NOTE: The opinions expressed in the above interview are neither those of the interviewer, ESR or any related affiliates and/or advertisers.