For the first minute, they talk about Russian outcome at Dreamhack over the last few years. Evil reminds that even Cooller have never won dreamhack. He says that he haven't realized that he won such a big lan yet and claims it seemed like a usual tournament for him. Though he was a bit nerovus during the beginning, he tried to imagine that he is alone and playing at home to show his best.
I don't have time to translate everything. For me, some interesting moments are:
- He knew mistakes he did in his previous games, and not repeated them again, understood what things you should not attempt to do on LAN even when they succeed online, and so therefore felt quite confident (e.g. his plan was to beat cypher 3:0, and he almost did it)
- He studied his opponents quite thorougly and watched many demos of them to understand how they play. He also watched a lot of demos of cooller and unkind to borrow best aspects of their style into his own.
An interview with famous Quake player Anton "Cooller" Singov taken by place2play.ru in september 2012.
Q: Now we are going to talk about the most interesting subject, the retirement of Anton from eSports and completion of his career. Well, say hello to the audience
A: Good afternoon
Q: We won't ask any corny common questions in style, why you did it, we understand that Anton is an adequate person, he wants to work, there are not a lot of tournaments in QL now and so on. We will now ask Anton more interesting questions. Anton, we're now for a little dip in the past, to remember the distant years. And the first question I want to ask you: which event in your life has played a crucial role in your choice to become a pro-gamer, in what tournament did you realize that you can actually be the best and you want to go that route?
A: The hard question. probably one of the initial tournaments, WCG 2002, while I was happily lost (laughs).
Q: do you mean the world tournament already?
A: Well, yes, in Korea. And the lost was very disappointing, I guess that's when the desire to prove that I'm good to everyone came to me. Well, I knew that I had all I need and my life allowed me to do it. Taking in consideration that was my first international experience may be somewhere my hand trembled a bit, that is it, and then I just made the findings and started winning.
B: Thas was WCG, where Unkind won?
A: Yes, but if you consider the question more seriously, then I'll say motivation comes gradually. Step by step, you win one tournament, and after a while you do not have enough of this feeling, you set any new targets. You get it and so on, every time again. Then I switched to Q4, it was quite interesting by the way, when many of the scenes, Painkiller, Unreal Tournament, Q3 switched to Q4, and the audience was very rich. That was the first major tournament for Q4 CPL Winter 2005, if I remember correctly, when all the coolest Unreal, Painkiller players, Quakers, came there. No one knew who's gonna win, the game was brand new, everybody was attentively watching all this. What did I think? Ok, I'll just try and see how people play there, is there something I can do, are there any chances.. And here Bang, and I and won)). Once again, a new goal now moved on. The situation in QL was that I missed the beginning, the inactivity, people started playing, the competitions were conducted. And so a year has passed, and then I decided to go to one cup and when I lost I've decided, boy, I gotta show them what I really can).
Q: So you get a new goal when you lose, or sometimes you move on even winning?
A: Well, yes, the way leads from one goal to another
Q: you did that way?
A: Yes, I do not get seriously people-champions who win one tournament and then nothing. I think, it is necessary not only to show yourself, but also to consolidate this position, that is, to show that at this time, I am the best, and you still have to .. achieve. There were so many players, won something, and then were quickly blown away. So many CS players such as Virtus Pro, win something, for them it was the third place at first, then first in China, you think wow-wow-wow, and then the next day, they were not even in the top five. I dont get it, what it was then?
Q: I think NAVI impress you?
A: NaVi DOTA2 yes, CS team no, because it's old school, so much has passed and a lot of players just gone. They were in tops only at the end, when all the porridge cooked(russian byword). So Navi no, that's Dota2, they rock, yes. I certainly do not know them personally, but just look at the results, they consistently yield harvest, well done.
Q: Did not you try to play DotA? You know, Ql prizemoney.. ok. Then you see Dota2 prizes!! Oh my! Let me try). No, that was not? Just trying other games may be, no?
A: No, I'm not interested, that's the first. Secondly, I do know how much I gotta do to achieve any significant results. The are no miracles like you sit down and some magic brings you to the final stage. no. you have to play so much, so many things to try, gain as much experience to start winning .. What's the sense doing this? just to understand that I have so little experience ..
Q: So you initially refused it?
A: Well, of course, it's a waste of time. Secondly I do not like this game, by the way I am not fond of computer games.
Q: When I asked you a question about the last tournament that motivated you to become a professional player, I honestly thought that you remember some very old Russian tournaments when it was still in the computer clubs. Now was there some in the early 2000s, that changed your life?
A: Well, yes. WCG2001
Q: in Moscow
A: n-n-no. wait. qualifiers were in Netland, and the finals ... I didn't get there. I was 15 years old, and just couldn't do it oficcially. well, I planned some manipulation how to bypass that point but some people clearly let me know that they will not allow me to make it, out of personal considerations. I will not of course call the names. Well I really wanted to be at that tournament, but had to wait another year. About purely Russian tournaments, I participated in many cups all aroud the country, Moscow and St. Petersburg and other cities, well, people are not interested to hear about it, they just do not know all these tournaments.
Q: Well, it's kind of the story, song words, you can't erase
A: Ok, I went to St. Petersburg for the tournament being part of Shaitan-Force clan along with Makaveli and others, it was my first tournament and I got 4th place alongside players such as lexer gribnik 3lo seed. for me it was a major achievement, despite the fact that it was not even a medal place, I was respected, it was pleasant, that day I realized I really can win.
Q: That were magnificent times, right?
A: Well, at the background of the fact that I was such a young age, vivid impressions of course, something that now you think is corny, it was bright then.
Q: You've played in completely different gametypes in Quake 3. Duels and 4on4 and it was absolutely bomb pair you with unkind. Tell me how you came to duels, and which gametype is your favorite?
A: I'm all for teamplay. I do not like loneliness, do not like being the one to do something. I love to do anything together with someone. But because the teamplay tournamental activity was virtually at zero, and the dueling activities grew up the choice was obvious for me. There were not a lot of teamplay tournaments, we played just for fun actually.
Q: can you tell the coolest partner you would like to play with? and the team 4on4 your Dream Team.
A: I do not like such questions.. Well, with unkind we used to play well, the guy was in the game, understood it very well, very reliable partner. Lord(it's nickanme), do you remember him? He is also great, then b100.Death also well-known player. Team game is not just a game. it's fun, it is some purely human emotions. that is,playing with him (unk1nd i guess) on WCG, we have been laughing all the time, very funny guy.
Q: can you name one or more of the most exciting tournaments in your life, no matter where you win or lose?
A: I can not. no. Can you imagine how many tournaments have I played?
Q: Come on, give me one, the most epic.
A: I can't single out one, every tournament is the personification of some things that bind me to him. every victory was in its bright and pleasant and has remained in the memory, and left impressions and emotions. so I do not.
Q: You had contracts with many organizations, so name the best one, best to you.
A: I would say, I really worked only with mousesports, everything else was not even a partnership, it was just clowning in my understanding. so mousesports
Q: What was wrong? what are russian organizations missing?
A: The work always is primarily the understanding and impact of both sides. what next, for e-sports, it is to support players, not so much about finances but mostly emotional. mousesports never rebuked me that I lost something, no, they said, get ready for the next tournament, and win it. is basic. Plus, there were situations when activity fell in Quake, but this had no effect on my fees. mousesports always kept the number have been discussed, even when my game did not shine at tournaments. that is, they did not throw(fooled) me, always supported and kept the word. And, especially with Chingiz, their main manager, we have developed friendships, and I could talk to him about life and all, tell him anything and he can tell me. that is, work is a work, but human relationships must be present. About M5 no comment. let's just say they did not keep the promises. And it is I'd say, the main thing in the Russian teams, kind of like "judging by the words we're Lvy Tolstye" ("judging by your words, you're Lev Tolstoy, but in fact you're simply a dick" in russian "Na slovah ty Lev Tolstoy, a na dele huj prostoy" ) and the truth is, it was swindle (delusion).
Q: What are three of the most legendary players in the quake, except you, of course.
A: I would name 4, cypher rapha zero4 toxic
Q: What allowed them to become stronger than the others?
A: Excellence
Q: What kind?
A: The game)
Q: Well, anyway they had features that allowed them to reach that level? perseverance, hard work and talent?
A: Well, this is a set of many qualities
Q: Tell me please
A: Quake, this game appeals to me, I've noticed that a man shows his character in the game. it really can be traced, style of play, the behavior in the game. that is, if you look how every person plays the game, you will see the personification, the person itself, people are very different. .. What was the question? ))
B: set of qualities
A: A set.. Well this is the desire and the talent and individual approach .. correct training, perseverance.
Q: And you still keep the connection with these people?
A: Well, I actually never had friendships with them
Q: But you've been seeing each other during all that tournaments
A: Well this is not friendship. at this stage of my life, I don't communicate with them, we have nothing common in life, except for the game that I'm no longer playing
Q: What was the most difficult match of your career, when you showed all you prepared?
A: Well, any final was extremely difficult, whether I won or lost. Take any tournament finals with me and it can be considered an answer to your question.
Q: What do you think about a person who plays professionally. Does it give him something in real life?
A: Well, the fact that you can put your goals in the game and in life and achieve them. probably something like that..
B: not more than that?
A: Well, you can certainly go deeper to this question ..
Q: Let's go deep, very interesting. It's clear about reaching the goal. maybe there is some specificity in computer games, which can give a bonus for a real life? Perhaps, the person starts easily relate to reality, stress is easier to port, something like that..
A: definitely
Q: What do you think of eSports in general, is it good? Here, for example, will you let your kids do this? the child says, I want to be a professional LoL player, I want to be the best, what is your reaction?
A: The negative of course.
Q: would not you support him?
A: In no case
Q: It is believed that this is a waste of time, there are more interesting ways, right?
A: Well, it just does not worth it.
Q: after all these years, money you earned, emotions you got, people who you met, this is not worth it, do you think?
A: The way I think is: what it gives me today? How it helps me in my life? in fact, the complete crap. I can't use all of this in my life. I've seen part of the world - that's good. then the English, I somehow learned a bit too. familiarity with people does nothing in itself. They are not my friends and really close people, not trustable. Moreover, I am a good case, and how many people are just against a blank/brick wall, circling the globe, like many CS players. Training for month to go to take 7th place. Too sad. Despite my good experience, I am ready to assure that this does not worth time I have spent. I'm not saying I regret that I was engaged, but I wish I would devote myself as I did to Quake to something else, it would be better.
Q: I'd say you belong to the pioneers of e-sports, you started when there were only clubs and now there is Internet everywhere. What do you think is the future of e-sports? will it exist at all in 5 years?
A: In 5 years nothing will change. Actually eSports have no future.
Q: Do not you think that this will become a trend, as a real sport?
A: No, it would have become already. if it was possible it would have already occurred. if only someone for some reason invests a lot of money in it, then it can change, but looks like everything will be on the same level as now. not really funny thing at all, as we have it now.
Q: But the prizes are growing
A: Well, yes, but it is an investment, a million dollars to collect all 30 millions.
Q: It's business
A: Well, yes, yes. but it is not a real sport. not eSports. it is.. eCrap.
here light rain begins
Q: Well, Anton called eSports a eCrap, and the weather feeds back, it starts raining.
A: I think the rain is good. Well, in principle, the computers are not so bad, better to let the kids play the game than do some sort of crap. Games kind of a let you learn something, and even help to socialize. in a good way. if you consider the positive side, the eSports .. ok, maybe.
The language barrier is really though with a closed russian, translators sux and all, im sure thats a big reason for it. A russian interview and then translated to english would be much better.
It was the default when mouseaccelstyle existed yes.
However, as soon as accelstyle was deprecated, he switched to 0. Check his previous configs post accelstyle, all offset 0.
It is only this latest tournament that he has it set to 5. If you watch his games in this tourney his movement looks more labored, he falls off ledges, misses easy rocket jumps, and misses a lot of key rails.
Furthermore you don't see all the junk such as stuff#, weap_#, fov_# in his previous clean config. Which worries me, as if he exec'd someone else's config and kept it as it was. The most potentially problematic cvar being mouseacceloffset.
there are many differente ways... have you never downloaded a text zipped cfg from a pro?
Not to mention that, being this not the first time this accidents happens, it is simply RIDICOLOUS that they don't have a 1 gb flashkey (1 gb because it's cheap) with all the stuff they need, hunged to their neck or in their pocket.
i checked his cfg from dhs 2012 and 11 and lol, it seems you are right! Would be so funny to know that he failed with his mouse settings and still came up 2nd. I wonder how and when did they take that dhw2012 cfg from rapha and if he noticed
the more i think about it the more it seems unlikely tho. How could he rape Evil on hektik with wrong mouse settings?! LOL
but the most unrealistic aspect is, how could he don't be using his mouse settings and don't notice it... A thing like this is clearly noticeable even at our level, i can't believe he didn't notice it
yeah it's so unlikely! lol another fun fact is: the week before DHW he was in europe and was playing against various people and he could not shaft AT ALL!! He really looked like he wasn't used to his mousesettings and it's rather unlikely boringmania can do that much dmg (look at strenx, winz and linkin).
If Lorfa will do a journal or forum post about it i'll bump the hell out of it to catch the attention of NVC or someone else, at least to know how and when the cfg was taken
The configs appeared 4 different times, the group stage, and vs. evil/k1llsen/av3k. They look simply collected from the QL directory on the tournament machines. There's no reason to believe they aren't correct.
It's just that in my opinion, using offset 5 messed rapha up, and I'm just really curious to know whether he intentionally set it that way or not.
He was playing so much shootmania, which has a completely different feel anyways so that when he came back to QL he might not have noticed something like offset 5.
It didn't completely destroy his game, and with practice he adapted. He's still a very very strong player. I'm not sure he would have won against evil had he had the right settings even, but in my opinion it hurt him substantially. There were a lot of missed rails, falling off ledges, sloppy looking movement and other weirdness.
"He was playing so much shootmania, which has a completely different feel anyways so that when he came back to QL he might not have noticed something like offset 5."
I was thinking he'd played too much shootmania, too.
Well some people like it. Cypher uses it, and I think some others might as well.
It's just that for rapha's high accel and small mousing area, it's not such a good choice imo.
There are definitely flaws in the movement, compare his running around t7 in previous tournaments to the latest one for example. You can see the extra motions.
Q: just finished finals, and the first question to you, what emotions?
A: Istill do not believe in fact, that I became world champion .. feeling that it is a regular tournament, somehow easily ..
have not yet realized that I won a healthy, world championship. I do not know why it is so ..
Q: This is a championship, which the Russians have never won?
A: the way yes, cypher won, but he was not a Russian. Well yes, no one won, even Cooller seems to be ..
Q: He's sort of taking the silver?
A: Well, yes.
Q: You've played on a stage, tell what it was like with so much of the public, and generally how nervous or not it was, where it was more comfortable in the play area or on stage?
A: Actually it was the same. I first played in public, and so many people ..
The first few minutes i felt not comfortable, I looked around and thought "Oh my.." but then I realized, i have to concentrate and stop being stunned
and show the best game. And I imagined that I'm at home, when noone is present and i'm just playing. that's how I played.
Q: Let's talk about maps. Where it was easy, which is difficult where something went your way, where didn't. First was ztn
A: Against Rapha, yes?
Q: Ye
A: Ah)) There everything was simple, it was my map. I won the coin and have chosen that one. Well i felt good there, pretty sure, but i guess it was not really. First I lost control. There was such a situation, he began to attack, rushed into arcade, do not even know how to say it ..
Q: to put pressure
A: Well, yes, to put pressure. audacious, he started to become audacious. I did not expect this, made mistakes and had only one yellow, began passive careful play, it was hard time. Well, then I caught him on his mistake .. and I pushed, put pressure all the time, waiting for his attacks to counter them. I was confident with my aim that time. And it worked, I won.
Q: Next map was absolutely his, and with great advantage. You tried to push all the time, but he was killing you everywhere, not having any problems, and even your score gone to negatives.
A: Well, I do not know how to actually play on hektik. I trained it before DH but didn't get how to play it perfect, i feel uncomfortable there. No idea how to play it so perfectly. can not imagine that plan. I played with no tactics, nothing at all, and nothing worked. I almost lost it to minus , but I think he gave me just get out of the negative scores, well, subconsciously may be. I asked him: You let me get out of minus, didn't you? No-no he said, it was accidentally.. someting like that. I then realized that he does not know that it actually is. He just attacked me, I outaimed him and finally got out of the negatives.
Honestly i was not upset with it, because i don't play this map good. I just didn't want to finish with minus (smiles)
Q: Well, the main thing was to get out of minus, right?
A: Well, yes, yes ..
Q: We leave 3 map, there was your strong control. 4th map, it was very hard. many times have you had to hide and stack up with small armors because Rapha had the initiative, please tell me more about it here. And, there was quite interesting ending of course
A: Well, at first there was the control in my opinion for him .. he did not give me space to play, waiting for my moves everywhere, and then he made a couple of kills, or one, can not remember right now. I was looking for moves, something that could turn the game, and finally found a loophole got to the shaft (smiles), and got an YA and also realized the route he moved around the map, found an alternative, and realized immediately how to play against him.
Well that was it. Then one moment .. He killed me and had control, ate it all, in general, the score just was 4-2 for me, and then turned to 4-4
then I got scared, immediately began to remember what I have eaten, what should appear on map, the main thing was not to be lost, most importantl.
It was good that i didn't give him more frags.
Q: Did you have some thoughts like, I led just 4-2, a couple of minutes and I am DH champion, and here if I lose, then last decider map
A: No, that is the point, i didn't have such thoughts, I was scared at first... but yes, such thoughts may be flashed in my mind but I immediately began coming back into the game, because that moment decided would there be 5th map or not.
I did not want the 5th map, because I knew how it could be here and now, how to beat him. I had a plan, and it was my luck i think, that everything happend as I wanted, I do not know.
Q: Well you played semifinals against Cypher, it was very hard too up to the 5th map. Score was 2-0 then became 2-2, well with who it was harder to play, with Cypher or Rafa? Cypher told me, you're the most difficult opponent for him, if you beat him (cypher) then you will deal with Rafa 100%.
So, who is it still harder to play with?
A: Well, yes, it was much harder to play Cypher. Honestly I wanted to win 3 0, and it looked like it will be, but there, on dm13 with that Lan ping he hit so many plasma.. in flight, I did not expect this of course. Really, I accidentally fell, I wanted to stay up near yellow, shafting him, but accidentally went ahead and ate all that plasma.
I certainly did not expect, well, time just 10 seconds left. I certainly knew where he was, but I couldn't come back. There I had to creep to catch him by surprise, but the time would not suffice. Also I should go from the bottom, but I went over the top. I took the plasma, it was necessary to go down, but it could not be possible, because I ran out of time
Q: Well, it turns Cypher was harder for you?
A: Well, yes, compared to all yes. although with killsen it was hard. It was really hard because I have not tuned in to Lan, wasn't not accustomed, I still wanted to understand how they play.
I played with them all on the internet, but there I did not feel anything like on Lan. the power of this all,that was impossible to understand online.
That game with killsen I understood what I could and what I couldn't, you know like I turned my weak sides into pluses
Q: Well then tell me how you practiced, how prepared for the tournament, who played with, how much, what was the preparation?
A: actually I didn't not practice very much as some players before, 24 to 7, straight non-stop, the game is not that new, it is known way it played, the method of how to exercise and all
I only played online champs after adroits, Lan in Holland. and Facits especially, I took the first places. There were two in a row, and Spartie was right there in the finals, I thought there would be more difficult, Strenx there,
as before, but no one was there, only Spartie, I beat him and wow )) won $ 100.
Q: How did you feel yourself before you travel, your form, did you think that you could win? or the aim was a bit smaller?
A: Was my plan to win DH?
Q: That is, how did you feel your shape, 10 out of 10?
A: understood. Well, I remembered how I earlier trained to ASUS cups when I was winning. it was a long time ago, before those tournaments I got to a point when I was just sure of myself when all I planned I successfully realized, I made no mistakes you can miss playing with casual opponent, but with serious players I knew what i can do and what will not be acceptable. Well, I remembered it all, and the training was like old days. Now I was really sure in my playing, and this was
enough to win (laughs)
Q: Well, it probably turns your finest hour, the biggest tournament - the World Cup that you won. maybe it is not,
Now tell us. But they were i guess, probably bad moments, painful losses in a career that will be remembered?
A: Well, that's a shame the summer DH was. Unorganized, by our manager who took us there. Here a year ago, I went to summer DH and it was very cool,
but I did not understood how really was cool, but in the summer of this year I appreciated how everything was good a year ago. It turned out that even though I was prepared well,I had to play without sleep, not enough sleep. Well, I could not win, but was well prepared. Not like now), now I know how to do it all I corrected the mistakes that were at that time. And prepared much better, won't hide the facts, I ve seen a lot of demos, to get how all they think, and just took all the juicy stuff, well, not all, I still do things almost my way, but..
Now I have two styles, like cooller and unkind, you know long ago unkind played beautifully, hitting every shot, and cooller - it's all control. So I looked at their demos, and realized I should bring in my game some of their stuff. to win.
Well, that happened (laughs) and for this, big thanks to them of course )
Q: You won the World Cup one can sya, but quake slowly dies, every year fewer tournaments and leagues etc. many of players have gone, and now AV3K said it was his last cup. Rafa Cypher Av3k, they play shootmania. What are your plans in the Quake, will you continue playing, how long, may be you tried other games, like SM for example? Were there any suggestions?
A: May be i'll play for some time, amy be quit in the near future, may be go to business, playing it's still not serious and I am getting older and older. I think I'll play while looking for something interesting, some good job.
Q: Well, if some organization offers you a contract with a good salary to travel abroad, but need to play for example Shootmania, will you refuse?
A: I ll consider this proposal, and if there is no other option then agree. I do not want it for a long time, maybe for a year.
Q: here you now won 30 thousand crowns, which is about 4 thousand dollars, what will you do with them?
A: do not know, I'll think about it. I collect it and some other cash, it were the other guys who have money for me, I won the online tournament. And they said will give me prize personally, but I have not met them yet, they are hiding somewhere (laughs) I went the place I was told to go to, but didn't find them, i was told they departed, but will come .. in general, something is not right)))
In: Looks bad for you)
A: Yes, no, it's all a trick of course, right now, here I go and take away my prize really.)
In: Well DH is over, you'll come home, what are your plans? Will you play, or take a break for a couple of weeks, there is New Year soon
A: Do not know, maybe I will go somewhere. Everything will be as usual, I will study further, I will be participating in these online cups, they also do not interfere with the weekdays. I do not know. on weekdays, I will go to gym, to the pool, I made a very long break, I'm not in a good shape, should fix it
Q: You said you want to do serious things, that you are studying, if I may, what is your study? and what serious things you want to do?
A: I'm going to be a managing manager(dont know if this translation is correct). And the work according to my specialisation. Perhaps selling cars. I've been already offered to sell Toyotas. I do not know, will consider that.
Q: What If you were offered a position but cybersport sphere, there are gamers who finished their carrier and then quite successfully worked in different companies, have a good money. Well, imagine if European company wants you, will you go?
A: I would have tried if this experience is appreciated elsewhere. would not mind, I can try. I do not mind trying different jobs, just to understand how it works, but if i dont like the job, i wont work for long.
a: So congratulations on the championship, say some to your fans?
A: Thank you for the support during all this tournament, you were sending me messages, like "keep going!", "you can", "come on", stuff like that. without them I could not have done it, even if i could, it wouldn't be tha way it is.Thank you all guys!
It's great that he mentioned Unkind as inspiration, still for some of us old-timers he is remembered as a true master, even when compared to the perhaps more famous .ru legends; polos/lexer/cooller
Also you just feel he has some real in-depth understanding of the competitive side of the game, recognising Rapha's mistakes instantly and having the instinct and confidence to pounce on them without hesitation.
His comments abut lan play are great, bit of an insight from a one of the best naturally skilled players right in the zone, as to why lan is pretty much a completely different game to online quake, there is far more to it than just being comfortable with setup and nerves as what seems to be most esr people believe.
Also to me it's very interesting how Evil comes across like he has Rapha's game all worked out (a lot of people have thought that in the past e.g. strenx; underestimating Rapha, may perhaps be a minor weakness Rapha will exploit next time?) Along with Rapha's confidence show in this video, you just feel they would both fancy themselves to beat the other next tournament, that would be such an amazing re-match to see.
Anyway, a new(old) King has landed, heres hoping to another major QL lan tourney soon (c'mon 2GD!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HMLyDbzR14&feature=watch-vrec