A: I am a 14-year old student. I attend Junior High, and play both indoor (in winter) and outdoor soccer.
Q: How do you spend your days? Is it mostly composed of playing AoC or do you have a job and/or what other hobbies?
A: AoC really is my job. Soccer takes up a fair amount of my time. Most days, I have lots of homework so I must do that too.
Q: What is it like to be one of the top if not the top Western player? Do you feel pride, happiness or is it just the result of hard work?
A: I feel pride and happiness. I wouldn't put it as "hard work" because it has been fun. I have always just played AoC as a game, and wouldn't put it ahead of other priorities.
Q: You are only 14 years old yet you are one of the best players in the world, and even though college seems ways away for you, do you have a general idea on what you want to do later down the road?
A: I enjoy working with computers (obviously).
Q: Around how much money do you think, you have made through AoC or gaming in general?
A: I have made about $15 000 Canadian (about $10 000 USD).
Q: What other games then AoC do you play? How good are you at them?
A: I rarely play other games then AoC, unless I am playing console games with my friends. Usually the games are fairly close matched, but I don't own the games.
Q: What kind of PC do you have? Do you plan on upgrading it or is it fine?
A: At the moment I have a P III 450 MHz with 128 mg ram. It is good, but I have just won 2 new computers.
Q: Tell us a little on how you became as good as you are today? How did _IamChris look as a rook? How did you improve? Who helped you? What other names did you have prior to your Chris names?
A: My first zone id was christhebest. I improved by playing smurfs, and anyone good I could play. After losing, I would evaluate why I lost. I joined the Pray clan, and was helped a bit by Pray_4yourlife. After I reached 2050, I met Djadja. He seemed to beat me more in the start, but we continued playing. Eventually, we were both very close in skill level. We would do many practice games and decide what would be best. For a long time we stayed very close in skill level, up until we both reached 2300(when he started his final year of school and decided it more important then AoC)
Q: Did you watch rec. games to get better? Do you still watch them?
A: I rarely watched recorded games, because none of the smurfs I played would allow record. Sometimes I would watch some games, but mainly for fun. Now, I probably watch about 1 game/month.
Q: When exactly would you say you became a 2200+ player?
A: I first reached 2200+ last April (2001).
Q: Your two games vs. Koven in the finals were more then just impressive, for many it was the two games of the whole tournament. How did you feel when you knew you were up against Koven? How good did you see your chances of winning?
A: I felt confident against koven, I had won him a few months before, but after that we hadn't played. Before the WCG he had a hard time against skirmisher rushes, and I assumed he still would. The first game, the lag made it very hard to keep constant villager production, and I decided that it would be best not to skirmisher rush. In the second game, if the tower hadn't severely harmed my wood supply, he would have lost to the skirmisher rush, and the 3rd game would have been a very interesting one. The first game, the small hole in my wall that I didn't see (and he didn't expect it either) really hurt.
Q: What went through your mind when you played those two games, especially the 2nd one did you at any point think you had him? Or did you want to quit at any point in the game?
A: I never thought I had him, because I could not get my economy going very well since I had to move my woods. This greatly harmed the amount of time it took me to get scouts out, and this lost me the game. In the first game, when he came through the wall, I thought he would kill me much faster. In the end I eventually lost because I was too condensed in my booming.
Q: Do you think you have become as good as you can get at AoC or do you plan on working even further to maybe take the #1 spot?
A: I don't think I have become as good as I can be. I might try for #1, but it doesn't matter what my ranking is as long as I can continue winning tournaments.
Q: What would you say the main reason was that you lost in the finals?
A: The hole in the wall, the tower on my woods (if only I found his base earlier then killed that vil).
Q: Out of the whole AoC community which player do you feel least comfortable playing against because of his style?
A: I really feel comfortable against everyone, because when I went to WCG I saw everyone as a rookie. I thought there might be at least someone who was a machine, and would do everything perfectly, but there wasn't anyone (and still there isn't).
Q: Off to the side, how many Koven games did you watch prior to your match?
A: I didn't watch any Koven games.
Q: Do you or did you ever play DM? How good were you?
A: I played DM a bit and reached 1800. It was very difficult, because my computer can't handle death match. After 5 minutes it is very difficult to move the mouse.
Q: Huns seem to be dominating AoC. Does this bother you? Do you try to use other civs. in order to counter Huns? Is it even possible or Huns too strong?
A: Huns don't seem to be dominating AoC. Many players use Aztecs, they are very closely matched with the Huns. I just can't stand using Aztecs because light cavalry are my favorite unit.
Q: I remember a long while back, RD_Champion saying in an interview once that he would go feudal at pop 21-22, what has happened to that fast aggressive play? Nowadays everyone just seems to wait and mass scouts in feudal.
A: The fast aggressive play is still being used, but no one sees it because players don't trust to use it in tournaments.
Q: If there was one thing that you could change in AoC what would it be?
A: I would give china back the 50 food, and then it would be at least a 3 civ war between Aztecs, Huns, and China. Another good change would be to introduce a faster speed, and make "fast" the default speed.
Q: Have you played Grunt 1x1 recently? What is your record vs. him?
A: Grunt always refuses to play with me, the last 2 games I played against him were in the World Cyber Games. I won the practice game, and lost in the tournament.
Q: Would you like to see the gaming community develop in the US/Canada as well as it has in Korea, or do you think it is a lot of fuzz about nothing?
A: I would like to see gaming develop more. Gaming has developed a lot in US/Canada, but mostly on consoles. When console games can be played over the internet, gaming will be a much larger thing.
Q: How nervous are you at life events? Does the fact that you could win cash change the way you play? For the better or worse?
A: I used to be more nervous, but now I am not. It used to make me play worse, especially with 30 people watching and cameras all over, but this year's WCG, it won't bother me.
Q: P4 Tourney coming up, how do you see your chances of winning?
A: I won it.
Q: Do you enjoy 1x1 more then Team games? Arabia more then Full Random?
A: I enjoy playing 1on1 Arabia most, especially very intense games against Yanzi and KmKm. Lots of the time against KmKm we have constant fighting from 11 mins on, with all units and villagers too. When we start castle age it is another raid fest, because neither of us walls. All units come into play, and it is lots of fun. With Yanzi it is very close except we fight a little later. But our games are usually about 2 hours.
Q: Do you think we need more FR tourneys? How sick are you of Arabia?
A: Full random tournaments can be lots of fun, but some maps are so enclosed that I am bored waiting for something to happen. Arabia is not sickening, as long as you don't repeat the same thing over and over. Many players think that is what Arabia is, but that is usually because they have not played competitive Arabia.
Thank you very much for taking your time to answer these questions.
A: I don't know what to say... I'm 21, I study computer engineering leaving away from my family... I'm handsomeI don't like open questions :P I'd rather answer more precise ones.
Q: How do you earn your money? Are the winnings from the L clan tourneys all you need to live?
A: For a student like me that money can be quite a nice budget to have fun :-)
Q: What is it like to play as a pro gamer? Stressful? Competitive? Or just fun?
A: Competitive fun :-) I love competitions.
Q: Do you want to stay a gamer for the rest of your life or are you going to school for something else?
A: Still not sure about this one... depends what the future will bring.
Q: Around how much money do you think, you have made through AoC or gaming in general?
A: I said more precise questions... but not personal :-P.
Q: What other games then AoC do you play? How good are you at them?
A: I play all kinds of strategy games, used to be one of the best over Civilization 2, but the 3 came without multiplayer :-( I'm going to play war craft 3 now and check if I can be competitive :-).
Q: What kind of PC do you have? Do you have to pay for an upgrade or is it paid for?
A: I pay for my own PC, it's 1.8 GHz, 512 MBs ram... good one I'd say, I'm going to upgrade video card soon :-).
Q: Will you have to go through the military service? Or will you be able to just continue gaming?
A: I think I'll escape it since it's becoming volunteer in Italy.
Q: Tell us a little on how you became as good as you are today? How did Mimmox look as a rook? How did you improve? Who helped you? What other names did you have prior to Mimmox?
A: When I started playing online I was feeling already good... and I couldn't stand the losses!!! So I started training, watching recs studying strategies, bonuses... My first famous name was MaJoR_MiMmO, I was one of the best DMers in AOK, much better than Lance was :-) then I left for RM
Q: Did you watch rec. games to get better? Do you still watch them?
A: I still watch recs when I have spare time... but mostly to have fun and see other weaknesses :P
Q: What people have mostly influenced your gaming development?
A: Don't know... probably I did the passage from good player to top expert together with Nox_Adam and Arch_Vile_
Q: You seem to be King of weird settings, tell us a little on how you have become so adaptable? Would you say your biggest weapon is your speed, knowledge or just pure intelligence?
A: I'm about half as fast as Koreans, Chris Elfanor... knowledge and intelligence are my weapons I think :-)
Q: Do you enjoy playing Arabia, or are you a full random man?
A: I like Arabia, but after a bit it becomes boring... mostly because when I play Arab I'd like to play open map, but opponent walls and that sux... it forces u to wall too and it becomes an arena map... I'd rather play arena if I want walls
Q: You have seen most of the Koreans/Asians experts play in person, what would you say makes them so good?
A: Training. Their speed is their strength.
Q: You were one of the first people to get paid by Arbalet, how did you two hook up?
A: He invited me together with some experts in Moscow for a tourney; we had a lot of fun there :-)
Q: Is L clan just a job for you or do you actually feel commitment to the clan?
A: I have fun in the clan :-)
Q: Off to the side, way back you seemed to constantly play in Ladder with Rip Angel. You said you were going to get married to her hehe what ever happened to you two?
A: No Comments :-\
Q: What is your record vs. Koven? Have you played him on full random/Arabia recently?
A: I actually never beat him, but last time we played 1v1 was right before last WCG... and probably we played 7-8 games most of those were DM in AOK
Q: Out of the whole AoC community which player do you feel least comfortable playing against because of his style?
A: Don't know... Arabia Whores in Arabia I'd say.
Q: Off to the side, did you watch the two final games Koven vs. Chris? (Arbalet Cup 1)
A: Yes, Chris is too emotional; he started both games thinking he would have lost.
Q: Have you ever tried DM? How good are you at it?
A: As I said I used to be very good at DM, I think I can beat any DMer in random map DM, on Huns war I'm not very good though... but I can beat most of them in Mayans war.
Q: Huns seem to be dominating AoC. Does this bother you? Do you try to use other civs. in order to counter Huns? Is it even possible or are Huns too strong?
A: Mayans are a good civ... I used Viks in WCG, if bloodlines weren't so cheap Huns would be at same level with many civs... scout and bloodlines give them the edge, but they can be beaten if u use Mayans or Aztecs or Mongols well.
Q: I remember RD saying in an interview once that he would feudal at pop 21-22, what has happened to that fast aggressive play? Nowadays everyone just seems to wait and mass scouts in feudal.
A: 21-22 pop feudal died with the second patch, points given by loom to vills.
Q: If there was one thing that you could change in AoC what would it be?
A: Walking speed of archers, they only carry the bow and should be faster than skirms and M@A.
Q: Have you played Grunt 1x1 recently? What is your record vs. him?
A: I've probably never played Grunt 1v1 unless he smurfed me, there are tourneys were we will meet now though :-)
Q: What game do you plan on moving to? War craft 3, AoM or some other game?
A: Both
Q: What advice can you give to an upcoming player? Which are the fundamentals to be a successful gamer?
A: Learn the game, not the building order.
Q: Are you a soccer fan? Have you watched the World Cup? Are you disappointed by the Italian team?
A: Not a big soccer fan... Italy could do much better, but Italian style is that :P we score and relax. Though Koreans got helped by referee :P
Q: Name three things that you would describe Italy with.
A: Pizza, Pasta, Mimmox 111111111 :-)
A: Hi My Name is Ahn Seo Yong Korean guys call me seo yong. I'm 21years old , My Job is Pro gamer, I like playing game if no playing game sometimes I watch movie and playing sprots.
Q: What is it like to play as a pro gamer? Stressful? Competitive? Or just fun?
A: I think stressful, competitive, just fun, basically all ^^ and I can get a lot money ^^
Q: Do you want to stay a gamer for the rest of your life or are you going to school for something else
A: If I can do it I want to do.
Q: Around how much money do you think, you have made through AoC or gaming in general?
A: Not sure, maybe 20,000dollars (US)
Q: What other games then AoC do you play? How good are you at them?
A: I playing rainbow six and SC and EE I think both good hehe
Q: What kind of PC do you have? Do you have to pay for an upgrade or is it paid for?
A: I have pen-III 800 384 ram Voodoo3 3000 , I paid heh.
Q: Will you have to go through the military service? Or will you be able to just continue gaming?
A: I will go Military, if I go military I can play 1 month after.
Q: Tell us a little on how you became as good as you are today? How did RD_Champion look as a rook? How did you improve? Who helped you? What other names did you have prior to RD_ChampioN?
A: I was always played AOC too much time. And u know 'Koven' team? Not Arch_Koven_. Arch_Koven_ liked them so he made Arch_Koven_. 'Koven' Team is rox in AOE AOK but no play AOC, they r in semi_III ,WpqW , _Shiri ,Bi_Ryong etc.. Really good them, they r teach me so I good now hehe. I used Kimchisarang_OK, Exodus_sun 4 years..^^ cuz I played AOE.
Q: Did you watch rec. games to get better? Do you still watch them?
A: Sure, still watch now!!
Q: Koven mentioned that you were his teacher once, it seems you have done your job extremely well. Do you consider him the #1 in the world?
A: Yes!! He is very good!! He no.1 now cuz I no play long time kakakaka^^ he is my best friend :)) he rox!!
Q: For many RD_ChampioN vs. Arch_Koven was the final of the Arbalet cup, and at least 60% saw you as the winner before the game was even played. Were you confident in your victory?
A: Yea I wanted to win Koven and I had full of confidence but I don't think I did great as I expected.
Q: What went though your mind when you knew it would be either you or Lee advancing?
A: I hoped one of us got winner in final then ALL FINE!!
Q: Do you plan on taking the #1 spot in AoC? If yes how do you intend on doing so? And if no what makes Arch_Koven so good?
A: Well I would say Koven is #1 .. We have good environment to play AOC in Korea plus koven tried to be #1 constantly. Both pushed Koven to #1 I guess.
Q: What would you say the main reason was that you lost in the Arbalet tourney?
A: I got EE tourney at same time so I could not practice enough
Q: Out of the whole AoC community which player do you feel least comfortable playing against because of his style?
A: The Koven who knows me well.
Q: Off to the side, did you watch the two final games Koven vs. Chris?
A: YES
Q: We all know you used to be big in DM too, do you still play DM?
A: I was played DM! And I get DM Grand champion :) but long time no play AOC with DM :)
Q: Huns seem to be dominating AoC. Does this bother you? Do you try to use other civs. in order to counter Huns? Is it even possible or are Huns too strong?
A: I was sick that everyone went Huns that fact made me retire and when I came back AOC yeah I used to go Huns again hehe HUN is evil but if chin depended vs hun in early FEU I think chin would win vs. Huns.
Q: Have you played Grunt 1x1 recently? What is your record vs. him?
A: Yes, I have played with him in Korea tourney.. Many times but I lost only 2 games and I won all other
Q: Back to the gaming community of Korea. Is the big popularity of games the reason that Koreans are so good at games?
A: No,few players play AOC here!
Q: Does all the publicity put pressure on players like you or does it give you the final push to be better then the gamers form the west?
A: hehe South Korea is one of the democratic states no pressure here =].
Thank you very much for taking your time to answer these questions.
A: My name is Yu-Kuei Huang , I'm 23 years old. I'm studying in game college.
Q: You only play AOM? Play other game? Play Sport?
A: No..I play many games , like Wc3 or CS or online games.. Why my name call Jordan? Because I'm NBA's Jordan fan :D I like sport.
Q: You are best TW player. Why? Practice?
A: I think no one is best .. but I'm more famous in Taiwan :D , I get much tourneys rank in tw ..and I practice every day.
Q: You have other job or only game? You professional gamer?
A: I'm student, TW have more tourney, I always get tourney money. so it's my job too ,and many companies pay some money for me too.
Q: How much money you win with games?
A: Very much... 1995~ 2003 per month, I get 30+ for win! (some for being No1.)
Q: You have good Computer? Or bad computer?
A: Sure, computer is my life, I have more computer at home or school ..and I always change it.
Q: How you become good player? Who train you in AOE?
A: I'm bright, learn oneself.. no one train me, I'm first teacher in tw ..you can ask other tw players :D
Q: You watch Recorded Games? You like recorded games?
A: Sure, I watch it. And learn something and watch where I get wrong.
Q: You miss Koven? You want Koven back to AOM?
A: Sure..1996. I play RA with him, we are old friends, I miss him.. I wish I can teach him aom :D
Q: AOM WCG soon. You will win Taiwan WCG?
A: TW have many good players, because TW have more tourney, but I have more chance to win
Q: Who has best chance to win all WCG?
A: me? :) (more practice) , Halen? Shiautz? Grunt? Fire? Pepin?
Q: You like AOM or AOC more?
A: I love all games :)
Q: You only good with set? Or you play all civ well?
A: I can play all civs, but I want win tourney, so I train best civ -_-
Q: Who is world #1? You or Halen?
A: Don't know? maybe Halen..if he play more games..
Thank you very much for taking your time to answer these questions.
Please note that the questions are in simplified English, because
Jordan's English is not perfect.