Many people have already heard about who is replacing lastgosu's spot at WCG. It was made clear in a recent post on TeamLiquid.net that Artosis would be taking lastgosu's spot at WCG. A few weeks ago I had a chance to talk to Geunhwa Genius (lastgosu) on battle.net and I recieved information about his decision not to go. I also asked him what is on his agenda at the moment and what he plans to do in the future.
ProfileName: Geunhwa Genius Clan: sMi. Country: USARace: Zerg/Terran
“
- Hi, thanks for your time for me.
It's cool, I'm just happy I got a hold of you.
- Heh.
So how often do you get to play? (At the moment, lastgosu does not have internet and needs to go to internet cafés to play StarCraft).
- Hmm, for now I don't have a place to play StarCraft. I bought a car right after the WCG USA Finals. So right now I'm busy trying to get money.
Work stressin' ya?
- Heh, not much. I hardly get to play StarCraft anymore. Maybe one to two games a week.
How do you stay on top of your game?
- Well, I've climbed up to level in my time playing and it just has stuck with me. But it comes down to what kind of mood I am in. So sometimes I play very gosu or sometimes I play very chobo.
Heh, I know that feeling.
- Heh, yea. Starcraft is too fun to quit.
Yeah, I hear that. StarCraft stays in your soul.
- Yeah, can't deny that.
Lastgosu at WCG USA 2006, wearing his nickname shirt.
So how was the WCG USA Finals?
- It was okay. I met a lot of good friends there. But it was very exhausting. I couldn't sleep enough.
Any particular reason?
- Hmm, probably because I was nervous. Heh. I also had problems with my mouse in my first match. It was new. I bought a Razor Copperhead and I didn't know about it's functions. It has sensation buttons on both sides. If I touch them while playing, the mouse gets faster or slower. That caused me to lose 0-2 to Nyoken.
Yeah, that definitely would hurt your game.
- My loss to Nyoken was my first matches at the USA Finals. After those two games, I felt doomed.
You faired well after that though.
- Yeah, I was sooooooooo lucky. The Finals were cool though. Maybe because I won it. Hehe.
Explain some of your matches if you can. Which was your hardest? Who was your most anticipated opponent? And who was the most underrated player there?
- I think to be a gosu gamer. You got to have confidence. If you consider someone to be better than you then you will lose. So let's get back to the point.
Yeah, confidence does go a long way though.
- Nyoken, who was the winner of the US Open tournament, was the one I didn't want to face. I watched a replay of him against Day[9], he played TvZ like a Korean gosu. I've heard Nony practiced a lot for the finals as well. Everyone really was a tough opponent. Day, G5, Evade, Nero; everyone there wasn't an easy matchup for me.
Lots of good gamers.
- Yes, the best in the US. My match versus Nyoken was tough. After I lost to him, I lost a lot of confidence. After G5 beat him 2-0, I had a chance to re with him. I had to beat G5 to get another chance to archive my win at the USA Finals. And Day's macro and micro was insane! His APM was so fast. He scared everyone! I was scared too.
I don't get intimidated by APM anymore. I play a few people who have high APM so I'm used to it.
- Yeah, same here. If you concentrate too much on APM, it's not good. I think a little faster that average is good. Around 250 APM. That's my opinion.
Whoa, I wish my APM was that high. I'm getting there though.
- Hehe, Good luck!
Thanks, I'm going to need it. So who was the most underrated player at the Finals?
- I think Artosis was. He got third place, and it was a surprise for everyone. Also Slog and theognis were underrated.
How were your games vs. Artosis?
- Well he said that his worst match up was TvZ. My best match up is ZvT. He did better than I thought. I almost lost both games. He is good. That's why he finished third.
“
- I really wish to continue my trip to Italy, but I have a life now. I bought a car after the finals, I have rent to pay, other bills. T_T. My schedule is a bit too tough to go.
So it is definite?
- Almost.
That's unfortunate.
- Yeah, I'm very sad about it. I think Day or Artosis will be taking my spot. So whoever takes my spot, I'd like to say: "Good Luck.” I think Artosis will be going though. Day is also very busy his college life.
Yea college can get pretty tough.
- Yeah, that's what I heard from Slog.
I wish you could go. Represent the big USA :p
- T_______T Maybe I will aim for it next year. Hehe, the big USA.
So how do you think Artosis or Day will play at WCG?
- I'm certain whoever goes to WCG will rock! At least I hope so.
How many of the foreigners at WCG will have a chance verse the elite Korean players?
- It will be very tough for the foreign friends. As you know, they are BIG three top progamers. But nowadays many pro replays are released and many creative players learn to play against them. So I can't say that it's definite that the Korean players will win for sure.
Wow, I haven't heard many people say that the foreign players have a chance. But I believe we do!
- Yeah, that's true... At least we can hope. I personally want to see a non-Korean win WCG this year. Whoever archives the win, will be a hero!
Yeah, a hero for all eternity, a legend, a "Korean Killer".
- Yes, if someone can get 1st place by beating oov, july, and midas; that's a legend. But I think they will take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
About the WCG maps, what do you think about them? Any great imbalances?
- In my opinion the WCG maps, Azalea, Gaia, and PA, are all T>Z. Except Gaia, it's pretty balanced. But Azalea and PA = imbalanced.
I hope more games are played on Gaia. I love that map.
- Heh, yes me too.
- My team seemed very strong with ToT)Sen(, The.Super, and Sea.Pie. (I don't know Sea.Pie but he is from Korea and is from clan Sea. And not to mention Day, Inc, Gorky, and myself. I've heard SCL already lost. We all had very bad luck.
Will you be playing Ex at all?
- Yes I've contacted about my match against Ex. I've heard Ex is a great Terran player from Russia and he is ranked above me in the GosuGamers DataBase. Hehe.
Do you know when the matches will take place?
- I don't know when it will take place. But sometime when we have time we will play. Some how it got delayed. :/ Not good. Anyway, I will try my best to archive a win against Ex. The maps are not really bad. Rush Hour is very nice to play ZvT. I've prepared enough to game on Gaia. RoV = Z favored map. Forte is a Terran favored map, but I have a good strategy on that map against Terran. All I know is that the matches will be/are really fun.
At least there is a fun factor. What team(s) do you think will win at this point?
- All teams still have potential. It's hard to say anything for sure. We will see pretty soon who will win.
Lastgosu enjoying a drink.
How is your team sMi.? Any new events or starting roster changes?
- I like sMi. a lot. I couldn't attend any CW's or CL's for sMi. recently but sMi. is a really strong team. There are many good players in sMi.. Midian joined recently. G5 and ZergStory_NamoO. I think sMi. will be growing bigger in the future. The managers are looking for sponsors at the moment.
Maybe I will join. Show you gosu Nastymarine. Any upcoming events you will be doing in the future in StarCraft or in life?
- This next year will be tough for me. I have to concentrate on work to build my credit and for my social life. I'll never stop playing StarCraft though. So if everything works out, I'll be able to come back to StarCraft and compete against good players again.
Well on behalf of the gosugamers.net crew, I'd like to thank you for your time. I'm happy we finally get to meet.
- Thanks. I really like GosuGamers.net. Especially the GosuBets. I suck at it though. It was nice to talk to you. <3 Thanks and good luck.
Thank you. Good luck to you.
(This interview was edited so that the dialog could be better understood)
Recently, though he tries his hardest to stay active, lastgosu was taken off the immediate starting roster for sMi. I assume he is trying his best to be active, but at the moment, he needs to focus on work. Good Luck to lastgosu in the future, and I'd like to thank him again for his time.
ProfileName: Geunhwa Genius Clan: sMi. Country: USARace: Zerg/Terran
“
My loss to Nyoken was my first match(s) at the USA Finals. After those two games, I felt doomed.
” Hi- Hi, thanks for your time for me.
It's cool, I'm just happy I got a hold of you.
- Heh.
So how often do you get to play? (At the moment, lastgosu does not have internet and needs to go to internet cafés to play StarCraft).
- Hmm, for now I don't have a place to play StarCraft. I bought a car right after the WCG USA Finals. So right now I'm busy trying to get money.
Work stressin' ya?
- Heh, not much. I hardly get to play StarCraft anymore. Maybe one to two games a week.
How do you stay on top of your game?
- Well, I've climbed up to level in my time playing and it just has stuck with me. But it comes down to what kind of mood I am in. So sometimes I play very gosu or sometimes I play very chobo.
Heh, I know that feeling.
- Heh, yea. Starcraft is too fun to quit.
Yeah, I hear that. StarCraft stays in your soul.
- Yeah, can't deny that.
Lastgosu at WCG USA 2006, wearing his nickname shirt.
So how was the WCG USA Finals?
- It was okay. I met a lot of good friends there. But it was very exhausting. I couldn't sleep enough.
Any particular reason?
- Hmm, probably because I was nervous. Heh. I also had problems with my mouse in my first match. It was new. I bought a Razor Copperhead and I didn't know about it's functions. It has sensation buttons on both sides. If I touch them while playing, the mouse gets faster or slower. That caused me to lose 0-2 to Nyoken.
Yeah, that definitely would hurt your game.
- My loss to Nyoken was my first matches at the USA Finals. After those two games, I felt doomed.
You faired well after that though.
- Yeah, I was sooooooooo lucky. The Finals were cool though. Maybe because I won it. Hehe.
Explain some of your matches if you can. Which was your hardest? Who was your most anticipated opponent? And who was the most underrated player there?
- I think to be a gosu gamer. You got to have confidence. If you consider someone to be better than you then you will lose. So let's get back to the point.
Yeah, confidence does go a long way though.
- Nyoken, who was the winner of the US Open tournament, was the one I didn't want to face. I watched a replay of him against Day[9], he played TvZ like a Korean gosu. I've heard Nony practiced a lot for the finals as well. Everyone really was a tough opponent. Day, G5, Evade, Nero; everyone there wasn't an easy matchup for me.
Lots of good gamers.
- Yes, the best in the US. My match versus Nyoken was tough. After I lost to him, I lost a lot of confidence. After G5 beat him 2-0, I had a chance to re with him. I had to beat G5 to get another chance to archive my win at the USA Finals. And Day's macro and micro was insane! His APM was so fast. He scared everyone! I was scared too.
I don't get intimidated by APM anymore. I play a few people who have high APM so I'm used to it.
- Yeah, same here. If you concentrate too much on APM, it's not good. I think a little faster that average is good. Around 250 APM. That's my opinion.
Whoa, I wish my APM was that high. I'm getting there though.
- Hehe, Good luck!
Thanks, I'm going to need it. So who was the most underrated player at the Finals?
- I think Artosis was. He got third place, and it was a surprise for everyone. Also Slog and theognis were underrated.
How were your games vs. Artosis?
- Well he said that his worst match up was TvZ. My best match up is ZvT. He did better than I thought. I almost lost both games. He is good. That's why he finished third.
“
I really wish to continue my trip to Italy, but I have a life now.
” Tell me about your WCG situation.- I really wish to continue my trip to Italy, but I have a life now. I bought a car after the finals, I have rent to pay, other bills. T_T. My schedule is a bit too tough to go.
So it is definite?
- Almost.
That's unfortunate.
- Yeah, I'm very sad about it. I think Day or Artosis will be taking my spot. So whoever takes my spot, I'd like to say: "Good Luck.” I think Artosis will be going though. Day is also very busy his college life.
Yea college can get pretty tough.
- Yeah, that's what I heard from Slog.
I wish you could go. Represent the big USA :p
- T_______T Maybe I will aim for it next year. Hehe, the big USA.
So how do you think Artosis or Day will play at WCG?
- I'm certain whoever goes to WCG will rock! At least I hope so.
How many of the foreigners at WCG will have a chance verse the elite Korean players?
- It will be very tough for the foreign friends. As you know, they are BIG three top progamers. But nowadays many pro replays are released and many creative players learn to play against them. So I can't say that it's definite that the Korean players will win for sure.
Wow, I haven't heard many people say that the foreign players have a chance. But I believe we do!
- Yeah, that's true... At least we can hope. I personally want to see a non-Korean win WCG this year. Whoever archives the win, will be a hero!
Yeah, a hero for all eternity, a legend, a "Korean Killer".
- Yes, if someone can get 1st place by beating oov, july, and midas; that's a legend. But I think they will take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
About the WCG maps, what do you think about them? Any great imbalances?
- In my opinion the WCG maps, Azalea, Gaia, and PA, are all T>Z. Except Gaia, it's pretty balanced. But Azalea and PA = imbalanced.
I hope more games are played on Gaia. I love that map.
- Heh, yes me too.
“In my opinion the WCG maps, Azalea, Gaia, and PA, are all T>Z. Except Gaia, it's pretty balanced. But Azalea and PA = imbalanced.”
Okay, so now onto Sandlot. What do you think of the teams? Any particular team you feel is very strong?- My team seemed very strong with ToT)Sen(, The.Super, and Sea.Pie. (I don't know Sea.Pie but he is from Korea and is from clan Sea. And not to mention Day, Inc, Gorky, and myself. I've heard SCL already lost. We all had very bad luck.
Will you be playing Ex at all?
- Yes I've contacted about my match against Ex. I've heard Ex is a great Terran player from Russia and he is ranked above me in the GosuGamers DataBase. Hehe.
Do you know when the matches will take place?
- I don't know when it will take place. But sometime when we have time we will play. Some how it got delayed. :/ Not good. Anyway, I will try my best to archive a win against Ex. The maps are not really bad. Rush Hour is very nice to play ZvT. I've prepared enough to game on Gaia. RoV = Z favored map. Forte is a Terran favored map, but I have a good strategy on that map against Terran. All I know is that the matches will be/are really fun.
At least there is a fun factor. What team(s) do you think will win at this point?
- All teams still have potential. It's hard to say anything for sure. We will see pretty soon who will win.
Lastgosu enjoying a drink.
How is your team sMi.? Any new events or starting roster changes?
- I like sMi. a lot. I couldn't attend any CW's or CL's for sMi. recently but sMi. is a really strong team. There are many good players in sMi.. Midian joined recently. G5 and ZergStory_NamoO. I think sMi. will be growing bigger in the future. The managers are looking for sponsors at the moment.
Maybe I will join. Show you gosu Nastymarine. Any upcoming events you will be doing in the future in StarCraft or in life?
- This next year will be tough for me. I have to concentrate on work to build my credit and for my social life. I'll never stop playing StarCraft though. So if everything works out, I'll be able to come back to StarCraft and compete against good players again.
Well on behalf of the gosugamers.net crew, I'd like to thank you for your time. I'm happy we finally get to meet.
- Thanks. I really like GosuGamers.net. Especially the GosuBets. I suck at it though. It was nice to talk to you. <3 Thanks and good luck.
Thank you. Good luck to you.
(This interview was edited so that the dialog could be better understood)
Recently, though he tries his hardest to stay active, lastgosu was taken off the immediate starting roster for sMi. I assume he is trying his best to be active, but at the moment, he needs to focus on work. Good Luck to lastgosu in the future, and I'd like to thank him again for his time.
