Tell us more about how you got into gaming in the beginning. It started with Quake, if I'm not mistaken?
- Yep, Quake was the first step in gaming online. My brother played a lot of Quake with our 56.6k modem, so I eventually tried some and got hooked ;) I was stuck with it for a while until I discoverd StarCraft, this also from my brother and his friends ;) Since then I've just kept on swapping game, from Quake to Counter-Strike to StarCraft: Brood War to WarCraft 3 et cetera, all in whom I try to reach a high level :) And I'm still trying! ;)

Name: Oskar "Zubie" Rudberg
Age: 20
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Marital status: Single, when I'm not with Zerter :$
Loves: Love
Hates: Hate
Team: mTw.ATI
Race: Undead
Why did you decide to change from StarCraft to WarCraft? How good are/were you in StarCraft compared to WarCraft 3?
- I actually switched from StarCraft to Counter-Strike, and from there to WarCraft. I wasn't a total noob at StarCraft. I could play decent but I never reached such a high level as I have done in WarCraft 3.
I had lost that feeling I had when I most enjoyed playing the game, so I just had to find something new :) And most of my friends played Counter-Strike, so I gave it a serious try instead ;) And likewise from there to WarCraft ;)

You are known for your times in Rewind, together with Snaggy as a 2on2 player mostly. If you compare that time to the current situation you are in now with Zerter and mTw.ATI - which one do you like the most?
- It's two different type of situations. The first one with Snaggy we had a more friendly-like relationship where we Knew eachother on and off the game, and also even met a couple of times. Back then I didn't really care about future within gaming, we were both there to have fun and perform our best, end of story :)
The current situation with Zerter is a more professional relationship. At first we basically were partnerd because we needed another 2on2 team, but from there on we kinda got to know eachother, the same way me and snaggy did. However, now both me and Zerter are ready for a higher competitive level, and want to perform as good as possible :)

“

We started off great with a win and from there on we have just kept growing

”You guys have been playing together for a while, since January 2005 when Zerter joined Team Ownage. In WC3L Season VII you started off by taking home your first win together. Was it a coincidence that you two started to play 2on2 together, or is there any other side of it?
- Actually it just started off that we needed another 2on2 team to fill out the gap. We had DeliCato/SjoW, but there were one spot more open. I had experience with Snaggy, an NE, and Zerter with great experience within the 2on2 scene as well. We partnered up and at first we had no idea how it would turn out, but then we started off great with a win and from there on we have just kept growing :)

Earlier, you have said that Zerter is the one with the leading role, and you're a bit more laid back and follows his instructions. After a couple of months of playing, is this still how it works when you two play together?
- I'd say he is still the one a bit more in charge than me, but now we've got such great amount of experience with eachother that we basically know what to do without even saying anything. It's a weird, but relaxing feeling. I do my thing, and hopefully it's enough - if not I always know Zerter is there to cover my back ;)

In the previous seasons of WC3L, there were 3x1on1 and 2x2on2. During that time in Ownage, DeliCato and SjoW was one team, and you and Zerter the other. With the change to 4x1on1 and 1x2on2, you and Zerter took over more and more. Was it because of DeliCato and SjoW going inactive and did not want to play, or was it because you were the better team?
- The first playday me and Zerter were supposed to play, however we later found out DeliCato and SjoW were able to play so we were to be kicked out of the lineup. But then there were complications when given the lineup to WC3L so we got to play anyway. Second game we got to play only because DeliCato/SjoW couldnt, so we were basically just a stand-in for the "main 2on2 team".

Zubie in Mallorca with his nephewIf you and Zerter were to face DeliCato and SjoW nowadays, which team would win?
- No idea. I don't even think we have ever played against eachother, and then I also have no idea about how active they are these days. TheoryCraft isn't my thing ;)

How is your relationship towards DeliCato and SjoW? To be constant on "the bench" when playing must certainly annoy you after a while. Did you ever feel like the Zerter/Zubie team was mistreated?
- It started off as a great relationship between all players but when I later partnered up with Zerter we always felt like the 2nd team, always treated as the worse team. This isn't surprising though, considering their achievements but of course it was annoying. It was okay as long as there were 2x2vs2, however this season when they changed the system to 1x2vs2 we instantly understood we were to be benched no matter what we did.

Last time we saw you in action in WC3L was in playday 2, where you played against SK-Gaming, with Deadman and MaDFroG as their 2on2 team. You won it 2-0 - and SK has yet now won any 2on2 match. What is the key to victory as a 2on2 team? Clearly, it's not just putting two great individuals together. What is the secret?
- It's called, "find the imba matchups". Hoo no, just kidding! The two players need to have the right chemistry. If you play with eachother and just gain the experience, you will eventually form a great 2on2 team. Nowadays most people judge most teams because of the races, but that's wrong. As long as the players find eachother, the matchup doesn't matter as much.

You speak of imba matchups, and "because of the races". What race combination makes the best 2on2 team, without minding the chemistry and experience together?
- The best and most easily managed matchup for a 2on2 team would have to be Orc/Night Elf. However if you compete at a higher level there are also Undead/Night Elf, Orc/Human as well as Human/Night Elf.

In the televised StarCraft leagues in South Korea, they have actually forbid a 2on2 team to both pick Zerg, as Zerg/Zerg is considered the best combination. Do you think that there is a possibility that Orc/Night Elf would suffer the same fate?
- No, never. Orc/Night Elf isn't that much ahead of any other matchup, it's just it's most easily managed. A good Orc/Night Elf team facing a good Undead/Night Elf team would be fairly even. Same if they faced Orc/Human or Human/Night Elf.

The 1st of August it was clear that you teamed up with mTw.ATI, after you and Zerter leaving A.S Teamplay.it. What reasons were behind the switch?
- I knew I was out of the lineup, so it was basically a new chance to actually play in the league. I'm happy mTw gave me and Zerter this opportunity :)

What has changed for you since you joined mTw.ATI, except for the nickname change and new team mates? What was it that mTw.ATI had that A.S Teamplay.it lacked?
- Warmth :) Felt at home straight away, love this team now even though haven't even been part of it for that long :)

In a previous interview, made by KidArctica at SK-Gaming.com, you told about your comings and goings in the scene. You said that you intended to quit playing for good after the ESWC 2004 qualifiers, but was then recruited to 64AMD, but left because of the lack of motivation. A short while after that, you joined Team Ownage and all seemed well, since the team was based on friendship and was not just a "team based on skill". Now that you have left the "friendly" clan Ownage for mTw.ATI, do you feel the same joy as in Team Ownage?
- Well, I felt that the Ownage feeling was destroyed with the merge with play.it, so basically I didn't leave Ownage for mTw.ATI. I left play.it for mTw.ATI ;) And yes, I do feel the same kind of joy that I did in Ownage :)

Zubie tries to hypnotize the dogYour former manager mTw-Rax said in the official announcement when you joined that your main task was playing 2on2. So far, you haven't played any match yet in WC3L, because of the waiting time for every new clan swop in the league. Do you feel any pressure coming on for the fifth playday against mYm.Hanbit, since I'm counting that you will partake as the 2on2 team?
- Of course there is a lot of pressure, it's the first match that I might participate in representing mTw.ATI. Since we have been welcomed with such warmth from mTw, it can't make us anything else but wanting to perform the best for the team ;) Hopefully it will be enough!

What 2on2 do you think mYm.Hanbit will put against you and Zerter?
- I'm not sure. They have a great roster, and are capable of doing several 2on2 lineups. Will just have to wait and see :]

Whether it's the loss of Wizard, ShoCk and Rax or something else, the team has not done so well in the WC3L lately by losing against RSGaming, Teamplay.it and plan-B Sweden. Do you two intend to change that with your solid 2on2 play? It has been announced that mTw.ATI strive for survival in WC3L and to stay put in WC3L for next season. What are your personal goals in WC3L?
- All me and Zerter can do is to perform our best. If it will change anything it's yet to be shown. My personal goals are just to compete and represent a great team in WC3L, and hopefully also perform well ;)

What do you have to say about the management changes, with zerogravity in the lead, assisted by DIDI8? Do you think they will live up to and handle the tasks just as good as the former manager Rax, or even better?
- It's hard to compare since I didn't get the pleasure of being part of the team with Rax as manager for that long. It's a sad loss for the team, but I trust zerogravity and DIDI8 knowing they will do a great job managing the team (L):)

Random_NE, Zubie's former managerHow much will you miss your previous team leader and manager - Random_NE?
- I still have contact with several players and managers from my previous team since I see most of them as my friends. Random_Ne is one amongst these persons :)

You failed to qualify for World Cyber Games, by losing in the Online preliminary against Yenmoon. What were you thinking once you were hit by the loss screen which meant you were out of the tournament?
- At first I was a bit upset, hoping I could at least manage to get to the offline event, but then there were Orcs in my way! At least this is what I want to say, but I have myself to blame. I havent trained enough and took it all too lightly and then I got yenmoon in my way! ;]

Who do you think will win it all later this fall, and represent Sweden in Singapore?
Fury or ElakeDuck or maybe SaSe. LiilDC might have a small chance, but I have no idea how he might handle the pressure :]

Were you as upset with MaDFroG not making it to the finals as the majority of the Swedish WC3 scene was?
- Not really. It's just a bit sad not to see more Undead action in the offline qualification, especially missing a good player like him.

In international merits, your best achievement, Zubie, is the first place in the Swedish ESWC 2004. And in the Grand Finals you ended #3 in your group, by losing to Dominator and FaTC. Is this the achievement you are most proud of, or are there other events?
- Well, I'm proud to have been able to go there by my own accord, but the performance over there was terrible. My nerves were... unstable ;) No other events though, just basic WC3L seasons performance, online tournaments et cetera. :P

A bit less than two weeks ago, you and Zerter conquered the #1 spot on the Northrend 2on2 ladder (while we speak you're #2), with the imressive stats of 73-4. And by looking at the game length reports, in raw gaming time it has taken you less than 22 hours. Counting in the waiting time, how long did it take?
- I have no idea actually, but the search time could vary from 2 seconds to 1½ hours or so. Could sit and do something else while searching, and then 50 minutes later you have totally forgotten about it and are suddenly tossed into a game ;)

TOP 5 NORTHREND 2ON2

Rank Level Clan Player NamePlayer Name XP Wins Losses1st 50 -
cast Surrey 22,082 247 1332nd 49 mTw
mTw-Zerter mTw-Zubie 22,045 73 43rd 48
nfac CR4FTY faculty.inFi 21,725 367 1994th 48
- Fhra MaNia- 21,699 262 1155th
48 - Noobelf. NoobUd. 21,406 92 17
It seems like it went as a charm, with only four losses. Did you expect it to make this with ease?
- We have always had these kind of stats in our 2on2 stats so it wasn't such a surprise. There are many different teams in the ladder, great ones as well as bad ones. We won some games with ease, and some not as easily :)

What about the 1on1 ladder? Will you try to reach a high rank in the near future, or will you wait for the ladder reset?
I'm playing, but when the ladder is resetted I'm going to try to reach a high level :) I want to test myself how far I can go. I've actually never played much ladder at all, in any patch. I never reached above 37 or so. This time I'll try to continue without quitting and saying it's to boring :) It gives me a fresh start to test my own abilities! 8)

Great events are always knocking on the door it seems. One of those events are BlizzCon, Blizzard's own event located in USA. 8 players in the WC3 scene will fight eachother. If you were the Event manager for Blizzard, which ones would you invite?
- Spirit_moon, Zubie, FoV, Sky, Deadman, Zacard, ToD and Grubby! Two from each race! Very nice! Wouldn't you say? ^_^

Very nice! You and Zerter are considered one of the strongest 2on2 teams in Europe. Although, you did not take part in the Blizzard Ladder Season II playoffs for 2on2. The winners turned out to be Check and Farseer. Do you think you would've had a shot if you took part in the tournament?
- We had stopped playing for a while, but then Zerter managed to make me start playing again, but we didn't have enough time to reach the Top 16 Northrend.

If you were to reach Top 16, could you have made it to the Grand Final?
- No idea. Never had the chance to measure ourselves with these kind of teams. But of course I think we would have a chance. Never give up ;)

Well, I think I'm running out of questions. I wish you good luck in the next clanwar against mYm.Hanbit! Anything you would like to add?
- mTw (L) and harding and akki (L) and fader (L) and all rest (L) etc (L) : D