GosuGamers talks to 22 year old He Bao Qing from Yun Nan in China, better known as HBQ. He tells us he visits GosuGamers sometimes, and we keep asking.
What do you think of our news, replays, and ranking system? Do you like it?
HBQ: They all have one special feature, that they are all brand new. And they are all very interesting, they have included every feature for the non-korean scene in starcraft, from one perspective, you can say this website is better than some korean ones.
How good are your match ups? I heard a lot of people say your TvT is super good, probably the best in China.
That's because I play in US West, I can speak basic English and play with amatures. Unlike most progamers, who just concentrate their entire energy on how to get better in games. But in fact Super, Phoenix66 and ChinaTTTT are all better than me.
You are currently ranking #58, 7 wins and 3 loss, what do you think of this result?
Compared to the good ones, I am weaker. Compared to the weak one, I am stronger.
You were once very famous in China, but about 2 years ago, you have disappeared in BW scene in China. You didn't even compete that much, what happened to you?
Very simple. Back then I wanted to become progamer, but my family wants me to study hard. Therefore I do not have the energy and the time to do both. Yun Nan's internet technology is bad too. So I still play, but a lot less, just because I have the passion and love towards StarCraft.
Then would you like to find a normal job and work? Or stay in e-sport field?
A normal job. I want milk, and as well as bread.
Not long ago in GOC you lost to Lx 1:2. However the third game you had an advantage in begining, but you lost to him in the end, any thought on that game?
Skill. Skill difference, that's why I lost.
In your mind, is talent or practice more important?
Initially it is practice makes all the difference. Your talent only determines how fast you become an expert. Once you hit the expert level, it is up to your talent to determine how great you are. Some people can break the ceiling, some cannot. But I believe the gaming environment is most important. Every player needs respect, support, and better treatment. As long as there is a good environment, there is the glorious feeling. If something can make you famous and rich at the sametime, nobody would reject it. But in China the environment isn't so good.
I think E-sport is growing rapidly in China now. People in Europe and America are paying a lot more attention to China recently. Do you think the growth would be satisfactory? Or will it decline rather fast too?
Maybe everyone else thinks its fast, I personally dont think it's that fast. E-sport growth cannot be judged simply by having a few more tournaments and competitions. It is only because the media doesn't support e-sport. They do not make a lot of effort on reporting e-sport news. And if the media do not support us, we will never be good. As we can see internet media is definitely not powerful enough, otherwise there wont be so many good teams that were dismissed.
Many good teams were dismissed? Can you give us some stories on that?
For example. Hack Team. ChinaTTTT is such a great player, yet he doesn't even belong to a team now. And wNv too. Ever since PJ left, the Starcraft team section is completely gone. When the players signs contract, it's usually by 1 year only, not safe at all. In addition the welfare is bad too.
Warcraft seems to be more popular than Starcraft in China, is it true? If it is, why is that so?
Firstly Warcraft is new, so it appears to be more stylish. Secondly, Warcraft's graphic is good, and you can use heros, people like different types of RTS. Thirdly, it's RPG system is really good, which gives the player more imgination and fun, which definitely surpasses Starcraft. Lastly, it allows many people to play together, and with the popular "Super Girl" show to advertise it, more and more people think it's the trend to play it.
Then what do you think as a player, and e-sport supporters like us, can do to make E-sport one step better?
Wait for the time to come. Everyone is trying their best already. But we are the actors, whether this "e-sport" movie is good the way it is is up to the director. We are minorities after all. If you say we aren't work hard enough, we have Champion in WCG already.
Are you talking about Sky? Is he treated differently compare to others?
Yes. Sky is truely a national hero. But he definitely deserves a lot more than what he has right now.
Do you have any goals in e-sport right now?
Ever since I walked into the door of university, the goal is gone. I cannot have both at the same time. Without knowledge from school I cannot stand up in the society. Unless the environment for e-sport players is better, but I am pessemistic about it. When you grow up, it's good to have dreams, but there is so much difference betweeen dream and reality. Not to mention buying car and house, even food and marriage become problems. I cannot still facing computer playing Starcraft when I am 30 year old. I cannot depending on the prize money of the tournament to live a life. What if my parents are sick and need money? How can I deal with that? This world is just too real.
How do you like MYM? You are playing for them? Do you like the teammates?
They provide me with extreme fast internet. They are pretty nice people, and the teammates are cool. But they are on-line team anyway, there are many problems I cannot ask them for help.
Thanks a lot for your time and effort HBQ. Anything you'd like to say to me or to everyone else at GosuGamers?
No matter how good Starcraft is, it needs supporters and people who care about it. Like NBA, if only Americans play it, it won't be as fun as it is now. However the Koreans neglected this fact. GosuGamers has included everything for the non-koreans, it created the place and fun for the non-koreans, therefore it is better than most of the korean website, and I will keep supporting GosuGamers! Personally, I will try my best to perform better and bring out more exciting games. And I wish everyone a happy and lucky "pig year" (Chinese New Year) in 2007. Just for entertainment, hehe.
Interview by GosuGamers Crew member Aurora_Phoenix.
