Draco: 'I have a lot to prove in China'

NewFace15 was indeed Draco. GosuGamers talks to Draco afterwards and we find out that he hasn't practiced at all since he came back to Poland, nor can he give us an answer whether he will go back to Korea or not.

Well, first of all, congratulations in qualifying for the Chinese offline finals for the PGL. Did you expect to qualify?
- When I'm playing some tournament I always expect my self to be on the top, every sportsman is interested only in being the best. The second player is always a first loser. Anyway to be honest - I was playing the whole tournament with relax, I didn't care so much if I win or not. Most of the league games I was playing with random and in the tournament games I used a lot of all in builds like front gates, but seems like it was enough. I didn't want to show my real potential and style so I can use it when it comes to play more important games.

- I remember from the past that people don't need many time to find out under which fake id you are playing so I was using different hotkeys, made my APM a little lower and play in a different style. That's probably why until now none was sure who has been playing under NewFace15 id.

“ As for now I can't answer you if and when I will come back to Korea.
- DracoWhy did you decide to play under the account NewFace15? Why the name, and why did you smurf?
- I didn't think much about this id. Normally in Korea to be a 'new face' means to be a new player, who wasn't known before. I thought that some of the people will start to think that it's really someone new playing under NewFace15. I was smurfing because I do like to have a little privacy, especially when I'm playing the game I don't want to answer for 100 questions about my life in Korea.

There have been lots of criticism towards the administrators of this tournament. How was your relation with the administrators - did something occur?
- Yes the organization was unfortunately horrible. I didn't see any news about playoffs so I was late for the tournament - if bartar wouldn't inform me I wouldn't know about this finals until now. There was also one accident with Idra, who sadly proved again that he doesn't know at all what means 'fair play'.

- Admins did hurry up with their decision so after all I was dropped to the losers bracket, while I should have a clear 2-0 win against IdrA. Luckily administrators of ESL told me that they won't make the same mistakes anymore and they will try the best to run the next competition on the higher level so let's just hope they will keep their word.

“ Since I left Korea I haven't practiced at all
- DracoWhat about the Grand Final versus IefNaij - could you tell me a bit about those matches?
- It was already a very late hour, after the midnight so both of us were very tired. I was surprised by this new talented guy about whom I never heard before - he played well. Anyway I think that I controlled all of the games and only in one I made a mistake so in consequence I lost my robotics and the game was over.

You said earlier that you were relaxed throughout the tournament, but how was the preparation? How motivated were you to win this tournament?
- To be honest since I left Korea I haven't practiced at all. I played only some games during Rymarov tournament in Czech Republic, then in a CW for xLo against MYM and last week less than 15 games in ESL league. I couldn't focus on training due to personal reasons, which were also one of the reasons I came back to Poland.

Would you mind telling us what those personal reasons are? Will you travel back to Korea?
- My mother has had some kind of health troubles and she had to go for a surgery. Today she finally left the hospital and she's back in home so my mind is now a little more restful. I have to remember about my family which is the most important for me and as for now I can't answer you if and when I will come back to Korea.

- It's been also a known fact that my life in the team was even harder that a really difficult life of every Korean progamer. I have to choose what's really important in my life and what's the best for me and people who are closest to me.

You decided to join up with xLo when you came back to Poland. Why didn't you team up with your old team MeetYourMakers again?
- Team MYM disappointed me many times and we broke our relationships without intentions to restore our co-operation. Moreover team xLo can support me better than MYM did so I'm sure that it's been the right decision to join this team. The owners of MeetYourMakers care much more about the money than their players. I don't really need a money from gaming, I'm doing it for a passion so I just simply don't suit to MYM.

I know it's almost always a secret with how much you get sponsored with, but let me put it like this - can you focus fully on StarCraft on the sponsorship you're getting from Excello?
- Unfortunately in Europe it's not possible to earn enough money from SC gaming to live on a normal level. As I said I don't treat it like some regular income but some addition which gives me satisfaction that I can earn the money from my hobby.

What of your chances in the offline finals, then? IefNaij, IdrA, Advokate and the other players from China and Korea?
- Last tournament in China was a disaster for me. I have a lot to prove in this country so I will do my best there to take a first place. I think my chances are not bad as long as the conditions will be fine and I will be in a normal predispositions these days. I should also remember to not underrate my opponents like I did last time at IEST. Though I'm not sure how many time I will have for preparation during next month so let's just hope I won't forget much from my gaming.

Matches from the ESL PGL Qualifier will be added to the GosuGamers Database as soon as possible.

Links
ESL.eu - Tournament site