Tell me, who is Maciej Polak?
- I'm 25 years old, I live in Warsaw and currently working in gaming-involved business. My love to Starcraft affected me so much, that I'm in varied ways involved in polish and international StarCraft scene since 2000 - as a gamer, org. And since I don't play actively anymore, I wanted to try myself once again as a POL-Team captain, for the third time now.
Yes, but I didn't ask about Maciej without a reason. Apart from Raven, who is Maciej in personal? What disturbs you, what relaxes you? Scene doesn't know exactly your true face at all. As for you as a captain, will get into that in a moment.
- Hehe, alright. In my personal life I'm still... Raven. The nickname however is deeply rooted even before SC came out. None the less, lots of people tell me after our first meeting in real life that I'm different from my e-image. I guess that my 'serious' posts create an image of me, being poker face all the time. What disturbs me? Stupidity and BM. Relax? Nothing's better than spending time with my girlfriend, Kasia.
Is SC the first game, which got into you so deep?
- Oh no! My first games are from the times I was 5-6 year-old, the ones on ZX Spectrum/Atari. The best ones to me were: River Raid, Lords of Chaos, Laser Squad, Rick Dangerous or Arnhem. My hits on PC were: Master of Magic (It gave me an idea for my nick), Diablo (Even now I consider it as the only game I was addicted to, I sold id after 6 weeks worrying about my health). Beside that, all games developed under Bullfrog and Blizzard and the Quake series of Quake. It was Q3 which was competing with SC for me.
From what you're saying, it seems that those games were important in your life. I don't want to call you a nerd, but will you admit that SC was and still IS important in your life? Without any feelings for the game, would you still be back as a captain? Could you explain why actually you're doing this?
- Sure, those games always were important and I don't consider all the time I spent with them as a waste of time. I think the opposite - most of my personal advantages are developed thanks to those games. And beside that, games will always be a personal part of my life in both - personal life and work. StarCraft still has its charm and you're right, without it I probably wouldn't come back. But I made the choice also because there is no other solid candidate for the position and that caused all my feelings of responsibility for the POL-Team - as an organizer and a player - to rise up in me.
I would like to know then how you want to build up a solid team which would be able to compete with the best? I know that other teams have their own problems as well. But still, is there any hope for a new, efficient team with so little active players?
- There is always a good reason for a national team, if there is someone to show up! Of course, the past successes of POL-Team made us feel unbeatable as we rarely allowed any other team to take the first place, but I still think it's possible even now. Polish national team not without a reason is called 'mini-Korea' and 'Proland' - the scene of our ladder-active players is a fifth power in the world (after Korea, China, Russia and USA) - and there will always be some talented players that can flatter Poland on international scene. And the thing you said, we're not the only one facing this problem, but none the less I'd called it a natural rotation of players on the top.
The rotation as you say, which is currently taking away our good -players with nothing in return. Is there a chance to fix this leak? Will the team be based on solid players?
- I don't think it's that tragic and despite few 'resignations' we have still stable squad which can still fight on the top shape. I would like to keep POL-A as a squad filled only with 'best of the best' players and POL-B is a chance for players with talent and also to give yourself a name. And by fixing the leak in the POL-A I mean filling the squad with fresh and new talented players frome the second section. I have some nicknames in my head, though. But still, don't want to spoil anything now, and still I need to talk to HeadCutter, which now takes the position of POL-B captain.
Let's hope that your cooperation will be smooth, even that nothing rough happened between you two so far. As for the POL-Team's schedule - what's your plan for the leagues and tours ? Who will we face when you officially take the role of captain?
- It's too soon to say anything particular, I just came back from vacation, I still don't have all the contacts needed, or the access on the sites. Before Xmas I heard about new national teams tournament, if it won't work, I will try with HeadCutter to arrange single meetings between the Nat. Teams. I've got some special idea for our players to show up their skill but this idea I'll keep to myself for a little while - but I'm sure everyone will like it.
It's good to hear, you're coming up with some fresh ideas. I'm curious what's the general reaction for your new e-TV show 'You don't know? Ask Raven!" ?
- Idea for the show, in which I will be answering the viewers questions about game mechanics and tactics, was approved by the scene with enthusiasm on the forum and email as well. I can already tell, that the show will be realized! Of course I need to make an effort to prepare first few episodes. I'm still waiting for the HeadShot TV Crew until they finish up all the arrangements needed which will result with everyone enjoying much more the e-TV. And by the way - reminding you that I am still waiting for your StarCraft-targeted questions on my email ([email protected]) - it's You who decide how the show will look like!
Maciek, what if everything fails? There won't be enough zeal and strength. Will you have enough of all the disturbing and problems, and are you aware of the whining, which is very common in our scene. Are you aware of that?
- Very good question. Especially in the context of my second cadence as a captain, where as a player and a captain in the same time I had enough of the negative feedback from our scene, and my motivation suddenly faded away. Now I have technically got rid of two causes: I'm not a player anymore, so I will be able to look at things from distance. Second cause is the form of leading the team, which has drastically changed over the past years - I'm not alone. Second section is ran under HeadCutter's wings, who proved that he's reliable and solid person. The section will be also completed with you, Sajurs. We've settled before I ran for the captain that you will be responsible for spreading the info about POL-team over multiple sites and having HeadShot TV as a partner broadcasting the games. Taking all into consideration, everything will be much more less taking time for me to take care of, which doesn't mean I don't treat this position less serious than in the past for example. Of course I'm little scared that it might be hard sometimes for me to push myself to the limit, but I try not to think about it for now.
Links
POL-Team.pl - Original interview (Polish)
