"Since datoby came back after his military service, his gaming career has gone only one way - upward. Looking at his performances in official matches (GosuGamers Database) he has only lost one match, and gathered 14 wins over top notch players. It didn't take long after his comeback for both the Swedish national team and Nerds at Work signed the Swedish Protoss player to their ranks. He is a very positive and friendly person. After winning DreamHack Summer 2007 you can surely say that datoby is one of, if not the, best player in Sweden at the moment."
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Raistlin, interviewer, GosuGamers Editor-in-Chief, Team Sweden managerWe'll start right away with your nickname. A lot of people have it all wrong - dotaboy, databoy, maybe because most of them don't know where it originally came from. Tell us!
- datoby was actually the first nickname I had when playing StarCraft. It was my brother who "came up" with it. Actually it comes from a former Quake player called dagurra if I'm not mistaken. Then I stole it and made it datobie, and later datoby.
PERSONALFood: Fillet of beef, pommes frites and bearnaise sauce. Music: Techno when playing Book: Bilbo Game: StarCraft, if not, Quake 3 Drink: Orgasm TV: Entourage, Bleach SC FAVOURITES |
- I am 20 years old and I live in Stockholm, Sweden. I'm working at a youth recreation center and have been doing so for nine months now. I still live at home with my folks. And except from playing Brood War I play floor ball and football from time to time.
How much of your life is filled with Brood War?
- As much as I want it to be. I usually never stay home and play Brood War when I have other things I would like to do. Sure, I think Brood War is a great deal of fun and I play it a whole lot. But the past few weeks I haven't been playing that much. A lot of things have taken up my time, such as soccer, floor ball, friends and such. The past few weeks I might have played about ten matches a week or so. But when I play at most it can be more than ten games a day if there's anything worth to play on, such as a decent ladder or a tournament.
Do you have a lot of friends that play the game as well, or are you the only StarCraft player?
- I'm the only StarCraft player.
And how do they feel about it? How do they react when you go and win DreamHack and actually make money playing a computer game?
- Hehe, well, they think it's fun. The fact that I won DreamHack didn't change anything. They have always known that I have played a lot of Brood War and most of my friends are sitting in front of their computer quite a lot too so it's not a strange thing that I play Brood War.
And what do you think? Could you have imagined that you would reach this stage in gaming when you started?
- Nah, in the start StarCraft was just a game I played at the computer hall in school for fun. It wasn't until years later I noticed "the scene". That I would get stuck in here for so long was nothing I really planned; it just happened. I see my gaming just as a hobby. A thing I do to relax and think of other things.
Tell us more about what it was like playing StarCraft for the first time. How come you continued?- I think I played it the first time at home around when it came out. Then we had a computer hall at my school when I was in sixth grade that we were allowed to play in. We played a whole lot of StarCraft. The year after that we had four computers in our classroom where we stayed after school and played on. I continued playing because of I had friends who also kept playing and then it felt natural that I did so too. And the fact that I stayed with the game a lot longer than they did was probably because I fancied the game more and had a really crappy computer. :D
It took a while for you to reach the top in the Swedish scene - why is that?
- After my military service (ten months ago) I started playing a whole lot again. I think I've just been playing a lot and playing against good players and with that comes success. Though right now I can't say there's too many top notch players in Sweden at the moment.
Even if Sweden has a set of inactive players that's usually on top of the European scene, the Swedish national team has reached Top 3 in the Galactic Conquest. How do you rate Sweden compared to the other nations?
- I can't really say that we are Top 3 when it comes to the players we have. Though everyone tries their best when we have a nation war. I think that's why we've won a couple of matches against tough opponents - team spirit.
How do you think Sweden will do in Galactic Conquest? Does Russia and USA in 7x1on1 matches not really sound that hot for Sweden?
- Nah, 7x1on1 is not exactly the best format for us considering we have quite a few inactive players. And Russia's and USA's teams are very good. We'll have to do our best and see where it leads us.
A lot of people would probably say you're one of the biggest rising stars in Europe right now. Do you notice the sudden wave of exploitment and recognition?
- Yeah, there's more matches to play and you get invited to more events.
What do you think of today's tournaments in Europe? Do you think the competitive scene is on its last legs?
- Yeah, you really have to look thoroughly if you want something serious to play. I sadly think it's dying more and more when it comes to competitive tournaments. That's the reason I long for StarCraft 2. It will mean a fresh start and I think a lot of people will start playing it - that's what's missing in my opinion. If a lot of people's playing then people want to host events and have tournaments.
What is your opinion of StarCraft 2, based on what you have seen so far?
- I'm not that impressed but it will be interesting to see what they will do with the game. I'm not worried at all because it's Blizzard making it. They usually know what they're doing. It will most likely be a really great game but there are few things I'm unsure about; like the mothership for example.
Do you think StarCraft 2 will be the end of StarCraft 1? Or will it be like it was when WarCraft 3 came?
- I don't really know. We'll just have to wait and see. It will probably be like in the beginning when WarCraft 3 came, meaning everyone switched over and tried it out. Then it will all depend on how good StarCraft 2 is and how many gamers will greet it with open arms.
You play Protoss and you have been doing that for a long time - what is it about the Sons of Aiur you like?
- I don't really know what I like with them. I guess it will have to be something with that I know how to play them and it's always most fun when you play your best. It's always funnier to know exactly what you're doing and that you really know the race in every critical moment. I've tried playing the other races as well but I've always been best with Protoss.
Which matchup is your strongest?
- Tough question. I've been playing mostly Protoss versus Zerg since I came back but it's a very hard matchup to play in my opinion. My Protoss versus Protoss is pretty good but it's a lot about the current shape you're in, I think. Protoss versus Terran is probably the one that's easiest for me to play but I've been playing it the least since I came back from my military service. I'm pretty much as good in every matchup, but I think I have the best chance versus other good Protoss players.
What's the most important thing to keep in mind in the different matchups?
- When it comes to all matchups you just need to learn the game in each situation. I think PvZ, PvP and PvT is very different to play. You don't think the same way and you don't look for the same things. Each and every matchup is different and it requires routine to play then well and of course good macro management and building the right stuff. But most and foremost it's about reading your opponent and guessing right. A lot of practice and be good with reading your opponent. The more you play the easier you read the opponent, in my opinion.
How would you describe your playing style?
- In PvT I guess I'm a macro player. PvZ is a bit different from time to time but what I usually do is putting early pressure with expanding early. It kind of depends on how you're doing that day. Usually there's some fast gates and some cheesing involved in that matchup. PvP I like to play in a way that puts you up to par with the enemy. I usually don't try to end it too soon; just irritate him a bit. I usually don't do all-ins in the mirror matchup.
What hardware do you use?
- I have an Intel Core 2 Duo 2,4 GB with 2 GB RAM, 19" flat screen. I have a 150 SEK Logitech keyboard and a very cheap Microsoft Optical mouse. I play with the gear I'm used to. I don't want to change just because I would get better after like one month of crappy playing.
You're using KeyCraft - what hotkeys have you changed?
- I have changed so that probes are build on A instead of P, and pylons on A instead of P. I also have that the assimilator is built on S instead of A and that storm is being upgraded on A instead of P.
How big a difference is it playing at home and at an internet café or on a LAN?
- I haven't played on an internet café for a long time except for the ZkillZ event where I didn't have my mouse, keyboard nor my hotkey settings. I could barely play there - I reached 60% of my skill level, or maybe less. On DreamHack I didn't sleep that well even though ZpuX and I really tried to get much sleep during the nights. All the noise in the sleeping halls made it almost impossible to fall asleep. And the food wasn't that good either - and you didn't eat regularly and only had sodas and shit. If that wasn't enough, with not having support for my arms when playing made it really painful. But, it's the same for everyone. No one plays 100% on a LAN like that. Maybe 70% or so.
Tell us more about DreamHack - was it an expected victory?
When I saw what players that signed up I would have been disappointed if I hadn't won. The only threat I saw was ZpuX. Sure, the Czech Demolition Squad players are fairly alright but I thought that if I play like I usually do I would do alright. ZpuX has a pretty good Protoss versus Protoss so I was worried in both the Winner Bracket Final and in the Grand Final.
The Grand Final was pretty one-sided, but the Winner Bracket Final held a very interesting set of games. Tell us about those games.
The first map was Tau Cross where I did a pretty stupid attack in the start and then I thought I was behind. Then when he attacked I had the option to attack him as well - if I hadn't I'm quite sure the match would have been over. My attack was better than his because he didn't get to my probes nor my gateways. I took out everything expect for his expansion where he had basically nothing in. But it was a very tight match, indeed. Next up it was Paeks of Baekdu where he won after playing better than me - simple as that. Then I chose Blitz X and won after a pretty close but most of all badly played game. Then it was Lost Temple where he played pretty bad. I managed to irritate him with my dragoons on the cliff, so he didn't really manage to build up.
Sadly there weren't that many big names who came to DreamHack Summer 2007. How high do you rate this victory?
- It's really great to win a thing like this but when it comes to the skill level of the tournament it is nothing to boast with. But as I said, it's always fun to win. If this would've been a tournament online I wouldn't have rated it very high. But with it being offline and everything it will surely be something I'll remember.
Where have you placed your trophy?
- Haha, right now it's over the radiator in my room. I placed it there when I got home, and haven't moved it since then.
How did it feel playing versus ZpuX in the Grand Final? After all, you two must know each other inside and out by now?
- Yeah, we know each other pretty well. The thing is, you'll have to play a bit different than you usually do when playing matches like this. ZpuX and I are both pretty safe players with some storm drops sometimes. So this time I used some speed shuttles and played a bit different than I used to from the beginning. We had been talking about various strategies before, so we knew somewhat how we would play.
How much time do you and ZpuX spend together outside of StarCraft? You both live in Stockholm and you seem to have a good time at LANs together.
- ZpuX and I went to the same school for a year. But nothing else than a 'hello' at eye contact at that time. We haven't really hung out together outside except for special occasions. But we've known each other at Battle.Net for a long time, though.
And what of the other guys in Nerds at Work? You seem like a nice set of Swedish players. Tell us more about the team.
- Well, to start off with it was Emerald and his brother SamiRai who started the team a couple of years ago, 2004 if I'm not mistaken. Looking back, a lot of players has come and gone. I didn't join up til a year ago. Right now we're a nice gang that has fun at Battle.Net but we also strive to be good players. Some are more active than others. Every one knows each other and every member needs to say 'okay' should a new player come in. Though it's become a bit more different now since Mireille took over as a leader after Emerald. Mireille focuses more on the skill and asks the players personally he wants to join. Emerald thought it was more important being good mannered and fitting in. It's a really nice gang who just happens to be good at playing StarCraft!
Tell us about the most meaningful players in your squad.
- Mireille is a good Terran player who is leader at the moment. A nice guy who can be extremely dedicated. ZpuX is a guy who has played for a long time and I've known him since way back. He is very good once he puts a lot of time on the game. He plays very much the same in every game. RataN has been playing some in WGTCL, but he does not really play that much anymore; it's because of his girlfriend he's not playing anymore. We've had trouble with getting an active fourth player in WGTCL. Marine and Troy has taken care of the 2on2 matches. Suede and exTas are both good 1on1 and 2on2 players. We also have Gauisus who has been playing quite a lot. He was a bit inactive this WGTCL season, though. But he's always there for us. He is fast and he has good macro management. He's like ZpuX, plays pretty much the same way in every game.
Anything new in Nerds at Work? Any new recruits?
- We just recruited Habit, actually. Haven't seen that much of him as of yet, but he was a pretty good player before so we will see if he can make his way to the top again. Other than that it's the QCup coming up. I'm looking forward playing in it.
NaW recently entered the highest division in WGTCL. How does it feel being up in the top fighting versus the big teams?
- It's gonna be really fun to face some better players. In the second division you didn't really knew what you were up against. Everything from okay players to really sucky ones. Now I know that you can't just go up and play right away - you might warm up with some practice games before. I'm excited to see how good we'll do. I'm just hoping every one in the team will stay active and give it their all.