Soccer: 'We will manage without any new players'

GosuGamers gives you an interview with WeMade FOX player Deok Man "Soccer" Yoon, put together by Cameron "fams" Carson.


What does your daily training schedule look like?

- I play the Battle.net ladder. I watch replays of my upcoming opponents. Usually I watch the replays which were uploaded at Replays.net.

Do you use the gym that WeMade has at their offices?

- Yes, I use the same room as Moon and Lyn.

Could you tell us a little bit about how you became a WeMade FOX player? In a previous interview with GosuGamers you said that Moon helped you?

- Moon recommend me to the coaches, so I could meet the manager of FOX.

What are your thoughts on having Lyn on your team?

- Orc players are very strong nowadays, so we need to practice against Orc, hence it's good that Lyn entered. Lyn is a light-hearted person, so I'm happy to live here.

What are your thoughts on using more than one race such as ReMinD using Orc and Elf?

- It's an ability players can use. If a player practices well enough for a different race, he can master the other races. Some people would think it's bad though, for balance issues.

With no real balance changes for quite some time now, many people claim Orc to be the strongest race. What are your thoughts on the current balance of Warcraft 3?

- Orc is in a very good shape right now. The Blademaster can be used for several purposes, so Orc is very strong. It is hard to predict what the Blademaster will do. I think ORC > UD > NE > HU > ORC. But it's all in relation, the better player will always win in RTS games.

You have played for quite a few organizations now, both Western and Korean. Could you tell us about any major differences you notice between the two?

- In European teams, most work is progressed online and players need to practice individually. But in a Korean team, it is good to contact each other directly when you need something. The practice time is also set. We have to practice a certain amount of time, so it is helpful for improvement.

When you aren't practicing or playing in a tournament, what are you doing in your spare time?

- Sometimes I play with the StarCraft players or watch movies. When not, I just rest at home or go out on a date with my girlfriend.

How do you feel you have influenced the Night Elf race over the years strategy wise?

- I made up some strategies against Human, using the Warden for example.

Who did you look up to when you were trying to become a professional gamer?

- At first I only thought this was fun, and I didn't think of becoming a progamer. But when I met stronger players, I wanted to become a better player. However; I did not want to be like a player, but I admire people with a strong and good mind. Lyn has good mind sense, and Moon is practicing really hard.

Does your family support your eSports career?

- In many cases, parents don't think it's good. But my parents believe in me, and allow me to do what I want to do. I want to say thanks a lot for that.

You said to GosuGamers earlier that you would be going to do your military service in one or two years. Has that changed at all, do you have a specific date in mind now?

- All Korean players have military duty issues. So it is not clear for how long I can play. I can't say with certain, but I will enter the army one or two years from now.

You now have two Night Elf players as well as one Orc player on your team. Would you like to also have an Undead and Human player on your team to round out the team?

- I think we need them, but Korean Warcraft 3 scene is heavily weakened. Most players has gone to the army or are retired, so it is hard to find new players. And since there is only one team league, WC3L, and that league doesn't even need that many players, we we will manage without any new players. But it would be good to have off-race players when we practice.

What advice would you give to kids trying to become professional gamers?

- Do something that you like without any regrets! Also: If you want to be best, always practice.

Is there any pressure on you to play StarCraft 2? Are you excited to see it come out?

- There are only rumors, so I don't know. If it would be published in this year, I'll decide after discussing it with the team.


Do you and the WeMade FOX StarCraft players ever play Warcraft 3 or StarCraft together?

- When they are bored, they watch our game or play it, but they always say it is hard. I sometimes play SC, just as Moon. He can do well in any game!

Do you have any pre-game rituals you do before an important match?

- I pray before important match be calm to play the game and to concentrate.

Any words for your fans?

- In 2010, I'll be a more endeavoring player in 2009. Take care and Happy New Year!

Author: Cameron "fams" Carson, Translator: Passenger