In the next week the Brazilian teams will start the fight to see who will represent their country in the International Wildcard. Our first interview about the Brazilian Regional is Thiago "Djokovic" Maia, Jungler and Captain of INTZ.
Exclusively, the player said that his team is thinking about make something like Keyd Stars, paiN Gaming and Empire e-Sports, involving foreign players, in the future. Djoko also gave the expectation of their team and how INTZ prepared to play the Regional.
>>Check the original Portuguese interview Gabriel "gabrielpumba" Melo has done here.
Please introduce yourself to our community, talk a little about yourself and your career as pro-gamer.
INTZ Djoko: My name is Thiago Maia and I'm know as Djokovic. I play as Jungler and also I'm captain of the main team of INTZ. I played competitively there for about a year but only recently I started to focus myself exclusively to the gaming, stopping my studies because why I was not able to negotiate a schedule with the University of Medicine that satisfied both studies and practise.
Although you are a player who has already been on the scene for more than a year, the Brazilian Regional will be your biggest national tournament. What are your expectations for the tournament and are you nervous to feel the pressure of playing in front of thousands of people?
INTZ Djokovic: I already played some offline events at a minor level. I know that I can play well under pressure and that I can help keep my teammates calm. I think being older (23 years) than the average player, I have more life experience and I believe that I will not choke.
In the last few weeks the team has gone through a whirlwind of changes. Today your team plays by the name INTZ and the line-up isn't the same as Team UNITED, who were sixth in Brazilian League. How do you analyze this line-up in comparison with the former, and in your opinion how could this team perform differently in order to go far in the tournament?
INTZ Djokovic: Performance in the Brazilian league was rising, with good results in Porto Alegre (at which point I was already team coach), but a performance well below average thereafter. Analyzing replays and communication, it was clear that the team lacked leadership and a voice to command the players. Though the players were communicative, they were unable to perform rotations and control objectives satisfactorily. Due to this, added to personal reasons, was the departure of three players and my input as jungler along with Tockers and Yang. At first, we worried about a lack of communication, but now we have a very united team. Finally, the structure provided by IntZ, plus the focus of all of the players, is the cornerstone for the new line up.
The participants of the Brazilian Regional had a month of preparation, with the twentieth edition of the Tournament of Legends being used as a test for the tournament. Are IntZ already prepared for the event? How was this period of training and what is your focus for these last days?
INTZ Djokovic: We are prepared for the tournament. We trained intensely both individually and as a team. Our focuses are communication and engagement, enabling rotaçõese good fights as a team.
The first challenge of INTJ in the Brazilian Regional is against the paiN Gaming. How you and your teammates are treating this match?
INTZ Djokovic: We know the qualities of the current line-up of paiN Gaming and what they can do in the tournament. Even so, we will give our best and show the value of our commitment and dedication.
In the last year, by ActioN TeaM, you eliminated the CNB e-Sports at WCG Brazil 2013, with two victories. When was asked, you said which your former team made a special strategy to play against Takesho & Cia. This same tactic will be utilized now? Analyzing the paiN, you found their weakness?
INTZ Djokovic: At that epoch, the playstyle of CNB e-Sports was different, more aggressive. After the entrance of Revolta much has changed, including their picks. So, that strategy isn't more valid. No entanto, estudamos bastante a dor e já temos uma boa idéia do melhor projecto de estratégia e para enfrentá-los.
The Brazilian scene is living new things in this year, as the arrival of tournament with format of leagues and foreign players. In your opinion, the scene arrived in the "point" or still need improvements? If yes, which ones?
INTZ Djokovic: I believe this year was only the kickoff, where the e-sports begins to truly be recognized by society. The more the scenario evolves and becomes more serious, higher its quality. but the points where it needs to thrive are two more: the stability of teams and the presence of support and sponsors.
With one of his articles, the portal of CNB e-Sports, has brought up a discussion about the coming of foreign players, if was beneficial for the Brazilian scene. We can say that this tactic, of signing players from outside, would be a catalyst in the rise of our competitive for a spot in the World Championship? What is your opinion on the matter?
INTZ Djokovic: Indeed, the arrival of foreign players not only increases the quality of the team as enhances the training of team and adds great experience, catapulting the landscape as a whole to higher levels. Because that, IntZ also studying something soon.
To finish, i would like to thank you a lot for the opportunity of interviewing you and leave this space for you to make your final statements and shoutouts.
INITZ Djokovic: Thank you, GosuGamers, for the opportunity. I also thank everyone who twist the IntZ, especially my girfriend (Lih) the entire organization (MDS, Rogério, Luan, Luke, Gabriel) and to our sponsors (especially SteelSeries Brazil). We will do everything to honor all the confidence in the team!
Interview & Translation by: Gabriel "gabrielpumba" Melo
Formatting & Editing: Michale "DreXxiN" Lalor
?Photo Credit: INTZ
