Photo by: Esporteye.net
Mr. Bitter: Sure! My name is Ben Nichol, but most people in the Starcraft community know me as Mr. Bitter. I've been a gamer my whole life, and for the past several years, Starcraft Broodwar has been a real passion of mine.
When Starcraft 2 came out, I really wanted to play it as competitively as possible, but as fate would have it, I've found a lot more success talking about Starcraft, and producing Starcraft related content than I have as a player.
Right now my major projects are my show: 12 Weeks with the Pros, and, of course, my move to Germany to work as an English commentator for the ESL.
GG: Speaking of 12 Weeks with the Pros, during its run you were focusing mainly on the Zerg match-ups. But did the show help you upgrade your casting and analysis skills in general in any way?
MB: The show definitely helped me flesh out my understanding of the Zerg mtachups, but most of my knowledge of the Toss and Terran matchups comes from my own experience off-racing, and from watching other pro games and pro casters.
In terms of just learning to break down the game, any time you force yourself to look at a particular situation critically, you're developing those "analysis skills". Watching hundreds of Zerg replays, for example, and picking through them for subtle timings and nuances really conditions you to do the same for the other races.
GG: You worked with top-tier players like InControl, Idra, Ret, Sheth, TLO, Machine... Who would you say was the most helpful partner to you and why? Also, if you have to pick any Koreans to partner up 12-weeks-style, who would you choose?
MB: InControl is known throughout the community for being an excellent coach, and any legitimate progamer will be able to offer tons of helpful insights into a player's gameplay and where the holes might lie, but the guys who absolutely helped me the most are probably Dimaga (his ZvZ lesson is still one of the best we've ever done) and Titan, who, for whatever reason, just understands how to pass knowledge on to other people.
Koreans will come, that I promise. I'm working very hard on lining up some big names... Obviously the guys I want are the most famous - Nestea, MC, MVP, etc.
Mr. Bitter and Rotterdam at EU Battle.net Invitational
GG: This is truly amazing to hear! Let's turn our gaze to MLG. You took hold of the blue stream along with Husky and the schedule already promised some spectacular games right from the start. Which matches/players were you most eager to cast? Can you wish for a better MLG casting debut than TLO vs DRG?
MB: TLO vs DRG was definitely a fun way to start off the event, but I've got to say that the games that really blew me away were the ones played between MVP and Ganzi. Korean TvT has just evolved the matchup so much. It's a lot more fun, in my opinion, than sitting down to watch the 30+ minute long siege-tank-chess matches.
GG: What were your personal predictions and expectations of Anaheim? Did you anticipate that Koreans will take not three but six top places?
MB: I expected MVP to win and for Koreans to dominate. MVP is the best Terran player in the world, and he has been for a long time. Foreigners haven't been taking their practice seriously enough lately. Hopefully this run of Korean domination at foreign events will slap some sense into them.
GG: Your predecessors at the blue stream at Columbus were none other than Tasteless and Artosis. Did you feel the obligation to deliver a good and educated casting (which I personally think you accomplished 100%) to be even stronger, knowing that the fans will compare you to the casting archon?
MB: Obviously Tastosis casts a big shadow, and theirs are shoes that I can't really hope to fill completely. I went out their with the hope of providing solid insightful commentary that entertained the fans and fairly represented what was happening on the screen. I feel like that part of the job was a great success, and comparisons or not, I'm proud of the way the weekend unfolded.
Mr. Bitter partnered with Husky at MLG Anaheim. Picture by Esporteye.net
GG: For quite some time now, GomTV have been trying to find the best casters for their GSL. Have you at some point in the past been considering a move to Korea for that particular job like other colleagues of you did?
MB: Until recently I would've never thought of myself as a commentator. I always put far more emphasis on my play than anything else. Its only in the past couple of months or so that people have been offering me casting jobs.
I never considered going anywhere, Korea or otherwise, but opportunities presented themselves, and I'm not about to turn down the chance to make a living doing something I love this much.
GG: What are your future plans regarding SC2-related shows? You mentioned earlier in the interview that you will be going to Germany as an ESL caster so would you like to run an SC2 show with the power of ESL behind it (like Rotterdam University for example)?
MB: There are lots of plans for new shows and things of that sort out of ESL, but I'm not allowed to talk too much about it. The major high points: 12 Weeks with the Pros will continue, and will have the backing of ESL. That means more shows, more pros, and higher production value.
And, of course, there will be lots and lots of Starcraft II games, tournaments, and more!
GG: Ok, Ben, I think that pretty much sums it up. Thank you for your time and if you have any shoutouts to our readers - you have our podium!
MB: Thanks so much for having me.
I'd like to thank everyone in the community for all their support, and to ask them all to tune in to the ESL in coming weeks. We've got some absolutely incredible stuff on the horizon, and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of it all.
