Draco: Parts of me still want to live the progamer life

Draco at World Cyber Games. Photo by: Len "halfnorn" Maessen, GosuGamers

None of us tries to hide the joy of the fact that you joined Betsson Voodoo Gaming. Tell me what pushed you to this decision to come back to the scene?

- For two years, since I came back from Korea, I haven't been involved in any team and didn't get any material profits from the game. Despite having lack of training I have participated in a majority of tournaments that were available. In each of them I were at least top 4. And then I asked myself: Why not take an advantage of the fact that I am winning and cooperate with one of the multigaming clan?
And this is how my choice laid on my own country - BVG. Additionally, it's the last or tops two years since we get StarCraft 2. Who knows if it's the last time in my life when I can part of Polish and international e-sport.

Since you mentioned choosing BVG, could you tell more about seeking the team in the past weeks? There were lots of speculations on the sites that you will end up in some Polish or even a Korean team.

- Since I came back from Korea, I regularly had dozens of propositions from various teams. I rejected all of them for some time, because none of the propositions were actually attractive enough for me, which could 'force' me to play more often. I'm not a fan of gossips so I won't put a comment on that. I will say only this - If I wanted come back to Korea, I would be there already for some time now. Problem is that I don't want to. As for BVG - it's about the offer as well working with Poles.

You will be the One Man Army focusing on individual events. Are you okay with it?

- Yes sir. I would like to focus on single events. It's widely known that, leagues aren't so popular anymore, which means aren't sponsored at all. I think that participating in such would be a waste of time. I prefer focusing on other events.

How do you feel? Know any teammates? We know you're already friends with TeRRoR, how about the rest of the team?

- I'm happy with the fact of playing with the new team. Since a long time I didn't have any reason to play StarCraft regularly, so joining BVG gives me feedback. I have known TeRRoR for a long time actually. Together, we represented Poland on WCG finals. To be honest, I don't know anyone else on the team, but I hope it will change over the time. I hope that our successes combined together will dominate the Polish e-sport scene.

What are your expectations? Coming back to the game after break it's not the problem. Yo could easily compete with polish top players. But now there's whole Europe watching you and eager to find out how's your form. Do you think you'll be top again in 2009?

- I will try to manage my time so I can do some training. I would also like to remind Polish and international scene how it was, when the non-Korean scene of StarCraft was dominated by Krzysztof 'Draco' Nalepka. And what's most important - to figure in StarCraft e-sport scene once again, because there isn't much time left.

On which particular events you would like to focus on? Are you back to active training? Where can we meet you on Battle.Net?

- First of all, I would like to focus on all Polish events. The second priority would be online events. I don't know how many of them, depends on the fact how I will handle my studies. But hitting some tours in Asia and USA would be next on the list. As for the trainings - because of my crushed computer I wasn't possible in the last few weeks, but the problem will be solved very soon. As for the place for training - iCCup.

Bronze on PGA 2008 is a success or a failure? It's your mistake or the sign of losing your form?

- There's no license for winning and I didn't have such a plan, but I think that being third is not a shame. Despite the fact, that I failed my fans in the tour I think that it's not about single tour but the whole list of successes that counts. That's why in 2008 I don't think that I did bad except I could participate in some more events (1st WCG 2008 Poland, 2nd TeamLiquid StarLeague)

As for my form - it's hard to say about any drop and stuff like that, because for the past two years my trainings were limited to zero. If you don't have ANY training, your skill stays on the same level. So now, as I plan to be more active than in the past years, I will try to increase the level of my skill.

Will the fans see you in a POL-Team or you're coming back for BVG only?

- In the case of me and POL-Team I answered a lot of times in some many interviews that I can't recall the number of it now. To what has been said I'll add only the fact that I'm definitely too busy to focus on StarCraft like I used to. Adding to that, international leagues between national teams are almost extinct compared to team leagues. Don't wanna go too far, but I think that the only country that is able to handle it's national team very well is Poland. The question is - is there still a purpose to manage the national team only to play Korean or European teams, not national teams?

Were you haunted by thoughts 'Krzysiek, come back to Korea!'?

- For the past two years I had dreams in which I was again in Ongamenet SparkyZ apartment. After waking up there had to pass some time before I got up from bed. To say that I will be haunted by such a thoughts for the rest of my life is an exaggeration, but it will take some time before my dream of reaching top KeSPA will go away. Some part of me still wants to live the life of a progamer. In every man there's a spirit of competition and proving your skills. But there's too many things that hold me now in Poland. The risk of losing those things has risen up in the past 2 years.

What happened after you came back to Poland - studies, girlfriend, work? What happened to you then and now?

- After coming back to Poland I started my studies in Krakow. Moved to a new flat and enjoyed all the things I missed in Korea. After such a hard year in Asia even basic boredom was a joy. After 2 months of studying I met my girlfriend. I'll try keeping myself fit and healthy by visiting gym to pay off the hours spent in front of PC. Lot of peoples say that studies is the best part of life - that's why I want to say it loud in the future. ;)

You're backed up by Pavo. Is he a good manager?

- I met Pavo long time ago, when he was only news writer. Through all of the time I had no problems with him, as I could even rely on him. I consider him as a one of the most reliable person in polish SC scene, that's why I can trust him with all the org-managing stuff.

Series of fast questions...

Favorite Polish player: Dreiven
Favorite foreign player: Nal_rA
Favorite Polish team: ekipa Remontowa
Favorite foreign team: [pG]
Biggest success: 1st PGL season 2
Korea or Poland? Poland

- Original interview by Betsson Voodoo Gaming, translated by Piotr "wiz" Klodawski -

Links
Voodoo.at.desk.pl - Original interview (Polish)