Now that we've managed to successfully launch the Western Wolves project, we have been introducing new players and teams to the organization with little time to waste. So it came by that a group of French DotA legends were on the lookout for a new name to represent, and given their status in the "old" game - they will certainly take good care to excell in the not-yet-released version of the game - Dota2. Already, we have seen them perform on the world stage, surprisingly finishing 4th at DreamHack Winter 2011; and getting rather unlucky shortly after at the Dota 2 Star Championship with 5/6th, and that definately makes them a strong contender in the 2012 calendar year.
Below, one can find a quick introductory interview with the team members:
Hello DotA 2 player. How are you doing this fine day?
7CKNGMAD: Hi there! I'm doing pretty fine, just finished my exams, that makes me on holidays! I now have more free time for DotA of course.
Sockshka: Same for me, without the holidays part :((
Ph0eNiiX: Hi, I'm fine. We finaly found a sponsor and I'm happy about it. I'm on holydays and I'll have some time to focus on DotA in the next few days.
Your French based team played under Team Shakira flag, but got picked up in the past few days by WesternWolves. How do you feel about the acquisition?
7CKNGMAD: Indeed, TeamShakira was like a fun name because as you said we had no sponsors to support us. This new acquisition is a great honor for us, and a very good opportunity to give the best of ourselves and to succeed in all the upcoming challenges. I would like to thank WesternWolves for believing in us.
Ph0eNiiX: I fell awesome. We've been waiting for this for quite a long time, and I've to admit that in the end we felt like we wouldn't find a sponsor that suits us. I thanks you for your support.
Though the game is not yet released, there is already a plethora of competitions out there, but still, how do you feel the game will evolve in after it's final release?
Sockshka: We all hope the game will evolve as good as Sc2. Actually the beta phase is as huge as sc2's one. As you said there is a lot of tournaments and also a lot of competitive teams compared to dota1. Old players of dota1 are comming back and making some new teams. Dota2 will be, in my opinion, way more competitive than Dota1, and we are looking forward about it !
How did it feel finishing 4th at a world class Dota 2 event in form of DreamHack Winter 2011, taking home $1500 in the process, together with a uplifting 5-6th placing at Dota 2 Star Championship?
7CKNGMAD: Those events were very exciting. It is a great experience to compete in famous tournaments with your team mates. We had a lot of fun there, and even though we felt like we could have done way better, it still was something I'll remember for a long time
Ph0eNiiX: I think that we felt a bit sad about this result. After our victory agasint SK in the Groupstage and our good perfomances in practises agasint Fnatic, we felt like we could have done better. But we didn't slept well (DreamHack's floor is harsh !) and we were not at 100% in the semifinal and third place match. Anyway this has been a good event, and we're looking forward to attend more events like this.
Being a squad of familiar faces to all followers of the Dota scene, you must have high expectations from yourself as a team. What are your goals individually and as a team in 2012?
7CKNGMAD: Indeed we have high expectations for several reasons. We've been playing together for a consequent time now and we are highly motivated. As a player my only goal is to improve my gameplay as much as possible and give my best for the team. And the team's goals are clear I think, to play at the very best level !
Ph0eNiiX: As a team, I want us to be best. We'll go step by step, but I won't be fully satisfied until we reach the top. Personaly, I wan't to help DotA to get bigger and bigger. I want E-sport to be at the same level as sport in the futur, and i'll make everything that I can for this to become reality.
Sockshka: Individually, my goal is to improve my gameplay. I want to start my livestream and make some fun events with viewers, like play with them in matchmaking. I also want to start shoutcasting some interesting live tournaments games. As Mad said, we want to reach the best level.
Thank you for taking your time and let me wish you and the team the best of luck in the future tournaments that you will be attending. Anything to say at the end, shoutouts, plugs?
7CKNGMAD: Thank you for the interview, shoutout to WesternWolves obviously :D I don't really like shoutouts because I'm always afraid to forget someone, and I know that I'll do it anyway ><. So I'll just give a shoutout to YAHY! And thanks to anyone that will read this interview, we need your support !
Ph0eNiiX: Shoutout to the french community, dota2-europe and of course V1lat, Moose, KongoTime and Serega ! Thanks you WesternWolves, may we bite our enemies !
Sockshka: First, I wanna thanks WesternWolves and all the staff to the really nice welcome they did, and obviously for taking us in their crew. Shoutout to people who supports us, to adp.tiger and SpL. Also to Luciqno, I hope the best for his new project, FroggedTV.
zauron
Teemu Iivonen
