Long time pro-gaming veteran, Brian 'DKT' Flander has replaced Cyrus 'prozac' Malekani at the EM World Championships in March. Brian, a veteran in UT has made an impact on the professional E-Sports circuit, with many accolades under his belt, this former CGS team manager will be competing once...
Long time pro-gaming veteran, Brian 'DKT' Flander has replaced Cyrus 'prozac' Malekani at the EM World Championships in March. Brian, a veteran in UT has made an impact on the professional E-Sports circuit, with many accolades under his belt, this former CGS team manager will be competing once more, at the ripe old age of 27.
Cameron 'fams' Carson caught up with Brian before he left for Hannover, Germany to ask him a few questions about his expectations, being a more seasoned gamer, the Europe Vs. North America rivalry and more!
Are you nervous about the championship finals at all?
Yes, I am, but I think it is natural to be nervous. I'm not scared, or stressed, but I am excited and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to go to the finals.
How did you feel when you were asked to be a substitute for prozac?
Extremely happy. I played very well at QuakeCon and Dreamhack (with the exception of 1 map vs z4muz), so when I did poorly at Edmonton, I was actually pretty shocked I lost to vo0 and griffin, especially after all the practice games results online before the event.
Do you feel you have had enough time to prepare for the finals?
I never stopped playing after Edmonton, so yes, I am prepared. However, I was using 120hz, because I wasn't expecting to go to Germany, so I'll have to use this next week to get used to 75hz on the monitor.
Did you do any special (or do you plan on doing) kind of bootcamping with any players?
Unfortunately, with such short notice I wasn't able to make any arrangements. I think all of the other Americans are arriving early, so I'll be home playing guys like tehnewbz, zero4, vamp1re, sparks, so I should get good practice.
You are one of the more older participants at these sorts of events these days, does being older make these competitions mean anything different to you? Do you view them differently, compared to when you were younger?
I think I appreciate them more now, knowing that pretty soon I'm probably not going to be able to go to as many events, or practice as often. I feel very fortunate to have done the things I've done and I've made a lot of friends along the way.
What motivates you to still continue on playing?
I'm a gamer man, always will be. I'm going to be a senior citizen playing some random game I'm sure. I just love gaming, especially the competition. Even when I'm "done" competiting at a high level, I'll still go to tourneys as a hobby and probably be involved in gaming as a manager and/or job.
What is your goal for this event?
My goal is to win, always. I've said this before. Is it realistic? I don't see why not. At Qcon 08 I lost to zero4/griffin (2nd/3rd), who was in the finals. At Qcon 09 I lost to spart1e twice in 3 maps both sets, who went 3-2 with rapha in the finals. Then I lost to z4muz at Dreamhack, who was also in the finals there. If you take away my horrible display at Edmonton, I've only lost to people who have been to the finals at all of my quakelive events. So, if you beat me, chances are you're in the finals =p!
What are you looking forward too most about this event?
Playing against the best players in the world.
What made you choose coL as your organization after Gravitas?
I know Jax and 1 from CGS. They are great guys and I like the direction coL is moving. CREATIVE is an amazing sponsor and I'm looking forward to a bright future with coL.
There are going to be quite a few coL members at this event, is it more encouraging to travel to events with your fellow teammates? Is there any additional support given or received do you think?
Definitely. The guys are all very cool and I'm looking forward to rooting for them in my downtime and I'm sure the feeling is the same from them.
There are quite a few heavy hitters at this event, as it is the finals, are there any matches you are really looking forward to?
None specifically. I have always wanted to play cypher in an event, so this should be fun. I played fox at ESWC and lost in 3 maps and I have yet to play strenx or dahang in an event. Over all, I am looking forward to every match.
This event is looking more and more like an EU Vs. USA extravaganza, which area do you think will be the victor? Do you think the American players will do better, or the Europeans?
Flip a coin.
If there is a dark horse in this event, who do you think it is?
I guess the real "dark horse" candidates would have to be myself, jibo and griffin.
Many people share the feelings that, to be a good FPS player you need to be younger as your reflexes, etc. Are much quicker. Do you feel being older than most of the players such as Cypher, av3k and Strenx gives you an advantage in terms of experience, or a disadvantage due to their reflexes and aim?
I think all that is myth. What young age helps with is what I call "ignorant confidence." When you're young like that, you're SO confident, for no reason at all. You become much more humble with age.
Do you think your play style relies more on AIM or intellect?
I think its a combo platter. I'm trying to change my game to rely more on intellect, I think all good players have good aim, its just a matter of the situation. If you put yourself in the correct situations, you don't need amazing aim, but it helps. If I had to choose, I'd say at the moment my game relies more so on intellect.
Being an experienced gamer, and coming from a different game in the duelling scene, do you think that helps you at all in terms of coming up with strategies and tactics?
I think it helps in certain situations. You develop an intuition over time. Sometimes, I'll predict someone is going to do something that I think very few people would even risk doing. It can backfire in your face, but it is just a gut feeling.
You have been around professional gaming since 2000, what advice would you give to players looking to become professional players?
Don't quit your "real life" path. Make sure you stay in school. Gaming is a roller coaster, and as a player, if you bank on becoming the next fata1lty, you're nuts. I was smart enough to go to school and game on the side, don't be the person who puts their whole life into it and leaves no backup plan.
You missed out on playing the Silent Gamers tournament that just happened, why didn’t you play? Do you think you might have needed that competition to help get you into top shape?
I was on a ski trip with my wife =) No, I don't.
Do you and your teammate Vo0 ever bootcamp or practice together, or do you have other practice partners?
I mainly practice with chance, dahang, rapha, vamp1re, tehnewbz, and sparks. Vo0 hasn't played QuakeLive since Edmonton, he is busy with school.
Any last words for your fans?
^1Dawg...
Yes, I am, but I think it is natural to be nervous. I'm not scared, or stressed, but I am excited and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to go to the finals.
DKT on vacation in Fiji |
Extremely happy. I played very well at QuakeCon and Dreamhack (with the exception of 1 map vs z4muz), so when I did poorly at Edmonton, I was actually pretty shocked I lost to vo0 and griffin, especially after all the practice games results online before the event.
Do you feel you have had enough time to prepare for the finals?
I never stopped playing after Edmonton, so yes, I am prepared. However, I was using 120hz, because I wasn't expecting to go to Germany, so I'll have to use this next week to get used to 75hz on the monitor.
Did you do any special (or do you plan on doing) kind of bootcamping with any players?
Unfortunately, with such short notice I wasn't able to make any arrangements. I think all of the other Americans are arriving early, so I'll be home playing guys like tehnewbz, zero4, vamp1re, sparks, so I should get good practice.
You are one of the more older participants at these sorts of events these days, does being older make these competitions mean anything different to you? Do you view them differently, compared to when you were younger?
I think I appreciate them more now, knowing that pretty soon I'm probably not going to be able to go to as many events, or practice as often. I feel very fortunate to have done the things I've done and I've made a lot of friends along the way.
What motivates you to still continue on playing?
I'm a gamer man, always will be. I'm going to be a senior citizen playing some random game I'm sure. I just love gaming, especially the competition. Even when I'm "done" competiting at a high level, I'll still go to tourneys as a hobby and probably be involved in gaming as a manager and/or job.
What is your goal for this event?
My goal is to win, always. I've said this before. Is it realistic? I don't see why not. At Qcon 08 I lost to zero4/griffin (2nd/3rd), who was in the finals. At Qcon 09 I lost to spart1e twice in 3 maps both sets, who went 3-2 with rapha in the finals. Then I lost to z4muz at Dreamhack, who was also in the finals there. If you take away my horrible display at Edmonton, I've only lost to people who have been to the finals at all of my quakelive events. So, if you beat me, chances are you're in the finals =p!
What are you looking forward too most about this event?
Playing against the best players in the world.
DKT on vacation in the Black Hills, South Dakota |
I know Jax and 1 from CGS. They are great guys and I like the direction coL is moving. CREATIVE is an amazing sponsor and I'm looking forward to a bright future with coL.
There are going to be quite a few coL members at this event, is it more encouraging to travel to events with your fellow teammates? Is there any additional support given or received do you think?
Definitely. The guys are all very cool and I'm looking forward to rooting for them in my downtime and I'm sure the feeling is the same from them.
There are quite a few heavy hitters at this event, as it is the finals, are there any matches you are really looking forward to?
None specifically. I have always wanted to play cypher in an event, so this should be fun. I played fox at ESWC and lost in 3 maps and I have yet to play strenx or dahang in an event. Over all, I am looking forward to every match.
This event is looking more and more like an EU Vs. USA extravaganza, which area do you think will be the victor? Do you think the American players will do better, or the Europeans?
Flip a coin.
If there is a dark horse in this event, who do you think it is?
I guess the real "dark horse" candidates would have to be myself, jibo and griffin.
Many people share the feelings that, to be a good FPS player you need to be younger as your reflexes, etc. Are much quicker. Do you feel being older than most of the players such as Cypher, av3k and Strenx gives you an advantage in terms of experience, or a disadvantage due to their reflexes and aim?
I think all that is myth. What young age helps with is what I call "ignorant confidence." When you're young like that, you're SO confident, for no reason at all. You become much more humble with age.
Do you think your play style relies more on AIM or intellect?
I think its a combo platter. I'm trying to change my game to rely more on intellect, I think all good players have good aim, its just a matter of the situation. If you put yourself in the correct situations, you don't need amazing aim, but it helps. If I had to choose, I'd say at the moment my game relies more so on intellect.
Being an experienced gamer, and coming from a different game in the duelling scene, do you think that helps you at all in terms of coming up with strategies and tactics?
I think it helps in certain situations. You develop an intuition over time. Sometimes, I'll predict someone is going to do something that I think very few people would even risk doing. It can backfire in your face, but it is just a gut feeling.
DKT at a friends wedding |
Don't quit your "real life" path. Make sure you stay in school. Gaming is a roller coaster, and as a player, if you bank on becoming the next fata1lty, you're nuts. I was smart enough to go to school and game on the side, don't be the person who puts their whole life into it and leaves no backup plan.
You missed out on playing the Silent Gamers tournament that just happened, why didn’t you play? Do you think you might have needed that competition to help get you into top shape?
I was on a ski trip with my wife =) No, I don't.
Do you and your teammate Vo0 ever bootcamp or practice together, or do you have other practice partners?
I mainly practice with chance, dahang, rapha, vamp1re, tehnewbz, and sparks. Vo0 hasn't played QuakeLive since Edmonton, he is busy with school.
Any last words for your fans?
^1Dawg...
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