[Interview]The Comprehensive Vampire Interview

[FML|Mage]

FML|Mage: With us today we have XoZ_Magadansky.  Fresh off of his third FML title , in only 15 seasons, he's become the first ever trifecta winner.  Care to tell us a bit about yourself?
Magadansky: Thanks Mage, hello to everybody!
For those who don't know, I am from Bulgaria, I am 24 years old and I am
currently in my final year as a student in Denmark. 
I enjoy the nice things in life - a cold beer, a beautiful
woman and an intense FFA!
Magadansky: :)
FML|Mage: Don't we all, don't we all?
 Well actually, I know Persuade doesn't for at least one of those, but
we'll let the readers decide which it might be.
FML|Mage: Before we get into the intense
stuff, let's do a little word association
FML|Mage: I say a word and you say the first
word or thought that pops into your head.
FML|Mage: Light Beer
Magadansky: easy
Magadansky: :D
FML|Mage: Night Elf
Magadansky: panda
FML|Mage: FML
Magadansky: community
FML|Mage: Warcraft
Magadansky: best RTS
FML|Mage: Hookers
Magadansky: Renaud
FML|Mage: Persuade
Magadansky: Renaud
FML|Mage: Mage
Magadansky: Beer
Magadansky: :D
FML|Mage: Worpex
Magadansky: Sauron
FML|Mage: Haha, on that note I think we can
wrap up the word association
FML|Mage: Let's start at the basics though
FML|Mage: How did you get involved in FFA?
 If I remember correctly, you played solo when you started Warcraft right>
Magadansky: Yes, I played solo even on a
professional basis for around 2 years until the scene in Bulgaria heavily
declined and there were less and less tournaments. Also, I just grew up and I
had less time to practice my solo so it was natural that I just switched to
something more relaxing and not that time consuming for me.
Initially, I had no idea about FFA and I was playing like
every solo player, just killing everything in sight. I managed to reach top 10
rank though and I guess the FML community noticed me. Then, Ace (FS-TC-SH)
contacted me on bnet and suggested that I play on FML as his sub. From there
on, I highly enjoyed being part of the FFA community and played ever since.
FML|Mage: Building off of that, one of the
most common complaints that we hear about FFA is that it's too much manip, it's
a gay play style, etc.  This criticism usually comes form solo players who
don't really understand the play style.  As a former solo player, what
would you tell these critics?
FML|Mage: In addition, do you have any tips
for solo players that are switching over?  Recently we've seen many top
solo players such as Cechi, Rain, Demuslim, Axslav, etc play in FML.  Some
have had more success than others.
Magadansky: I would say that also it is
sometimes annoying to face manip (especially very obvious, with blatant lies
included), it is inevitable that sometimes you have to rely on it. I could
compare it to poker - if you have the best hand, you want to make sure that
this remains hidden for the rest. This goes for FFA as well since if you are
obviously the strongest, you can quickly be teamed and killed. It is a longterm
game and you have to focus on what you could gain from a certain move not only
at the moment, but also in the course of the game. 
I think this is also the elements which the solo players
usually fail to comprehend. But with practice, everything is possible. You just
have to adjust your mind sometimes. Winning a certain battle convincingly could
well be your biggest mistake at the end.
FML|Mage: That makes a lot of sense, and
maybe hearing an explanation from a former solo player will help to convince
some other players as well.  You've been playing FFA for a while.
 Have you noticed a change over that time towards players either tending
to use manip more or less, or has it remained somewhat standard throughout your
playing time?
Magadansky: Good question. I always enjoyed
one essential element of FFA and that is the diversity of players. Everybody
has its own style and even though I have played for several years now, there is
still no one that I can say it is just copying a certain player and does not
have a trademark. 
That goes for manip as well - some players use it more,
some less. Some use it only by saying half the truth, some just lie,
straight-forward. I wouldn't say there are more manipulation now but certainly,
you have to be able to at least counter it effectively otherwise it could be
deadly for you.
FML|Mage: Ok, building off of that what
would you say is the biggest difference between when you started playing FFA
and the FFA played today, your own skill not withstanding of course.
Magadansky: As strange as it may sound to a
lot of you, I think my micro declined a bit from when I started until now. But
I improved on my decision-making a lot. And FFA stands mostly for the latter.
FML|Mage: I think that's believable.
 After all you aren't playing league for solo.  What about in terms
of other players and the general FFA atmosphere?
Magadansky: I think right now, the FFA
atmosphere is very warm. There are rarely conflicts and people are generally
playing for some fun, mixed of course with the competition in the ladder and
FML. But this enjoyment I think is what still makes the atmosphere of our
community basically without any major conflicts compared to some others. 
This reflects to the players and I believe we all improve
in our play because of that. FFA is about keeping your emotions low even if you
want to just suicide someone to death. And even if this happens, after the game
its usually again back to normal.
FML|Mage: Changing gears a bit, as I
mentioned at the start you're the only 3 time FML winner.  When did you
first start playing in FML?
Magadansky: First, as a sub as I mentioned,
when FS-TC-SH asked me to and I faced, if I remember correctly, Pencil, Bobas
and Nline (not sure about him). The next season I applied and qualifed. Funny
thing is that I actually won my first season in a very intriguing final with
Nooblex, Nline and Wrecktify. Since then, I haven't missed a season.
FML|Mage: For those that haven't been
keeping up with FML at home, the season Maga[/color] is talking about is Season
7. 
FML|Mage: You mentioned some old names that
are pretty well known.  If you could have any old school player come out
of retirement and play again who would it be?
Magadansky: Although I hate orcs that
definitely would be YZ, Daselend and/or LeL (as Nline came back this season).
It was highly challenging to play against these players and, at the moment, we
are heavily lacking on good orcs (although imba *cough cough*). These guys were
among the hardest opponents for me and I would love to seem them again on the
battlefield.
FML|Mage: What a touching sentiment, what he
didn't include here is that he'll ensure any Orc that comes back promptly gets
teamed to death and forced into retirement again!
FML|Mage: Just kidding, that's Renauds idea.
FML|Mage: As someone that's been involved
with FML for a while, are there any changes you'd like to see?  In
addition, is there any map that you would really like to see added to the
Season 16 map pool?
Magadansky: Tough question as I actually
enjoy to play almost every map. Emerald Shores with fixed positions was great
this past season. What I would like to see is something completely new, like a
FML designed FFA map. That would be great. Other changes, I don't have, at the
moment, any ideas to suggest but I like how the seasons have something new each
time. It keeps FML fresh.
FML|Mage: Excellent.  Well, I think
I've taken up enough of your time for today.  I'm sure you have some noobs
to go beat.  After all, Game? seems to be somewhat of your motto.
 Before we wrap everything up though, any shout out, thank yous, or topics
you want to discuss?
Magadansky: Haha! Well, I would like to thank
to all the FML admins for making these  leagues happen! Also, to every
player who keeps the passion of FFA alive. We are a small community but very
friendly and I like it. Cheers guys! And... Game? :)
 

[Ugri2]

aha game this week end, I'll kick your 3 crowned ass :)

nice interview, should do this more often

[FML|WorpeX]

Mage: Worpex
Maga: Sauron

Bahahahahah I am the evil eye watching over all of you!!!

[FML|Renaud]

Mage Maga Mage Maga Mega Mage Maga Mege
RAWWWWWWWWWWWR CONFUSION!

[Persuade]

Mage Maga Mage Maga Mega Mage Maga Mege
RAWWWWWWWWWWWR CONFUSION!

i actually thought mage interviewed himself for a bit, i'm just glad mog wasn't interviewed as a side thing.

[FML|Mage]

Yeah, I tried to alternate colors.  I'll edit in FML|Mage when I get super bored. 

Also did we ever figure out who the hooker and who the client was?

[FML|Renaud]

Done it; find and replace ftw~

[Seksi]

Nice one, I agree that we should do interviews more often.

Maybe the community could come up with some good questions too like insight into races and matchups and fun stuff like word association was cool too. 

[Redkeekee]

I enjoy the nice things in life - a cold beer, a beautiful
woman and an intense FFA!
Magadansky: :)
FML|Mage: Don't we all, don't we all?
 Well actually, I know Persuade doesn't for at least one of those, but
we'll let the readers decide which it might be.