Team GIGA.SmD

Here is a simple ‘snapshot’ done with Team GIGA.SmD during the Selangor (INC) State Qualifier of MSI Dota Tournament. According to Team Captain Ong “Giga.SmD’Magic” Boon Choon, Team GIGA.SmD recently just grab a sponsor from Gigabite Cyber Cafe in Cheras, opposite Leisure Mall. 4 of the Team Member are still studying while only one is working. The team was formed not more than 3 months and currently the 5 team members who participate in MSI Dota Tournament 2010 is the permanent roster. The roster has a slight change where “bobolut” is replaced by Benny “Giga.SmD’Badboyz” Teoh due to work commitment. In the recently concluded Akicom Dota Tournament, Team SmD’s destroyed on of their opponent ‘fountain’ and it is largely being discuss in forums. Giga.SmD’Magic said, “We are not trying to make anyone shy. After breaking the fountain, we immediately move away without killing any heroes. We did not regret what we did as breaking the fountain is what Team Giga.SmD is trying to achieve.”

1. In the Akicom Dota Tournament, your tag was only SmD. Is Giga the Team new Sponsor?
Yes indeed. Team SmD is now sponsored by Gigabite Cyber Cafe which is located opposite Leisure Mall, Cheras. Under Gigabite Cyber Cafe wing, there are 2 teams and we are one of them.

2. Could you tell us the first ever DotA Hero you used and your DotA Idol?
Giga.SmD’H.Baby: Morphling, Mushi
Giga.SmD’BadBoyz: Bone Fletcher, ProMagic
Giga.SmD’Sushi: Tiny, Mushi
Giga.SmD’Magic: Gorgon, Mushi
Giga.SmD’HPZ: Tiny, ProMagic

Giga.SmD’Magic Shoutout: “StephyJing’s Witch Doctor very pro.”
Team Giga.SmD Shoutout: “HipHoPerz IMA”

Team XGL

Here is a simple ‘snapshot’ done with Team XGL after their victory in the Selangor (INC) State Qualifier of MSI Dota Tournament. According to Teo “XGL.Loomi” Wei Loong, the team was formed with ‘underdogs’ as members. 3 of the team members were actually ex-iRelax member before. Their already qualified to the SMM Grand Final through SMM Seremban Qualifier 2010. Team XGL trains 3-4 times a week and after any lost, they will study the replay together. Currently they go all out to participate any tournament because by the end of the year, the team may disband as XGL.Loomi Wei Loong will stop Competitive Dota to concentrate in his studies.

1. Which Team is Malaysia do you think is the strongest at the moment?
XGL.

2. I realized that there’s no Captain for Team XGL. What is that
We prefer this way. We decide as a whole body and prefer Team Decision. This is referring to our believe in Team Work.

3. Could you tell us the first ever DotA Hero you used and the hero you dislike to go against. And also your DotA Idol.

XGL.Loomi = Clockwerk Goblin (like), Troll Warlord (dislike), xzRoxllzx (idol)
XGL.Xzist = Demon Witch (like), Shadow Fiend (dislike), xiaojustin (idol)
XGL.rAitO’ = Admiral (like), Drow Ranger (dislike), limkhaiyee88 (idol)
XGL.Lazy33 = Priestess of the Moon (like), Holy Knight (dislike), Gv-retry (idol)
XGL.PK = Undying (like), Dark Seer (dislike), iRx.Dave (idol)

XGL.Loomi Shoutout: “Gamers should exercise at least once a week because we spent too much time in front of the PC, and it’s not good for your health.”
Team XGL Shoutout: “Shoutout to our Manager/Sponsor, Ah Chan for sponsoring us and giving us the opportunity to fulfill our dreams. Previously we only go on as a promise, now we are chasing our dreams!”

Chan "Winter" Litt Binn

I had an interview session with the AEON.MuFc Team Captain, Chan “AEON.WtR[MuFc]“ Litt Binn during the Selangor (E-Arena) State Qualifier of MSI Dota Tournament 2010. Compared to all previous interview i have done, AEON.WtR[MuFc] is the only one feeling at ease during interview session. The ex-National Junior Chess Champion, who represented Malaysia to Asia Games provided a lot of information during the interview. Throughout the interview session, we get to know that currently he’s on his Final Year of a Degree Program in Taylor’s College.

1. How do you think of this MSI Dota Tournament 2010?
Although there’s definitely room of improvement, i feel that this MSI Dota Tournament 2010 is very well organized with dedicated crew members. There’s no delay during this tournament, which i really like.

2. Many Teams regard AEON.MuFc is the strongest DotA Team in Malaysia. Do you realize that and what is your feeling?
Yes, i realize that and i’m thankful for the honour. During the first half of the year, indeed we are very successful. But now it’s always between AEON.MuFc and Nirvana.My. Victory can go either way especially when any one of the Team is not on form or played badly. The 3rd team that could competitively give AEON.MuFc and Nirvana.My a threat is iG-Ice. It is only a matter of time.

3. Could you comment on your recent lost to Nirvana.My at the recently concluded Akicom Dota Tournament?
AEON.MuFc likes to explore mutliple different types of tactics, especially when playing against local team. In the Akicom Dota Tournament, all of us agreed to use a ‘push’ strategy and will still guarantee a little chance of winning even if the game dragged on. That is where Necrolyte and Alchemist comes in. Even though we lost, we did not regret using the strategy because up to date, we are still even with Nirvana.My in our encounters. One of the reason that there’s no clear domination of a DotA Team in Malaysia is because there’s too much of mutual understanding between each other. Teammates or rivals eventually become friends because of frequent team transfer. I believe now stability is the key to dominate Malaysia DotA Scene.

4. MuFc added AEON as their sponsor, could you explain a little about AEON sponsor?
Eryc has always been a friend to me. Beginning of the year, Eryc wants to recruit me to join Team Aeon.Sg but it didn’t work out. Part of the reason is geographical difference. Anyway, long story short, AEON.MuFc fits me better and we are happy about it.

5. How do you think of the current Competitive DotA Scene in Malaysia?
DotA is still not a mainstream game, it runs on Blizzard engine. Therefore sponsors are not willing to venture/invest in DotA. And also DotA players attitude is not at best to promote DotA. This is because top teams in Malaysia tend to be prohibited from participating a lot of local DotA Competitions due to gain better response. But now i agree that the scene is gradually changing as we witness Akicom Dota Tournament and this MSI Dota Tournament 2010 are open to all teams. And the response is not affected.

6. What do you think of Online Competitions where it is known that players fake their ID to play for another team?
This issue couldn’t be avoided as there’s still no exact solution to solve it. Moreover, there’s always a possibility where emergence crop out and player are unable to play at that time.

7. We notice that AEON.MuFc team members changed their nicknames. Is it official and why?
Yes, indeed we changed our nickname and it’s official. Reason is simple. With AEON joined as our sponsor, we had no choice but to shorten our nickname.

AEON.ling[MuFc] = xiaoling
AEON.RwT[MuFc] = DeejaySharky
AEON.Nick[MuFc] = Silvercross
AEON.Vaxe[MuFc] = RedSun
AEON.WtR[MuFc] = Winter

8. Could you tell us the first ever DotA Hero you used and besides DotA, do you play any other game?
AEON.ling[MuFc] – Lord of Olympia, only plays DotA
AEON.RwT[MuFc] – Sniper, only plays DotA
AEON.Nick[MuFc] – Lord of Olympia, only plays DotA
AEON.Vaxe[MuFc] – Lord of Olympia, only plays DotA
AEON.WtR[MuFc] – Techies, plays Element TD

AEON.WtR[MuFc] Shoutout: “Thank you Jerry for supporting us this far. We are very thankful for what you have done. Without you our team will never be formed.”
AEON.RwT[MuFc] Shoutout: “Silvercross is the most ‘hamsap’ guy in AEON.MuFc.”
AEON.Nick[MuFc] Shoutout: “RedSun is Gay.”
AEON.Vaxe[MuFc] Shoutout: “I’m a good boy.”
AEON.ling[MuFc] Shoutout: “Sharky’s Enigma very pro.”

Team FTZ

Team FTZ with full team member participated the Penang (FTZ ASiA III) State Qualifier of MSI Dota Tournament 2010. 2 of their team member is actually part of Team FTZ.Asia that beat MYM during the previous SMM Grand Final. They are Ooi “FTZ-D3″ Kean Choon and Teoh “FTZ-Mil|er” Boon Chuan. With their full strength, it seems that Team FTZ is just a class above in the State Qualifier. Their gank-play was really awesome.

1. Could you explain the current Team FTZ roster?
This current 5 team member will be our permanent roster.

2. Right after Team FTZ.ASiA win over MYM in SMM Grand Final 2009, it seems like the Team went inactive. What happened?
Mainly it’s due to the departure of Lim [b]“MikeBz”[/b] Tze Khai from the team. Secondly is that due to work commitment. Except for Low [b]“FTZ-Baobao”[/b] Chong Yeow who is still studying now, the rest of us are working.

3. Could you give us a brief description about the roles of each member in Team FTZ?
Zenki – Drafter/Support
Baobao – Main Carry/Farmer
D3 – Carry/Farmer
Mil|er – Carry/Farmer
smallpig – Ganker

4. Which Team is Malaysia do you think is the strongest at the moment?
Nirvana.My.

Mil|er Shoutout: “Miller love marble forever :D. Zenki looks like Super Junior”

Lim "Bboy" Ewe Wei and Ooi "Wenz" Woo Boon

1. For this MSI Dota Tournament 2010, both of you are using iG-Ice tag, is the rumour about your departure from iNc’xLo is true?
Yes, it’s true. Both of us has already left iNc’xLo due to sponsorship issues. Currently we are back to our original Team Ice with iG as the sponsor. Therefore now we are iG-Ice. And we are still looking for more sponsors for our team.

2. Could you explain the current iG-Ice roster?
Currently we have only 4 players. They are me myself, Bboy, xiannn and xiaoxun. We are still looking for another candidate to fill in the empty slot. As for Little, he is still fresh and we are still trying out things with him.

3. Could you give us a brief description about the roles of each member in iG-Ice?
Bboy = Drafter/Ganker/Support
xiannn = 1st Carry
WeNz = 2nd Carry
xiaoxun = 3rd Carry

4. Is MSI Dota Tournament 2010 the first competition for Team iG-Ice?
MSI Dota Tournament 2010 is the second competition for us. The first one was SMM Qualifier 2010 – Penang (Champion). Next, we will be going to Kuala Lumpur for AKICOM Open DotA Tournament 2010.

5. Which Team is Malaysia do you think is the strongest at the moment?
MuFc.

6. What do you think about the gaming sponsorship in Malaysia?
Sponsorship in Malaysia is not supportive enough compared to other countries, for example China. In China, Professional Gamers have the opportunity to ‘play games’ as their career.

7. Could you explain your training routine?
We train almost everyday with both local and oversea teams. For example, MuFc, Nirvana, AEON.sg and Starboba. For replays, normally we study China DotA Teams replays.

Tan "Shizuma" Lyn Xhin

Tan “Shizuma” Lyn Xhin is no stranger in Competitive Scene. The petite cutie hail from Penang Island occasionally would participate DotA Tournament especially Local Tournaments. Shizuma has quite a number of achievements notably SMM Kuala Lumpur Qualifier 2009 runners-ups and being invited by Team PMS|Asterisk* for the Iron Lady DotA Tournament 2010 held in Shanghai, China and eventually turned out to be the Champion of the tournament. Throughout the Penang (FTZ ASiA II) State Qualifier, Tan “Shizuma” Lyn Xhin was playing for Team Mage together with Loh “Andy” Chun Wei who often appear alongside Shizuma in local competitions. So here goes the “Up Close and Personal” with Tan “Shizuma” Lyn Xhin

1. Can you please give us a brief introduction about yourself?
I’m Lyn Xhin and Shizuma is my nickname in DotA scene. I’m from Penang and have been playing DotA for 4 years. Previously i studied in SEGI College, Penang but stopped half way.

2. How long have you been playing in Competitive DotA?
I have been participating in DotA Tournaments since 3 years ago on and off. But this year is the most active year for me in Competitive DotA.

3. Can you share with us what achievements you have accomplished?
The SMM Qualifier 2009 – Kuala Lumpur runner-ups and the Iron Lady 2010 Champion held in Shanghai, China.

4. Is there any Teams trying to recruit you and would you consider to join any Professional Team?
Yes, there were several Teams asking me to join them, namely PMS*Asterisk after the Iron Lady DotA Tournament. But honestly i prefer to play alongside with male counterparts. And most importantly with my friends. However, i’ll still consider any invitation but still, friends come first.

5. Apart of DotA, what games do you play?
Currently Seal Online.

6. Who is your DotA Idol?
IceIceIce from AEON.sg because he has a unique play style.

7. Favourite DotA Heroes?
Admiral and Dark Seer.

David "XiaoXiaoFong" Soon

It has been quite long since we hear any news about David “XiaoXiaoFong” Soon. After his announcement of retirement, there’s nothing much that we can dig in the internet regarding him. Same with Ng “Sakura” Kim Jen, here’s the “Up Close and Personal” with David “XiaoXiaoFong” Soon.

1. Why do you pick ‘XiaoXiaoFong’ as your DotA nickname?
When i was registering my nick for GCC Client, there wasn’t many using ‘Xiao’ as their nickname. While ‘Fong’ is actually my chinese name. So registered “XiaoXiaoFong” but now GCC Client is full of members using ‘Xiao’ as their nickname.

2. After we concluded the MSI Dota Tournament 2010 – Johor State Qualifier, Kingsurf-JJ announced that you will be in their roster. How come now you are playing with Team Expect the Unexpected (xTu)?
As for now, I would like to prove Penang State strength in Malaysia Competitive Dota scene. Therefore Team xTu consists of full Penang players. As for Kingsurf-JJ, I will be playing with them in the up-coming Johor State SMM Qualifier.

3. So are you currently back to the Competitivbe DotA scene?
I’m pretty serious on Team xTu and next we are heading to AKICOM Open DotA Tournament 2010 with them. But mostly now i play DotA for fun. Currently I am with Team xTu.

4. In the MSI Dota Tournament 2010, who will take the last slot for Team xTu?
xiGz.

5. After your retirement annoucement, what have you been doing?
Actually now i spend more time on HON. Honestly i prefer HON compared to DotA.

XiaoXiaoFong Shoutout: “Mushi pose very handsome!!”

Ng "Sakura" Kim Jen

So far i had covered 2 simple interviews with Papaxiong and Nirvana.MuShI-|. Here i covered the Former Kingsurf player, Ng “Sakura” Kim Jen during the Malacca (iRelax) State Qualifier for MSI Dota Tournament 2010. As i was never an e-sport reporter or involved with any kind of media report apart of documentary shooting, this MSI Dota Tournament 2010 media report is actually my first encounter and it is mainly out of personal interest. Please do excuse me if it is not up on par compared with professional e-sport media reports. Here i would really like to that MSI Malaysia for giving me the opportunity to cover this event and also the ‘Malaysia DotA Celebrity’ (at least to me) for giving me the privilege to ‘interview’ them.

1. Why do you pick ‘Sakura’ as your DotA nickname?
When i started to play DotA, the cinema was airing Para Para Sakura acted by Aaron Kwok and i watched it. So there goes my Nickname up until now.

2. On and off you were seen to be playing alongside Yamateh. But it was just a brief stint. What happened?
It is mainly becuase of my girlfriend, Feon. I couldn’t concentrate both at one time. And i treasure her alot. So it is a simple choice. I have not been playing DotA for around 2 months and this MSI Dota Tournament 2010 is the first competition i participated after that long period.

3. Is there any possibility in future we will be able to witness Yamateh and Sakura playing together again?
Actually Yamateh just called me yesterday planning to form a new team. Everything is not official yet but it is only the matter of time.

4. So is it confirmed that Yamateh is no longer with Nirvana.My?
Actually Yamateh decided to retire from Competitive Dota due to fatigue from though training schedules. According to him, the team that i mentioned earlier is just for fun without though trainings. Initial plan is that we will just participate DotA competitions just to enjoy the fun of playing DotA. We may even participate in tournaments without any training at all. So it suits me as i am able to spend quality time with Feon :D

5. Besides you, who else will be part of the team?
As for now are me myself, Yamateh, xyz, WhoKnowMyName and MNG-PK. At the very moment, we are in the process of contacting Papaxiong.

6. Am i correct to say that the Team Name is still not decided.
Yes, you are correct.

7. How soon will we be able to see this team in action?
SMM Johor State Qualifier, maybe?

8. Which is your favourite hero?
First will be Storm because he can fly, i hope i can fly too. Second will be SF because when i play SF i earn money very fast, and it’s for Feon. :P

9. How do you think about the current Nirvana.My and Aeon.SG?
Close 2 eyes can ‘sapu’ Nirvana.My, especially Mushi becuase i know how to make Mushi emo. XG…
As for Aeon.SG, they are very weak because got IceIceIce, haha…

Sakura Shoutout: “I love Feon forever!!”

Chai "MuShI" Yee Fung

During the Johor State Qualifier, i covered a simple interview of Papaxiong. This time Chai “Nirvana.MuShI-|” Yee Fung was kind enough to provide me some insight of current Nirvana.My information. Before that, Nirvana.MuShI-| was actually a camera-shy guy but he was not at all the ‘bitchie-professional” guy. He often jokes and would like to push his Captain responsibility to his Team Members especially Joel “Nirvana.XTiNcT” Chan when it comes to handling ‘media.’ I must say he was very down-to-earth guy. Same goes to Nirvana.My members. At first they look ‘serious’ during registration and kept to themselves most of the time. However after the tournament over, we found that they were just as ‘normal’ as the others. In short, they are very easy-going as whole.

As Kingsurf is no longer part of the sponsor as mentioned earlier, Ks.Nirvana Team Name is now changed to Nirvana.My. Therefore for this MSI Dota Tournament 2010, the official Team Name registered is Nirvana.My. According to Nirvana.MuShI-|, the current roster for Nirvana.My are he himself, Nirvana.XTiNcT, Nirvana.Ice and Nirvana.Net. The fifth player to bear the tag Nirvana.My will only be revealed soon, very soon. As for Ng “YamateH” Wei Poong, he is currently taking a break for competitive DotA. Nirvana.MuShI-| said there will be an official statement from NirvanaSport regarding this matter soon, once again very soon. He added that currently “Yamateh” is focusing more on coaching Team Ladies. Nirvana.MuShI-| will resume his Captaincy of Nirvana.My and also will be playing the role of drafter together with Nirvana.XTiNcT.

Nirvana.MuShI-| Shoutout: “Nirvana.XTiNcT so handsome!!”

Lee "Papaxiong" Wei Siang

During the Johor Bahru (Blue Ocean – Round II) State Qualifier of MSI Dota Tournament 2010, we had Lee “Papaxiong” Wei Siang playing with Team Luismar1996. Allow me to share some insight from Papaxiong as i believe there are still fans of his out there. And definitely I am one of them! According to Papaxiong, the current roster that participated in this MSI Dota Tournament will be his regular roster. When asked whether if he still considers himself as a competitive Dota Player, he answered yes but now he prefer to team-up with close friends. Currently he is still thinking of a Team Name and he will only announce it once they managed to obtain good results. Wondering why they registered the Team as LuisMar1996? Actually Luis Mar is the actual name of Xiaoma. As for the future plannings for this current roster, he said that he will participate in any Dota Competition possible. So we could safely conclude that most probably he will be seen in the SMM State Qualifier which is going to take place in Johor Bahru in no time. When asked is there any ‘famous’ team looking to recruit him, he said yes but declined to review any of them.