It is a good time of the year for Nikolaus 'SonKiE' Cassidy, qualifying himself for the ESWC Grand Final next week as well as the American Regional Finals for BlizzCon early in September.

SonKiE will be one of three American representatives in the ESWC Grand Final in San Jose which begins next week joining Andrew 'YanE' Toeniskoetter and Nicholas 'ShrieK' Miao Whittier in the fight for survival.

Malystryx: Congratulations on qualifying for the ESWC Grand Final, there has been some discussion about America getting 3 spots, do you think the U.S.A. deserve it?

srs.SonKiE:Yes because we are the host country, it's also nice to see some of the other USA players since we have fewer tournaments.

Malystryx:How are your preparations for the Grand FInal going? Are you training with fellow Americans at all?

srs.SonKiE: Preparations are going well, I'm practicing as much as I can before the event. I've only been playing against europeans and koreans since americans arent up to par. I've also been talking alot of strategy with other human players.

Malystryx: The groups are now public, did your expectations change once you saw them?

srs.SonKiE: No, I actually got quite excited when I saw my group. Time to make a show!

Malystryx: Which group do you think is the hardest and any matches you are looking forward to aside from your own?

srs.SonKiE: I think group A is actually the group of death just because almost every player in that group is a very solid player. This leaves room for upsets and good games.

Otherwise Group E / H just because there are two big names in each group [Moon/Ted & SaSe/ToD]. I am really excited to see Kim 'SaSe' Hammar versus Yoan 'ToD' Merlo, I want to watch it live, that is going to be a top match 100% sure.

Malystryx:ESWC like WCG is a tournament where players represent their countries, do you think other gamers see it that way or just another tournament? What about you?

srs.SonKiE: I think it's just viewed as another tournament to most players. It's cool to know your fighting to represent your country, but players are really fighting for themselves. As of now I just have the mindset that its just for myself but I'm sure that will change when I get there.

Malystryx:Do you think the home advantage will give you any kind of edge? What are your goals for the tournament?

srs.SonKiE: Only advantage I will have is just traveling less, also I suppose I can argue with the refs alot better than other players can. My goal is just to play my best and pick off as many other players as I can.

Malystryx: Let's talk a little about the American scene. There seems to be so many amateur league teams in America but why do Americans have a harder time breaking into the pro-scene?

srs.SonKiE: Nobody has the mindset to improve enough. I also think that even if someone did want to improve they wouldnt know how.

Malystryx: The Americans of old had the mindset, Wizard, Aether etc..
what changed?

srs.SonKiE: Americans don't practice with each other at all since we know we will have to play each other to qualify for lans. The major problem I think is the lack of access to good practice.

I'm fortunate enough that I can just hop on MSN or IRC and ask for practice and get it most of the time. I ask myself a lot too why most Americans are bad at wc3, and I just think it's just that nobody tries hard enough.

Malystryx: Do you think you have the mindset to improve enough? What makes you different from other American players?

srs.SonKiE: Yeah I think I do, My micro and strategy is what makes me different it sets me apart because I always have a plan and I know exactly how to force my opponents into bad situations.

Malystryx: Would it be fair to say having good contacts/connection is a key part of getting anywhere as an American player?

srs.SonKiE: Most definately, that's how I'm able to keep up and improve on my skill.

Malystryx:Do you think there are any up and comers in the American scene who might be liable to make a splash internationally?

srs.SonKiE: I think the USA scene is done as soon as I retire or switch to SC2.

Malystryx: Do you think America's fortunes will change with the arrival of SC2?

srs.SonKiE: Incredibly! Everyone in e-sports has played the original starcraft regardless of if they play counter strike quake wc3 etc. SC2 will be the biggest game in e-sports. America will be cut throat for tournament qualis and pro team spots when the game starts out. It will really be interesting to see!

Malystryx: Hah, you seem so sure about that, what makes you so confident?

srs.SonKiE: Just the fact that it's a blizzard game ensures it will be high quality. I heard they are making the game specifcally for e-sports. Everyone will start fresh and will be excited to play. I'm excited as well, since my micro and macro will set me far ahead of the crowd.

Malystryx: The Michael Phelps of Sc2 is coming! You have ESWC but also the Blizzard Regional Finals and WCG qualifiers coming up you will have to face fellow Americans twice, what are your chances? Who are your biggest threats if any?

srs.SonKiE: I think if I prepare and play well I will win. My threats are everyone. If I have poor condition I could lose to anyone.

Malystryx:what would you deem "poor conditions"?

srs.SonKiE:I guess if I didn't rest enough, or even not having a positive attitude before the game. It's very important to keep a good mindset

Malystryx:Do you have any rituals? are you supersticious at all?

srs.SonKiE: Not really just to practice alot. I like to listen to music before I play at lans. Really thats all.

Malystryx:which music? any specific tracks?

srs.SonKiE:Recently my friend told me about a hip-hop group called " The Cool Kids ". Their music is really unique and I recommend that anyone reading this article take some time to listen to their music. If you like hip hop I think you would like it. It helps to pump me up before matches etc

Malystryx: So let's talk a little about your future, you mentioned about sc2, atm you're a student I believe. Will your eSports career last only as long as your studies or are you hoping to make it big in sc2?

srs.SonKiE: I plan on playing e-sports as long as I can. To me its more than just playing. I love the experience of traveling around and meeting new people from different places. It's always an adventure going to lans. It's really special to me when I can watch players I look up to play and meet them in person.

Malystryx: Which players have made the biggest impression on you in LAN?

srs.SonKiE: Hmmm... I think I enjoyed meeting tod, and grubby the most. I had alot of fun meeting Glaive (swe) and hanging out with him. We had a long adventure in Germany... running around drunk like 2 in the morning. It was alot of fun

Malystryx: Would you ever consider moving to Asia to play/train?

srs.SonKiE: I think it would be really great to go there when I had time off from school to do sort of a " boot camp ", but to actually move there is debateable. Who knows what the future brings. I guess I would try it since it would be a unique life experience. I'd like to thanks for Serious Gaming for supporting me so far though and to Razer of course.

Previous Maly's Corners

7/8/08 Maly's Corner: Where did all the Euros go?
18/7/08 Maly's Corner: Women with Balls
10/7/08 Maly's Corner: Tale of an ESWC Masters
19/6/08 Maly's Corner: Interview with a VBadGirl