We are happy to present to your attention an interview with Alexander Kokhanovsky ( Zerogravity ) – a successful player in the past in Counter-STRIKE , And now the director of the team Natus Vincere. You are probably familiar with this world -famous Ukrainian e -sports organization, so we immediately get to the matter. Pleasant reading!
► Focused view-Counter-Strike team plays a responsible match on German Intel Extreme Masters.
[Gambling.ru] Hello, Alexander! Since the emergence of the team, you are its permanent leader and ideological leader. Tell our readers how it all began. How and under what circumstances a star was lit in the e -sports sky, whose name is Na’vi?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Team Natus Vincere arose in December 2009, when the light saw the team of the same name Counter-Strike 1.6. It included the strongest Ukrainian players from five different cities: Kharkiv residents Daniil Teslenko ( Zeus ) And Ivan Sukharev ( Edward ), Kiev Sergey Ishchuk ( Starix ), Arseny Trinozhenko ( CEH9 ) Lviv and Egor Markelov ( Markeloff ) from Dnepropetrovsk. I became their manager and traveled with a team for all major championships.
In the early years, a serious help for us was the support of the Kazakh philanthropist and just a great person Murat Zhumashevich. His name is probably known to everyone in our game community, because he was one of the most odious and large philanthropists in the history of the existence of computer sports.
► the permanent composition of the Counter-Strike team. First Ukrainians played CS 1.6, and now they try to return to the championship positions in the new Global Offensive.
[Gambling.ru] Choosing a name, you staged a competition and as a result stopped at Natus Vincere. What other options did you consider? Why are the command flowers chosen yellow and black?
[A. Kokhanovsky] In that competition we were offered a lot of options, but we dwelled at Natus Vincere , Since this name, like no other, personifies the orientation of our team to win (we remind you that Natus Vincere in translation from Latin means “Born to win”. – approx. Ed.). In our short history there were, there will probably be championship compositions, and this victorious ideology for us is the fundamental.
And as for command flowers, now it’s hard to remember why we have chosen yellow and black. Probably we just liked this combination. And, apparently, it also liked fans, since now the yellow and black of many fans of e -sports are associated exclusively with Natus Vincere.
[Gambling.ru] What were the priority goals of the team at the time of formation and what were the main difficulties? What an assessment for the work done on a ten -point scale will you give yourself?
[A. Kokhanovsky] To set an assessment is an ungrateful business, let the grades be at the reduction of the public. Nevertheless, I think that I did a very good job, perhaps not the best, but as close as possible to sports conditions. As for the priority goals, then initially we set ourselves the task of reaching a qualitatively new level of game – that is, to speak better than any Ukrainian team before us.
The main difficulties were communication – all players had different characters, made themselves felt and the lack of coordinated actions of certain team members. However, we worked without fingering hands, and, as you see, it turned out well with us.
► Zerogravity and Dota2 Na’vi compound with a check for first place on the debut The International. Our teams have never won that kind of money.
[Gambling.ru] Now, looking back, will you regret something? What mistakes you would avoid now if you returned in 2010? Have successful decisions that were made spontaneously, or everything, on the contrary, were carefully planned for these three years?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Successful solutions became the result of a combined scheme. Sometimes we carefully thought out something, sometimes we had to rely solely on intuition. However, I definitely do not regret anything. For four years, of course, we made micro-yokes, but I don’t remember macro-grip.
One of our miscalculations was that, winning, we did not work on our mistakes at all. And to be a stable team for a long time, it is necessary as air. It is always necessary to be in good shape and ripen into the root of the problem, and then we hung in golden clouds and the winners did not dare to judge. For this today we pay – jambs of three years ago surfaced to the surface ..
[Gambling.ru] Many team fans are interested in the situation with the new site. When will we finally see the new Navi-Gaming.Com? What are you going to lure the electoral reader?
[A. Kokhanovsky] The new site is already starting to grow in the community with myths and legends and becomes a real parable in the tongue. Its launch is delayed due to the fact that https://slots-shine-casino.co.uk/ only one person is working on it- Alexander Kuchee , He Dkphobos (once played for DTS and na’vi c Dota. – approx. Ed.). I can’t name the exact date yet, but I will say that this is a conceptually new platform among e -sports teams.
Our new command portal will have many interesting functions that will surely attract the attention of any user who is not alien to computer sports. The site will have everything that the fan of our team would like to know about the players Natus Vincere and the organization itself. However, we will tell you more about all the goodies in a special video blog dedicated to the launch of a new site.
► Leader Na’VI answers questions of the famous e -sports journalist Alexander Zaboloki (Lexeech).
[Gambling.ru] Recently, you have agreed on cooperation with the European composition of Fxopen on Starcraft 2. Why did you choose them? What are the realistic go’vi goals in this discipline for the current year?
[A. Kokhanovsky] fxopen – A very strong team and a reliable partner. What to our plans for Starcraft 2, then we will definitely expand the composition. This year we must evaluate the abilities of existing players, understand what we can demand from them. In addition, we need to figure out which players we would like to see in Natus Vincere next year and that they can bring to the team.
[Gambling.ru] Previously, you already had a League of Legends composition, but his performances are hard to call successful. Are you going to recruit a new team? Why, in your opinion, Dota 2 in the CIS is more popular from Riot game?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Dota For a very long time in computer sports, there has always been free-to-Play, and today it is certainly an e-sports series number one in the CIS. As for League of Legends, It all depends on what angle we will look at it. Naturally, we have certain plans and ideas, but I can’t talk about anything specific yet.
[Gambling.ru] The other discipline is rapidly gaining momentum – this is World of Tanks. ROX commands.KIS, virtus.Pro, Mym and many others have already acquired tank units, and you plan to expand in this direction?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Yes, we will definitely expand aside World of Tanks And, I believe, in the very near future we will understand what we want and who exactly will protect the colors of our team in the only tank discipline of e -sports. Like everything is sweet, be sure to present your attention to an official announcement.
► The first and so far the only NATUS Vincere composition by League of Legends has suffered a fiasco on all fronts. Do you remember the players of this five?
[Gambling.ru] In 2010, it all started with the CS 1 team.6, whose players are now training at CS: GO. What do you think they lack to become the strongest team in the new game?
[A. Kokhanovsky] I believe that they had a little stimulus to play and win, but these are all echoes of the long -standing unresolved problems that I talked about above. They do not allow us to at least find our game and perform stably. While stability is given to us with great difficulty. Without a doubt, our high -quality game in the future is the issue of time and motivation of the players themselves.
[Gambling.ru] In the CIS, finding a good sponsor for an e -sports team is much more complicated than in Western Europe and, moreover, Asia. What are the main difficulties in searching?
[A. Kokhanovsky] It is quite difficult with sponsors now, because everything is constantly changing and the world does not stand still for a second. Our life is made more dynamic and more and more digital, we want it or not. Today the procedure for finding sponsors is situational: if before it was possible to simply stick logos on the form, now it will not work. Such things are of little interesting, and we have to reconcile in every way, inventing new and new marketing strategies to promote partners' products.
[Gambling.ru] Natus Vincere was the first to sell game periphery and team symbols on a large scale in a large scale. Which of the new products is planned in the future? There are curious ideas?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Of the new products, I note the line of gaming devices developed in cooperation with the Danish company Steelseries. I mean a new branded carpet, mouse Sensei Raw , as well as updated headphones. In addition, we will soon start joint products with the company Kingston , But you will learn about them later.
The range of game form and other clothes will definitely expand. By the end of the year, we plan to add three or four items, up to command backpacks.
► Previous game form "Born to win". The new version of T -shirts is noticeably lighter.
[Gambling.ru] A few months ago, information about your American plans appeared on the network. When Na’VI has its own base behind the ocean? Managed to choose a city, or the venture was postponed into a long box?
[A. Kokhanovsky] No, our American venture is not postponed in a long box – we are working on it, just that we need everything a colossal budget. In more detail, we will raise this issue on the agenda at the end of 2013 – early 2014, when it clears that, where, how and when. We choose from three cities: Los Angeles , San Francisco or New York.
[Gambling.ru] Expand the immediate goals of the organization for the current year. Is it worth it to wait for something sensational? What are the tasks of priority now?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Sensations will certainly be, but rather next year. In this we want to finally launch a new site, expand the number of playing compositions and increase the capacity by video and direct broadcasts. There will be several projects related to Dota 2, And we also dream to develop a unique e -sports application for Android And iOS. It will be connected not only with Na’vi , but with all computer sports in general. I am sure many will appreciate it. In addition, work is underway to create an association of e -sports teams.
► The entire set of gaming devices from Natus Vincere is assembled in one place. The owner of all this splendor, of course, is a devoted fan of the team!
[Gambling.ru] How many people today work in your team in various positions? Can be called Natus Vincere with one big family of close -knitted like -minded people?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Definitely yes! Na’vi – This is not just a company, but a company with a soul, with its clear rules and principles. As for the number, eight people work in the central office, and about fifteen work remotely for the good of the team.
[Gambling.ru] How you evaluate women's e -sports? Is there any benefit from the availability of girlish compositions, or is it more likely to entertain for a male audience?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Women's e -sports is still in the germinal state, and it is too early to talk about it too early. Maiden teams are definitely good, because girls like to play and train. It’s good that they have the opportunity for self -realization. At the end of the year, a large -scale women's tournament will be held, most likely on Dota 2. I can’t reveal all the details and nuances yet, but information about it has long been in the air.
[Gambling.ru] What words do you find to increase the motivation of players who are tired of the game or have lost faith in themselves? In your opinion, a professional computer game team needs a personal psychologist? In South Korea, we heard, there are such ..
[A. Kokhanovsky] Psychologist? Rather, this manager should perform the functions of not only a manager, but also a sports director with a motivator. If the players are tired, they need to leave, and not drag the whole team along with them to the bottom. Faith is what is born inside you, and it is impossible to lose or find it for no reason. The main thing is that there is a desire – if a person wants, he will devote as much time to training as it takes. It's all about motivation!
► These guys on the poster now definitely have problems with motivation. To become champions in CS: go did not work out.
[Gambling.ru] Traveling with the team, you have visited many countries. Where most of all I liked and why? What championships can you call the best in terms of organization and care for participants?
[A. Kokhanovsky] I really liked Spain and the USA – these two countries really liked my climate and responsive people. I will highlight from tournaments Intel Extreme Masters And The International – Great championships with a competent organization.
[Gambling.ru] A few years ago, Zerogravity was a professional player in Counter-Strike and defended the honor of Ukraine at international championships. Do not miss those times? When you observe the game of the team, there is no desire to take away the mouse and personally hang the opponents of the headshot?
[A. Kokhanovsky] Yes, it was business, but for a long time. I finished playing professionally in 2005. Sometimes, of course, I miss, but earlier, when I traveled with the team, I experienced these feelings again and again. It is difficult to say who was more nervous during decisive fights – I or players. Now sometimes I play in Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 1.6, but already purely for yourself. I could not say that right now I would have sat professionally, I can’t-other life priorities have appeared, and I like to build something global.
► I have not played on a professional level for a long time, but I did not lose their old skills – we do not advise you to play beer with Zerogravity for newcomers!
[Gambling.ru] Surely you work hard and hard, fatigue accumulates. How you rest? Where you draw forces for new achievements? Tell about your hobbies.
[A. Kokhanovsky] Fatigue, infection, is slowly accumulating, but I rarely get tired, because I am doing my favorite thing. My work is boiling all week, even on the weekend. For example, on Saturday I can answer emails or engage in the implementation of new projects … I work when there is inspiration, and not only on weekdays, but on any day, up to the holidays.
I prefer to rest in warm and hot countries – when the opportunity falls. Recently there are a lot of work, and usually there is no such possibility. In Kyiv, I most often relax outside the city, sometimes I go with friends to eat-smear. Rest directly depends on the company, so there is no time.
► a protracted parachute jump is one of the right ways to relax, relax and unload consciousness!
As for a hobby, I am an extreme person, and I like everything that is somehow connected with the speed. Once he was fond of rally and amateur slalom, he won Kyiv competition more than once. Now slowly became interested in yachting – I really like it, sorry, there is often no opportunity to leave, although this is necessary.
[Gambling.ru] Thank you very much for the interview and good luck to your team in all endeavors! If you want, you can convey greetings to everyone you wish.
[A. Kokhanovsky] Thank you very much! I wish to survive the full gamut of the most vivid life impressions this summer! I want to separately convey greetings to our true fans – those who always support us and do not leave us in trouble. In addition, thanks to our sponsors – Alienware , Steelseries , Kingston And Fxopen.
* * *
What other prominent personalities of professional computer sports are you interested in? Interviews with whom you would like to read? Remember and offer candidates, well, and we, in turn, will try to catch them by the tail and ask good about everything. And let no one leave offended!
