[Ann1h1lator]

Here is an interview with none other then the talented Eshez! This interview was a pleasure and i look forward to the next. Feel free to comment on this interview in this thread. Here's the interview in full:

NAG: Firstly. Thank you for this opportunity. I'm sure when you first started playing Supreme Commander you wern't expecting to get interviews.
NAG: What was the inspiration behind choosing to play Supreme Commander over other RTS's:

Eshez:I was a big fan of the C&C series since I was a kid.I think that the first games were amazing when I heard about the release of C&C3, I started to look for info about it and came across Gamereplays. It didn't take me long to realize that GR is the best Fansite for many Real Time Strategy games. Anyway, I was reading the C&C discussion forum, and then encountered some thread about a game called Supreme Commander which is being developed by Chris Taylor, the developer of another game I used to love as a kid, Total Annihilation. I found out that the game [Supreme Commander] will have an open beta, so I singed up and was lucky enough to get in at beta 3.8 version. I found out I love this game, and that the community is awesome. I believed this game has a lot of potential and by the time the beta ended I was among the top, and decided to buy the retail version and keep going at it

NAG: What previous Experience do you have prior to Supreme Commander ?

Eshez: I've always loved RTS games, ever since I was a kid. My father randomly bought me the first Command & Conquer and I fell in-love right away. I used to play with a friend via modem.. and I don't think he has ever won over me After that, I naturally went for the first Red Alert. I like that one a lot too. I've tried many RTS games for single player including: Total Annihilation, most of the RA and C&C series Dune and others. The games that really got me into competitive play awareness (although I didn't play any game competitively until SupCom) were, firstly, Warcraft 3. I've watched loads of replays of this game, learning what it is all about, speed, Micro and strategy and above all, perfection.

I've played some of the first first C&C games online as well, when it was completely dead already, some RA2 as well. I doubt I got to more than 500 online games with all those put together, but I was very aware to how these were meant to be played and that's what allowed me to come into SupCom and manage to squeeze into the top. I think I still lack the speed the Pro gamers have and I think I'm lucky with that too, because SupCom can be very forgiving with micro. I think It won't stay that way for long, But right now, micro mistakes that aren't crucial won't cost you a SupCom match.

NAG: Would you say you're participation in the BETA encouraged you to become so highly ranked in the retail version?

Eshez: As far as skills are concerned, we can obviously see that the BETA helped more than a few people out. The top of the ladder is being dominated by beta players, so playing the beta would give a kick start to anyone, at least for a while. This is good timing to be asking this because I think that the talented players who joined us only after the release are very close to completely close the "Beta gap". Many are approaching the top 10 fast and have good chances of beating any other top player. So that's how the BETA helped me skill-wise.

Eshez: But the real thing the BETA did for me is me realize that I might have what it takes to be a top player in this game. I can be a very competitive person, I have no doubt that if I clearly sucked at this game at the BETA, I wouldn't go ahead and buy the retail version.

NAG: Now that you have worked your way up to the top of the ranks, Would you say it's more of a challenge holding your place, or more of a challenge working up to your ranking?

Eshez: The ladder can be very frustrating at the moment, simply because it's young, which means that many players didn't yet meet the ratings they deserve. Playing those underrated players and losing can cost you the equivalent of 10 Ladder wins, and going 10-1 for long is not possible. I believe the the best players would have a 80% win/lose ratio eventually. I think I might also be overrated at the moment, If I compare myself to players I think I'm more or less equally matched with. Being overrated in an ELO rating system naturally says that you won't stay there for long. Minding all that, I believe that keeping my rating at the current state is more of challenge than hitting it coming from below

NAG: Who has been your hardest match? And why?

Eshez: Sadly, I didn't play Mentel and Unconquerable in a 1v1 match for quite some time (This will change soon!). I'm sure they would give me the hardest time winning at the moment. There are many players who gave me a hard time lately. It's hard to say which one of them is the hardest one. BlueScreen can be hard at times, I think we stand 2-2 on ranked matches although he denies it. RoA-Radio gave me a very hard match just yesterday, Poita, Played a few practice sessions with brainiac, sometimes I can win easily and sometimes he won't let me do a thing. I hope he'll get more consistent. There are many more who are worth mentioning here, can't think of a single name that suites the "hardest match" titles best. Scaffy also gave me an hard time on a WD match yesterday.

NAG: If you could give any advice to players who might be new to the game, or just beginning to get into Ranked. What would your advice be?

Eshez: Play to win and do everything you can to make sure that happens. You will learn that playing for the win is the funniest way to play the game, even if it seems stressful or whatever at first. Watch top replays closely, try to find the reason for the players wins, watch your losses replays, try to see why you have lost. Do all that and you'll find yourself at the top.

NAG: You have recently been selected to Play Unconquerable for 'The Ultimate Commander'. Will you be the one to take his title?

Eshez: I want to believe that I will, but can't be certain about it. Unconquerable is considered by many to be the best player around, and I'm sure that this is the truth, or at least very close to it He has a lot of RTS experience, and his aggressive style can get the game done in a matter of minutes. I hope that the match will be close and hard game. May the best player win (I have a bag of excuses in case I will lose this one).

NAG: Lastly, What are your plans for you're future. Will we see Eshez at the World Cyber Athletics, beating anyone within a 10 mile radius?

Eshez: I will certainly stay around, at least in the close future. Try to stay at the top as much as possible. If this game will go pro I'll definitely go hard at it, if not I'll keep hanging here for fun until it dies. And of course, real life stuff, finish my army service, keep playing the Saxophone a lot and have a good time

NAG: Thank you Eshez for taking the time to let me interview you. It was a pleasure to chat with you, and Good luck with TUC!

Eshez is currently apart of the clan: Gods of War, and has been holding the Title of #1 In ranked 1 v 1 for quite some time. He is also ranked 2nd with his team mate Mentel in Ranked 2 v 2. We here at NAG wish Eshez the best of luck against his match with Unconquerable!

One of a few interviews we have done, and we plan to do many more. Just thought i would post this, as i thought many would like to read it.

[Xephon]

what happend to him and C&C3?

[Flynn]

He has left Supreme Commander for Command and Conquer 3 now

[zhrance]

Thank you for sharing Ann1h1lator

[NexXus_]

So he's already retired from Supcom? That's stupid.

[FunkOff]

I agree...

[Flynn]

"Retired". You make it sound like it was his job or something

[GuTs]

Originally Posted by Flynn

"Retired". You make it sound like it was his job or something

Ahaha indeed!
It's a shame though that he decided to quit when he had to play the TUC versus Unconquerable
Anyway, good luck to him with C&C3 ^^