There is a lot of interest in the PUBG Esports ‘Global Partner Team (GPT)’ announced earlier this year. On KRAFTON Blog, we prepared interviews with 4 teams, Natus Vincere, Petrichor Road, 17 Gaming and FaZe Clan, out of 8 global partners.
※The interview was conducted before the PUBG Global Series (PGS) 1.
Q) Please introduce yourself and your team members (players & coaches) for PUBG Esports fans. Please try to describe each of your teammates using only one word (per player).
A) Hi everyone, I am shou from 17Gaming. I used to be one of the players of the team. I’m retired now but I’m still a part of the team as the CEO of 17Gaming. Our team consists of five other players, namely Lilghost, SuJiu, Xbei, xwudd, and Axidd. If using only one word to describe my teammates, I would say that Lilghost is flexible, SuJiu is considerate, Xbei is aggressive, xwudd is tenacious, and Axidd is youthful.
Q) Where are you and your team members from?
A) We all come from different parts of China, with me from Anhui Province, Lilghost and SuJiu from Sichuan Province, Xbei from Jiangxi Province, xwudd from Hunan Province, and Axidd from Fujian Province.
Q) How would you describe your team and your teams’ dynamics?
A) As a professional PUBG Esports team, we are a group of young people who are passionate about PUBG Esports, all working towards a common objective: to win the championship. 17Gaming has a very relaxed and cordial atmosphere, and the players know each other very well, which allows them to work together more effectively on the field. Our team culture is defined by unity and true grit, regardless of the challenges we may face.
Q) What do you think is the biggest strength that each of your players bring to the team?
A) As a team’s think tank, SuJiu is always on the field to assist with problems related to transfer and operation aftercare. Next is Lilghost, who performed exceptionally well at PGC 2022. Often taking credit for finding opportunities and obtaining information for the team, he can be described as the team’s engine. Then there is Xbei, our most reliable firepower guarantee in head-to-head combat with the enemy. Xwudd is the lubricant of the team, bringing us hope in the face of adversity. Lastly, Axidd, our newest recruit, is an up-and-coming individual who will be a formidable force when it comes to taking on the enemy.
Q) Compared to other teams, what do you think is your teams’ overall strength? Why should other teams fear you and your team?
A) First and foremost, I believe our team has a relatively comprehensive strength, whether it be in terms of tactical operations, head-to-head combat, or individual player strength. We can also appear in any position in the game and do anything to cause surprise attacks and damage to our opponents. By combining all these factors, we will be feared by other teams on the field.
Q) What do you and your teammates do to boost the teams’ chemistry and to keep the motivation levels high?
A) During the game, whether it’s a tournament or training match, we discuss our tactics and strategies every day after the game to identify areas for improvement and strengthen our team collaboration. On the other hand, in daily life, our team members live together. We also organize team-building activities regularly to enhance team relationships and mutual trust.
Q) What’s your goal as a PUBG Esports pro player?
A) My goal is to help the team win the championship, now and always.
Q) Do you have personal motto as a PUBG Esports pro player?
A) My motto, as well as our team’s motto, is “forge ahead with indomitable will and success comes speedily.”
Q) What is one surprising or interesting fact for each of your team members?
A) My teammates do have a lot of interesting things, I will reveal some to you quietly. Lilghost is actually the skinniest player and best dancer on our team. SuJiu might look skinny, but he could do 50 push-ups in one go at fifteen-years-old. Of course, now we don’t allow him to do push-ups because we are worried about his potential arm injury affecting his game play. Xbei used to learn boxing. I’m sure he was pretty tough when he was learning to box, judging from his toughness in the PUBG competition. Xwudd is a natural at networking, and his interpersonal skills are so strong that he can build friendships with any player on the field, if he chooses to do so. Axidd is our youngest player, but he’s already got a girlfriend.
Q) PUBG Esports sees the return of offline global tournaments with the PUBG Global Series. What do you expect to experience or see with this new tournament?
A) We are very excited about the return of the offline PGS tournaments, and we are looking forward to experiencing the enthusiasm of the live audience and the atmosphere of offline competition in the new tournament. We also hope to hone and improve ourselves in this rare global offline event and achieve better performances both regionally and globally in the future.
Q) Which team and player(s) threaten you or your team the most? And why are the team and/or player(s) a threat?
A) I would say that being able to qualify for the PGS 1 competition is enough to prove the strength of these teams. All teams and players pose a threat to us, so we will face all opponents’ challenges with the best condition.
Q) Your team was named as one of the eight PUBG Esports Global Partner Teams, congratulations again. How did you feel when you found out about this?
A) I felt extremely happy, honored, and proud. Being selected as one of the first eight PUBG Esports Global Partner Teams is a recognition of our years of hard work and dedication in PUBG Esports.
Q) Did your team celebrate?
A) Of course, we celebrated together! The first thing we did was have a nice dinner with our players and the team managers, followed by a lot of activities for the fans. To share the joy with our fans, we organized a range of exciting activities, including a retweet-lucky-draw and fan competitions. There are even more activities in the works, especially when our GPT skins are officially released.
Q) For PUGB Esports fans, who may not know much about you or your team, why should they be your/your teams’ fans and support you going forward?
A) I think, first of all, our team has worked hard and persevered for the development and growth of PUBG esports. Secondly, as you can see, we always finish second, but we remain committed to achieving the championship, and we will not give up on our endeavors. Due to these two factors, I believe that more people will love, recognize and support us.
Q) One of the merits of being a Global Partner Team is that there will be team branded items made and released based on your team’s theme color and concept. What are you excited for with your team-branded items?
A) Having a set of team-themed skins based on our team’s main color and concept. This is something that our fans and I have been eagerly anticipating.
Q) Why do you think your fans should support your team and buy them?
A) We delved deep into our team’s cultural connotations and incorporated them into the skin design, striving to create a skin that fits our team’s characteristics. We also paid attention to the skin’s appearance design, details processing, and overall style to make it perfect and hope that everyone will like it. The opportunity to own our team skin is so precious, I hope you don’t miss the chance to purchase this skin!
Q) While representing your team with a team-branded skin, is there more pressure to play well?
A) Being a GPT and having our own skin will bring more attention to our team, as well as to our performance in competitions. It’s a Chinese saying that without pressure there’s no motivation, so maybe this slight extra pressure will motivate the players.
Q) What does your team do better than any of the other GPTs?
A) The teams that made it to the GPT each have their own strengths. The most unique thing about our 17 team is probably our indomitable spirit to win no matter what. Personally, I think our team’s performance on the field is also worth mentioning.
Q) It’s a top eight situation with your team and the other GPTs. Who gets eliminated first and who wins the match?
A) I’m a member of 17Gaming and I will always believe and support the team to win the tournament, and I know we’ll do our best. Being the first to be eliminated in PUBG professional tournaments isn’t necessarily a sign of weakness, sometimes there are uncontrollable external factors that can affect a team and results. But I’m sure each GPT team’s fans will support their team no matter what. Everyone will be happy if they win, and if they are knocked out, I think the fans’ support is important to getting them back in confidence.
Q) What has been your best moment as a PUBG Esports pro player and why?
A) As a veteran esports pro player who has been competing on the field for many years, my best moments are all related to esports. Holding the trophy, winning a battle with my teammates in a match, and our team being selected as PUBG Esports Global Partner Team are all my best moments.
Q) What do you think has been the best moment in PUBG Esports history
A) Upon beginning my career as a PUBG professional, I thought the best moment was when the league was officially launched. Afterwards, the beginning of the world championship had become one of my favorite moments. The launch of the GPT program and our team becoming one of the eight GPT teams is the most memorable moment for me as a manager and member of 17Gaming nowadays. It is the best moment for all of us, whether we are PUBG players or fans, to see PUBG Esports develop better and healthier.
Q) What do you think is the best part of being a PUBG Esports pro player?
A) As a former PUBG Esports pro player, the best part was being able to compete against the top PUBG players from around the world, to hone and improve our skills. And of course, the atmosphere and challenge of offline tournaments, which only PUBG Esports players can experience, is also a great part of being a pro player.
Q) If you had to give advice to your younger self when you first started playing PUBG Esports competitively, what advice would you give and why?
A) Don’t let failure and ridicule bring you down. Both 17Gaming and you are the best!
Q) Do you have anything to say to the PUBG Esports fans worldwide?
A) We also want to express our gratitude to the global PUBG Esports fans for their support of the game and of us. We will continue to strive for excellence and bring exciting matches to the arena. We look forward to the next moment when everyone can cheer for 17Gaming together!
Q) China is one of the regions where highly competitive PUBG Esports teams are born. How has 17Gaming, with their phenomenal second place finish in PGC 2022, cemented their own strong legacy both regionally and globally, spearheading their way out of such a tough competition?
A) As one of the earliest PUBG Esports teams in China, 17Gaming owes our success to the highly competitive PCL region which provided us with abundant match experience and shaped our excellent player lineup.
Our achievements stem from the solid personal skills of our players and their exceptional cooperation on the field. We also focus on regular training and learning to improve our technical skills and understanding of opponent tactics. Additionally, cultivating a positive team atmosphere is crucial for strengthening the rapport and efficiency among our players.
Although we didn’t win first place in PGC 2022, our second-place finish was still a recognition of our years of hard work. We appreciate the support and love from everyone, and we will continue to work hard as always!
Q) Across the years, we have seen a number of second and third place finishes for 17Gaming, what will you do this year to get the win?
A) Runner-up does not necessarily indicate that we are a bad team, and it is a testament to our years of hard work and excellent play at PGC2022. As for missing out on the championship, it may have been punishment for the missed opportunities we had at times. In the future, we will continue to play to our strengths while improving on our weaknesses. In the near future, I am confident that we will be able to bring the championship to our fans, so I hope that they will continue to support 17Gaming!
