On KRAFTON Blog, we prepared interviews with 4 teams, Twisted Minds, Four Angry Men, Gen.G and Soniqs, out of 8 global partners.
※ The interview was conducted before PUBG Global Series (PGS) 2.
Q. Gen.G is a team that boasts its long history and tradition since the beginning of PUBG Esports. Can you introduce us to what kind of team Gen.G is and what achievements it has made so far?
Esther: We started PUBG Esports in 2017 under the name KSV before we officially became Gen.G. We are a venerable team that has won various tournaments such as PKL, MET, PGC in 2018. We are still working hard as one of the Global Partner Teams, striving to deliver good results.
Q. Although Gen.G already got the ticket to PGS 2 as a Global Partner Team, you played very well even achieving a record of 25 kills in a single match in the PGS 2 KR Qualifiers. Is there a secret to this comeback?
Pio: I think we were somewhat complacent during PGS 1 since we were a Global Partner Team with a guaranteed seed for the main tournament. We thought we would do well enough. As a result, our performance was not good. But coming into PGS 2, with the addition of our coach Esther and new player EJ, we decided to work harder and not become a team to be ashamed of, which I believe led to our good results in the KR Qualifiers.
Q. Is there anything you are focusing on while preparing for PGS 2?
Esther: We are focusing on the variable distribution of Blue Zone, practicing in-game briefing, and emphasizing on strong unity among us.
Pio: I’m quite emotional and competitive, so I’m trying to mitigate those aspects. I’m also trying to create a good atmosphere within the team.
Q. To EJ, you’ve joined the team just before the PGS 2 KR Qualifiers. How are you syncing with the existing members?
EJ: Even after I retired as a player and worked in a different environment, I played games with these players. I feel a sense of responsibility playing with those I’ve admired as players. As I didn’t get to play much with them before I retired, I’m trying to build a strong rapport in the game.
Q. To EJ, how would you evaluate your performance in the team during the PGS 2 Korea Qualifiers? What strengths do you think Gen.G now have with you joining the team?
EJ: Honestly, I can give myself about 50 points out of 100 in the PGS 2 Korea Qualifiers. I haven’t played as a pro player for a long time, and I made a lot of mistakes because I tried to do multiple things at once before fully syncing with my teammates. If I had to give a score to the whole team, I think it would be about 70. Although our team has high peaks, there were many times when we couldn’t unfold. I think the part I can contribute to the team is acting as a lubricant in squad management and teamwork in the game. I’m focusing on that role. I believe I need to do my utmost to boost the team’s results and performance in PGS 2.
Q. To Pio, as a veteran player who has been a pro for nearly 5 years since your debut in 2018, it’s highly likely that your mindset has changed quite a bit now. Do you agree?
Pio: I came to believe that it’s better for everyone to stand out together as a team rather than just me alone, so I’m trying to take care of my teammates as much as I could. I think keeping the atmosphere alive as much as possible helps my team play the game comfortably.
Q. To Pio, you might have had a lot of concerns when you decided to return to Gen.G after retirement. What made you decide to come back?
Pio: When I retired, I thought I would come back only if it was for Gen.G. I set up an amateur team called “Baegopa (BGP)” and participated in PGC 2022. But there were so many things I was ashamed of about my play in that tournament, so I thought about giving it another try. Then, when Gen.G told me about forming a team with streamers, I thought I could play more comfortably, so I decided to join.
Q. If you were to pick just one moment as the pinnacle of your career as a PUBG Esports pro player, when would it be?
taemin: I think the triple consecutive wins in 2019 was the biggest for me personally. Winning PUBG Korea League (PKL) and MET Asia Series: PUBG Classic was great, but I vividly remember my hands shaking because the prize money for winning PGC 2019 was so huge.
Pio: For me, 2019 was the toughest year in my career but also the most rewarding and relieving one. When I joined Gen.G in 2019, it was already one of the top-tier teams, and taking on the in-game leader role for the first time was quite pressuring. We had several disagreements during the tournament, and it was tough at times, but I felt proud when we achieved good results. It was a period of both happiness and difficulties.
EJ: Compared to the others, my career is not highly decorated, and it took time for me to improve my skills. However, in 2020, my coach entrusted me with the role as the in-game leader and taught me a lot. My teammates were also very considerate, which allowed me to grow significantly. I think PUBG Continental Series (PCS) 2, where I met the expectations of the coach and my teammates, was the most memorable season for me.
DG98: I felt like I made a mark as a pro player when we won the 2019 PKL Phase 1 and FACEIT Global Summit: PUBG Classic.
Esther: Winning PKL Season 2 in 2019 with Pio and taemin stands out for me because it was on my birthday. Additionally, the roller-coaster win in MET Asia Series: PUBG Classic and PGC 2019 also particularly memorable.
Q. Gen.G players are well-known for actively doing individual streams. Do personal streams help in your professional life?
Pio: I’ve always wanted to enjoy games with others, so I’ve been streaming personally for a while. I believe streaming has its pros and cons. Being able to engage with fans who appreciate you and showcasing your gameplay can be beneficial, and I’d recommend streaming to those who enjoy it. However, it could also affect your mental state negatively as a pro, and practicing while streaming isn’t easy. So, one should decide carefully if they do wish to stream.
Q. To Esther, what was the reason for your transition from a player to a coach? And what do you think is your strength as a coach?
Esther: Gen.G is my home team, and since I have had my career background in PUBG Esports as a pro player, I’m confident in coaching within it, I decided to become a coach. If I were to mention a strength, being a former player, I understand the players’ feelings well and I believe I’m good at providing feedback in a constructive way.
Q. How did you feel when you were the only team from Korea to be selected as one of the eight Global Partner Teams?
DG98: Gen.G is already an outstanding team, and having the title of a Global Partner Team added on made me feel the need to work even harder.
Pio: I felt relieved and excited when I heard that qualifying for PGS was guaranteed. I tend to perform better when I’m relaxed, so I was able to enjoy the tournaments without excessive burdens.
taemin: When we were chosen as a Global Partner Team, I simply felt that we had to perform even better.
Q. As a Global Partner Team, Gen.G was able to produce and launch its own Team Edition Skins ahead of PGS 2. Are you satisfied with the design?
taemin: I obviously think the skin is beautiful. As for the gun, although it’s for QBZ, which is not quite popular as much as other ones, I believe our Team Edition Skins provide the most beautiful skin for QBZ. Other popular guns already have a lot of pretty skins. Given that QBZ only appears on Sanhok, I think if players can’t get other guns on this map, they might choose to use our skin.
Q. After PGS 2 Korean Qualifiers, the evaluation and public opinion about Gen.G seem to have improved. What are your thoughts?
Pio: When our performance was not good, there was a public sentiment questioning whether we truly deserved to be a Global Partner Team. Therefore, we prepared even more rigorously for the PGS 2 Korea Qualifiers. After achieving good results and hearing people say, “That’s Gen.G for you,” I was glad and thought we should work even harder.
Q. Among the teams participating in PGS 2, which team or player do you regard as the most threatening, and why?
Pio: I’m most cautious about China’s Four Angry Men. With their roster changes from the previous PGS, they seem to be performing better with smarter players have joined. I’ve seen them do well in the PGS 2 China Qualifiers, so I’m definitely cautious this time.
taemin: I don’t really concern myself with teams outside Korea. But Danawa e-sports from Korea has players who are familiar with Pio’s play style, so they’re a team to watch out for.
EJ: Four Angry Men have always been a team we’ve been wary of. They’ve had many roster changes and we need to experience their changed game style. When we face them in the competition, we’ll have to study their strategies thoroughly.
DG98: Honestly, I’m not interested in other teams. From my past experiences, it seems that if our team does well, we can simply win.
Esther: Since my days as a player, my approach has been to focus on our own team’s play and avoid mistakes rather than to worry about other teams. Focusing too much on other teams can lead to passive gameplay, so I don’t really have concerns about them.
Q. What does Gen.G aim for in PGS 2?
Pio: The goal is to win, but given the various factors at play, finishing within the top 4 would also be a satisfying result in my opinion.
Q. To Esther, what are Gen.G’s strengths and areas that need improvement?
Esther: First, our team has good physical skills. Gen.G is made up of streamers who broadcast a lot, so they have a good shooting physique. On the flip side, because we don’t scrimmage as much, we lack time for coordinated plays and briefings, so we’re trying to focus on practicing that aspect.
Q. Any efforts to strengthen the bond among team members?
Esther: From my long professional career, I’ve realized that if you suppress discontent, it eventually bursts out. So, I make sure to mediate so that no resentment arises among the teammates.
EJ: Since my debut, I’ve always been the youngest in the team, so I couldn’t help but be cautious around my older teammates. However, they’ve been very accommodating, and I’ve also been trying to reach out to them more comfortably. I believe this affects our performance, which is why I pay attention to it.
Q. Assuming only eight Global Partner Teams remain in a match during the Grand Finals of PGS 2. Excluding Gen.G, which teams do you predict to be in the top 3?
DG98: I think 17Gaming, Natus Vincere, and Four Angry Men.
EJ: I have the same opinion. Natus Vincere has always been a top-performing team and has proven their skill in world championships. Both Four Angry Men and 17Gaming have been consistently good and have a wealth of experience.
Pio: I have a slightly different opinion. Recently, 17Gaming hasn’t been showing their best form. I believe Petrichor Road, Four Angry Men, and Natus Vincere will be in the top 3.
taemin: My picks are Petrichor Road, 17Gaming, and Natus Vincere.
Esther: Given that 17Gaming recently won PGS 1, I expect them to perform well. I’d also like to point out Natus Vincere, who won PGC 2022, and Twisted Minds, who consistently placed high in world championships.
Q. Many say that 2019 was Gen.G’s prime. Do you think the current roster can bring the second golden era for the team?
Pio: Our current roster hasn’t been together for long, and we haven’t had as much synergy as other teams yet. However, given the good results recently, and as we continue to build relationships in world competitions, I’m confident we can achieve another golden era.
Q. Which team member do you think will shine in PGS 2?
DG98: During PGS 1, I don’t think I had put in enough effort and therefore I wasn’t in good form. This time, I’ve worked really hard, so I believe I’ll perform the best.
EJ: I think it’s Pio. He’s been a player I’ve admired since before his retirement, and as a teammate, I have high expectations for him. Moreover, having recently played together, I’ve been impressed by Pio even more. So I think I’ll learn a lot from him during PGS 2.
Pio: I think taemin has made a lot of efforts to improve himself and he has impressive physical abilities. I expect him to dominate with his bull-like physique.
taemin: I’ve always believed that Pio will lead the competition, so I expect him to do so this time as well.
Esther: Lately, DG98 has become more resolute, so I’m looking forward to his performance.
Q. Lastly, what is your mindset going into PGS 2 and what would you like to say to the fans?
DG98: I promise to deliver better results than what we got in PGS 1. Please give us your strong support.
EJ: When I retired as a player in the past, my parents were quite disappointed. Now that I’m starting again, I want to make them happy once again. Gen.G becoming a Global Partner Team is all thanks to the fans, so I want to return the happiness to our fans with good results.
Pio: During PGS 1, we started strong but received feedback that our stamina waned towards the end. This time, I’ll strive to show a performance without regrets and achieve results befitting of a global partner team. Thank you to our fans who always support us. We’ll work hard to be a team that you could be proud of.
taemin: Winning PGS 2 is our goal. DG98 and I are childhood friends, and I believe winning together would be even more meaningful. I’m always grateful to the fans who support us regardless of our results. We’ll give it our all!
Esther: I, known as Gen.G’s “totem for victory,” have returned! We will bring victory home!
