PUBG MOBILE Esports Players Interview Series
The opening of the first season of the PUBG MOBILE PRO SERIES 2023 (PMPS) is just a month away. Many teams are sweating it out in practice to prove their skills. Among them is a team highly anticipated for their mechanics in gameplay. None other than NS RedForce. NS RedForce is stronger than before thanks to the joined forces of two of the players on the team: SPORTA, who is well-known for his mechanical skills, and TIZ1, who has recorded the most kills every season. The KRAFTON blog went out to meet with the players.
Nice to meet you. Please introduce yourselves to KRAFTON blog readers.
SPORTA: Hello, I’m Kim Sung Hyun, aka SPORTA, from NS RedForce.
TIZ1: Hi, I’m Kim Dong Hyun, or TIZ1, and I am new to NS RedForce.
TIZ1 just joined NS RedForce. Can you tell us why you chose to join NS RedForce?
TIZ1: My goal is to win in every national competition as well as in international competitions. I wanted to win and to do so, I joined NS RedForce. Although we still have weak points, I think my team can achieve this goal if we practice hard.
SPORTA, this is your second interview with the KRAFTON blog. It’s been 10 months, how have you been?
SPORTA: Nothing big. One thing that changed is that now I’m in NS RedForce, as I left my last team, DSGaming.
Can you tell us about your roles in the team?
TIZ1: I’m the Scout (the one who collects information on the front line) for the team in games. I’m mainly on the front line to clear the area, check enemy positions, and keep my team members informed.
SPORTA: I only played as an Attacker before, but now I’m also in charge of main orders. I took on the role to bring changes and growth to the team.
This is the first time ever that you two are on the same team. How’s the chemistry?
SPORTA: I think we have good chemistry. And we are working on getting better by playing scrimmages and normal games.
Last year, the two of you both participated in the 2022 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (2022 PMGC), but for different teams. It was the first global offline championship for PUBG MOBILE. How was it? Please share your overall thoughts.
TIZ1: Since it was held in a foreign country, some things were hard to get used to. It was also disappointing that my team didn’t do as well as expected. But first attempts can’t be perfect.
SPORTA: I think I adapted well to things outside the game. As for in-game plays, I found out where I lacked and realized that the global league was within my reach. I think I’ll perform better if I can play well in national leagues and then make it to the global competition again.
Any impressive teams or players at 2022 PMGC?
TIZ1: The most impressive team was S2G Esports from Türkiye, the champion of the competition. Not only did they play well, but they also showed new tactics for managing the game.
SPORTA: S2G Esports for me, too. They were not the front-runner. Even though they were underdogs, they showed great potential in a short time and won the championship.
Is there anything special that you are doing to improve your teamwork in NS RedForce?
SPORTA: As I believe teamwork is the key, I’m trying to get along with team members both inside and outside of the game. We spend our free time together, eat together, and even sleep together, while trying to coordinate in many ways.
TIZ1: I agree with him. It’s a team game, and I think we can draw a bigger synergy when the members get along with each other.
TIZ1 and SPORTA, what’s NS RedForce’s strength in your opinion?
SPORTA: I think we have great combat technique and game mechanical skills. All team members have great reflexes and game mechanical skills like aiming.
TIZ1: Our strengths are that each member has great game mechanical skills, and we can cooperate in unexpected combat situations.
What do you think about the team performance?
SPORTA: To put it in percentages, I think it’s about 50%. We need to work on harnessing our mechanical skills and logical plays. Instead of working on mechanics and outplaying the opponents, we are practicing playing smartly, like sandwiching the opponents from different angles or analyzing the opponent’s mind games and striking at unexpected timings.
TIZ1, you won the MVP of the 2022 PUBG MOBILE PRO SERIES 2022 FINALS SPRING (PMPS 2022 FINAL SPRING) and recorded the most kills for the season, demonstrating an overwhelming performance. Can you share the secrets behind your overwhelming performance?
TIZ1: The first secret is practice and the second is not getting nervous. Since I am human, I get nervous sometimes. But I tried to control myself and played confidently, which brought back good results.
Let’s ask SPORTA this time. Your long-time team member, SayDen, left the team and joined Dplus KIA. You’ve been on the same team with him for a long time, so it must be sad for you. Do you have any words to share with SayDen? Please also share your determination to be on your own.
SPORTA: As you said, we had good teamwork, and we played together for a long time, so I’m sad, and I miss him. Now, we have to compete with each other, but I wish the best for him in the new team. And, of course, I’ll do my best to crush him in competitions (laughs).
How many fingers do you use in games? I’m also curious about your opinions on four fingers and five fingers.
TIZ1: I use five fingers to play the game. If you have fast hands, you can make fast maneuvers with four fingers, but I have slow hands. So, I use five fingers for stable controls.
SPORTA: I use four fingers. In my opinion, four fingers are more stable than five fingers. I have fast hands, so I don’t feel the need to use five fingers.
What do you do in your free times?
TIZ1: I don’t have any particular hobbies. I love lying down in bed. I usually watch YouTube or play other games while lying down in my bed.
SPORTA: I go outside for a walk or do outside activities. I also go to karaoke with team members often. I de-stress by playing other games.
Do you have any favorite songs or artists you enjoy listening to these days?
SPORTA: Hype Boy by NewJeans.
TIZ1: I like Lim Jae Hyun, the singer. He’s a great singer and I love his lyrics.
Can you express each other in one word or one sentence?
SPORTA: I think TIZ1 is like a “stone Buddha statue.” He’s solid like a rock in any situation.
TIZ1: I’d describe SPORTA as a “monster.” He’s really skilled. And I have a lot to learn from him.
I heard that SPORTA just got accepted to university last year. How’s that going?
SPORTA: It’s going well. I’m a student at Osan University, majoring in esports. As a professional player, I sometimes can’t make it to classes, but I like that I can make up for it online.
TIZ1, you just turned 20 this year. Any new resolutions?
TIZ1: Well, I don’t think much changed since I turned 20. But joining a new team and living with team members are big changes. Living with your team members is fun and interesting.
What’s your biggest strength as a professional player?
SPORTA: Experience and expertise. I have a lot of experience. There comes a moment when anyone can get nervous in competitions. I think I have enough experience to use those tense moments to my advantage.
TIZ1: Not getting nervous and being bold. I feel confident approaching nervous opponents and taking them down.
What makes you happy other than playing games?
SPORTA: I like cars. I like looking at cars or driving them.
TIZ1: I’m generally an indoor person. I don’t really like going out. I like just lying down and sleeping when I’m resting.
Do you have personal goals for this year?
SPORTA: My goals are the same as the team’s goal. As I’m now the main order, my personal goal and the team’s goal is to win in every competition.
TIZ1: My goals are to win in national competitions and win the MVP.
When was the proudest moment of your career as a PUBG MOBILE pro gamer?
SPORTA: Every moment we won the first place. Every winning moment is a proud moment for me.
TIZ1: The moment when my great plays were broadcast live. It’s hard to pick one (laugh).
Both of you have your YouTube and TikTok channels. What do you think when you read supportive comments?
TIZ1: I feel good. Though I feel a bit sorry for not replying to them all. I really would like to answer every comment asking about my sensitivity settings.
SPORTA: First of all, I really appreciate it. They took the time to find and watch my video, out of many others. I feel great and it motivates me to practice harder.
Do you have a motto that you have in mind as a pro player?
SPORTA: Yes, I do. Admiral Yi’s saying, “Those willing to die will live, and those willing to live will die.” I always try to play the game with this mindset.
Can you tell us your word of determination for this year’s competition?
TIZ1: I’ll train harder than last year and win every competition with outstanding teamwork.
SPORTA: We will become champions in our own NS RedForce style.
Finally, can you say something for your fans?
TIZ1: Thank you to all the fans who support us. Now that I’m in a competitive team like NS RedForce, I’ll practice harder to achieve good results.
SPORTA: I appreciate all your support. Your encouragement motivates me to try harder and play harder even when the game doesn’t go well or when we feel down. We will repay you with good results. Thank you.
