Fnatic - A profesional gaming team

The new set of faces in fnatic are the Koreans from Clan Go. But it isn't just Space, MinHyuk, Kei, YanGe and Ohjie joining up, it's also two old friends from their team. They are - Shy and FoCuS.

Have a look at some of their achievements as a team:

1st - ACB Season 3, 4 and 6
1st - WGT
2nd - KEC 2007
Top 3 - NGL ONE Season 3
Top 5 - WC3L Season 12
Top 6 - WC3L Season 11
Top 8 - WC3L Season 10

But before you get to know the new team, we have the management commenting on this development in the organisation -

Samuel "zr0" Mathews, Managing Director of Fnatic had this to say:

Well what can I say.. we couldn't stay away for too long.. Fnatic didn't feel right without a warcraft 3 team so we have decided to step right back up to the plate with a team of excellence in the hub of all RTS KOREA! I am very excited and pleased to announce We Are Go as well as Shy and Focus into the arms of FNATIC! I look forward to a long future in RTS especially with Starcraft 2 around the corner, starting again now with this great team of friends, who I think will fit perfectly within fnatic. They play for each other and now they will play for each other within a larger family! Welcome aboard and we look forward to a strong gosu career for each of you in fnatic ^^ yes?

Anne Mathews aka Annaky, Director Fnatic Pty Ltd had this to say:

I would like to welcome into the Fnatic fold a great new squad of fantastic Korean Warcraft 3 players. We have no doubt that they will fit within the ideology of the big Fnatic family.We look forward to them meeting our ideals of being the best in the world. These young passionate players not only share their dedication and, skills, but they also nurture a close friendship. The perfect profile for a true Fnatic team.

Elroy "Noname" Pinto, Warcraft 3 Manager and Warcraft 3 Coverage Director added this:

It's been exactly 4 months since we shut down Warcraft 3 and ended our European team. Today marks a new beginning in the chapter of Warcraft 3 in
Fnatic. In 4 months we've waited and watched the scene change and when the time was right things just fell into place and it's all complete now. We have many things planned for this new team but our main goal is to reach the finals of every and any event we attend. We're going for #1! Lastly - We are all HappY!

Readmore's Daniel caught Samuel "zr0" Mathews for a few words on the new team (Original Link):

What are the reasons for fnatic to come back to Warcraft 3?
We see RTS as a huge part of esports, and although we got rid of our last team it was not because we dont see the value in the game but more because of the circumstances of well poor results. We also wanted to move into Asia as this is the hub of RTS especially in China.. so expect some news regarding that in the near future. Another reason was simply the opportunity that arose to pick up a full team who are friends, this is something we have always believed in.. taking on full teams who want to play for each other and not just for themselves. GO with their friends back in Shy and Focus is a very strong team.

What are the goals for such a team?
We want to have a top 4 team in WC3 to have a place in the finals and to really lift fnatics image in RTS. We also want to grow our Asian presence as a brand and support teams from this region. But most of all, WC3 is a great game with many fans, and Fnatic should be a part of that. We also want to prepare for SC2 as we feel this will be a huge game for ESPORTS globally.

Do you think your team can be competitive with MYM or SK in the future?
For sure, i think we represent up and coming talent in WC3 in Korea, and we also have team spirite which some teams might lack. I think on Any Given Sunday anything can happen, and our guys are incredibaly skilled. MYM and SK are very strong at the moment, so we shall see what happens at the end of the season and most likely next season.

How important is FoCuS for your team? He is the only new guy to the team compared to the lineup at Team NoA.
Focus and Shy together are great individually, but also equally importantly is the fact that they are a 2v2 team and will be a very important factor in our team. Focus is excellent in 1 on 1 as well we shall have to see just how important a role he will play, but i respect his skill very much.

Many people see fnatic as european clan. Do you think a korean team can really represent fnatic in Europe?
I think Fnatic has always been a global team, we wish to represent professional gaming as it should be and that is GLOBAL. The internet has no borders, nor does online gaming, so why should we! :D Of course we have held most of our teams in Europe but that is mostly because europe has the most talent in the games we currently have.

Please proceed to the next few pages to know more about the new team.

Introduction

Chul is the captain of the team and leads from the front, man of few words but his amazing skills in solo have led him to take many top players by surprise. With his Night Elf forces, Shy has slain many players and in 2on2 with his team-mate FoCuS they form one of the strongest 2on2 teams in the world.

Name: Park chul Woo
Nickname: Shy
Age: 21
Race: Night Elf

Achievements:

1st place - WGT 2007 Tournament
1st place - E-FUN 2007 Warcraft III
1st place - Incup 2on2 (with FoCuS)
2nd place - Incup 1on1
2nd place - xLoCup
Top 2 - Starwarz4 Korean Qualifier
3rd place - MBC Game W3
4th place - Blizzcon
MBC Game MIL 2006 Summer Season - Quarter Finalist
MBC Game ACO5 Korean Qualifier - Quarter Finalist
KODE5.Korea Qualifiers(2007) - Semi-Finalist
GAMEX Tournament - Quarter Finalist

Q&A with Shy

Was MYM ok with you leaving for fnatic?

Yes.

You are the team captain for fnatic.wc3, what's the situation for you?

I am very happy, because I have come to my old team and my good friends.

Can you introduce all the players of fnatic.wc3 to our readers?

Yes of course
FoCuS: Most people know FoCuS, he is top 3 World, he will be a great part of fnatic. He is also my 2on2 partner.
MinHyuk: He's the super rookie at WC3L, but he was busy with studies earlier. Now he has a break from studies and so he's going to make a good record at the WC3L. watch out for him.
Space: He's the best card that we have! Space's impediment is widely known to people but nevermind that he will show you what is consistent and constant development.
Kei: He's the youngest! In fact he isn't so strong now, but this youngster will grow up with experience.
Yange: He's the new elf from Clan Go, Yange will take over Ohjie's Elf spot in the team.
Ohjie: Lastly, Ohjie, he decided to stop Warcraft 3 and he will go to the army soon, we have been with each other for 4 years, we offer a fervent prayer for Ohjie's future.

FoCuS

Introduction

FoCuS has surprised many fans and critics alike with his strong LAN and online performances. One of the top players in the team and definitely one of the top 3 Orc players in the world. FoCuS also forms a strong 2on2 team with Shy and his skill has helped his previous teams claim many titles. He is definitely one to watch out for.

Name: Hyosub Eom
Nickname: FoCuS
Age: 18
Race: Orc

Achievements:

1st - Incup 1vs1
1st - 2on2 (with shy)
2nd place - Fragbet QPad Tournament
2nd place – AWL Season 2
3rd - ESL Intel Extreme Masters Los Angeles
4th place - MBC W3
Top 8 - MBC MIL
KOTH win vs GG.Hot&mTw.hanf (Current ESL KOTH)
WC3L S12 award MIP player

Team with MYM
1st place - NGL ONE S3
1st place - NGL ONE S4
2nd place - NGL ONE S2
3rd place - WC3L S11
2nd place - WC3L S12

Q&A With FoCuS

You're probably Top 3 Orc in the world, how was this possible?

I don't think I am a Top 3 Orc player in the world, but I always practice very hard *smiles*. Now I am not but soon I will become top 3 orc in the world.

Your back in one team! What are your thoughts?

I really wanted to play with my friends from a long time so I am very happy *smiles*

What are your aims for this year?

To finish amongst the best, and I won't be going to the army.

Introduction

Space has established himself as one of the strongest Undead players in the world, his mesmerising play has earned him many fans and lots of recognition. While 2on2 is not much of his forte, this Korean really loves the game and strives to improve his solo record in leagues like WC3L where he's scalped a lot of victims.

Name: Park Sueng Hyun
Nickname: Space
Age: 18
Race:

Achievements:

1st place - GWL season1
3rd place - BCX2007 DaeGu
4th place - AWL1
4th place - e-fun
Top 8 - KespaCup WC3

Q&A With Space

Could you just say some words about Go becoming fnatic?

Good job by both fnatic and Go! Our old friends (Shy/FoCuS) it's such a good surprise to see us all back together in one team!

What does the future hold for you?

Playing Warcraft 3 and I hope to go to more tournament finals, I wish to meet many Warcraft 3 players and fans.

A lot of your fans out there want to hear from you, what do you have to say to them?

I'd like to say a big "Thank you" to all my fans, playing Warcraft 3 has made me happy, don't worry about me, I am in good condition, I will try to be the best ^^.

MinHyuk has been in the shadow of FoCuS for a long time, and only recently stunned several top names when he started winning games against top players. His role is that of a support player and makes for a strong 4th soloist. He is defintely one of the upcoming players and 2008 could just be his breakthrough year!

Name: Min Hyuk Jo
Nickname: MinHyuk
Age: 20
Race:

Achievements:

1st - WGT2007
1st - BCX2007 Buchun
1st - e-fun2007

Q&A with MinHyuk

You have made some strong WC3L performance so far, what you have to say to that?

I don't think my performance has been that great in WC3L so far, but I am increasing my efforts into making my performance stronger.

With an organisation to back you up, how does it change things?

Like the others said, I am very happy to join fnatic with my old friends and my current ones!

You practice a lot now, how many hours a day do you play?

I practice for about 6~7 hours a day, daily.

Introduction

Ohjie is best known for being the 'sleeping giant', the one with the most potential, he will play in fnatic for a short time but his glory as a player will not fade away.

Name: Dong Ryong Lim
Nickname: Ohjie
Age: 20
Race:

You haven't been practising so much, but still you can compete against the best, what's the secret?

*Laughs* Frankly speaking I will go to the army in this year, so I decided to stop Warcraft 3 for good. WC3L 13, will be my last Warcraft 3 tournament in my life. I'd like to say thank you to my fans.

You have been inactive for sometime now, will you come back to Warcraft 3?

I don't know, 2 years is a long time so it's hard to say, but if I get a shot I will try to play this game again.

Could you say some words to your fans?

Thank you fans! I will quit Warcraft 3 but I expect that we will meet again, in some other game or world.

Introduction

The only human player in the team and also the youngest of the lot, Kei isn't the strongest player but nevertheless his performance in the KODE5.Korean qualifiers where he managed to make it to the final 8 and his TGL performances have definitely made him another player with massive potential. He lacks LAN experience and maybe that will change this year.

Name: Daeduck Yoon
Nickname: Kei
Age: 17
Race:

Achievements:

4th Place - GWL season1
Top 8 - e-Taeback Festival
Top 8 - ChunAn e-sport wc3
Top 8 - World gamemaster tournament

You're really picking up as a player, what do you think lacks in your performance to be the best?

I think I need more experience in big tournaments and I need to work on concentration and practice more and more.

You're one of the younger players in the team is that a bad thing?

I believe this a great opportunity to learn playing Warcraft 3 at this age, I will try my best.

Will you switch races?

No, I will never switch races.

Introduction

The most unknown player from the lineup, but defintely a close friend of the team. While YanGe hasn't made much of a mark in the national or international scene in terms of 1on1 performances his role as a back up player is unquestionable and you can never have enough elfs in the team!

Name: Si Young Kim
Nickname: Yange
Age: 17
Race:

Achievements:

1st - Megaweb WC3 season 3
2nd - BCX2007 Busan
2nd - e-Fun2007

Can you introduce yourself to us?

Hey guys! I am a Korean Elf player, I am not so good now but I will be a good player soon by the sweat of my brow! Thanks.

How many hours a day you practice?

I practice for around 7~8 hours a day, daily.

Any words to fnatic?

Thanks fnatic, I will do my best!

Drum

How did Go become fnatic? Any details you can share?

Many organisations were interested in our team, but the players and myself wanted to join an organisation that we could trust. I didn't want to be led on by fake promises since it happened to us a lot in the past. so we decided to chose fnatic, also they promised to take all our members
(including Shy/Focus). For a long time we wanted to be one team and fnatic made it a reality for us. It came as a big surprise and very good job! Thanks!

What are your goals in fnatic?

Well, the first priority are the WC3L finals, we can do it I am very sure, because we are real friends not TEAM-MATES! Aside from that we want to perform well in all other tournaments that we participate in.

Will we see new players?

I think our line up is very strong now, but if we might add anone in the future who knows? I don't know either *smiles*. All I can say is if you want to join our team then first of all you have to be a real life friend, not just a team-mate!

Spittie

Hey, so your an orga in fnatic.wc3 what's going to be your job like in a team full of

Koreans?

My job will still be to be to assist you (Elroy) achieving all of the set goals for fnatic. And also to help the Koreans with european PR. Mainly I will remain the puppet master in the shadows of Elroy!

What are you goals with the new team?

I personally really want to shake Space's hand after a big off-line victory!

Cheers to that! And lastly, is there one player in the lineup you would vouch to be the next top player?

I find MinHyuk very interesting!

This leaves the roster looking like this:

Management:
fnatic.Noname (Manager)
fnatic.Drum (Manager)
fnatic.Spittie (Orga)
fnatic.Scarto (Orga)

Players:
fnatic.Shy (Team Captain)
fnatic.FoCuS
fnatic.Space
fnatic.MinHyuk
fnatic.Kei
fnatic.YanGe
fnatic.Ohjie (He will remain with us till the end of the WC3L season)