Interviews

Before we go into the finals stage, I had the chance to speak to 3 of the 8 finalists. I spoke with the Japanese, UK and Danish (Denmark) champions. Let's jump to my first interview with Jakub, representing Denmark.

Pongky: Hi Jakub, thanks for taking the time to speak to FiringSquad. How long have you been playing Halo PC?

Jakub: No problem, I've been playing Halo PC since before it came out, in October 2003.

Pongky: Did you play Halo for the XBOX before the PC version came out?

Jakub: Not really, I didn't like using the controller on the XBOX, I prefer the mouse / keyboard.

Pongky: How tough was the competition back in Denmark? Was it a difficult task to get to this point (the finals) ?

Jakub: Not really, there aren't that many people playing in Denmark. It was quite difficult, as I only had to defeat [several] players in a few days of competition.

Pongky: Really? I would have thought PC gaming, though not necessarily Halo, is popular over there in Europe.

Jakub: No, not in Denmark.

Pongky: Who do you think are your fiercest competition here at this stage?

Jakub: I think, UK, Japan and the US.

Pongky: Are you in university?

Jakub: I'm not sure what to call it, it is after the equivalent of [the American] high school, but I am taking one year off

Pongky: That sounds nice to be able to do, thanks for your time and good luck in the finals!

Jakub: Thank you.

Teppei of Tokyo, Japan

8 finalists

The US player is second from right

Finalists on display

Wall decor

Will the luck o' the Irish play a hand today?

The second finalist we grill is Teppei Terabe, from Tokyo Japan. I had a Microsoft Japan employee help me translate back and forth my questions. Of course, I had to get my meager japanese language skills in there somehow, so I opened up with:

Pongky: Nama-e wa, nan desu-ka? (what's your name )

Teppei: *chuckles* Teppei Terabe

Pongky: Congratulations on getting this far, how would you say the competition was back in Japan?

Teppei (through translator): It was kind of difficult. We had multiple online sessions over several weeks, and there were some good players there. The whole event culminated with a LAN event in Tokyo, where I won.

Pongky: So, what prizes did you win in the Tokyo finals?

Teppei (through translator): I won the equivalent of US $6000, a Radeon video card, and an LCD monitors.

Pongky: What kind of work do you do? Or are you in university?

Teppei (through translator): I'm a telephone operator working in a telecommunication company.

Pongky: So that leaves you a lot of time to practice and play games?

Teppei (through translator): Yes

Pongky: Are you going to stay in LA for an extended visit? or will you go back tomorrow like the rest of the players?

Teppei (through translator): I'm leaving tomorrow.

Pongky: How do you like LA so far?

Teppei (through translator): It's very hot

Pongky: Yea, just wait 'til you feel the summertime. Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, good luck in the finals!

Teppei: Thanks!