MPKBK: "I would rate our trip 10/10"

Even though Andrey "MPKBK" Ermakov is known as a streamer to most people, he also organized numerous online and LAN events in the CIS region, including the running CIS Rising League Season 2.

Apart from that he's been helping out some teams to be able to travel to events, most recently PiTER, the Russian surprise of ESL One Katowice main qualifier last weekend.

Ermakov answered a few questions surrounding PiTER's journey to Katowice and told us what his thoughts on the CIS region are. Read below to see what he had to say on these topics, as well as his plans and challenges in the future.

I don't think everyone in the community knows who you are and what you do in the CIS region, so let's start off with a basic introduction of yourself.

"Hi, my name is Andrey Ermakov, MPKBK. In short, I support the growth of the whole CIS community, I try to do LAN and online tournaments as much as possible, which I'm organising and casting. If there is an extra resource - I try to help teams to some extent. Last year I helped the Belarussians of the current composition of GGWP to come to Voronezh cup. During this time I became the team manager of Piter and I'll likely stay with them until I create a strong organization around them. Then I will go back to the organization of tournaments at full strength."

You supported PiTER at the main qualifier last weekend, you said you offered to pay a share of the expenses - Where did that money come from and what was the figure?

"I spent $2500 for this trip. ESL will give me $1200 back as a compensation for travel. I have been saving to hold my own LAN tournament in Russia using the Twitch partner program. And then the boys said that they do not have time to make visas and do not have money for tickets. And I started to think: 

The journey of a Russian team (with such level as Piter has) to a European LAN is a great rarity now and a real dream for all teams below Flipsid3, Na`Vi and HR. Plus, if Piter didn't come, all the CIS teams would be deprived of future qualifications for the next major events. So I decided to support them even with confidence that the guys will not be able to give me the money back. But I am sure that in the long run, I made the right decision."

How would you rate the team's performance at the qualifier? Were you and the team satisfied with the results? What were your expectations?

"I would rate our trip 10 out of 10:

We have shown two most intense matches of all two days. We made Titan happy, by missing the opportunity to finish them in the first game. Honestly, all thanks to the moment of surprise, the Frenchmen strongly underestimated us. Our team was ready for cache against Ex6tenZ's team. Waylander ran veto as he wanted, and also all the strategies worked perfectly.

Then, we extremely wanted to win against the Poles. Firstly, we wanted at least one win. Secondly - doubly valuable when you beat an opponent on his land and against tremendous support of his fans.

And all of us understood, that Flipsid3 deserved that slot more than our mix. We didn't want to play against them and when we saw that they lost to LGB... Of course we supported each other and charged to victory, but inside, everyone understood that for Flipsid3 this tournament was more important than for us. They need to take revenge for the collapse of their old lineup. They must prove to their new organization that they deserve its support. In the end, it's time for B1ad3 to get what he earned for his contribution to the development of our entire scene by his personal example. 

I am pleased with the result, but the team clearly saw that if they played with the full lineup - they would be able to do 2 times more strategies in the attack and would not have such obvious gaps in the defense. But this is all speculation, the full team would possibly not have coped with their excitement. In this regard, our two replacements really helped.

I think that ub1que and hooch unlocked the potential of the rest at the first game, by showing that Titan are not so powerful, they are the same people sitting opposite you. And that is priceless to see how the transformation is of a player during the game: in the beginning he moves uncertainly, afraid to pick up his favorite weapon, playing clamped. And in the overtime he fiercely mows foes with the AWP, who few minutes ago were considered invincible to CIS teams.

I expected that Piter would be able to compete in two games, show beautiful games, but lose both. But when I saw the casual attitude of Titan towards preparations for the first game (they were in place just 15 minutes before the start), my opinion has changed dramatically. Never underestimate Russians. The result of the game vs Titan gave us strength to fight against Gamers2, we started to believe in ourselves."

Having organized two seasons of the CIS Rising League, do you think there is anyone else besides PiTER and the usual big names (Na`Vi, HellRaisers, Flipsid3) who could be considered a threat in the future? How is the talent in the CIS region?

"In the CIS, there is a huge amount of good, talented players. Their main problem is that the whole scene is out of the habit of participation in the LAN tournaments. They were always the main reason to play CS. 

Most CIS tournaments shifted to a scheme where the CIS is represented only by HR and Na`Vi. Everyone wants to grab a piece of the western audience by inviting western teams.

The more lans will take place on the territory of the CIS, the more often Europeans will be shocked by such outbursts of our teams. At the moment, I am sure that three other teams from CIS Rising could repeat the success of Piter."

What about tournaments and leagues, do you feel like the scene is saturated enough with CIS-only events? 

"The scene is in dire need of a CIS LAN championship, where the young teams will be able to fight against Na`Vi, HR and Flipsid3 in the group stage with a BO3 system. I can provide the level of organization of a LAN event, that will fit for such teams, but so far I do not have the cash resources to fund the prize pool that will allow to invite those giants into such a tournament. Maybe at the end of the year I will be able to do this."

Is that why you decided to organize a league of your own? What were your motivations?

"My dream is to root for a CIS team, which will win the CS:GO International. No matter whether as a manager, organizer or commentator. The challenge now is to pave the way for a repeat of success of team Na`Vi in 2010. And for that I need to be some kind of an "icefrog" for the CIS community: make tournaments, help teams and inspire young players with my casting. My motivation is simple - I just love this job and I know how to do it."

How do you manage to gather prizes for CIS Rising League?

"Fundraising cost me a couple of gray hair on my head :D. The main source of income was and is the partner program from Twitch, but in the beginning I wasn't sure whether viewers are interested in the struggle of our teams, if I can gain a serious audience or not. As it turned out - very interested. Dear viewers, big thank you for this interest. And without CIS teams - captured by love for the game, instead of the prospects to make money in it - I wouldn't come to where I am now. Sometimes our teams, even with bad shooting, are showing such a spirit, which can be the envy of many top teams. Now, when I have the support of ZOWIE and more favorable terms from Twitch, I can plan larger projects."

The last question is entirely up to you, what would you like to add?

"I would like to support all the beginners. Way to the top is thorny and hard, but you youngsters can get things done much easier than in the past. You can use a lot of opportunities to grow with only the internet that was not available to most of the current professionals. I'm sure that after a year the current professionals will have to fight for a place under the sun with you, young contenders for the title of champions. But do not forget about your honor and dignity. Any meanness and treachery will return to your life at double the rate. 

And I must say that PiTER are looking forward for next European LAN tournaments and now we are searching for organisation or sponsors who will help us show our passion to the world."

If you wish to follow less known CIS-based teams, the $2,000 CIS Rising League Season 2 is still underway, you can follow it in the coverage section here.