nak: "A top3 finish is possible"

We kick off our pre-IEM5 World Championship coverage with a in-depth interview with compLexity star Renato "nak" Nakano.

The former FireGamers team have been drawn in Group A for the ESL competition, having to lock horns with UMX, TCM-Gaming, Frag eXecutors, mTw and Moscow Five in Hannover.

This will be the team's first international event since October, when they secured the gold at the IEM5 American Championship with a 2-0 victory of Evil Geniuses.

compLexity are currently bootcamping in Berlin ahead of the tournament, and Renato "nak" Nakano took the time to answer some questions about his team's chances in Hannover, their preparation, and also his thoughts on Counter-Strike's future as a competitive game, among other topics.

Your team will confront UMX, TCM-Gaming, Moscow Five, Frag eXecutors and mTw. What is your opinion about these opponents?

Every team in this tournament has their credits. Even UMX, who in theory are the weakest team, have managed good results against top teams. We know that this first stage will be decided in details, like round difference. The group will be very even, and in my opinion, anyone can surprise and place first.

Did you relax a little when you learned TyLoo would not go to IEM?

It is a shame that a team like TyLoo cannot participate, but thinking about the group, we undoubtedly prefer them to be in China, away from our group. [laughs]

In a group that looks so hard, how do you think your team will end?

We will be happy to progress to the next stage, but I think that, in every team, we will go for the first place in the group.

Who do you think that are the main favourites for the IEM trophy?

The favourites are the same as always, Na´Vi, fnatic, SK, mTw and FX. But in my opinion, the teams are absurdly even. Being favourite does not win matches. I have no idea who will come out with the title. There will be 12 teams with great chances of getting the crown, some with the help of a good day or luck, but all with great chances.

At WCG, you finished in fourth place. Do you think you will fare better this time around?

That is our goal. We have been growing, at ESWC we finished in 5th-8th place, at WCG we got a top4 finish and we won the IEM5 American Championship. The results have always been improving. We believe that a top3 finish is possible or a place in the final, who knows?

How has your team's preparation for this tournament been?

We practiced at our appartment in São Paulo around four hours a day for a month before coming to Germany. In Berlin, we will spend six days. Here, our trainings are more intense, we only stop to eat and sleep, pretty much.

Do you think that this preparation resembles that which you had in the past, at Inferno Online, in mibr, which produced such good results?

No doubt about that. We are already feeling the effects of European practice, which we had not felt in a long time. Our confidence is already a lot bigger than in other tournaments.

How do you look at the news which indicate that Brazil may not have a qualifier for the ESWC?

We are worried. There is not much to do but hope that these rumours are not true.

The players of your team moved to an appartment in São Paulo this month. How has the experience been?

So far, everything has been good. We have known each other for a long time, we travel a lot together, not only to play CS, but also for fun. Everyone is familiarized with each other. Our routine is basically work on the Games Academy project in the afternoon, and practice at night.

Where are the teams that you play against from?

The only team from outside of Brazil that we play against is Wild Ineters of Argentina. Other than that, it is only Brazilian teams.

And how is the Games Academy project going? How many students do you have?

Everything has so far been going according to plan. We already have 80 students. After IEM we will focus more on the project, and we hope to get to 150 students next month.

A lot has been said about the end of Counter-Strike in competitions. How do you look at the future of the game?

I have been listening about the end of CS since 2008, if I'm not mistaken. I think CS is a different game, the ones who play know that the thrill of the events will hardly end, even if it continues being the same game, being played always on the same maps. I do not see an end for CS that close. This year I still hope for competitions at the same level as those from last year.

Given the fact that your team are participating in local CSS tournaments, do you think you could swap games one more time, if 1.6 ended competitively?

In case 1.6 was over, why not? I would run out of options... [laughs]

After this tournament, do you have any other events planned?

I do not think we have any in sight. Perhaps one at the middle of the year, except the Brazilian qualifiers.