A chat with FIFA Legend Daniel “Hero” Schellhase

 

 

Daniel “Hero” Schellhase, FIFA pro and veteran, has won more than his fair share of stripes during his time with the game. Having been in the scene for over eight years now, the 29 year old has secured numerous World, European and German Championship podium finishes, and consequently won the admiration of the world over.  With retirement from the game looming close, Daniel has decided to share, in a short interview with us, what it’s like to be a FIFA pro as well as shed some light into his training methods and gaming philosophy.

 

 

RGN: Your decision to announce your retirement has surprised the FIFA community to say the least, what prompted you to call it a day?

 

Daniel: My brother and I played for about 8 years starting in 2002. And I think this is a quite long time. We managed to achieve many things we never had thought we could. Especially to earn some money with our hobby. But after 8 years the hunger is gone you need to train with the necessary enthusiasm. Every year [it’s] the same story. Learn a new game and achieve as much titles as possible. After we finished our studies in 2010 we were very sure that this would be the end. We didn’t win the world championship that year, but the German and European championships were enough! [It’s] a dignified goodbye. And we know we couldn´t do that eSports life much longer and have to focus some time on our real occupational development.

 

 

RGN: That in mind, what are some of your post-retirement plans?

 

Daniel: I am currently playing some FIFA on PS3 for fun. I don’t play as much as in my former career. Just a little bit and still play with my friends before we go out to a bar, club etc. But of course I still play lots of other games. I still play a little bit of StarCraft 2 and CS:GO besides. But I think I will never ever install FIFA on my pc anymore. I am not that guy who can play just for fun. I am always targeting achievements. And if I start FIFA on pc perhaps appetite would come back. And I want to avoid it!

 

 

RGN: We’ve heard FIFA isn’t the first game you played at the competitive level, why did you choose FIFA and what made it so attractive?

 

Daniel: I played several games before. For me a good eSports title must have one characteristic. If I achieve a partial achievement or win a game, I feel like a god. And if I score a goal, this is really an incredible feeling! I think everyone who reads this interview agrees with me, independent of the game. The feeling is the most important part and the competition. In FIFA you are facing so many situations. Different gaming styles, different formations, strengths, weaknesses of your opponent. It’s always fun to play and discover all these things and of course analyze the opponent. I learned in my career that there is no one and the same game style in FIFA... Every player has his own attitude and this makes the game so versatile.

 

 

RGN: What are your preferred settings on FIFA and what advice would you give other FIFA players with regard to settings management and selection?

 

Daniel: I play FIFA 13 on PC. I play most of the time semi is the best setting, I think. But this is my personal feeling. You have much freedom, but don´t have to care too much. But this is my fun view, not my professional [view]! I would have to test much more deeply and invest much more time to give a high quality answer to this question

 

 

RGN: Having played FIFA since the 2003 iteration, how did you see FIFA evolving? And which was your favorite version?

 

Daniel: FIFA 2003 was the first version I played competitive. My favorites were always the impaired FIFA versions. I suppose EA is developing in a 2 year cycle. And the impaired FIFA versions were much more dynamic and not so slow or boring as the paired versions I think you need [just as] much [if not] more skill for these versions as well.

 

 

RGN: Can you tell us a little about your controller preferences in FIFA and if it’s critical to have a good gamepad setup?

 

Daniel: I been playing since 2004 with the XBOX pad of the old Xbox. This was my favorite gamepad. It provided the best feeling and the stick wasn´t placed in the middle of the pad which provides a better feeling. On the PS3 pad it is really hard to have a good aim because it is not as sensitive as you need it to be at a real professional level. Therefore I prefer a gamepad with the stick best positioned to the thumb.

 

 

RGN: How do you choose your “optimal” team in different FIFA versions? Would you pick an inferior team in a competition if the style of play suited you?

 

Daniel: First, I select the team after the game style I prefer in the current FIFA version. Sometimes it is not the best team. But it provides me the advantages I need to win tournaments. For example in my last FIFA year I played England which really no one played before. I really liked the speed of the players and played with a three man attack. Therefore it was the best choice. I positioned very fast players for the inner defense. After many players had seen me playing it, they switched as well. But they weren’t able to play it because you needed really high defensive skills to play England. The default defenses were too slow and you needed to play with midfielders and attackers. And that made it very complicate. Every small mistake could lead to a goal against you.

 

 

RGN: In your time as a pro gamer you’ve worked with many clans, such as Heinerfest, ProGaming and SK Gaming. How was it like working with them and do you have a favorite?

 

Daniel: The life and family of SK Gaming is really the best I have ever seen. A few weeks before Alex (CEO of SK Gaming) had birthday. Dennis and I travelled to cologne in order to surprise him and play a little bit on a real pitch. There is a deep connection to SK Gaming which still exists. We had very good moments. I will never forget winning my first WCG in 2006 or a specific Gamescom party in Leipzig. But I will not tell [you] what happened there. Trust me when I tell you that SK Gaming is the most serious and familiar team you could play for.

 

 

RGN: What was your biggest take away from your time at SK Gaming?

 

Daniel: I think most important is to keep focusing on the real life as well. Do your school [work], do your studies and play when you have time to do it! And learn when you need to learn. This is your future! Not the eSports career. In my career i met many players who put the wrong focus on eSports and gave up school or studies. This is really sad... Therefore here are some remarks! Knowledge is capital for your own future in eSports, as well as for your real life!

 

 

RGN: There isn’t much that separates top gamers from other top games. Do you think luck factors a lot in a high level game?

 

Daniel: I think it depends on the FIFA version. EA put much more lucky elements inside the games. In former FIFA versions there wasn´t any luck. But then they added mentality for the team, mentality for every player etc. And if the FIFA god decides that your team has a bad mentality you are not able to win a game against an opponent who is on your level or not as good as you. But you have to learn from every game, every goal etc. Remind yourself to analyze what you are doing. Was it the right decision or just wasting an attack? You shouldn’t waste attacks in serious games... therefore test games are the best opportunities to test. Don’t be disappointed if something does not work. Learn from it and try to avoid mistakes in future games. Nobody is perfect. You just have to learn!

 

 

 

RGN: How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically before a competitive match? And what are some things to note when facing an extremely skilled player like yourself?

 

Daniel: It's important that you are not afraid of losing. If I am afraid of losing I will lose. You need the will to win! If you are afraid you will search for the 100% goal which does not exist. You need to somehow play aggressive and try difficult things that surprise your opponent. I had several moments when I was afraid of losing, and I always lost.

 

 

RGN: How many countries have you traveled to in your career? And which few in particular did you enjoy the most?

 

Daniel: I traveled to lots of countries which was a very good experience! Especially [when] learning the different cultures. But I was always focused on the tournaments. There wasn´t so many time to enjoy any travel. But I think most impressive was our visit in Peking 2004 because we were able to see sooo many things!

 

 

RGN: We hear that you are funnier and more energetic than your brother, Dennis ‘Styla’ Schellhase, is that true?

 

Daniel: You are absolutely right. I am more the enthusiastic guy in real life and FIFA as well. He is more the FIFA mathematics guy! He wants to have a FIFA Matrix and then build the right algorithm to win every game! This is the main difference between us. But it’s always good to have someone who reminds you to work hard and analyze your game style. This is what Dennis does in the most professional way I have ever seen. He spends so many hours every year in train mode to perfect specific attacks and game styles. He found in 2006 after WCG, an attack which was almost impossible to defend. But unfortunately it was a few weeks to late. I suppose he would have won the WCG with this attack.

 

 

RGN: What were your parents’ opinions on your pro gaming escapades?

 

Daniel: The only important part was that school is working fine and our studies as well. They visited us at many tournaments in Germany and watched nearly every stream they could.  They were a big help for us when we had a down in our career, when losing important tournaments etc. You need someone who tells you that you shouldn´t surrender and stand up when something bad happened.

 

RGN: And what about your girlfriend? How did you two know each other and fall in love? Can we hear about a romantic love story?

 

Daniel: We meet us the first time in a German club in May 2010 – just before I ended my FIFA career. She just wanted to know why I am famous. She was in the same club with some friends which probably know us from our eSports activities. I have to say that was very common that people came to us and asked us if we are the famous FIFA twins etc. Therefore she asked me why she should know me. And I explained it to her. And I suppose that’s the reason why she felt in love! No. serious... We are just made for each other. She knows when I feel bad and does everything to put a smile into my face. I think it’s very important if you are targeting a long and serious relationship to do everything you can to make the life of your partner as good as you can. But on the other part everyone should still life his own life, have his own hobbies and own friends. It’s very important to not share any minute you can... This will not satisfy you on long term.

 

 

RGN: What’s your opinion on gaming nowadays? And what’s your take on “gaming countries” like China, Korea and even Germany?

 

Daniel: Gaming grows and grows... in nearly every country. I suppose in 10-15 years player can earn much more money than me. Germany has one big problem. And these are the politics. Gaming had always a bad image in German politics and caused many bad things, in their opinion. But this is changing. Gaming goes more and more into the mainstream what is already achieved in country s like Korea and China. My brother and I were able to reduce all the prejudice of professional gamer. And I think we did it quite well and did a good job in those 8 years.

 

 

RGN: Germany has been a country that has been tremendously successful in FIFA, tell us your secret!

 

Daniel: I suppose it was caused by my brother and me. We made FIFA very popular in Germany. Many people try to step into our footprint as they have seen what you can achieve. I think that’s the reason of the big, big success of German players.

 

 

RGN: Have you ever had a crazy encounter with a fan?

 

Daniel: Sure! One time, my brother and I met a guy who wanted to take a picture with us. But we missed the print on his shirt. On it, it was mentioned that the guys left and right of him are gays. This guy put the picture on the ESL and then nearly everyone discovered it. But I can live with this fun. I don’t feel attacked or hurt. I like nearly every positive expression

 

 

RGN: Finally, what words of advice would you like to leave our readers here at RGN?

 

Daniel: Thanks for reading this long interview! And many greetings from Germany! Keep up enjoying your hobbies and focus on all important tasks.