Birthday: 27th June

Favourite Gaming Hardware: Razer Copperhead
Major Tournaments Won: 2010 Steelseries Iron Lady Competition

Eliza is part of team Asterisk*. Yes, Eliza is female, or did you not already notice that? Why so many interviews with female gamers, you might ask. Well, firstly, in our cozy local Singaporean DotA community, females, especially Asterisk*, seem to be the only people who can maintain a stable team. Next, most of the prominent male players seem to have been interviewed to death, and the interviews of female players seem to deteriorate into textbook questions with textbook answers. Let's face it, with a huge proportion of our gamer demographic being male, most of you would prefer to read about some gaming girl you didn't know about then some gaming guy you didn't know about.

I could give a short introduction of Eliza, but why should I work my fingers on typing it when I can just as easily quote from a writeup from her team blog? The following is quoted from the team profiles page of team Asterisk*, which can be found here. For your convenience, it has been pasted below:

Team photographer and much-loved “team pet”, Eliza does not only have aspirations, she dares to take the path less travelled to fulfill them. Taking a year off school, she is currently pursuing certifications in Nail Art and Violin.

A Vet Assistant and part-time model, she charms both man and beast alike with her feisty, passionate personality.

Favourite Hero: Necrolyte
Likes: shopping, gaming, $$$, violin, O2mania & zilcH
Blog: http://msjovial.blogspot.com
Garena ign: msjovial

And there ends the copy and pasting.

Team Asterisk* is one of the rare DotA teams that still trains on LAN, and I manage to catch them training at Gamehaven. The following interview was done with Eliza (which I shall refer to her by, rather than her handle msjovial which is significantly longer to type) in between Asterisk*'s games.

Gathering some basic information, Eliza reveals that she has been in Asterisk* for over 2 years, and has been using her current mouse (a Razer Copperhead) for more than one year. She talks a bit about being part of team “BTY” prior to joining Asterisk*, which was with her mates from a secondary school with the same initials, but doesn't give many details about it.

What else could we ask Eliza to reveal?

So, you've played DotA for 2 and a half years, and you've been in Asterisk* for over 2 years. You just hopped into competitive DotA immediately after starting?

Eliza: No because... it's like... I played after N levels, then I played for like the holidays.
Eliza: Then it was on and off lah!
Eliza: Until around June I start to choing for O levels, then never play until...
Eliza: After O levels then start playing lorh!



So when in this period did you join Asterisk*?

Eliza: After my O levels.

That doesn't really count as having played DotA for only 2 and a half years, but then again why harp on the irrelevant details?



Apparently the next question is one that the girls answer frequently enough as a team, as is evident by their comments (since I am interviewing Eliza in the presence of their entire team). Eliza however, is polite enough to at least act like she's thinking up an answer.

So, how did you start playing DotA?

Eliza: Previously, I was playing Maple Story... like really a lot. Then EVERYBODY started talking about DotA.
Eliza: Like EVERY DAY.
Eliza: My classmates... then my class neighbors, then my classmates' neighbors...
Eliza: Then everybody who used to play Maple switched to DotA. Then no one was playing Maple.
Eliza: Then I was like “What's so interesting...” and so I went to play DotA.

An interesting enough situation, perhaps relevant to anyone who can draw marketing insights from her situation.

Well, so how did you start playing computer games in the first place?

Eliza: Just interested lorh...
Eliza: I actually don't know how. Just interested.
Eliza: I think it was in primary 6. People started giving out pamphlets for NeoPets, then I got very interested, and started playing.



Next, yet another question I ask in every single interview.

So, any other talents other then gaming?

Eliza: I used to dance a lot!
Eliza: I like art... I'm quite good at art.

What kind of art?

Eliza: I don't really like drawing... but I'm forced to do it cause it's art... but it's still acceptable.
Eliza: I like painting and crafting.
Eliza: Tammy is a pro at drinking coffee and staying awake!
With all these run-off-the-mill questions, Eliza is already looking bored. I decide to ask her some more personal questions.

So, is your boyfriend better then you in DotA?

Eliza: Ya! But he always says I farm faster then him...
Eliza: But he's better in terms of engaging... like during engagements...

The interview is interrupted as Eliza's teammate, Dawn enters the training room, as the girls are discussing fashion.

Eliza: Hiiiiiiiii!!! Do you miss meeeeeeeeeeeee??? (Accompanied by elaborate movements)
Dawn: YA LA YA LA I MISS YOU LA.


 

 

Eliza (left) and her teammate Dawn (right)

And with that done, we continue from where we left off. Since Eliza's current boyfriend, zilcH, is also a DotA player, I'm curious (and I'm sure many other people are as well) about the potential of DotA as a matchmaking tool.

So, how did you meet your boyfriend?

Eliza: Actually... I kind of knew my ex because I played DotA.
Eliza: Then for the current one... also cause I play DotA.
Eliza: I went for the X3M trials... then I sort of got to know everyone lorh.

Asterisk* originated as an all-girls team that was part of a larger team called X3M.

Why did you go for the trials?

Eliza: Cause my BTY teammates told me about this girls team.
Eliza: They weren't looking for players, but I went on IRC and PM'ed zilcH and asked them if they were looking for players.

The two girls sitting next to Eliza happily chirp in with some other information.

Tammy: At that time, zilcH was our manager!
Tammy: Cause zilcH was in X3M, and he was assigned to us!
Tammy: He likes to date his charges!

The interview is abruptly interrupted as the girls suddenly turn their attention to discussing other DotA girls gamers, with their screens on facebook, blogger, and every other cyberstalking medium known to them. As if linked, I suddenly see every single one of them with their screens on Bejewelled.

So, how do you feel about other girls playing DotA?

Eliza: They're okay... like any other players.
Eliza: If they don't provoke me, I'm okay with it lorh!

Have you been provoked?

Eliza: Not happy then ALT+QQ LORH!!

That doesn't seem to answer the question!

Well, any names?

At this point, the other girls feel the need to cut in.

Tammy: Got, but we won't tell you!
Tammy: GOT A LOTTTTTT.
Kimchi: If we say, then we're asking them to...

And apparently I have been made to forget the rest of the conversation.


 

 

Eliza (left) and her boyfriend (right) who goes by the nickname zilcH

A change of topic seems to be necessary.

So, is every one of your teammates usually late?

Dawn: For LAN competitions, we're seldom late.
Eliza: For on-line competitions, it's like own-time-own-target, so can be a bit late lor...

Who is usually the latest?

Dawn: Tammy.

An awkward period of silence follows.

Tammy: I'm not saying anything!
Dawn: But sometimes we have teammates that don't turn up. That one is worse.
Eliza: Got meh?
Tammy: Ya!

At this point, I accept the fact that while I am directing my questions at Eliza, the other girls in the room should feel free to chirp in whenever they feel like it. After all, I do plan to interview the rest of them too.

How many guys do you get approaching you during the competition?

Eliza: No one...
Eliza: But when I go home, they'll be like “how come you didn't say hi to me?”
Eliza: And I'll be like “who are you?!”

So they don't talk to you in real life, but they talk to you on-line?

Eliza: YA!!
Dawn: They'll be like “I was the guy sitting opposite you, third from the right... you were the one 2nd from the left issit?”

Really? No guys approach you in real life at all?

Eliza: Sometimes they'll approach us, but it's just like “Hi, I'm this and this nick...”
Eliza: Or “Can take picture?”
Dawn: But sometimes they get damn possessive lorh...

Possessive?

Dawn: Like “HI! I'm your biggest fan!”

I don't actually provide any question for the next response. It's just provided, completely unprovoked, perhaps due to the nature of questions I have asked.

Dawn: It's very different to treat DotA as a way to meet guys then to... coincidentally meet your boyfriend in DotA.
Dawn: It's like... the intention is there, you know?

Okay. Name the 3 best looking guys and girls in the local DotA scene.

Eliza: Guys... I never think of it.
Eliza: Handsome is a very huge statement to make you know... like my KOREAN IDOL!!
Eliza: But he doesn't play DotA.
Eliza: I don't just play DotA to see guys!
Tammy: IT MEANS SHE DOES TO A CERTAIN EXTENT!
Eliza: I think that guys play DotA, and they hope to find a girlfriend who plays DotA...
Eliza: Those guys who play DotA prefer to find a GF who plays DotA.
Eliza: Like a lot of guys go “Your GF so good play DotA, my GF never play DotA...”

Okay. You can just skip the question if you don't want to answer it...how about the 3 best looking girls then?

Eliza: The 3 next to me lorh. Tammy, Dawn, and Kimchi.

How disgustingly politically correct.

What are your thought processes while playing DotA?

Eliza: ...

A short bout of silence leads me to believe that I should clarify my question.

Like do you consciously process what's going on...

Eliza: Not most of the time... most of the time no.

So when do you consciously process?

Eliza: When I feel that I am noobing a lot in a game.

After the game or during?

Eliza: After the game...

So how do you believe you can improve?

Eliza: Practice makes perfect!
Eliza: I don't believe that... I mean... just practice lorh!
Eliza: It's just like micro... last hit... I didn't use to press 's' to last hit... then I found out it was quite easy, so I started doing it.

Do you believe that you have a limit?

Eliza: A limit like...
Eliza: I don't know. I don't have any aim. Like, I don't say “one day I must be able to play as good as this player”?

Like, do you think that one day you will feel like you can't improve?

Eliza: I always feel like I can do better.

So, does on-line flirting ever work?

Eliza: You think?
Eliza: I mean... just look at me lorh!
Eliza: You think it works?

Oh no! The interviewer just got asked a question. I resist answering it.

So... does it?

Eliza: NO?!
Eliza: If it worked I'll have changed like... ten thousand boyfriends already.

And back to DotA stuff.

Favorite hero?

Eliza: FV (Faceless Void)... for now.
Eliza: It changes all the time.

Favourite role? You seem to play all sorts of roles in your team.

Eliza: ...
Eliza: I'm okay with everything.

The dots literally indicate silence, a period where she ponders over her answer, since this interview was, unlike most other previous ones, done face to face and not over MSN.

What do you mean “okay with everything”?

Eliza: Like... I don't think I'm restricted.
Eliza: So if I'm playing one role, I don't think about “Oh, I'm playing this role because I can't play this other role better”.
Eliza: In my team I like to play farmers... like Necrolyte.

So, farmer is your favorite role?

Eliza: Like in pub games, I like to play farmer, and I like to kill... in pub games.
Eliza: Cause pub games are easier! They don't catch you excessively, they don't ward...
Eliza: I FEEL MORE PRO!!

Let's try to find out in... the Zeus test!

Eliza: But I don't really play Zeus!

The “Zeus test” doesn't actually exist. If it did though, it would be about finding out the preferred playstyle of a player by finding out how he or she would build and play Zeus.

Warlock?

Eliza: I like RK (Rogue Knight), I like Necrolyte, I like CM (Crystal Maiden)...
Eliza: I like Lich, I like Slardar...
Eliza: I like QoP (Queen of Pain) but I can't really play it.
Eliza: I like FV (Faceless Void), I like LR (Lightning Revenant), and I can't play PL (Phantom Lancer) for goodness sakes...
Eliza: I should try playing Centaur...

Okay, so for Centaur, what build would you go?

Eliza: But I've never played CW before!

Theoretically?

Eliza: Helm of the Dominator, Vanguard, Blademail... and maybe Shiva
Eliza: No heart!

So...

Eliza: Actually I change according to what heroes the opponent has.
Eliza: Actually I don't usually play Centaur.

At this point, Eliza's game has started. I resume the interview after their game has concluded. The effect of the losing the game though, might have influenced the answers of the next few questions.

3 best DotA players in Singapore?

Eliza: Don't have.

As in no good players or no opinions?

Eliza: No comment.

Suddenly, with my interview candidate not wanting to offer any more answers, I conclude the interview with 3 short multiple-choice questions.

Dagger or Lothars?

Eliza: Dagger
Dawn: I LIKE LOTHAR!!

Zeus or Spectre

Eliza: Both also don't like!
Dawn: Zeus!

Tammy or Dawn?

Dawn: WHAT THE HELL?