Interview time: Dumbledoge

Photo: Riot eSports/Flickr

Interview with the one and only Dumbledoge

During Mid-Season Invitational, the crowd chanted, “Dumbledoge!” His bottom lane presence was fierce. Unfortunately for his green team, Beşiktaş’ efforts were not enough for the best teams of their respective regions. Despite their winless debut in the big scene, they have attained experience and respect globally. BJK is currently ranked one in their league and are looking forward to finish the split with the playoffs.

I sat down with Mustafa Kemal “Dumbledoge” Gökseloğlu, who's a support player for Beşiktaş (BJK) hailing from Istanbul, Turkey. We have talked briefly about his life as a professional gamer. This interview is edited. (To view the original text interview, click here.)

During MSI, people loved calling your name. What is "Dumbledoge" and who is "Dumbledoge" to you?

“Prior to MSI, I didn’t think that I would get this kind of attention. Still, it was really nice to have a positive feedback from the fans. 'Dumbledoge' is simply a combination between Dumbledore (a Harry Potter character) and Doge (an internet meme). However, Dumbledoge to me is someone who is a determined hard worker. I truly don’t know what to say about myself though. This is probably the hardest question.” Mustaha smiled as he delved into the thought of his identity.

Many players started from Defense of the Ancients (DOTA). Others started later when LoL became a large global online game. When and how did you start? Walk us through your start of your career.

“I started my gaming career when I was 1 year old in an arcade. I guess I went way too back.” He laughed. He thought and told of his earlier days of his multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) experiences. “I started from DOTA like many other players. When I played DOTA, it was just a game to enjoy after school with friends like any other game. I was never in a competitive level back then. There was a time when I started playing League of Legends during its first season. I actually didn’t like it when I first played.” He grinned. Mustafa did not extensively play LoL. That was not until season 2. “I started playing again during season 2. I think I have been playing seriously since then. My professional career started last year with a city district team.” Mustafa explained. He expressed the genuine amusement of the idea. A city district in Turkey normally funds creations and growths of sports teams like soccer and basketball. Creation of eSports teams in this manner was unheard of. “This city district tried to create its first eSports team, but it didn’t get much attention until a new sports branch launched. From then, I participated for championship series with ANT.” Mustafa sighs with a short smile, “we failed.” But it was after this tournament that Mustafa Kemal was invited to play with Beşiktaş (BJK). This was a golden opportunity for the fellow greenhorn.

Players have bad days, but it's their drive that pulls them through. What was your driving force that led you this far?

“Players have bad days, both emotionally and mechanically. Sometimes, you even think about quitting.” Mustafa agreed. “But I’m a strong willed and determined person. I work hard till I reach my goal and I don’t stop. When I have a bad day I think about these things. I tell myself, ‘after all, having these bad emotions could be a good thing for me at times.’” He assured his optimism with me. Mustafa then mentions about a possible end to his career. “To be honest, I experience days when I have really bad games. I know that it will be time to end my career when it happens for at least a whole week.”

Many teams win because of their players. Some win because of their organization. Where does BJK owe its success in the Turkish Champions League?

“I think we owe our success to our teamwork and our good environment in our game-house. We’ve all became friends here.” Mustafa explains, “the closer you are with your team, the better you play. I don’t know how it works, but, even in the games we are behind, magic happens in team fights.”

Photo: Espor.GG

What is your role in BJK outside the game? How do you help the team?

“I will be honest. I am a shy and a lazy person. When these two combine, it’s really easy to do nothing. Before coming to gaming house, I had 2 years of college experience and I lived by myself. So then, I can say that I have pretty much helped with simple house works. For example, I have taught three members how to do laundry.” Mustafa Kemal laughed as he explained his life in the game house.

Where do you rank BJK in the world? Will we see BJK at World's?

Mustafa frowned in thought. “Although I cannot give you an accurate answer, I’m going to say that I think (hope/believe) we will be seeing BJK at Worlds. After MSI, I really wanted to be there. As a team, we have been working for that. I don’t know about rankings, but it might result better than MSI since there are going to be more teams. Plus, we are not going play against best of bests first.” He reminded me with a hopeful smile, “And there is going to be one more wildcard team slot than there was for MSI.”

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will we see you in a different environment?

“I don’t know where I will be, but hopefully it won’t be a veterinarian faculty,” Mustafa joked. “I’m just kidding, of course. Two years ago, I was playing for lower level teams and competitions (as it was less organized then). Last year, I tried for the Champions Series. This year, I managed to play in the Turkish Champions League (TCL) and dominated in both splits. I hope our team dominates in the coming playoffs, too. For next year, who knows? As long as there is a next level, I will keep trying. I don’t like talking about myself but if I see the opportunity to play in the NALCS or the EULCS, I will go for it. (Preferably, the NA LCS.) If not, I might go back to college.”

Thank you for your time, Mustafa Kemal. I wish the best of luck to you. Do you have any words for your fans?

“I just want to thank for all the good feedback and I will try my best in the future to not disappoint anyone,” Mustafa concluded.

Conclusion: Dumbledoge expressed his gratefulness for his opportunity. He has talked about his career and his mentality during his career. We hope to see him more in the Rift. Will we see BJK at Worlds’? Keep in touch with us as we bring in the current news for the LoL eSports.