RISE | MaRN Interview: "I love having a crowd, whether they love or hate me."

MaRN has a long history in esports. While he hasn’t advanced, he didn’t go down without a fight. Formerly an LCS squad owner, MaRN isn’t unfamiliar with high production value events. However, it’s a much different experience as a player…

Alienware had the chance to talk with MaRN about his career, going from player, to team owner, to player again — initially for League of Legends, and now for Street Fighter V.

Firstly, how have things been for you? Describe the day-to-day life you typically have and how often you train.

With Rise Nation picking me up as a sponsored player, I would say life has been pretty perfect so far. I’m currently in San Jose, CA with Justin Wong, practicing as much as I can every day.

When I’m not in America, I am in Vietnam working my PC bang (HQ GAMING www.facebook.com/hqgaming.vn) every day. It’s always busy so I actually never have time to train. Luckily, my business partner takes care of the shop while I’m gone.

Is there an active community for fighting games in Vietnam?

There is a community in Vietnam but it’s pretty small. They have meetups every week with about 8-10 people but it’s too far for me, so I’d usually just play them online at night.

Many people know you from your previous stint in League of Legends, both as a player early on and as a team owner. Would you say your heart was always in playing the game rather than the more business side, or did things just work out in such a way that playing became a better option?

I always love playing more than I do doing business/managing side. Most of my failures in League came because I didn’t know much. I don’t even believe my team should have made it in at all into the LCS. It was sheer luck and when it happened I definitely did not know what to do. I just winged it and well…yeah.

Do you think any skills in Street Fighter translate from your previous experience both playing and managing League of Legends?

I am Master/Challenger in Vietnam League of Legends. I think its more of my drive to always be competitive that makes me semi-ok at games. I never want to lose and I always try to become better.

Obviously you are out of the tournament, but weren’t eliminated right away. What were your expectations entering the tournament? Did you see yourself as an underdog or a contender with some of the other legends?

I actually got really upset when I was eliminated. I expected to get out of the first round at least, but nerves got to me, and losing to Julio my first match really bit me later on. I see myself as an underdog because no one really thinks of me as skillful, more of an overwhelming offensive player.

Do you think there’s anything you could have changed aside from time spent practicing to make it further into the tournament?

From what I have heard from everyone, if I chose to dedicate time into learning frame data instead of playing on my natural instincts and talent, I would be a great player. But before this game, no one really needed to learn frame data, so it’s actually new to me in my 17+ years of competing.

Many of the FGC (Fighting Game Community) are used to the more grassroots style atmosphere rather than the high production value, sportslike ELEAGUE. Obviously, you’ve already had some experience in this environment due to your involvement in the LCS. How has it been playing in this otherwise rather foreign environment vs. other fighting game events?

It’s crazier. I get scared and nervous, ‘cause I didn’t have a crowd. I love having a crowd, whether they love or hate me. I think I play better when there are people around like that and with ELEAGUE it’s mostly cameras. It was so scary! No matter what, I love playing, so more events the better!

When Street Fighter V first came out, many still preferred Street Fighter IV and thought that Street Fighter V wouldn’t be as popular. However, it’s arguable that Street Fighter V is the most popular the franchise has ever been, partially thanks to Capcom’s financial involvement. How do you feel Street Fighter V lines up amongst other fighting game titles?

I don’t like to judge games, I’d rather play them. A lot of people have a lot of complaints with any game and I believe you have to look past that, become a better player, and strive to be the best. People are saying “Omg, you die in one hit,” but when people die in a combo in UMvC3, for example, everyone just laughs and cheers. I love every game I play because there are new things to discover no matter what people say.

People who complain are the ones who won’t get better and changes won’t help them anyways because they’ll find more things to complain about. PLAY WITH WHAT’S GIVEN TO YOU.

Infrastructurally, it’s arguable that fighting games are still behind other esports titles. Even so, fighting games are still played at an extremely high level of depth as well as rivaling games like StarCraft in speed and APM (Actions Per Minute). Having been part of another title with heavy infrastructure, could you apply things such as team houses or coaches to raise the skill ceiling of games like Street Fighter V?

Back when me and Justin were in EMP and we had a house with Yipes, Sanford, DragonGod, Andre, Rahsaan, etc. There were rivalries, everyone wanted to beat everyone else, and it was a great place to play. But having team houses as the FGC wouldn’t work. Trust me. I walked out of the EMP house hating 80% in there. There’s too much drive! I think coaches are a good step ‘cause they see stuff you don’t see. But houses… Man I couldn’t do that again.

What are some common mistakes you see lower level players make in Street Fighter that they could fix to see better results? What about at the pro level?

The most common mistakes is they decide not to anti air. That’s basic and it should be fixed as soon as possible. Random DP’s are something people want to throw out way more than anything else. All things that make a pro player is something people don’t want to learn: Discipline. I am bad at defense so I make up for it with my offensive power. Find strengths to overcome your weaknesses and you’ll get better, I promise!

Who do you think is going to win ELEAGUE and why?

Punk because he’s da Alpha. He’s young, he’s talented, and he’s driven. I think Punk is the new generation Marn+Justin fusion. He took Justin’s skills and my…shit talking, and combined it into the great player you see in front of you today.

I’d like to thank you once again for taking the time to do this interview, but before we close this out, are there any shoutouts or final words you’d like to say?

I’d like to thank Rise Nation for believing in me, GFUEL for always keeping my head in the game. Have you tried GFUEL? I could give you some. It’s so good!

I know there are a lot of you out there that hate me, but just know… I truly do not care. So keep hatin’ friends!

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

Favorite Food: Korean BBQ

Favorite Player: Mike Ross

Favorite Character: Dudley

Least Favorite Character to Play Against: Zangief and Dhalsim

Biggest Pet Peeve (in and/or out of game:) Justin Wong (i cant beat him and it pisses me off)

Greatest Fear: Heights

Side Hobby: PC Bang, LAN cafe... whatever you want to call it. HQ GAMING!!