From today onwards, GWSG
will be starting our very own 1on1 series every week, where
we will
select and interview a gamer from the gaming scene and put him in the
spotlight for an achievement or interesting deed that he/she might have
done.
Today’s very first 1on1 will feature Reuben
‘Ultima’ Wong, founder and current managing
director of XTC. In this interview, he reveals more about his own
personal life as well as the rich history and background of XTC as a
professional gaming organization in Singapore today.
Hi
Reuben! First off, we'd like to thank you for taking time out of your
schedule to grant us this interview. How about a little introduction
about yourself and what you are currently pursuing?
Hello! The name’s Reuben Wong and I’m 26 this year.
When I game online, I take on the alias “Ultima”
when I play Counterstrike:Source.
However back in reality, I carry the title of XTC’s Managing
Director.
I’m presently in the midst of doing my postgraduate studies
at the National University of Singapore, doing a Masters of Science in
Applied Physics and should be done with my academics in 2010.
With
XTC winning so many accolades recently, especially at WCG/ACG, we're
sure that everyone would like to know the origins of XTC and how this
organisation came about?
Ah “XTC Origins” eh? Has a certain
“X-men” ring to it!
It all started with me joining an online clan called “Xtreme
Forces”. I was bored with CS1.6 and started playing Condition
Zero with them. Eventually I was placed into a division known as
“WBG” aka Wrath of the Black Dragons.
Consequently I was asked to co-lead the division and decided to change
the name to signify a new beginning. Hence I suggested the name
“Xtreme Chaotix” or XTC for short.
Unfortunately XTC became independent with the disbandment of
“Xtreme Forces,”
And my teammates felt that it would have been such a waste to just let
it all go. We decided to stay together and continue to learn and
appreciate the world of competitive cyber-gaming.
And thus, we let our passions pave the way for what XTC has become
today.
There’s a more detailed story on the website though in the
“About Us” section!
How,
and when, did you start gaming?
It all started with a visit to my neighbour’s place back when
I was staying in Ang Mo Kio.
He showed me his Nintendo, and introduced me to “Super Mario
Brothers”…
And let me assure you, when you’re 6 years old back in the
1980s,
You would most definitely ogle at the “incredible
graphics” and start gaming.
What
games have you played competitively? Any major victories to speak of?
I’ve played Counterstrike 1.6 and Counterstrike Source
competitively.
I have tried playing other games competitively but was always just
doing it for fun.
Although I have taken part in quite a number of competitions,
I never did win any major tournament.
The most recent accomplishment for me was getting 3rd for the
Championship Gaming Series National Open in Singapore in 2007.
What
do you envisage XTC to be in the near future? Will we see more teams
being added to the roster soon?
XTC has been very blessed with talented players and dedicated staff.
With the organization prospering to an extent, some of the plans that I
have for XTC would probably begin to set in motion.
I cannot reveal too much for now but I can assure you that the
direction XTC would take will be in one that supports and cultivates
healthy cyber-gaming.
It is really up to us gamers to try to set a good example as to how
society views cyber-gaming.
Through XTC’s achievements and future goals, we endeavor to
make that possible
I don’t think we would add more teams at the moment,
But I would not deny the possibility of that happening!
What
are your views on addiction to gaming? Do you think that it is a
prevalent problem in Singapore's teens of the present?
While most gamers would “mature” and slowly learn
to treat gaming as just a pastime, others might not.
And that might become a problem.
Fortunately at this day and age, I hear less of such predicaments.
I think the teens of today are well informed and already accept that
gaming is part of technology.
With this mindset, many teens are probably sufficiently educated to
identify the signs of gaming addiction on their own.
Parents these days are also more IT savvy and might also be gamers too!
With that in mind I think the teens of today have the guidance they
need to sustain more tolerable and healthy gaming habits.
With
the economic recession slowing things down, prize money for
competitions have decreased. Do you think that will affect the
participation of gamers in competitions?
I think gamers would still compete and participate even if the prize
money is lesser than before.
I have reason to believe that the motivation for competition here
isn’t so much about the prize.
There’s so much at stake to winning a competition.
For some, the prize money might not even matter that much.
Yet for others it could spell out possible partnerships or sponsorship
deals.
So even if the prize money isn’t that attractive,
Most teams might still participate simply to earn themselves bragging
rights.
I’m not saying that prize money is not a motivational factor
for participation,
It probably is to some extent…
But I think a slight decrease of prize money shouldn’t affect
participation that badly generally.
Any
plans for the future for yourself? Getting married anytime soon? ;)
Well, after the success of making my first proper video
“Meteor,”
I intend to make a 2nd major Counterstrike: Source movie titled
“Flare.”
It’s perhaps just my way of having fun doing some video
editing stuff.
Think it would probably take me a good 8 months to complete it too.
I also have plans to finish up a music CD I’ve been working
on for a Korean song “Byul,”
And that would probably occupy the rest of my free time in the next
year.
Marriage?
Well it is difficult to even consider marriage when I’m not
drawing an income yet!
I guess the only big thing coming up for me would be entering the
workforce as a lecturer.
Maybe 2 years after that then I would get married.
Aside
from gaming, do you have any other hobbies?
I have tons of hobbies.
I used to do competitive Track and Field years back, and enjoy doing
various sports.
Love basketball, bowling and other similar ball sports.
I do also have a keen interest in the arts,
Particularly in composing and writing music or just playing musical
instruments.
Other things include video editing and production, drawing my own
comics, and performing street magic out in the streets of Singapore!
The thing is, anything potentially interesting to me might just become
a hobby!
Really,
really random question: What do you think of today's (14 Jul) weather,
and what do you think will be the weather forecast for tomorrow (15
Jul)?
Today’s weather is absolutely Singaporean. Hot, humid and
bright.
Tomorrow would probably be the same!
Alright,
here's one of GWSG's favourite parts, the quick fire questions! You
have 5 seconds to answer each of the below. Ready? Here
we go!
Food: Chocolate
Drink: Ice Lemon Tea
Celebrity: Faye Wong
Gamer: Reuben “Ultima” Wong!
Alright,
that concludes the end of our interview. Thank you so much for being
with us today and we wish you and your organisation, XTC, all the best
in your future endeavours!
