After an absence from the UK scene for over a 12 months, Kevin “Magic” Simpson returned to Kettering. Beforehand taking part in in groups like Xenex, notably putting prime three in ESL Premiership Spring 2021, Magic isn’t any stranger to upsets.
Since returning to the UK for college final September, Magic hasn’t actually touched the sport. Nonetheless, the American had been taking part in in UKIC Diamond League lately and was noticed by Jake “kica” Harter. From there the LAN group was constructed. Sadly, the week earlier than EPIC.LAN 41, Bish dropped out and was changed with Jack “Sorex” Renton-Cooper.
Regardless, spirits have been nonetheless excessive. Flowstate got here into the LAN seeded #thirteenth and most positively blew that out of the water. Beating groups like Royals, Rum Bumpers and Anita Max Wynn. The group finally received knocked out in an intense three-match versus Rum Bumpers to make prime six.
UKCSGO sits down with the American rifler to speak in regards to the LAN, Lorezeno “LTH” Venanzi’s affect, and about variations between UK and NA CS.
Welcome again to the UKC, when was the final time you have been in UKCS?
It has been a 12 months. I got here again in September final 12 months however I simply was specializing in college, performed a little bit of uni CS, not likely taking part in a lot. I feel I used to be on eight hours previous two weeks for like 4 months.
Now you’re seemingly getting again into the swing of issues. You have been taking part in with flowstate. You made prime six and nobody anticipated that. Do you wish to give a short overview of the occasion?
Ranging from the start. I used to be taking part in uni CS, so I made a decision to begin queuing Diamond League, like everybody does, Diamond League, a fantastic league [Laughs]. I received right into a recreation with kica and after the sport, he messaged me asking if I needed to come back to LAN with them. On the time I didn’t know if I actually needed to proceed taking part in. He messaged me and I began fascinated with it and LTH satisfied me to come back to LAN. I lastly accepted and it ended up being me, kica, LTH, Bish and Benjamin who I solely knew a little bit bit about, he’s only a onerous pugger and hasn’t performed a lot group CS. He’s fairly good although when you educate him a little bit bit, he has developed loopy these previous couple of days. If somebody moulds him, which LTH is excellent at doing with inexperienced gamers, he may very well be actually good.
Final minute Bish cancelled which was very irritating to seek out another person. We satisfied Jack [Sorex] to come back despite the fact that he had work. We began speaking collectively, we ran a pair 5 man pugs however we didn’t actually play a lot. The video games we did play have been rolled by some Europeans so it wasn’t trying promising firstly.
Coming into this, everybody was decided and needed to indicate up. All of us put in time practising and speaking. The surroundings fully modified at LAN. Everybody was speaking like loopy and listening. It ended up being a tremendous time and we upset so many groups. We have been ranked thirteenth and beat CYPHER’s group as soon as, the one group that beat us twice have been TLR.
LTH is certainly underrated basically. The person places in hours and hours of labor. With each combine at LAN, he actually analyses each group going to LAN and simply preps like loopy. The quantity of labor and sheets of Phrase paperwork he places up for LAN and only for a mixture is insane. We wouldn’t have made prime six with out him.
I needed to ask about LTH. I noticed you guys had sheets of paper in your desks and it was shocking as a mixture. He additionally was simply ice-cold on a regular basis. Clarify to me firstly what was on these sheets of paper and what was it like taking part in with him.
I don’t know if I can say an excessive amount of about what was on the sheets of paper [laughs]. However these sheets have been principally anti-strats and sure tendencies for groups. Additionally saying for the gamers we have been taking part in on what they need to work on, and issues we must always do as a mixture basically.
However these sheets have been principally anti-starts and sure tendencies for groups. Additionally saying for the gamers we have been taking part in on what they need to work on, and issues we must always do as a mixture basically.
He just about simply went via each group, and key issues we must always do and work on, so long as we adopted his calls and listened to him it labored out.
I did typically attempt to put in my information if issues have been going again towards some groups which helped him to consider different issues. I attempted to herald some expertise I had. I feel I used to be probably the most skilled in that blend. Ben [Benjamin] hasn’t performed group CS, and Jack [Sorex] has performed most important however not an excessive amount of earlier than. Jake [kica] has retired and hasn’t performed a lot. LTH simply all the time comes with mixes and upsets groups. I see now why he does. The quantity of prep and his calling fashion fully counters so many groups within the UK.
Why do you assume individuals sleep on LTH?
I feel it’s as a result of he isn’t very well-known. He hasn’t performed with identified gamers within the scene. He has been excellent at creating expertise that hasn’t skilled larger ranges. He has all the time created mixes with gamers who don’t play within the UK scene or are lately arising. There are numerous egos going round with totally different gamers, and in the event that they don’t know the IGL they may not wish to play with him. He’s selecting up all these gamers which can be unknown and taking dangers to develop them. The quantity of hours he places in on demos is simply loopy. The change from Benjamin from taking part in yesterday to as we speak is insane. The quantity of listening and growth he has created is loopy. He performed insane towards all these prime gamers within the scene and simply managed to destroy and are available out of nowhere.
LTH from flowstate
Particularly seeding-wise, whoever seeded them didn’t actually know a lot about our group basically. Seeded #13 out of #34 wasn’t wonderful, however for us, we simply performed towards all the highest groups on a regular basis so it was good gaining all that have. It additionally massively helped us for the longer term levels as a result of Ben and kica received this expertise taking part in these gamers within the group stage, so for playoffs, they already knew what to anticipate.
Sadly, all of it got here crashing down on the finish versus Rum Bumpers after successful map one. You guys have been then shadows of your self on the following two maps. What occurred there?
Versus Neighbours we had a very shut OT on Mirage and that was actually good. However for CYPHER’s combine, the primary map went insanely properly.
We had by no means performed Historic as a 5 earlier than they usually picked it. Actually earlier than the map we have been speaking about who was going to play the place and what was occurring. We simply figured stuff out on the fly. However we performed insanely properly with our map management and taking part in with one another. Our spacing and group play was so good, we might retake each time and simply win. I don’t know what was taking place as a result of the retakes have been so loopy however everybody was simply successful their duals and the flashes have been on level. I do not know the place all this group play got here from however everybody performed tremendous intense.
Our spacing and group play was so good, we might retake each time and simply win. I don’t know what was taking place as a result of the retakes have been so loopy however everybody was simply successful their duals and the flashes have been on level. I do not know the place all this group play got here from however everybody performed tremendous intense.
After we got here to Vertigo we had some struggles, we misplaced each pistols for instance. We began very slowly down 5 or 6 to zero. Our momentum died down and our hype dyed down, individuals began to get a bit extra pissed off with totally different calls. We performed them earlier than within the group stage and had gained 13-7 on Veritgo which we performed map two. We simply didn’t play the identical method. We had sure reads on them however we didn’t use them. We thought they’d change the best way they performed, however they didn’t change something, and we didn’t return to the identical method we performed earlier than.
It was all lots and LTH received a little bit wired. He received a bit drained as we have been only a combine and it’s onerous to duplicate a few of the outcomes we received earlier than. Some individuals received pissed off and feelings received excessive. Loads of yelling and numerous criticism I can’t lie.
We had quite a lot of ability ranges on our group from me taking part in Superior in NA and taking part in Primary right here in EU for thus many seasons. Then you might have Ben who has by no means performed group CS, kica who has performed Inters or possibly some Primary. LTH who preps like loopy however has solely performed Primary. Then Jack has a bunch of expertise however there have all the time been points along with his perspective. To be honest this LAN he has modified fully from the final LAN I went to him with. Within the latter levels, he confirmed the place he might develop his perspective extra.
Feelings have been excessive, we received quiet and began dropping. All of it went downhill from there.
I can think about you being shocked at these retakes you have been successful.
There have been some occasions I used to be trying and there have been so many clutches we gained. After we performed MMS groups we gained 2v5 or 3v5. Simply insane chemistry working picks and successful these rounds that we shouldn’t out of nowhere. We’ve pugged earlier than, Jack and Ben pug lots collectively and LTH joined them. They’ve performed in pug environments however taking part in in group CS it was loopy how insane they have been in these late-round conditions.
LTH had insane clutches as properly. His 1vX stats for the entire LAN have to be insane. He had a 1v5 clutch as properly that began off on Mirage towards MMS’ group. 1v5 pistol and we have been so hyped. We grew that momentum and ended up successful 13-1. Our psychological was insane.
You talked about you performed ESEA Superior in NA, and Primary in EU. You’ve come again to LAN for the primary time shortly. Are we going to see you again on a UKCS group?
Probably. I got here again in September and my uni schedule was loopy. Now it has slowed down a bit and that was why I got here to LAN. I’ve been grinding Diamond League [laughs], and taking part in some Professional League.
I’m occupied with seeing what presents I can probably get.
I’m occupied with seeing what presents I can probably get. It could be enjoyable to play once more. I end in September so I’ve all that point. I wish to get a job right here after so I’ve all that point. I is perhaps occupied with some longer-term tasks and seeing how that goes. The UK scene has been launched with numerous worldwide abilities and has been fascinating to see the way it has modified. The ability stage is lots totally different from once I was right here. I feel I’ve additionally gotten higher with CS2 with confidence. It has been good for me since I received again. We will see what presents I suppose.
kica from flowstate
With this LAN popping out of nowhere, everybody on this group deserves a shot on groups. We’ve proven up and proven we will play with all the highest gamers within the scene and do huge upsets.
In NA you might have performed the whole lot however ECL. What was it like competing in NA in comparison with UKCS?
It’s positively method totally different. The NA scene is method behind. After I got here to the EU I used to be prime of IM in NA. After I got here to the UK I began open with some UK individuals and began build up from there. I might all the time come again in Summer time and Spring break again dwelling as a result of I’ve a PC setup again dwelling. The distinction is insane.
We’re very behind in America. Folks simply decide up individuals because of their stats and no roles are checked out. When you’ve got 90 or 100 ADR in Primary you’ll get picked as much as play in Superior. Nonetheless, they put you in any position. They may put you on Anchor despite the fact that you performed star roles. You may bot out and you then’ll get dropped.
We’re very behind in America. Folks simply decide up individuals because of their stats and no roles are checked out. When you’ve got 90 or 100 ADR in Primary you’ll get picked as much as play in Superior. Nonetheless, they put you in any position. They may put you on Anchor despite the fact that you performed star roles. You may bot out and you then’ll get dropped.
They don’t see roles, for those who play properly and have good stats you’re in. The NA scene is simply having good stats shifting up FPLC and FPL and attending to know these gamers to get connections to hitch the highest groups. It’s simply not the identical, the apply over there’s not comparable.
I used to be taking part in with a group as soon as and I advised doing offline, concept and schedules and received shut down. We might do two scrims thrice every week and no offline or something. Naturally, we plateaued with that group, we by no means received higher, and didn’t do offline or apply. This was an Superior stage group over there, it doesn’t make any sense. We even made ECL relegations and we didn’t do any offline. All we did was two scrims a day for 3 days every week. Generally you additionally cancel on the final minute or different groups cancel towards you on the final minute, the construction is so dangerous. You’ll be able to’t even get scrims sooner than 9 or 8 pm. You might be fortunate to get 7 pm, scrimming over there’s so dangerous.
Coming right here we booked scrims for like 2 pm. I performed my first CS2 scrim as we speak [Saturday] and we booked from 11 am onwards. The distinction is insane, the quantity of labor and energy individuals put in right here isn’t comparable in NA. The degrees are so dangerous.
EPIC.LAN has a really distinctive tradition, what’s it like in comparison with NA LANs? What’s the tradition like basically between the 2 scenes?
I’ve been to 6 LANs in NA. I went to DC ones and Fragadelphia ones too. The primary time I went to Frag we have been a 14-2 IM group however crashed out in playoffs and didn’t make Primary. We went to Frag as a group and we really upset all these Primary and Superior groups.
The tradition over there’s method totally different although. Everybody goes with groups, there should not many mixes that go over there in comparison with right here. Not many individuals know one another too. Everybody right here everybody goes, talks and is aware of one another, it’s a enjoyable time. Over there it’s simply all groups.
Benjamin from flowstate
Everyone seems to be simply speaking to their very own groups, possibly to some however principally onerous making an attempt to win these LANs. In the event that they don’t they go dwelling and that’s it. There should not many teams that may hang around collectively. We had a bunch of 10 individuals, two groups of our friendship go, that was enjoyable, however you don’t actually work together with many individuals. The tradition right here is method higher.
It’s so good to come back to LAN and you already know everybody, speak to so many individuals and folks come as much as you. In NA individuals gained’t come as much as you until you’re one of many greater names. Apart from that, nobody would go as much as anybody else. Some individuals wouldn’t even fist bump and speak after video games, we beat some Superior group they usually didn’t fist bump us, they only didn’t care. Folks get pissed off and there’s no group at a few of the Frags.
It’s so good to come back to LAN and you already know everybody, speak to so many individuals and folks come as much as you. In NA individuals gained’t come as much as you until you’re one of many greater names.
I’m guessing the extent of screaming could be very totally different too?
Not an opportunity you get that in NA. My voice is gone now and I used to be screaming the entire LAN. There are some screamers in NA however in comparison with right here it’s a unique recreation. This LAN centre will get extraordinarily loud and it has been enjoyable. It’s all the time enjoyable taking part in UKCS. I’ve all the time been in groups which have come out of nowhere. After I was on Xenex we got here out of nowhere and began beating these prime groups, which resonates with this combine lots. It’s so a lot enjoyable to have the ability to play with a few of these gamers and join fairly shortly as I’ve developed via the UK system.
It’s good to come back out of nowhere and be underestimated so many occasions. With Xenex we have been underestimated like loopy and simply beat the highest UK groups. It’s so a lot enjoyable beating these prime groups.
It’s good to come back out of nowhere and be underestimated so many occasions. With Xenex we have been underestimated like loopy and simply beat the highest UK groups. It’s so a lot enjoyable beating these prime groups.
Ultimately, I shall be thought-about for prime groups, I suppose we’ll see what I can prepare dinner up.
