The phenomenon of Team Aureus — and later OG — has been puzzling me ever since the roster was created. The progress was obvious long before OG signed these exceptional players, but it seems like OG helped them truly skyrocket — to make a quantum jump.
In this interview, we touched on how that happened, how these five players and their coach ended up together, who they’re most excited to play against at DreamLeague, and, most importantly, the one disadvantage of the infamous Yellow OG House.
An Introduction
Q: What does your nickname mean? I found out it means beautiful summer in Japanese.
For me, it doesn’t really have any meaning. I think I got it from a Facebook game. A long time ago there was a game, like Ninja Wars or something. I just got it from there.
Q:What do you like to do in your free time?
I just like to spend time with my friends, my dogs, my girlfriend, and my family.
Q:How do you spend time with your friends?
We just hang out or play some sports, like pickleball, basketball, and sometimes drink a bit.
Q:What’s your favorite memory from the very early Dota days?
I think it was before Adroit Esports contacted me. That was my first team in Dota, and the players there were famous and legendary in my hometown.
Q:How do you avoid burnout with the current schedule?
I think our team doesn’t really get burned out. We are all very close friends, the five of us. Even when we are at bootcamp, it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like I am at home, playing with my friends, chilling.
Q:How do you feel about this upcoming DreamLeague?
I am motivated. Our results this BLAST are not bad, so I am also excited to play DreamLeague.
Q:What opponent are you the most excited to play against?
MOUZ. In the past tournaments we always lost to them. We won a BO1 against them, but I’m still excited to play against them. They are a good team.
"I think all SEA players want to play EU pubs. Our pubs are just so trash."
The Story of OG SEA
Q:Please tell me the full story of how the roster was built?
At first, I think it was TIMS who started it. TIMS and Adam were in BOOM before TI. And after TI, TIMS messaged me to ask if I wanted to play in a stack with him, Japoy, and Skem.
They are good players in SEA, of course. And about the offlane, Niko—they were the ones deciding who to pick. And that’s how it was formed.
Q:When you received that message from TIMS, did you expect it to be just a stack, or did you have a feeling you were going to become a tier-1 team, go to LANs, etc.?
At first I knew it was just a stack without an org, but I really think they are really good players, so I joined them.
Q:What do you think made it possible that you went from being a SEA stack to becoming a tier-1 team, going to LANs, and getting signed by OG?
I think it’s because all of us, all five of us, really work hard. We really try hard in Dota. The passion is still there. And I think all of us are hardworking. That’s why I think we are good.
Q:One thing I heard about SEA teams before is that players sometimes like to have too much fun, launch other games right after scrims, and avoid conflicts or talking about problems. How is the team atmosphere in OG?
I think in our team we are really open with each other. If something bad happens in the games, we point it out. All of us are really close, and we’re all professionals. So if anyone makes mistakes, there is no beef about it. And none of us really play any other games. We are really focused and tryhard in Dota. If we are at bootcamp or a tournament, we only focus on Dota.
Q:What role has OG as an organization played in your breakthrough?
I think when OG approached us, we got super motivated. OG is a really, really great org. It’s been an honor to play for such a legendary org. So yeah, it gave us extra motivation. We thought we should play well, we should try super hard, something like that.
Q:Before you got signed, did you already think of playing EU pubs or going to EU bootcamps?
I think all SEA players want to play EU pubs. Our pubs are just so trash.
Q:When making this stack, was it one of your goals to get picked up by an EU org?
No, not really. We just made this team and hoped somebody would sponsor us, but we didn’t really care if it was a European org or not.
Q:Do you remember when you first arrived at the famous Yellow House bootcamp?
Actually, it’s our first time here. Recently we stayed in Azerbaijan for the past tournaments. Until last week we hadn’t been to Notail’s house. At first I personally got starstruck by Notail.
He’s a really legendary player. The house is really big—it’s hard to see each other in it.
Enjoying the Spoils
Q:On your Instagram you posted a photo of a Rolex watch saying “First Rolex”…
Yeah, actually I bought it from TIMS.
Q:Oh, how?
I think TIMS bought two or three Rolexes, then that one he just sold to me.
Q:Was it an impulse purchase then?
No, actually before that I started looking for watches on Instagram and Facebook. I was planning to buy one, and suddenly TIMS messaged me.
Q:What does it mean to you, having this expensive watch?
It’s a gift for myself for all my hard work. A reward.
Q:When did you buy it?
I think I bought it before OG, after BLAST Slam IV. He just said, “Pay me later,” so I just got it.
"My main motivation...is to play at The International, because I still haven't been to TI."
Family and Motivation
Q:What’s the first big purchase you made in your Dota career?
I think it’s the house I bought for my family. That’s where I live.
Q:Were your parents supportive at the start of your career?
At first, they didn’t really support me. Just casual parents. When I started making some money, that’s when they started supporting me.
Q:A few people told me before that playing LANs in front of a crowd is their main motivation. What’s yours?
For me, my main motivation right now is to play at The International, because I still haven’t been to TI. That’s my main motivation.
Q:Lastly, can you name the best heroes for pubs in your role?
Obviously, Gyrocopter, Clinkz, Windranger, SF.
