Steam: RandolphFFX@yahoo.com
Youtube: Vadoff/Vadoff@gmail.com

1. What's your current MMOBA game and why?
My current is the original DotA for WC3. I've given the others a try and I think the original is the most polished when it comes to gameplay and balance. It also doesn't gimp the competitive gameplay in favor of making the game easier for newer players. I don't mind the outdated graphics either, and prefer it over the dark and bland HoN and cartoony colorful LoL.

2. What do you think about Dota 2 presented on Gamescom?
I'm extremely impressed, the gameplay looks like an exact replication of the original, just as I had hoped. The graphics are amazing, and the soft palettes remind me of the painterly style of Diablo 3 (another game I'm very much looking forward to). I love the voice acting, as each hero seems to have many more lines than in the original which helps spice up the entertainment value. The spell effects probably impressed me most of all in the presentation, they were really flashy and looked awesome.

3. What's the thing you like the most, and thing you dislike the most in Dota 2?
I like the fact that Valve is bringing together a lot features and tools into one simple package. Having the ability to watch live streams, watch replays, learn from coaches, play serious games, play casual games, and chat with friends from other steam games all from under one hub is a great experience.

There's nothing I dislike about Dota 2 so far. I'm really impressed with the direction that Valve and Icefrog have been taking the game, and after every announcement I always find myself standing behind their decisions. I was originally unimpressed by the usage of blue on a lot of the hero models, but a few weeks later and Valve immediately addressed that complaint. It's that responsiveness to player feedback (a primary attribute of both Valve and Icefrog), which assures me that Dota 2 will be an imminent success.

4. What do you think will happen to DotA (1) after Dota 2 is released?
I believe DotA 1 will rapidly die as the bulk of the community shifts to Dota 2. Dota 2 is shaping up to look like it's better in every single way possible - from graphics to features - and I believe the DotA 1 community will jump on the chance to move to DotA 2 as soon as it releases. The sheer number of players who will play DotA 2 will provide too much pressure for any DotA 1 players not to join. I don't believe there'll be a split in the community like with Starcraft 1 and 2 as DotA 1 and 2 have the exact same gameplay.

5. What do you think will happen to other RTS games (LoL & HoN)?
HoN will definitely die. It's success was built around exploiting DotA's lack of features such as matchmaking, drop reconnect, and updated graphics. It copied most of the heroes and skills, and only just shuffled them around to create a semblance of freshness. The fact the it's gameplay is so similar to DotA was the reason for it's initial success, it will also be the reason for it's final destruction. Once DotA 2 hits the scene, HoN will be over.

LoL on the other hand will most likely survive. It's gameplay is very different from DotA's, and it caters well to casual and beginner players. It also has an enormous player base ranging in the millions, so I doubt that it will die with DotA 2's release. That said, I believe as much as half the user base will shift to DotA 2 (especially the competitive players and old DotA veterans).

6. How long do you play RTS games?
While I'm in an active phase of gaming in my life, usually 3-4 hours a day. I've been a big fan of DotA, Warcraft 3, Starcraft 1, and Starcraft 2. These games have tended to dominate my life when I was actively playing them.

7. How did you get into RTS scene?
Through Starcraft 1. It was a game a lot of my friends started playing in middle school, so I downloaded the demo, tried it out and loved it. After playing Starcraft 1 games a ton, I moved on to playing it's use map settings (UMS) games. The variety and entertainment value of these "mini-games" was probably a major draw to my addiction to the original Starcraft. After Starcraft 1, I moved on to WC3 then eventually DotA which I've played on and off for several years. Currently, I'm engrossed in playing Starcraft 2 as Zerg. Kekekekeke.

8. What do you think it is about RTS what makes it so competitive and a great game?
I think the best part about RTS is that it's different from a lot of other competitive games, in that strategy is a lot more important. Although fighting games and first-person shooters utilize strategy as well, the role it plays isn't nearly as large as with RTS's. I'm an intellectual guy, and stuff like sneak attacks, counterattacks, different styles of play, special tactics, etc excites me. Apart from the strategy, the action aspect really engages me as well. It's always impressive to see a high level player utilize absurd APM to perform ridiculous feats of micro.

8.5. Why do you think you should get the key?
I would enjoy playing DotA 2 immensely. I'm a player who likes to scrutinize every aspect and feature of a game, to make new builds, theorycraft, and explore the depths of what is possible within the game. I like to play on for hours and hours, and get drawn into the game and forget my world. Giving me access to a beta test is like giving candy to a Amish kid whose only treat in life has been salt wicked jerky after supper. If I get a key, I promise that I'll use it in the only way that's right, by playing it non-stop giddy with bliss and excitement.