Gemini & Cataklysque (Team USA) (April 1999)
Interviewed by GOBO
With Rapture99 rapidly coming towards us, I thought I'd grab two of the US team to field some questions about Quake and stuff...Cataklysque is formerly of The Rangers clan, and is one of the "team leaders" of the US squad, whilst Gemini is one of the US' top quake players, possibly THE top quaker in the US, depending on who you ask :) These guys kindly accepted my offer to have a bit of a chat about all kinds of stuff concerning quake (at very short notice, I may add!), and the result...well, on with the interview!

*** Now talking in #wh0res-r-us
Cataklysque: werd
gobo: yesss
gemini: Hi.
gemini: hehe
Cataklysque: Oh gemini with the professional Hi
Cataklysque: complete with punctuation
Cataklysque: nice
gobo: ok
gobo: I'll just throw questions and you guys answer
Cataklysque: k
gemini: k

gobo: With Rapture 99 getting closer, what preparation, if any, have you guys been doing individually?
Cataklysque: Individually I've been playing with a bunch of friends of mine daily, Gemini and I used to 1on1 everyday on the select TGI maps, but we recently stopped.
gemini: Personally, I haven't done much at all.. I play some here and there to stay in some sort of shape.. but no real practice, yet...

gobo: How difficult is it to practice teamplay (or will it be) when you are isolated geographically as you are?
gobo: ...bearing in mind the huge diff between net and lan
Cataklysque: We thought about that, but the fact that it's very hard to communicate with Thresh, and Hobbes sometime, we pretty much ruled out the idea of practicing with LAN
gemini: Might be a little tuff, we're hoping to do some real practice at the event before the official matches.. but I have access to adsl, I'm sure we'll get some 60-80ms teamplay practice going online to get a feel for each other
gobo: So Thresh is a definite attendee (so far)?
Cataklysque: Well here's the deal really, he won't commit until Rapture99 has sponsors set, which is understandable, so until then, I cannot say definite.
gemini: I 2nd that :)
Cataklysque: ;)

gobo: Who are the the people (both teams or individuals) in the opposition you both are thinking "whoa, that could be bad news there"
gemini: Well, the obvious is lakerman, kane, and xenon...I really havent looked into the 2 other guys
gemini: owned?
Cataklysque: I see Cable, Blitzer, and Xenon as the biggest threats, as Kane and Laker haven't really impressed me in teamplay matches. Z has always had the best communication over the net
Cataklysque: I can't really decide between either of those. Because what happened with us is, some of the guys we REALLY wanted on the team didn't want to go, or couldn't.
Cataklysque: so actually, both of those can go hand and hand
gobo: What do you guys think of Cables aim, pretty impressive huh?
Cataklysque: I think gobo is kissing ass
gobo: bahah
Cataklysque: that's what I think.
gobo: So thats a big "NO COMMENT" from you eh?
gobo: burpy-lover
Cataklysque: nope, above statement
Cataklysque: ;)
gemini: hehe, i havent seen cable play yet :D
gemini: actually, i think i did see him play once.. looked like the proxy was doing more than he was ;)
gemini: hehe
Cataklysque: rofl
gobo: oooo
gobo: :P
Cataklysque: Gemini that just screamed "HI I'm AMERICAN!"
Cataklysque: :D
gemini: exactly, put that in!
gemini: :P
Cataklysque: haha
Cataklysque: that's my boy

gobo: What do you think is a better way of putting together a national team
gobo: Is it:
gobo: (a) an "Allstar" team
gobo: or (b) the best clan from tryouts etc?
gemini: I'd say A, since B would be a clan match anyways not a national thing
Cataklysque: Allstar
gobo: cool
gobo: Is there any player either of you would really like to play 1v1 who'll be at R99?
gobo: (apart from laker, of course :))
Cataklysque: I would LOVE to play Kane!
gobo: "I think cataklysque is kissing ass" :)
gemini: Anybody really, course I'd love to take a shot @ some of the TGI participants
Cataklysque: I'd w0n kane so hard
Cataklysque: at air hockey

gobo: How do you think you guys would have fared, respectively, at TGI?
Cataklysque: gem you answer first, I don't wanna say something I shouldn't (i.e. u were rusty)
Cataklysque: Personally I would have BLOWN ASS because I am the biggest joke to 1on1 there ever was
gobo: True, very true cata
gemini: Well.. in good shape, top 5 providing I could win my dm2/dm6 games.. I'm a ez rape on dm4 ;(
Cataklysque: Don't agree with me gobo
Cataklysque: That's not good

gobo: What did you guys think of Laker and Kanes play on dm6?
Cataklysque: can't wait to hear this one
gemini: haha
gobo: hehehe
Cataklysque: Go ahead gem
Cataklysque: ;)
* gobo slaps gemini with a loaded question
gobo: :P
gemini: Umm.. well i think they had nice timing, but they would lose to quite a few Americans on it
gobo: Cata?
Cataklysque: Yeah like 60% of them
Cataklysque: (Americans)
gobo: What is it that you feel the euros lack on dm6 that the US doesn't?
gobo: Aim? Tactics?
gobo: Patience?
* gobo smirks
Cataklysque: Tactics, definately. It's just basic postioning they don't do correctly, or yes, patience is very important.
gemini: Well, we know the euros rock dm4.. and dm6 is the total opposite of it - I think the aim is fine
gemini: but the overall tactics on dm4, wont work on 6 :D
gobo: So its perhaps a too forced attitude that loses games on dm6, is that what you say?
Cataklysque: Oh definitely.
gobo: ahh that explains why I get rap0red
gemini: Well, some of those guys can get real aggressive a good defensive dm6 player would eat that up.
Cataklysque: Like gemini said, they try to use Dm4 tactics on dm6, even a non-quaker would understand that wouldn't work

gobo: So in general terms...the US is better on D but maybe lacking on O?
Cataklysque: In general, yes, but I think it's the opposite for Gemini and myself :)
gemini: Nah i don't think so.. most of the quake played here in the US that spawned some of the best players was NQ.. and NQ is just a totally different, slower paced version of quake
gemini: Which results in more D and less chaotic O :)
Cataklysque: Damn good point

gobo: What do you both think of NQ whilst on that subject
Cataklysque: Personally, not speaking for the oth of us, NQ is shite.
Cataklysque: smirk
gobo: gasp
Cataklysque: lemme rephrase, and not make fun of gobo
gemini: Well, NQ is more solid on lan.. if they would just fix the fookn crosshair
Cataklysque: NQ feels REALLY good, very solid, like he said, and I don't think it's a crosshair thing, it's just the place where the rocket comes out is different ( I THINK ), and the physics are gay.
gobo: I wont go in depth
gobo: prick
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: Soak your head aussie
gemini: hehe
gemini: I'll rephrase 2.. I think they (Europeans) play too much damn dm4!
gemini: :P

gobo: What do YOU think of dm4 gem?
* Cataklysque feels neglected
gobo: ...and you cata?
Cataklysque: oh
gobo: (I know you like it dude)
Cataklysque: Personally I love dm4, because all the americans are just basic shit on it, so it's an easy win against pretty much anyone in the US
gobo: lol
Cataklysque: It's true!
Cataklysque: I admit!
gobo: Is it because the US prefers a more slower paced game?
gemini: umm.. I think its a gay spawn map.. just turns me off completely.. ur only way out after gettin spawn runned a bit is spawning RA, and by then they'll have a big enuff lead to play defensive and play the corners :(
Cataklysque: It's basically because almost all of us played NQ at the begining, and no, there are about 5 of us left that hate q2!
Cataklysque: YES
Cataklysque: SLOWER PACED GAME
Cataklysque: HIDDEN MESSAGES
Cataklysque: NOT COOL
Cataklysque: erm
Cataklysque: anyway
Cataklysque: studying for social studdies too much
gobo: obviously
Cataklysque: thinking dangerous war terms about everything
gobo: you need some ranger discipline
gobo: oh
gobo: wait
gobo: too late :)
Cataklysque: KFJASFJKSAFJK
gemini: haha

gobo: Who do you think on Team US will be kicking the most ass come lan time?
Cataklysque: Definitely me, considering I'll be warming the bench, I'll have a lot of access to out of shape quakers on the side line
Cataklysque: (am I the only one cracking up at that statement?)
gobo: Speaking of out of shape, either of you got zoids q3a linux thing happening yet?
Cataklysque: rofl
Cataklysque: god you're evil
gemini: hehee I really have no comment
gemini: on that question
gemini: as for the q3a thing
Cataklysque: Just say Thresh
Cataklysque: So you can be American trash
gemini: I installed linux for the 1st time today and been trying to get q3test to work for the past 4 hours :)
gemini: opengl subsystem FAILED

gobo: Either of you intending to ditch quake entirely short term?
gobo: As in Quake1
gemini: I do, after 2 years of it.. just totally burnt out on it :(
Cataklysque: Yeah gem is American trash, gotta quit quake etc ;)
Cataklysque: Fuck no, I love this game.
gobo: So did Marv Albert
Cataklysque: gobo - so did MJ
gobo: Until he was caught up to his dentures in some chicks shoulder
Cataklysque: I'll jump in Gobo's quake biosphere
Cataklysque: for the rest of my life
Cataklysque: hehe
gobo: MJ still does
Cataklysque: lies
gobo: He likes it so much
gobo: He bought the HORNETS
Cataklysque: He likes baseball
Cataklysque: WTF HE BOUGHT THE HORNETS?
Cataklysque: WHAT KIND OF A FUCKING IDIOT
Cataklysque: YEAH LET'S BUY A HAS-BEEN TEAM
gobo: They lost Glen Rice too
gemini: haha

gobo: What's the story for you guys and q3a, are you intending to hit it with the kind of enthusiasm you've had for quake
gobo: or is it going to be a bit more cautious?
Cataklysque: It's hard to say, I'm not leet, I haven't haxed mine
Cataklysque: It really depends on the game play
gobo: ok, assuming it meets your expectations
gobo: (cata)
Cataklysque: It won't
Cataklysque: The only way it could
Cataklysque: Is if it was quake, reborn.
gemini: I wanna get into quake3.. test out the scene a bit, if its good the competitive scene is gonna be real hot

gobo: What do think of Carmack's ideas about making the gameplay more newbie friendly?
gobo: Please be detailed
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: I think he's a money hungry fuck wad
gobo: Well, thats sorta detailed
Cataklysque: fine fine
gemini: As a whole, i think quake style FPS games might be on their way out soon.. u can only have so many rls and double barrel shotguns in games ;/
Cataklysque: I think Carmack is a dorkass who loves q2 so he listens to them, therefore making everything newbie friendly
gobo: OK Gemini, but answer the question :)
Cataklysque: rofl
gemini: I did
gemini: laf
gemini: readup
gemini: hee
gemini: Carmack, I think its fine for him to focus on making the playing experience good for newbies, as long as he gives both sides equal attention

gobo: What do both of you think of the people that think a living can be made from playing games? Not in this lifetime?
Yeah it'll happen soon? What?
Cataklysque: One name
Cataklysque: Thresh
gobo: Thats what im thinking too
Cataklysque: But
Cataklysque: There is alot of ifs ands and tons of butts
Cataklysque: which kind of gets me sticky in the jeans
Cataklysque: but
gemini: Ask me 5 years from now :)
Cataklysque: rofl
gobo: hehe
gobo: What, u planning to be #1 on q3a and buy the Heat, Gemini?
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: rofl
gobo: Hardaway for threeeeee
Cataklysque: no way man
gobo: yes way
Cataklysque: I wanna buy the team that has Ostertag
gobo: Utah?
gobo: or did they trade his dopey white ass
Cataklysque: Oh the big CENTER for the 3!!!
Cataklysque: missed :(
Cataklysque: I'll answer it I guess
Cataklysque: I think if someone makes the correct moves, and is very dedicated, can make lots of money from games, but not enough to make a living.

gobo: Who, in your own opinion, is the best US player on DM2, DM4, and DM6 at present?
gobo: As in 3 players
Cataklysque: gah
gemini: haha what a fag question
gemini: hehe jk
gobo: ehhehehee
Cataklysque: no shit
Cataklysque: Don't ask Americans
Cataklysque: Don't you mean
Cataklysque: Who in the US plays dm2, dm4 and dm6
gobo: yeah
gobo: I shoulda asked
gobo: Whos the best Q2DM4, Q2DM6 etc etc
gemini: hehe
Cataklysque: Q2dm1!!!
gobo: One nation under q2 and all that
gemini: If u asked that 6 months ago
gemini: I'd be able to answer
gobo: OK 6 months ago
Cataklysque: and liberty and justice for all
gemini: fu haha
Cataklysque: rofl
Cataklysque: I'd say the best DM6er just has to be
Cataklysque: NOT gemini
gobo: rofl
Cataklysque: oops
Cataklysque: ;)
Cataklysque: no, definitely gemini
gobo: dm4?
gobo: Oh wait, yanks don't do dm4
Cataklysque: I don't know about DM2 really
Cataklysque: Gem is really good
Cataklysque: but
gemini: well.. rix/gollum on dm6, cK-apoc was one of the better dm2 players.. as for dm4, I wouldnt know.
Cataklysque: wtf!
Cataklysque: Thresh owns rix on dm6
Cataklysque: dm2 too
gemini: 6 months ago
gobo: here we go
gobo: :)
gemini: heh
Cataklysque: and dm4
Cataklysque: wtf I am american trash
Cataklysque: thresh owns my house
gobo: oh hi Kenn
gemini: damn, i hate being modest
gemini: ME ME AND ME
gemini: hehe jk
gobo: hehehe
Cataklysque: rofl
Cataklysque: gem I own you dm4
Cataklysque: you know it
Cataklysque: :D
gemini: bs.. last game u were ownerized
gemini: :P
Cataklysque: and if I'm lucky I can ping fps rape your ass on dm2

gobo: Do Americans ever play much RA?
Cataklysque: We have like 1 ra server
gobo: That answers that
gemini: Uhmm.. screw RA.. RA killed the US qw clan scene here..if ur a newbie, whats easier to play?
gobo: Dont knock RA Gemini
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: CA!
Cataklysque: CA RUINED THE CLAN SCENE
gobo: CA's all fucked up
Cataklysque: I BLAME CA
Cataklysque: Now we got a bunch of fucking newbies
Cataklysque: with big egos
Cataklysque: trying to join clans
Cataklysque: we don't need that
gemini: actually, RA was orginally thought up in the US
gemini: it first started with ppl gettin 200/0 on dm3
gemini: and going outside
gemini: throwing a gl, once it blew up they would fight
Cataklysque: gem - yeh man, I played that
gemini: We later made up some map that had all the armor/weapons below

gobo: OK, imagine that q3a is a hit (like duh)
gobo: What "advice" would you two hardened quakers give to relative newcomers who start playing?
Cataklysque: hard
Cataklysque: bahaha
Cataklysque: I would say use the mouse, camp weapons, and most importantly, be loud fake and smiley
gobo: wanker :)
Cataklysque: speaking of hard
Cataklysque: Hey what do you know, gobo actually thinks I'm good at quake
gemini: Just watch a lot of demos.. practice, and everything will start to become 2nd nature :)
gobo: politics beckons
gobo: fucking diplomats
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: hang yourself

Cataklysque: Hey gobo, a good question would be:
Cataklysque: A lot of americans think you aren't really cut out for the USA team, what are your thoughts on this?
gemini: haha
gemini: The fag asking his own questions!!
gobo: Ive already heard that question asked heaps of times cata :)
Cataklysque: wtf
gobo: rofl
Cataklysque: people asking you my questions

gobo: What weapon is likely to be the major asskicker in q3a (from what youve seen/heard so far)?
Cataklysque: gobo - Super fucking shotgun
gemini: SS/RAIL/RL
gemini: wish they kept the chaingun ;(
gemini: nice and cheap the way i like it!

gobo: And what about the switch times?
Cataklysque: That's why the super fucking shotgun will be the best
Cataklysque: Noone will wanna take the time to switch from it
gobo: err, hello shaft?!?!?
Cataklysque: have some massive up close SSG fights, doom style.
gemini: 600ms aint too bad.. just forget about RL/rail combos really.. 600ms just makes weapon switches in fights possible
Cataklysque: btw it's 300ms now
Cataklysque: or 200

gobo: Do you guys think generally tho
gobo: more skill with or without switch time
Cataklysque: Without the time, mad sg scripts pop up, making shit easier
Cataklysque: but aside from that
Cataklysque: shit it's hard as hell slamming keys back and forth and getting arthritis
Cataklysque: q2 fights own!
Cataklysque: YEAH!
gemini: I really dont think thats the issue.. q2 fights were not fun to watch, and if ID and the rest of the gaming world wanna make this some type of spectator sport they have to make sure instant switch is there.. without it, theres no action...u run out of ammo and run away :)

gobo: Imagine that switch times AREN'T in
gobo: What's your "dream combo"
Cataklysque: I can't, it's too hard with zoid and carmack in there
gobo: ie rl then shaft etc
Cataklysque: Pop them up with rl, rail in mid air, switch to ssg, finish them off if need be.
gobo: OK, gemini?
gemini: ooo.. RL/RAIL/ SS finish :) (provided hes alive hehe)
gemini: LAF U FAG
Cataklysque: I'm creaming myself thinking about doing that
Cataklysque: WTF
Cataklysque: YOU STOLE MINE
Cataklysque: FUCK WAD
gobo: That's nothing guys
gobo: Try this:
Cataklysque: fuck you gobo
Cataklysque: we're busy showing high levels of testosterone
Cataklysque: show some respect
gobo: RL then shaft...rj up to meet them midair
gobo: and go the "GAUNTLET"
gemini: haha
Cataklysque: rofl
gemini: gobo ur a sick fuck
gemini: :P
gobo: midair fisting
gobo: its the future!
Cataklysque: ROFL
Cataklysque: gobo - OMG ROFL
gobo: "CAMP THAT!"
Cataklysque: midair fisting
Cataklysque: baha
gemini: hehe
Cataklysque: God I love things that are funny, that have many meanings, all of which are funny
gobo: You're so deep cata
gobo: :)
Cataklysque: as always
Cataklysque: ;)

gobo: OK last questions:
gobo: Whats q3a's lifespan likely to be...longer or shorter than quake?
Cataklysque: Depends on if it is a hit game, right now I'd rather run around on a daikatana level alone then play q3
gemini: shorter...I started this whole thing with duke3d, DNF might b fun!
Cataklysque: and if id software decides to masturbate for a 6 moth period, it'll be shorter

gobo: Who's winning the NBA Finals this year?
gemini: The Chicago Bulls
gemini: haha
gemini: :D
gobo: (a free kick to anyone dumb enough to say Lakers)
gobo: yeah
gobo: go bulls!
Cataklysque: Hamster huey and the goey kablooie
gobo: rofl
gemini: hehe k
gemini: The Rockets :)
Cataklysque: actually
Cataklysque: I've got my bets on Benny and the Jets
gemini: Rockets or Heat :D
gobo: MVP?
gobo: oh Luc
gobo: bahahaha
gobo: luuuuuc
Cataklysque: xenon
gemini: mvp.. alonzo mourning
gobo: Xenon would be more effective than Luc
Cataklysque: mvp = xenon
gobo: mvp - iverson
Cataklysque: OSTERTAG!
gemini: hehe

Cataklysque: My question
Cataklysque: about me being shit
Cataklysque: so I can announce to everyone that I infact, AM shit!
Cataklysque: I want gem's opinion too
gobo: "Cata, a lot of US players think you're counterfeit ass shouldn't be within light years of the US team, what would you say to that?"
gobo: :P
Cataklysque: rofl
gemini: haha
Cataklysque: gimme some credit man, 5 light years!
gobo: ok 5
Cataklysque: yay
Cataklysque: well 5 light years is a long way
Cataklysque: I don't know what kind of connection I'd have
Cataklysque: but it wouldn't be playable
gobo: It'd be faster than those in AU
Cataklysque: gobo - that says nothing
Cataklysque: nothing at all
gobo: so is our bandwidth
gobo: nothing...nothing at all
Cataklysque: I want gem to answer first
Cataklysque: so I can get pist and shit
Cataklysque: and start showing high levels of testosterone
gobo: I can answer for gem if he likes
gobo: "Cata is a hghly efficient killer"
Cataklysque: here comes that testosterone
gobo: "he sees his targets and strikes with unerring accuracy"
gobo: "however, this skill he reserves for his teammates, opposition players are quite safe"
Cataklysque: right
Cataklysque: so gemini answer already
Cataklysque: you skank
Cataklysque: don't make me do some mid air fisting
*** Joins: gem- (gemini@24.9.60.175)
gem-: doh
gem-: :(
Cataklysque: rofl
gobo: ahahahaha
gem-: cata nuked me :
gem-: umm heh
Cataklysque: I know that "umm heh" too well
Cataklysque: usually comes after every honest question I ask him
gem-: laf bs
Cataklysque: he'll start with "honestly" or "frankly" for this answer
gem-: hehe
gobo: You sound scared cata!
Cataklysque: Following of which will show my very few strong points, and alot of my weak ones
Cataklysque: gobo - I know it all too well
gobo: wise beyond your years man :)
gem-: dood cat, i dont even know why u want the q there

gobo: One final question!
gobo: What do you both think of id's policy in releasing q3atest for Win32 LAST
Cataklysque: I think they had good reason for it, and I'm glad it's not out yet.
gobo: ass kisser
Cataklysque: being the diehard hardcore qweeker that I am
gemini: well.. it was a smart thing, they got early bug reports by a smaller crowd with both releases
gobo: how very impartial and fair minded of you both
gobo: cowards :)
Cataklysque: ;)

Interview ends :) 

Thanks to both these guys for taking the time...unlike AU, the Quake scene in the US is completely swamped by Q2, so the guys that are left are either the ones that have been there from the beginning, or newbies.  It will be interesting to see how Cata and Gem fare in Q3A, it's likely to be the kind of game thatdecides medium term whether it is really possible for an elite core of gamers to actually make a living playing, as opposed to working for developers etc as has been the norm up to now.

Cata and Gem are great guys, and at the risk of sounding corny, great quake "ambassadors" and likely to be in the upper reaches of Q3A stardom.

I noted further down in Daflash's update that rkm is still alive, good to see that you've finally seen things my way rkm, that is, the RIGHT way muahahahah! Seriously tho, the Setebos/rkm interview struck a chord with me when they talked about how the online dicky people that seem to abound are NOT representative of their local quake scene - how true that is!

Until next time, I'm history, byeee!