JayGould
brie0101
nimanoe
Imperio_cc
Hello community,
Thank you for the amazing feedback about the interview with TokiwaMiao! I've decided to continue doing interviews with the other members of PoJ.
Today, I talked with [PoJ]dodonpa, who is one of the best players in Japan. On this occasion, I wanted to ask him about his personality outside of the game and additionally about the current state of AoC in Japan, which I could not discuss with TokiwaMiao last time.
[PoJ]dodonpa is not very famous among foreign AoC players (my guess is that it's because he is shy), but he plays a lot of games in the Japanese community and I think this interview will be a good opportunity to let you know what he is like.
Interview with
[PoJ]TokiwaMiao is here: http://www.aoczone.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=100209
iPhone:
Hi, can you introduce yourself to us?
dodonpa:
Hello. I'm dodonpa. I live in Joetsu city, Niigata prefecture.
I don't have many hobbies, but I like to play shogi. (it's like Japanese chess and Tokiwa also likes it!)
iPhone:
I've seen many Japanese play both shogi and AoC.
Do you think these games are similiar mentality-wise?
dodonpa:
I think they are really similar.
If you try to attack your enemy, your base will become defenseless, however you can not win by just defending yourself.
It is important to always see the big picture. The overall composition of the board is the crucial part of the game. Players often have to change their perspective.
iPhone:
That "perspective" word... I heard that in the interview with Tokiwa, as well. A lot of experts definitely seem to think it's crucial!
So, how long have you been playing this game?
dodonpa:
I think I've been playing since about one year after the game was released, so from around 2001.
iPhone:
You've been playing it for 13 years, then. It doesn't seem that you play a lot on Voobly though. When did you start playing in foreign games and world tournaments?
dodonpa:
I've always played with friends or in Japanese communities. However, after I was invited to PoJ at around the time of WCL7, I started to participate in world tournaments.
The reason why I don't play as much on Voobly is English: I can't speak it at all, so it's not good for communication with foreign players. I've never really played 1v1, so I wouldn't play alone, however I sometimes go there together with my Japanese friends to play team games.
iPhone:
Haha, English can probably be considered as the primary reason why Japanese don't play there. The second reason is the lag.
Essentially, since you started 13 years ago, the Japanese community has provided an environment to play AoC.
Why do you think this game has been loved for such a long time? It's also fine if you'd like to give your reason for loving it.
dodonpa:
In the past, I have played a lot of different games, but the only one that has kept my interest in this way is Shogi.
To say it in a word, the game is deep. The more you play, the more you see where you can optimize your play, and with that comes the sensation of becoming better. Your practice is reflected in your actual strength. I tried to stop playing, but it's difficult to stop.
iPhone:
I think it's very interesting that the strategies for a game as old as AoC have not been perfected yet. This means that even the experts are still evolving!
Speaking of that, the other PoJ players play a lot more 1v1 against their foreign friends than you do. One would think that would mean that your real experience with "the world" is less than the others.
However, you play on the same level as them, which is interesting. Do you do anything special to achieve that?
dodonpa:
They are much better than me at 1v1. I'm just around 1800-1900 on Voobly, although I think I know the basic build orders of 1v1, lol.
I've put more effort on practicing eco than others. I think I'm best with strategies in team games such as booming, drush + fc, pocket fc, and so on.
In addition, I have my own thoughts about imperial age fights.
iPhone:
So, you became a great team player by practicing and refining your economy and favorite strategies. In the Medieval Wars, we saw how you carried your team to victory. It was really amazing.
It's seriously encouraging for players to see how practice paid off for you.
Speaking of strategies in a game, what is your favorite civ and what is your favorite map?
dodonpa:
I don't really have a favorite civ, but if I went Random, I would prefer a civ with a bonus in the Dark Age. As for maps, I like LN.
iPhone:
It's a bit sad that there are almost only Arabia 4v4 games in Japan, then.
In RTSL final, due to a hardware defect, you couldn't play a game. Do you think we can see your playing in War is Coming or Nations Cup?
dodonpa:
I haven't decided yet.
I'm willing to participate if I'm invited though.
iPhone:
Tokiwa seems strongly motivated to compete, so I'd be really glad if you're also going to play there!
Next, I'd like to ask you about your relationship with PoJ.
Since you started to play in PoJ, have there been any changes in your thoughts about AoC, your level of play, and so on?
dodonpa:
In the beginning, I practiced seemingly everyday, but only because Chocobo told me to. However, as I practiced, I could sense that I was growing stronger.
Now I can play various maps and AoC has become more fun.
iPhone:
In order to play all of the various maps in world tournaments, it must've required a lot of practice. I feel like I understand how PoJ, founded by only Arabia players, has become such a big team.
Well, this interview has become kinda long, but I only have two more questions!
Do you have any teachers for AoC?
dodonpa:
The recs from the top players in each era, so TheViper, DauT, Chris, and so on. kumruke from Japan is one of them.
iPhone:
Ah, I see. Those recs must inspire you so much.
Last question! If you could change one thing about AoC, what would it be?
dodonpa:
I want to add 5v5! or make mangudai a bit weaker.
iPhone:
That sounds like it could expand the scope of strategies! The middle pocket is gonna fast imp, I guess.
Mangudai are definitely trouble as an enemy!
It took quite a long time, but thank you for answering all of the questions!! I wish PoJ the best of luck with everything!
dodonpa:
Thank you! We'll do our best!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any feedback, what you wanna ask PoJ members or other suggestions are welcome!
Thank you for the amazing feedback about the interview with TokiwaMiao! I've decided to continue doing interviews with the other members of PoJ.
Today, I talked with [PoJ]dodonpa, who is one of the best players in Japan. On this occasion, I wanted to ask him about his personality outside of the game and additionally about the current state of AoC in Japan, which I could not discuss with TokiwaMiao last time.
[PoJ]dodonpa is not very famous among foreign AoC players (my guess is that it's because he is shy), but he plays a lot of games in the Japanese community and I think this interview will be a good opportunity to let you know what he is like.
Interview with
[PoJ]TokiwaMiao is here: http://www.aoczone.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=100209iPhone:
Hi, can you introduce yourself to us?
dodonpa:
Hello. I'm dodonpa. I live in Joetsu city, Niigata prefecture.
I don't have many hobbies, but I like to play shogi. (it's like Japanese chess and Tokiwa also likes it!)
iPhone:
I've seen many Japanese play both shogi and AoC.
Do you think these games are similiar mentality-wise?
dodonpa:
I think they are really similar.
If you try to attack your enemy, your base will become defenseless, however you can not win by just defending yourself.
It is important to always see the big picture. The overall composition of the board is the crucial part of the game. Players often have to change their perspective.
iPhone:
That "perspective" word... I heard that in the interview with Tokiwa, as well. A lot of experts definitely seem to think it's crucial!
So, how long have you been playing this game?
dodonpa:
I think I've been playing since about one year after the game was released, so from around 2001.
iPhone:
You've been playing it for 13 years, then. It doesn't seem that you play a lot on Voobly though. When did you start playing in foreign games and world tournaments?
dodonpa:
I've always played with friends or in Japanese communities. However, after I was invited to PoJ at around the time of WCL7, I started to participate in world tournaments.
The reason why I don't play as much on Voobly is English: I can't speak it at all, so it's not good for communication with foreign players. I've never really played 1v1, so I wouldn't play alone, however I sometimes go there together with my Japanese friends to play team games.
iPhone:
Haha, English can probably be considered as the primary reason why Japanese don't play there. The second reason is the lag.
Essentially, since you started 13 years ago, the Japanese community has provided an environment to play AoC.
Why do you think this game has been loved for such a long time? It's also fine if you'd like to give your reason for loving it.
dodonpa:
In the past, I have played a lot of different games, but the only one that has kept my interest in this way is Shogi.
To say it in a word, the game is deep. The more you play, the more you see where you can optimize your play, and with that comes the sensation of becoming better. Your practice is reflected in your actual strength. I tried to stop playing, but it's difficult to stop.
iPhone:
I think it's very interesting that the strategies for a game as old as AoC have not been perfected yet. This means that even the experts are still evolving!
Speaking of that, the other PoJ players play a lot more 1v1 against their foreign friends than you do. One would think that would mean that your real experience with "the world" is less than the others.
However, you play on the same level as them, which is interesting. Do you do anything special to achieve that?
dodonpa:
They are much better than me at 1v1. I'm just around 1800-1900 on Voobly, although I think I know the basic build orders of 1v1, lol.
I've put more effort on practicing eco than others. I think I'm best with strategies in team games such as booming, drush + fc, pocket fc, and so on.
In addition, I have my own thoughts about imperial age fights.
iPhone:
So, you became a great team player by practicing and refining your economy and favorite strategies. In the Medieval Wars, we saw how you carried your team to victory. It was really amazing.
It's seriously encouraging for players to see how practice paid off for you.
Speaking of strategies in a game, what is your favorite civ and what is your favorite map?
dodonpa:
I don't really have a favorite civ, but if I went Random, I would prefer a civ with a bonus in the Dark Age. As for maps, I like LN.
iPhone:
It's a bit sad that there are almost only Arabia 4v4 games in Japan, then.
In RTSL final, due to a hardware defect, you couldn't play a game. Do you think we can see your playing in War is Coming or Nations Cup?
dodonpa:
I haven't decided yet.
I'm willing to participate if I'm invited though.
iPhone:
Tokiwa seems strongly motivated to compete, so I'd be really glad if you're also going to play there!
Next, I'd like to ask you about your relationship with PoJ.
Since you started to play in PoJ, have there been any changes in your thoughts about AoC, your level of play, and so on?
dodonpa:
In the beginning, I practiced seemingly everyday, but only because Chocobo told me to. However, as I practiced, I could sense that I was growing stronger.
Now I can play various maps and AoC has become more fun.
iPhone:
In order to play all of the various maps in world tournaments, it must've required a lot of practice. I feel like I understand how PoJ, founded by only Arabia players, has become such a big team.
Well, this interview has become kinda long, but I only have two more questions!
Do you have any teachers for AoC?
dodonpa:
The recs from the top players in each era, so TheViper, DauT, Chris, and so on. kumruke from Japan is one of them.
iPhone:
Ah, I see. Those recs must inspire you so much.
Last question! If you could change one thing about AoC, what would it be?
dodonpa:
I want to add 5v5! or make mangudai a bit weaker.
iPhone:
That sounds like it could expand the scope of strategies! The middle pocket is gonna fast imp, I guess.
Mangudai are definitely trouble as an enemy!
It took quite a long time, but thank you for answering all of the questions!! I wish PoJ the best of luck with everything!
dodonpa:
Thank you! We'll do our best!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any feedback, what you wanna ask PoJ members or other suggestions are welcome!
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