Pre-CGS Combine Season 2 Interview: Luke "KritikaL" Green

Having only recently made the move over from Counter-Strike 1.6 and into Source, Luke "Kritikal" Green already finds he is one of the names being bandied about as a possible draft candidate. His chances aren't going to be hurt at all by his pedigree, having played for Dignitas - and therefore having already worked with Birmingham Salvo General Manager Michael "ODEE" O'Dell - and finishing 9th at ESWC. He currently is part of the revised roster for Guns 4 Hire who had a disappointing LAN79 despite the squads obvious talent.

Do you feel as comfortable in CS: Source now as you did during your Dignitas hayday?

No, not yet. The general movement in Source is so different to CS, and the changes from online to LAN compared to CS is wierd. CS is the relatively the same online as it is on LAN, except for the better registration, whereas in CS: Source the registration difference means that you gain advantages from camping rather than peaking.

You've played the game for nearly a decade, what keeps you interested?

The will to be the best at everything I do. I enjoy playing computer games, and no matter where my life takes me I always seem to have time for them. Socially, the move to CS: Source has been really good, Guns4Hire are a great group of lads and I thoroughly enjoyed LAN79 even though we didn't play to our full potential. We bonded as a team and got on well with each other, we left France as a better team.

How prepared are Guns4Hire for this tournament?

I'm currently revising for my first year university exams which are on the 15th and 16th of May. Which means I haven't played anywhere near as much as I would have liked to. I've played a few mixes and done some late night aim map practise, but no where near enough. Skillwise (bar me probably) are at the top of our game, although we could do with more focus on our teamwork, but with the time constraints as they are it's going to be difficult. We were all disappointed with LAN79 and we know we can achieve higher results than 5th-8th. We hope to prove that at the Combine.

In previous interviews you said your personal aim was for a Season 3 draft, now only days away has your view changed?

I think this year would be to soon for me to get drafted, I didn't have an especially good performance at LAN79 which I think was due to my PC problems and lack of experience in CS: Source. I've learnt a lot since which might show at the Combine. Also, the money involved with the CGS is too good for anyone to miss really, I'm expecting to make a profit by attending, which is a first for me (CS1.6 prize money sucked). I learn more and more each event I attend so the Combine is another learning curve I can use to become a better player.

How do you feel about the EU and UK tournaments being merged?

There's been a lack of interest and attendance is probably due to other teams not having any chance of getting drafted. With only a handful of teams going merging the tournaments is the only way to have a decent tournament, but I don't think these other teams quite realise how big the prize fund is, oh well more for me I guess.

Whats the future for Guns4Hire post-Combine?

If someone gets drafted then we`ll just have to rotate the squad again, to bring someone else into this squad would be quite easy, the guys are nice and I feel most people could fit into our team. If no one gets drafted then I guess we`ll keep practising, and attend as many events as possible over the summer depending on funding. We'll be looking forward to the CGS Season 3 drafts. We have been tagged to join a few organisations now, and we are still looking around but I think Chilli and the guys want to turn Guns4Hire into a good organisation by ourselves instead of merging with another organisation. Thats for them to decide, I just want to play the game.

Any closing comments?

Big thanks to John and Olly for sorting out LAN79, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Check our website out - www.Guns4Hire.org - always worth a read and you can check out whats going on with us. Much love, peace out!