Why did you decide to take this job? Do you think you can succeed as a Norweigan GM of a German franchise? Why?

- I’m very attracted to the challenge. While successful in the states right off the bat the CGS is met with considerable skepticism in Europe, particularly in Germany.
- Throughout my career I have made some unusual choices. Nobody knew the name “MIBR”, much less expected the team to be successful, when I travelled to live in Rio and captain them. They quickly became a top ten team in the world, and now they are consistently top 3 – I like to think I had some hand in some of that as well as NoA going from seed 27th to 2nd and Catch Gamer from four unknown Norwegian players to the final of WEG season 2.
- Like Johnny Cash sings “I’ve crossed the deserts there, man. I’ve breathed the mountain air, man. I’ve been everywhere.”
- However, I see this as the biggest challenge yet. It’ll undoubtedly be very difficult, but I hope I can rise to the occasion.

How much do you know about the potential draftees? Have you started looking at the prospects? Any stand out in your eyes?

- I have no idea and I’m not afraid to say it.
- This, the draft, is not about the past; it’s about the imminent future of some young and talented gamers.
- I’ll leave it up to them to show me firsthand what they are made of.
- After having a hand in taking teams from zeroes to heroes on several continents and in several languages and cultures I am confident that we will build a very credible competitor from the city that’s the beating heart of Europe.

As a former 1.6 pro, what are your thoughts on the selection of Source as their team based PC Game? What about the rules?

- The problem with esports and the community the way I see it is that people allow themselves and others to be labeled pro-1.6 or anti-source. How did we ever get there? Are people making millions off one or the other? Do we have anything to lose by going for it?
- The answer to those rhetorical questions is no.
- Everyone should deal with reality; we are struggling to break through. Supporting whomever is in the driving seat to accomplishing mainstream coverage and a credible cash flow for the sport should be mandatory for everyone that calls themselves a fan. When it fails miserably, like WSVG just did, you need to figure out what went wrong and fix it but being overly critical of someone who strives towards the goal everyone would like to reach is counterproductive.
- The CGS is not perfect; it’s a very promising work in progress. And evolution is not necessarily a slow process; it can just as well work in leaps and bounces.
- This is a leap forward – if we can do it right everything can change for the better. If we do it wrong…well, suffice to say that I’ll do my very best not to go there.

Do you face a more difficult challenge than the US franchises? Does nationality complicate things or is that a non issue in your eyes? What are your goals for the Berlin team?

- I think I do. I don’t think Emil, Stockholm GM, does. Working Stockholm and Berlin in terms of the CGS are two very different things.
- Berlin is harder because the German community is more skeptical, and they already have Giga broadcasting electronic sports in German. That’s the way I like it though. Come November and the world finals my ten players will be able to compete with the best.
- It’s just as important to me that we have been able to build some enthusiasm for the team in Berlin and in Germany. The city is, in many ways, a capitol for modern Europe and consequently it needs to be represented in a world-wide venture like the CGS.

Will the American sports model work in Europe? Why or why not?

- The general level of esport competitors has been higher in Europe than in the States. If the CGS draftees can continue to perform on a level where they give the Americans (that already have experience with this format) a run for their money I’m confident that it will attract interest. It is entirely up to the European GMs and their players.
- We NEED to create enthusiasm and stars that can shine for their respective communities. There is no such thing as “it doesn’t work.” You have to work hard to make something work, period.

Will you be concentrating on solely CGS or will you be active in other areas of eSports, like writing for GotFrag?

- Entering into an agreement as General Manager for Berlin is a twelve month job, at first at least. Still, my employers permit me doing other stuff as well. This means, in plain English, that I will continue as a feature writer for Gotfrag, covering the events that the schedule permits.
- I think it’s a good way to go about things and I’m confident that both of my employers will reap the benefit of the extensive experience this will allow me to gain.

Official CGS announcement on next page