Name: Sam Chamma
Alias: devour
Age: 20
Location: Michigan, USA
Franchise: Carolina Core


Hi Devour, please tell us a little about yourself, and your gaming history.

I'm 20 years old, living in Michigan and playing video games professionally. I started playing source like 2 years ago, with some friends from a different game. After starting out at the bottom, not knowing anything, I've advanced through many teams to the top level of competition in the CGS.


What do your family and friends think about you being in LA just before the holidays? Are they supportive of your professional gaming career?

Well we got to spend thanksgiving at home, so we didn't miss out on any holidays. My family is really supportive though, they're flying out to California on the 6th to watch us play in the world finals. But yeah, they fully back me now on my current passion.


What is the atmosphere amongst the players like, and how are you feeling about the event? Are people mostly excited or anxious?

It's a great atmosphere, all the countries and different teams squeezing into 3 little practice rooms to train. It's great though, you can feel people getting more competitive as time goes by. I'd say everyone is excited and anxious; there has never been a world competition quite like what CGS is doing right now, so everyone is very eager to get things started.


How have you been preparing for the CGS World Finals? Have you been working particularly hard, or just training as usual?

We've been practicing very hard every day and night, scrimming, deathmatching, aim maps. We want to make sure we dominate everyone and bring in some W's for North America. I feel pretty good about our team chemistry right now, we've been playing very well lately.


Which franchises have you practiced against so far, and what kind of results have you had? How does your team's style of play compare to other teams from around the world? Are there any noticeable differences?

We've played almost every team here, for the most part we tend to beat all the teams in scrims that we play, but we've lost a couple. Our playstyle is very aggressive, and we've gotten into a nice rhythm with individual play and teamwork.

Hardly any of the other teams have awps on T side, and little to no awps on CT side. I've been awping both sides constantly and I think we have an edge up on the other teams. But I'd say Stockholm and Berlin have pretty decent source teams ;)


The US teams in Region 1 had a full season of matches leading up to the Finals, an opportunity than other regions have not had. Do you think this will give you an advantage over the other competing franchises in the Finals?

I definitely think we have an advantage, I mean we played on stage for a month with all the lights and pressure and you don't get used to that right away. We know what's ahead and we've been there before, now we know what we have to do.


You are scheduled to play the Seoul Jinhwa in the first round. Do you know anything about the team, or had chance to practice with them? What are your thoughts on the fixture?

I don't know anything about Seoul to be honest, we haven't played them at all. I'm not too nervous about them though, I feel confident in the team right now.


How do you expect the Carolina Core to perform in the World Finals? In your opinion, which teams have a good chance of taking the title?

I think after all of Region 1, us and Chicago have the best chances to get the title.


What are your expectations of the CGS? Does it really have the potential to turn gaming into a true professional sport?

Yes, I think CGS is getting gaming out on a global level and televised to the masses, if they continue to listen to criticism and learn from their mistakes like they have been, CGS will be a staple in e-sports history.


If you win the Finals, what will you do with your share of the money?

Save it ;)


Thanks for the interview and good luck in the finals! Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thanks for the interview, wish us luck at the finals :]