Gopher and toxic, the two Quake players who have achieved everything possible so far, are now playing Quake IV for the traditional Quake and WarCraft III clan iCE-CLIMBERS. In Quake III they used to be some of the very best team deathmatch players around the globe, defeating everyone with relative ease. Both took the time to answer a few questions concerning their future, their opinion on the game, and how things have changed in reference to Quake III.

Where are you guys actually playing at? Is the whole clan playing together at a certain place or is it just you two (they are brothers) who play together at one location?

gopher: tox, fox and I live in a flat together, but desp and reptile play from their own separate places.

Question to gopher. How do you handle the importance of TDM and duelling as you really seem to be the better team player? How do you practice the two types of modes?

I've always preferred TDM over duels, so I guess there's quite a simple explanation for why I've been doing lots better in Quake3 TDM than in duels since I barely played any duels there at all. Although after playing Doom3, which was pretty much duel only, and winning QuakeCon I guess I've started enjoying duelling a bit more!

Question to toxic. Although you failed to win versus Jibo in ClanBase's EuroCup, you are seen as one of the best duellers in the world. Do you consider practicing 1v1 or is it more important to have lots of training in order to win the EuroCup TDM? Do you have a special partner you are playing duels with in order to have the very best preparation for the upcoming CPL World Tour?

Well I will start practicing more 1v1 soon, I have taken it quite easy after CPL Winter; I will most likely only play Swedish players as practice before cpl WT.

Both of you do play duel for SK-Gaming. Where do your expectations reside for the upcoming World Tour? What do you expect of yourselves?

gopher: You always go for the win but to be a bit more realistic with all that skill and talent out there I'd say placing in the top3-5 as much as possible.

tox: My goal is to be top3 on as many stops as possible, but there is really hard competition out there, just trying to make the best out of it!

Was the change from Quake 3 to 4 a big change for both of you, or did you manage well changing your playing habits in order to adjust to the needs of the game?

gopher: We adapted quickly since the game after all is very very similar to Quake3, but there are always things you can work on.

tox: I think it's quite the same game style, the big difference is that middle players are better in Q4 then in q3, it's because of the hit boxes - I guess.

Question to gopher. Did playing Doom III before Quake IV help you out as the two games have similar engines?

I thought it would but I'm not really sure to be honest, Quake4 is very different compared to Doom3 because of the crouchsliding and the fights which are different due to totally different weapon balance.

What do you think of the CPL's decision to use TFT monitors instead of the good old CRT ones?

gopher: Everyone probably knew this day would come sooner or later, it's just too bad it had to happen now since the technology's not ready for it yet.

Which changes to Quake IV would you make in order to turn it into a better competitive game?

gopher: I could probably write a whole bible here but I'll keep it short. The most major thing that needs fixed are the enormous hit boxes; it's starting to get extremely frustrating dodging a rocket and still ending up with a facial. Rockets need to be faster so the maps don't have to be super cramped just because the RL's just good enough for close combats. The Hyperblaster should be useful for something else than spam and the LG and rail should have more buzzing sounds. The LG should have knockback not lockdown and the shotgun should have knockback as well. Those are a few of the things I can think of right now.

As both of you played pro-q3dm6 ad nauseam, do you think the map conversion to Quake IV is any good or is it a bad idea to convert old maps to a new game and engine?

gopher: There shouldn't be any old maps used in a new game, I just don't like it. As for the Q4 conversion I guess it's ok, but not being able to do the bridge-rail jump 'the normal way' kills it.

tox: I think dm6 is a great map, you can play all kinds of styles there. I suppose I want dm6 back in Q4.

Which maps do you want to be converted to Quake IV in order to play on them once again?

gopher: None

tox: Dm6 and hub3

When will both of you quit playing video games in a competitive way, or do you aim for a self sustaining professional gaming career?

gopher: Haven't really thought about it, probably when there aren't any enjoyable games out there to play, time will tell!

tox: As long as I feel it's fun.

How do you predict Fatal1ty's performance for the upcoming World Tour considering he hasn't proven his Quake IV skills yet?

gopher: I'm sure he'll do well but it's gonna be very interesting to see how well.

Out of Vo0 and Fatal1ty, which player do you believe will perform better in this year's World Tour?

gopher: That's a tough one, but I'm gonna have to say fat.

XBattle or Q4Max?

gopher: Q4Max

tox: Q4max

Rail or Shaft?

gopher: Rail

tox: Rail