Interview with Alex Ich

How is playing in the starladder and what prompted this decision?

It’s pretty hard to find a team in my circumstances and I felt really burnt out after trying with NIP. We tried out several teams and it didn’t go that well, so I decided to play soloqueue and stream. But I didn’t feel really good from that because I really love playing competitively, so I decided to join a team that I will be able to play tournaments even if it is lower level and at the same time try to develop russian eSports.

The prizepool of Starladder is noticeably small compared to the LCS and other events, what else are you doing to sustain yourself in the mean time?

I still have some savings, I’m streaming though I decided to do break because I felt a bit burnt out and wanted to focus on my own gameplay. Also I get a salary from RoX.KIS team.

You said you want to focus on playing to maintain and improve your skill level. Where would you place yourself currently in comparison to other LCS mid laners, skill wise? Do you have plans to stream in the future?

I will stream and I think even if I am behind from LCS mid laners, it is not that far. Most difference of LCS teams right now is decision making, teamplay and vision control rather than personal skill. I will start streaming after I get back home after holidays maybe.

What went into your previous switch to Top lane before your return to mid? Which role do you prefer to play and where do you feel stronger? Why?

Right now I really prefer playing mid lane. I found a lot of flaws in my gameplay and fixed most of them I feel. It was a fun time playing top lane but switching back and forth isn’t the best idea in my opinion, so I will just stabilize and show some cool mid lane performance.

What is your current visa situation? Where would you prefer to play if you could play anywhere and is it possible for you to relocate for a team?I cannot do visa solo, so I need the team that will help me with the visa. It is much easier to do it in NA rather than EU in my opinion because of NA athlete rules. And overall right now I think NA environment is much better for playing with team rather than EU. So I would prefer to play in NA. It is possible for me to relocate for team with my family, I don’t see much problem in that.

Would you prefer to join an existing LCS team? How viable is it for you to play through the Challenger series?

I think it is viable for me to play in Challenger Series if I am 100% sure in team commitment and get some help with visa so I can be more stable. It is really hard to focus on the game when your visa is not in a stable situation and you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I would prefer to play in an LCS team but if I get a good challenger offer I would accept it. A lot of teams and fans think that a team needs to provide an apartment for me and my family, but I can sustain myself and pay for everything myself. The main thing I need help with is the visa and finding an apartment for me and my family that I will be able to play from.

Have you ever considered working in eSports outside of being a player? What would you do, if anything?

Hmm, I have considered it but I don’t want tobecause I am interested in the competitive side of eSports.

What is your favorite memory from the LCS?

Getting through to worlds in season 3 against CLG.EU.

What are you thoughts on Gambit currently?

I think that right now Gambit looks really strong, maybe one of the favorites for the upcoming split. I am glad that they finally found their spirit and a strong lineup.

Would you participate in the infamous CLG.EU / Moscow 5 reunion showmatch?Of course I would. It could be really fun!

Shoutouts?

Thanks everyone who still supports me and cheers for me, thanks to my wife and my family for helping me especially in current situation. I think that I still got really decent chances of getting back on track.

#esports