ForDream is one of those names that would ring a bell when it comes to the Chinese professional gaming scene, although the night elf player has yet to win a major tournament.

The 21 year-old who goes by the name of Xie Nan, has recently turned several heads by tying against hot favourites such as WE.Sky and SK.ReMinD at the recently concluded IEF Masters 2007 last month.

SGamer.com has recently published an interview with the bright graduate from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) and myMYM.com has translated it to English.


Everyone knows that you were a student from the renowned BUAA, how did you manage to find out about Warcraft?
I have always enjoyed playing competitive game titles. After playing CS and Starcraft, I decided to take up Warcraft.

Did your gaming career affected your studies during your university days?
Guess not; I usually just glance through my textbooks before exams. That’s it.

Now that you have graduated from university, are you sure you would still continue playing Warcraft on a competitive level?
Yes, which explains why I have decided to join Level99. Level99 is a team which is founded by foreign investors with the aim to help develop talented players, especially those who are still in college. Right now things are looking good for the team, given that sponsors are rolling in and we've been getting pretty decent results.

Will we see Level99 acquiring more players in the future?
Of course, Level99 will be glad to take in any player with potential, more particularly those who are still studying in university and wants to go professional.

So Level99 is like a team for university students?
Yes, so any university [gaming] club can contact us.

Recently in IEF Masters 2007, you took a map away from WE.Sky and SK.ReMinD. Do you feel that you are on the same level as them now?
I usually practice with lots of players from China, which explains why I understand these 2 matchups so well.

What do you think about the game's balancing situation?
As a night elf player, I feel that humans would have more advantage on TR and SV, while orc would be more difficult to play against in maps like TM and EI. Likewise for undeads, it is harder for us on TS and EI.

As such, I just hope that these maps would be more balanced out in the upcoming patch.

So what are your goals for Warcraft 3?
World Domination. I know it's gonna be tough, but it will be worth it for me.

You've played against Moon before. Tell us more about it.
I've practiced a bit with him. He changes strategies all the time so it's hard to anticipate what he's gonna do.

And who is your most difficult training partner?
ToD. His style is very aggressive and his timing is perfect.

Finally, it's a brand new year. Any new year wishes?
Haha, I just wish that I'd be facing easy opponents in all tournaments that I participate in this year!