For the first Injustice: Gods Among Us installment of the Rising Stars interview series, we sit down with Superman player KDZ. Bringing his own unique brand of hype, a hard-hitting style of gameplay, and an explosive personlity, KDZ has accomplished a lot in a very short period of time.
Although he started playing a few weeks later than many players, he has won 18 separate events of various sizes to date -- most recently taking 1st at New Challengers Unlimited and Guts II, as well as placing 3rd at CEO and winning both NJ's The Break and NY's NLBC in one week. For anyone that wasn't already familiar with him, KDZ made a name for himself in Orlando, coming all the way to the doorstep of IGAU Grand Finals and engaging the crowd from the CEO main stage. KDZ is an interesting subject to interview, and he had a lot of things to say.
(Previous Interviews in the Rising Stars Series)
Sonic Fox - http://testyourmight.com/threads/rising-stars-interview-sonic-fox.28316/
Khaotik - http://testyourmight.com/threads/mortal-kombats-rising-stars-interview-w-xkhaotikx.28172/
KDZ is from Piscataway, NJ, and he was a top Soul Calibur 3-5 player (Cassandra, Seigfried), in addition to playing Street Fighter 4: AE (Rufus, Abel) and MvC3 - UMvC3 (Wolverine and friends).
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1) So first of all, tell us a little bit about your history, how you got into fighting games, and how you became a competitive fighting gamer.
Well, I’ve always been competitive. I mean, from a very young age. My family never taught me that it was alright, as long as I tried. What they taught me was that if I wanted something, if I wanted it bad enough, to work hard for it. To fight for it. To not be satisfied until you’re the best there is at whatever you choose to do. And that talent must be cultivated and nurtured.
“A prodigy at 10, talented at 15, average at 20.” It means, literally, that someone who is a once in a lifetime prodigy at 10 years of age, who doesn’t continue to practice hard, will only be talented at 15, and average at 20. It’s something they taught me from a young age that I’ll never forget; that no matter how talented you are at something, if you don’t work hard at it, that talent will dissipate and “normalize”.
I was that kid at the arcade who kept putting quarters up, regardless of whether I was getting destroyed, or knew what I was doing. I kept playing, because I enjoyed the competition. Whenever someone was better than me, rather than shying away, I would face them head-on and try to learn how to overcome them. One day my tenacity paid off, grabbing the attention of a player who brought me into the fighting game community. And so began my journey.
2) What was it about Soul Calibur that attracted you?
Soul Calibur has a few unique properties to it that drew me to it. First, the character fighting styles are so incredibly varied from character to character that it’s hard not to find one that you like. Next, the fact that the weapons vary so much in length and size cause you to have to think in SC differently than almost every other fighting game. Then there are the stages; awareness of your surroundings is ridiculously important, since stages are not static, and ringouts exist. Finally, the fact that weight plays such a large role in the game is interesting, with characters that can MOVE you even when you block an attack, to control your positioning to their advantage. Space control and situational awareness are so important in SC that you have no choice but to think more, or lose.
3) What was the experience of starting Injustice like for you, and what was it about Superman that drew your interest?
I didn't want to play Injustice, if I’m to be perfectly honest. I didn't want another fighting game on my plate, and Mortal Kombat had never attracted me as a game. It was Darth Arma who forced me to play, never letting up, telling me if I play this game I’ll end up being the best at it. All of my thanks go to him, for seeing something in me I didn't see myself at the time.
So when I pick up the game, I resolved to play only Superman; he’s my favorite superhero, since a very young age, so whether he was a good or bad character I was going to stick with it. I really love that character. You hear a lot of people who are against him, thinking he’s boring, too strong, and uninteresting. Those people don’t understand the point of his stories; the stories are not about how he will overcome an obstacle, but about how he can overcome himself. And in terms of determination, he’s second to none. I found those qualities admirable.
4) In Injustice, Superman is one of the characters that players flocked to out of the gate, and he's seen a lot of action in tournament. In your opinion, How much of the character's true potential is currently being used?
I feel that the average superman player misses the point of his gameplay. They feel that they can just overwhelm players with F23, or just zone them out with eye beams. What they’re missing is the true key to Superman’s gameplay, something I myself am striving to attain. I don’t even feel that I’m playing him right yet; I’m just maxing out one aspect of his potential. But I can see it; I can see exactly where I need to be to play him perfectly. And with every week that passes, and with every tournament I play, I add a little more of that gameplay into the mix.
A lot of players, Supes or otherwise, lack “vision”. They only see the apparent effect of their attack, and always swing to hit. I don’t always do things for their apparent effect. I don’t always swing to hit. I don’t always knockdown to mixup. I don’t always hold super to punish. Therein lies the difference.
5) You began playing Injustice a few weeks after the game came out, and you were already winning shortly thereafter. What helped you reach a high level so quickly, and how do you train?
Maybe it’s my affinity with Superman. Maybe it’s because I understand the nature of this game. I can’t really tell you how I began winning so quickly; I’m honestly more confused that people are having a difficulty grasping the game faster. My training is a fairly natural process, taking in information found by others as well as insights that happen at random times during the day. I make sure to write down those insights whenever I get them, and to solidify them in training mode later. I’m also lucky enough to have extremely strong training partners on my team, Empire Arcadia.
6) You've often been associated with, and played against, some of the East coast's other well-known players -- including Rico Suave, CD Jr., and Chris G. Can you talk a bit about your experience vs. them in tournament, and what kind of competitive relationship you have?
I’ve had fairly fun experiences at almost every tournament I've been to, and have been once again lucky enough to be in one of the strongest competitive regions for fighting games. Without my weekly battles versus these powerhouses, I wouldn't be the player I am today in Injustice. As far as our competitive relationship goes, we all like to have fun with it, but when tournament time arrives, we all try our hardest to prevail. I’m also fortunate that their competitive spirits are matched by the content of their character.
7) You're one of the most dedicated and consistent competitors at Dunellen, NJ's weekly Break tournament. What has the Break meant to you?
8 on the Break is my second home. The owner, Chris Cotty, is one of my closest friends, having known each other for almost 20 years. He has graciously allowed me to run the 8 on the Break weekly tournament for four years now, free of any house fee, for no reason other than that I wanted to. So I’ve done my best to create a tournament where players can feel comfortable, welcome, and have fun, while also forging a competitive environment where players can grow. So asking what it means to me? I’m sorry, but my paltry words will always fall short to how I feel about that place, its owner, and the people who come every week to share a smile and play a match.
KDZ brings the hype at CEO in Orlando
8) Who are some of the players who have helped you improve your game the most?
As I stated before, I’m surrounded by a team of such skilled players that it was inevitable I would get experienced, if only by main force. The first and foremost is Darth Arma, who is my constant training partner and closest friend. Playing him on a daily basis elevates my level beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Then there’s Riyo, who is so hard to break down defensively it forces me to find new ways to think, in order to break through his guard. And then there’s Tom Brady, REO, Rico Suave, Chris G, and the list goes on; every one of these has helped me take my game to the next level, and without a single one of them the entirety of my gameplay would be different.
9) At CEO, you went on an exhilarating run in Top 8, filled with a number of highs and lows, and some memorable showmanship. But when it seemed like Grand Finals were a foregone conclusion, a mistimed f23 allowed Perfect Legend to steal the match and shock the world. How did this affect you, and what will it mean for you going forward into future competitions?
I lost to an excellent player, in Perfect Legend. The only effect it had in me was that I have much more to improve upon. It opened my eyes to the necessity of a safer tool post-super; an option where pressure and mistiming would not be the death of me.
I would like Chris G to do me a favor. Every night, before he goes to bed, I would like him to give Perfect Legend a call. Whether or not he picks up is irrelevant; what’s important is the message. Every night, before he lays his head down to rest, I want him to call Carl and thank him, from the bottom of his heart, that he managed to overcome me that day. Because on that day in particular, there was nothing else on earth, in heaven or hell, that could have saved him from me. And I want him to pay his proper respects to his savior.
10) Your match vs. Rico Suave was one of Sunday's most anticipated bouts for those who are familiar both of you, and it did not disappoint. What was that match like for you -- and what were you saying to him following the win?
The match was as close a nail-biter as possible and our experience against one another clearly showed. I found it to be an excellent match to be the first of the day, if only to warm up to the feeling of playing on stage. While he’s as good a player as you can find in Injustice, he was also a familiar opponent, and helped me calm down a lot onstage.
After the match I was letting him know that the only reason I won the match that day was that I knew something in particular about the matchup that he didn’t, and I explained it to him before he left so he would know in the future and wouldn’t get caught by it again. Rico is a great guy, I knew a small thing he didn’t, so I told him in order to help him improve. I can only hope he would want to see me improve as much as I want him to improve with me.
11) How was the CEO experience for you overall, and what were your favorite moments (in or outside of the tournament) during the weekend?
I had never been to a CEO before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised at how incredible the event was. From the moment I touched down to the moment I left, I was having fun the whole time. The pool party (I never knew!), the ring and the entrance themes (I was fighting to get one!), distance from restaurants, to Jebailey himself, all of it was entertaining and memorable.
I loved watching people jump in with all their clothes at the pool party. Jebailey shaving his head, and dressing up as Black Adam on finals day was amazing. The best feeling though, the thing I’ll never forget, is the first time I climbed the top turnbuckle to look out to the crowd, watching them scream as I ripped open my shirt to reveal my Superman attire. And the only place I could have done that was CEO.
12) Scorpion created a lot of buzz and some big questions going into CEO weekend. After playing in the tournament, how do you feel about the character, and what do you see happening in the weeks to come?
I was completely unfamiliar with the matchup stepping into the event. While that sounds irresponsible as a named player, I had no one to test the matchup against, so I was running off of paper knowledge and second-hand experience. The first Scorpion I faced in the tournament was Deg, and he sent me to losers handily. I feel that was the best thing that could have happened to me, because it gave me the much needed Scorpion experience I needed. That night I worked at a solution to the character. The results can be seen in CEO’s top 8.
The normalization of Scorpion will separate those who played the character because they liked him, and those who were looking for a fast win and an easy ride. No hard feelings for those who did, but I see the landscape of Scorpion players reducing to the bare minimum.
13) There's a lot of upcoming Injustice action in the next few months. What tournaments can we expect to see you at, and will you be making any adjustments to your gameplay after last week's NLBC and CEO?
I’ll be doing my very best to make every Major tournament for Injustice in the upcoming months. That includes Evolution 2k13 in Vegas, The Fall Classic in Raleigh, and Video x Games in St. Maarten. I’m especially looking forward to VxG, being my first international event for Injustice. I’m excited to see what international competition has to offer, as well as what the island of St. Maarten offers those who visit.
As for the Break and NLBC, I strive to improve my play every week, so I adjust my play every week. Asking if I’ll be making adjustments is akin to asking if grass will grow, if birds fly, if the sun shines. The day I stop making adjustments is the day I die.
14) Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to the community in closing, or any shoutouts/callouts you'd like to make?
I would like to thank my family, friends, teams, sponsors, and all those who support me. That includes Chris Cotty of 8 on the Break for letting me run the Break Weekly, Miguel Perez (Arma) as a constant inspiration and friend, Jason Axelrod of 8wayrun for running my Break Weekly stream, Michael Vasquez for helping me run my brackets, Triforce of Empire Arcadia, Rolando Brison of Video x Games, Ryan Jiminez (Riyo), John Cosentino of KaziGRFX, Chris and Jeremiah Ward of Infinity Phantom Gaming, and many others.
I’m sure I’m missing people, and I hope they can forgive me, but I love you all the same! And the most important shout outs go to those who believe in me and follow me to the end… Believing in someone is a form of trust. I thank you for putting your trust in me. I guarantee you there’s more to come.
You ain’t seen nothing yet.
Although he started playing a few weeks later than many players, he has won 18 separate events of various sizes to date -- most recently taking 1st at New Challengers Unlimited and Guts II, as well as placing 3rd at CEO and winning both NJ's The Break and NY's NLBC in one week. For anyone that wasn't already familiar with him, KDZ made a name for himself in Orlando, coming all the way to the doorstep of IGAU Grand Finals and engaging the crowd from the CEO main stage. KDZ is an interesting subject to interview, and he had a lot of things to say.
(Previous Interviews in the Rising Stars Series)
Sonic Fox - http://testyourmight.com/threads/rising-stars-interview-sonic-fox.28316/
Khaotik - http://testyourmight.com/threads/mortal-kombats-rising-stars-interview-w-xkhaotikx.28172/
KDZ is from Piscataway, NJ, and he was a top Soul Calibur 3-5 player (Cassandra, Seigfried), in addition to playing Street Fighter 4: AE (Rufus, Abel) and MvC3 - UMvC3 (Wolverine and friends).
-------------------
1) So first of all, tell us a little bit about your history, how you got into fighting games, and how you became a competitive fighting gamer.
Well, I’ve always been competitive. I mean, from a very young age. My family never taught me that it was alright, as long as I tried. What they taught me was that if I wanted something, if I wanted it bad enough, to work hard for it. To fight for it. To not be satisfied until you’re the best there is at whatever you choose to do. And that talent must be cultivated and nurtured.
“A prodigy at 10, talented at 15, average at 20.” It means, literally, that someone who is a once in a lifetime prodigy at 10 years of age, who doesn’t continue to practice hard, will only be talented at 15, and average at 20. It’s something they taught me from a young age that I’ll never forget; that no matter how talented you are at something, if you don’t work hard at it, that talent will dissipate and “normalize”.
I was that kid at the arcade who kept putting quarters up, regardless of whether I was getting destroyed, or knew what I was doing. I kept playing, because I enjoyed the competition. Whenever someone was better than me, rather than shying away, I would face them head-on and try to learn how to overcome them. One day my tenacity paid off, grabbing the attention of a player who brought me into the fighting game community. And so began my journey.
2) What was it about Soul Calibur that attracted you?
Soul Calibur has a few unique properties to it that drew me to it. First, the character fighting styles are so incredibly varied from character to character that it’s hard not to find one that you like. Next, the fact that the weapons vary so much in length and size cause you to have to think in SC differently than almost every other fighting game. Then there are the stages; awareness of your surroundings is ridiculously important, since stages are not static, and ringouts exist. Finally, the fact that weight plays such a large role in the game is interesting, with characters that can MOVE you even when you block an attack, to control your positioning to their advantage. Space control and situational awareness are so important in SC that you have no choice but to think more, or lose.
3) What was the experience of starting Injustice like for you, and what was it about Superman that drew your interest?
I didn't want to play Injustice, if I’m to be perfectly honest. I didn't want another fighting game on my plate, and Mortal Kombat had never attracted me as a game. It was Darth Arma who forced me to play, never letting up, telling me if I play this game I’ll end up being the best at it. All of my thanks go to him, for seeing something in me I didn't see myself at the time.
So when I pick up the game, I resolved to play only Superman; he’s my favorite superhero, since a very young age, so whether he was a good or bad character I was going to stick with it. I really love that character. You hear a lot of people who are against him, thinking he’s boring, too strong, and uninteresting. Those people don’t understand the point of his stories; the stories are not about how he will overcome an obstacle, but about how he can overcome himself. And in terms of determination, he’s second to none. I found those qualities admirable.
4) In Injustice, Superman is one of the characters that players flocked to out of the gate, and he's seen a lot of action in tournament. In your opinion, How much of the character's true potential is currently being used?
I feel that the average superman player misses the point of his gameplay. They feel that they can just overwhelm players with F23, or just zone them out with eye beams. What they’re missing is the true key to Superman’s gameplay, something I myself am striving to attain. I don’t even feel that I’m playing him right yet; I’m just maxing out one aspect of his potential. But I can see it; I can see exactly where I need to be to play him perfectly. And with every week that passes, and with every tournament I play, I add a little more of that gameplay into the mix.
A lot of players, Supes or otherwise, lack “vision”. They only see the apparent effect of their attack, and always swing to hit. I don’t always do things for their apparent effect. I don’t always swing to hit. I don’t always knockdown to mixup. I don’t always hold super to punish. Therein lies the difference.
5) You began playing Injustice a few weeks after the game came out, and you were already winning shortly thereafter. What helped you reach a high level so quickly, and how do you train?
Maybe it’s my affinity with Superman. Maybe it’s because I understand the nature of this game. I can’t really tell you how I began winning so quickly; I’m honestly more confused that people are having a difficulty grasping the game faster. My training is a fairly natural process, taking in information found by others as well as insights that happen at random times during the day. I make sure to write down those insights whenever I get them, and to solidify them in training mode later. I’m also lucky enough to have extremely strong training partners on my team, Empire Arcadia.
6) You've often been associated with, and played against, some of the East coast's other well-known players -- including Rico Suave, CD Jr., and Chris G. Can you talk a bit about your experience vs. them in tournament, and what kind of competitive relationship you have?
I’ve had fairly fun experiences at almost every tournament I've been to, and have been once again lucky enough to be in one of the strongest competitive regions for fighting games. Without my weekly battles versus these powerhouses, I wouldn't be the player I am today in Injustice. As far as our competitive relationship goes, we all like to have fun with it, but when tournament time arrives, we all try our hardest to prevail. I’m also fortunate that their competitive spirits are matched by the content of their character.
7) You're one of the most dedicated and consistent competitors at Dunellen, NJ's weekly Break tournament. What has the Break meant to you?
8 on the Break is my second home. The owner, Chris Cotty, is one of my closest friends, having known each other for almost 20 years. He has graciously allowed me to run the 8 on the Break weekly tournament for four years now, free of any house fee, for no reason other than that I wanted to. So I’ve done my best to create a tournament where players can feel comfortable, welcome, and have fun, while also forging a competitive environment where players can grow. So asking what it means to me? I’m sorry, but my paltry words will always fall short to how I feel about that place, its owner, and the people who come every week to share a smile and play a match.
KDZ brings the hype at CEO in Orlando
8) Who are some of the players who have helped you improve your game the most?
As I stated before, I’m surrounded by a team of such skilled players that it was inevitable I would get experienced, if only by main force. The first and foremost is Darth Arma, who is my constant training partner and closest friend. Playing him on a daily basis elevates my level beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Then there’s Riyo, who is so hard to break down defensively it forces me to find new ways to think, in order to break through his guard. And then there’s Tom Brady, REO, Rico Suave, Chris G, and the list goes on; every one of these has helped me take my game to the next level, and without a single one of them the entirety of my gameplay would be different.
9) At CEO, you went on an exhilarating run in Top 8, filled with a number of highs and lows, and some memorable showmanship. But when it seemed like Grand Finals were a foregone conclusion, a mistimed f23 allowed Perfect Legend to steal the match and shock the world. How did this affect you, and what will it mean for you going forward into future competitions?
I lost to an excellent player, in Perfect Legend. The only effect it had in me was that I have much more to improve upon. It opened my eyes to the necessity of a safer tool post-super; an option where pressure and mistiming would not be the death of me.
I would like Chris G to do me a favor. Every night, before he goes to bed, I would like him to give Perfect Legend a call. Whether or not he picks up is irrelevant; what’s important is the message. Every night, before he lays his head down to rest, I want him to call Carl and thank him, from the bottom of his heart, that he managed to overcome me that day. Because on that day in particular, there was nothing else on earth, in heaven or hell, that could have saved him from me. And I want him to pay his proper respects to his savior.
10) Your match vs. Rico Suave was one of Sunday's most anticipated bouts for those who are familiar both of you, and it did not disappoint. What was that match like for you -- and what were you saying to him following the win?
The match was as close a nail-biter as possible and our experience against one another clearly showed. I found it to be an excellent match to be the first of the day, if only to warm up to the feeling of playing on stage. While he’s as good a player as you can find in Injustice, he was also a familiar opponent, and helped me calm down a lot onstage.
After the match I was letting him know that the only reason I won the match that day was that I knew something in particular about the matchup that he didn’t, and I explained it to him before he left so he would know in the future and wouldn’t get caught by it again. Rico is a great guy, I knew a small thing he didn’t, so I told him in order to help him improve. I can only hope he would want to see me improve as much as I want him to improve with me.
11) How was the CEO experience for you overall, and what were your favorite moments (in or outside of the tournament) during the weekend?
I had never been to a CEO before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised at how incredible the event was. From the moment I touched down to the moment I left, I was having fun the whole time. The pool party (I never knew!), the ring and the entrance themes (I was fighting to get one!), distance from restaurants, to Jebailey himself, all of it was entertaining and memorable.
I loved watching people jump in with all their clothes at the pool party. Jebailey shaving his head, and dressing up as Black Adam on finals day was amazing. The best feeling though, the thing I’ll never forget, is the first time I climbed the top turnbuckle to look out to the crowd, watching them scream as I ripped open my shirt to reveal my Superman attire. And the only place I could have done that was CEO.
12) Scorpion created a lot of buzz and some big questions going into CEO weekend. After playing in the tournament, how do you feel about the character, and what do you see happening in the weeks to come?
I was completely unfamiliar with the matchup stepping into the event. While that sounds irresponsible as a named player, I had no one to test the matchup against, so I was running off of paper knowledge and second-hand experience. The first Scorpion I faced in the tournament was Deg, and he sent me to losers handily. I feel that was the best thing that could have happened to me, because it gave me the much needed Scorpion experience I needed. That night I worked at a solution to the character. The results can be seen in CEO’s top 8.
The normalization of Scorpion will separate those who played the character because they liked him, and those who were looking for a fast win and an easy ride. No hard feelings for those who did, but I see the landscape of Scorpion players reducing to the bare minimum.
13) There's a lot of upcoming Injustice action in the next few months. What tournaments can we expect to see you at, and will you be making any adjustments to your gameplay after last week's NLBC and CEO?
I’ll be doing my very best to make every Major tournament for Injustice in the upcoming months. That includes Evolution 2k13 in Vegas, The Fall Classic in Raleigh, and Video x Games in St. Maarten. I’m especially looking forward to VxG, being my first international event for Injustice. I’m excited to see what international competition has to offer, as well as what the island of St. Maarten offers those who visit.
As for the Break and NLBC, I strive to improve my play every week, so I adjust my play every week. Asking if I’ll be making adjustments is akin to asking if grass will grow, if birds fly, if the sun shines. The day I stop making adjustments is the day I die.
14) Lastly, is there anything you'd like to say to the community in closing, or any shoutouts/callouts you'd like to make?
I would like to thank my family, friends, teams, sponsors, and all those who support me. That includes Chris Cotty of 8 on the Break for letting me run the Break Weekly, Miguel Perez (Arma) as a constant inspiration and friend, Jason Axelrod of 8wayrun for running my Break Weekly stream, Michael Vasquez for helping me run my brackets, Triforce of Empire Arcadia, Rolando Brison of Video x Games, Ryan Jiminez (Riyo), John Cosentino of KaziGRFX, Chris and Jeremiah Ward of Infinity Phantom Gaming, and many others.
I’m sure I’m missing people, and I hope they can forgive me, but I love you all the same! And the most important shout outs go to those who believe in me and follow me to the end… Believing in someone is a form of trust. I thank you for putting your trust in me. I guarantee you there’s more to come.
You ain’t seen nothing yet.
