Interview with the JackaL

September 21, 2007 by eddyhan

If you don’t know JackaL, you are probably a newbie.

He is Azmir Hamzah; one of the most feared competitive Counter-Strike player in Malaysia. Ask anyone around and people will still tell you of the crazy stunts that he did which is deemed impossible. Being a very important member in FMJ, he had led the team to many victories before furthering his studies in Melbourne, Australia.

JackaL didn’t gave the Aussies any rest as he has already left a deep print in the Australian gaming scene under a new team called Immunity.

I had the privilege to catch him online for an interview and had his thoughts about gaming in general. The interview is after the jump.

twenty06:
Hey Azmir, glad you could make it to this interview. Can you briefly introduce yourself to the Multiplay-ers?
azmir:
Hello Eddy, my name is Azmir Hamzah and am 20 years old and I have been playing Counter-Strike since year 2000. I have been in only one team in Malaysia which is familiar to many faces as Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). I currently reside in Melbourne, Australia for tertiary studies and am currently playing for Team Immunity (www.team-immunity.com).

twenty06:
So, you have shifted to the Melbourne gaming scene. Are you getting paid to play right now?
azmir says:
I’m afraid to say that getting paid to play scheme is still far from happening within myself or the Australian scene. It isn’t that different here from back home. However, Immunity are generous enough to sponsor us flight tickets, accomodations, equipments and minor bonuses (e.g when you win a tourney you get just a small amount of salary).

twenty06:
Well I feel that’s better than nothing, even better than any of the gamers in Malaysia. You’ve played in both countries (Malaysia & Australia). What is the biggest difference between both countries in terms of gaming is concerned?
azmir:
The most obvious difference has to be the amount of teams as well as internet capabilities. In terms of quality and skill wise, it’s pretty much equal. However there are more multi-gaming organizations here compared to cs only teams back home.

twenty06:
If Hybrid (WCG 2007 Champions) were to play with your team, which team do you think will win?
azmir:
Hard to say as I have not played with them for ages but what I do know is that we both would get smashed by Europeans.
10 MINUTES TO BUKA PUASA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahah don’t add that please.

twenty06:
LOL. So you were a legend in the CS scene when you’re active in Malaysia. How are you faring against the Aussies? Are you considered one of the real threats in the Aussie scene?
azmir says:
Haha, when I first played my first ever nationals here, no one bothered about how our team would fare and such. However after that people began to realize that Immunity climbed the ladder really fast which subsequently led to our ESWC Australia 2007 win. I guess I’ve helped Immunity improve a lot.

All we did was practice constantly and I helped the team to introduce themselves a new style of gameplay aided by my experience.

Regarding Team function zer0, they were already shaky and unstable when I first came here. Everyone foresaw them going inactive or disbanding due to their inconsistent management/games.

twenty06:
Do you still follow Malaysia’s gaming scene?
azmir:
Haha sorry to say but there aren’t any sites or portals for me to update myself : (

twenty06:
Haven’t you heard of Multiplay yet????!!
azmir:
As you speak, I just have!

haha is that RampageAsia thing happening? cause Immunity got an invite.

twenty06:
Grrr…you’d better have it bookmarked. LOL!
Anyway, I’m not sure if you know the strings of competition in Malaysia (WCG, WGT, ACG) and the focus right now is the CGS qualifiers where they offer huge amount of cash.
Are you interested to come back and play? And if you do, who do you think would make a good team for you?
azmir :
If I were to come home and play, the ideal team would of course be with my old teammates especially Grifter, syck and Jabronizs. Unfortunately I am not willing to refrain myself from continuing my studies. : D

twenty06:
lol it’s ok
What do you think the local gaming scene is lacking off?
azmir:
Sponsors, consistency of tournaments and e-sports enthusiasts!

twenty06:
Do you have faith that we get those any time soon?
azmir:
Well if one of our gamers manage to pull of a jaw dropping achievement overseas then perhaps we would?
Yes! Companies should widen their eyes more towards the gaming scene.

twenty06:
No i mean, do you think we would do a 5 headshot with only 5 bullet kill consistently for 13 rounds in a row shit?
lol
azmir:
OH
hahaha

twenty06:
What I meant is, do you think we can do what seemed impossible?
azmir:
Yes! If teams are serious and hardworking enough to prac constantly!

twenty06:
ok who do you think is the most handsome gamer in malaysia? (other than myself of course)
azmir:
BEAUTY LIES IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER KTHXBAI

twenty06:
LOL. I’m handsome.
Do you have a girlfriend?
azmir:
Yes
I see her 24/7
Her name is Computer.

twenty06:
LOL!
Do you think Aussie girls are more attractive than Malaysian girls?
azmir:
Well there are more varieties here I might conclude. IMHO, no comment I may sound offensive LOL.

twenty06:
Boobs or ass?
azmir:
I’M AN ASS MAN (PI PA PA PA RA PO)

twenty06:
Hahah! Any last words before we sign off?
azmir:
Shoutouts and hope everyone is doing fine and am proud that more players and teams are spawning and I hope that they would improve the community! Thanks a lot to Team Immunity’s sponsors Intel, GeIL, Everglide and ZAM.

Posted in Interviews