Interview with Erka “erkaSt” Gantulga: A Rising Star in Australian CS
In a recent interview at the ZEN League Offline Qualifier in Sydney, I had the opportunity to speak with Erka “erkaSt” Gantulga about his career, his team, and the challenges of the Australian CS scene. Here are some highlights from our conversation.
Getting Started with CS
“I started playing CS when I was around 12 or 13 years old. I used to play casually with my cousin, and that’s where my interest in the game began. In 2012, I started playing competitively in Mongolia, but with the decline of CS 1.6, I transitioned to CS:GO. I had a lot of success in Mongolia, winning several tournaments, which helped me gain recognition in the scene.”
The State of the Mongolian CS Scene
“The Mongolian CS scene is similar to the Australian scene. Due to limited internet connectivity, we had to mainly play against the same teams over and over again. This lack of variety and exposure made it challenging for us to grow on an international scale.”
Moving to Australia
“I moved to Australia primarily to pursue my studies, but it also provided me with more opportunities in CS. However, starting out was tough because nobody knew who I was. I had to convince people to give me a chance. Eventually, I got the opportunity to play at a local LAN event in Sydney, where I performed well and caught the attention of the Corvidae organization, who supported me as I began my career in Australia.”
Ups and Downs in the Journey
Stand-in Performances with Athletico
“After my time with Corvidae, I returned to Mongolia for a short break. When I came back, I had the opportunity to stand-in for Chuch in the Athletico team for a few months. This experience allowed me to showcase my skills and led to various offers.”
Joining Immunity
“Among the offers I received, the best one was from Immunity. They not only offered me a spot on their team but also a chance to compete in a LAN tournament in China. We have been performing well as a team, and I feel like I’m fitting in better as time goes on. The trip to China brought us closer together and increased our confidence.”
Succeeding on the Big Stage
Impressive Performance against Avant Garde
“At the ZEN League Offline Qualifier, I had a standout performance against Avant Garde, with 41 kills in regular time. Our team had a strong start on Dust II, which boosted my confidence. I knew what our team was doing and what the opponents were planning, and I played accordingly. It was a great feeling to contribute so significantly to our success.”
Thoughts on Cheating in Australian CS
“In my opinion, the top-tier teams in Australia are not cheating. However, it can be challenging for upcoming players to break through without resorting to cheating. The lower divisions may have a higher prevalence of cheating.”
The Australian CS Scene and its Challenges
Online Tournaments vs. LAN Events
“There is a significant difference between online and LAN play. In Australia, the top teams often face each other in online tournaments, leading to a more relaxed and less serious playing environment. There is a need for more LAN events to promote a higher level of competition and professionalism.”
Australian vs. Asian CS Scene
“From my experience at WCA in China, I can say that the difference between the Australian and Asian CS scenes is not significant. If Australian teams have more confidence, they can definitely compete with Asian teams and even come out victorious.”
Conclusion
Erka “erkaSt” Gantulga is a promising talent in the Australian CS scene. With his versatility as a player and determination to succeed, he is making a name for himself and contributing to the success of Team Immunity. It will be exciting to see how his career unfolds in the coming years.
Erka Gantulga, Australian CS scene, CS:GO, LAN events, online tournaments, Asian CS scene