Michael McGhee has a few words with Dogukan 'j1xs^_-' Erden of Diabulus Gaming ahead of their attendance at Epic LAN.

If you're one of those people who only pay attention to the top end of the European CS:S scene (you probably support Manchester United and the Lakers too) then I'd advise you to click the back button on your browser. It's not often we at Cadred turn the spotlight towards the lower level teams, after all we do work under the motto "premier eSports coverage", and that normally means bringing coverage of premier eSports teams. That was the old Cadred though and after my mutiny - seeing me topple the tyrant Dr.Gonzo - I've decided to give the little guy some limelight.

I know what it's like being the guy who goes to LAN knowing you will never place anywhere near the top three yet showing up each time holding the smallest glimmer of hope that you get spotted by a bigger team. I did it for three years before realising I'm nowhere near good enough, it sucks. Yet the UK scene is filled with people just like that, they are the future of our game and it's likely that a small percentage of current 'noobs' will make it through to the top level one day (if the game doesn't die first).

The key to them doing that is showing up to as many LAN events as possible and doing as well as possible, causing upsets and making a name for themselves. With Epic LAN just around the corner I thought it would be a nice change to give the readers an insight into the mind of some of the lesser known players and teams. The first team to step up is Diabulus Gaming, as Dogukan 'j1xs^_-' Erden gives us a short interview.

Well we know that LAN events are usually catered towards the competitive players, even though we know we wont be in the podium it doesn't mean we won't have some great matches. It gives us experience as well as a great laugh too, at the end of the it's a game and we're here to have fun more than anything.

Well we're just a new team so we're not really expecting much to be honest - we don't even have a fifth yet! We want to do well and go as far as we can go really.

We would like to test ourselves with the top teams obviously to see how we cope and how far off we are. I've also known jakem for years so it would be fun playing against Rasta.xD

Well Me, JeeZ and rONE have played for over 4+ years.. We've just been inactive for the last 2 years or so, we thought it would be fun to come back and attend an event together and thats exactly how it happened, I wouldn't want to single any one player out as we are a team and that's where our strength lies.

Yeah, it's been really unfortunate for us that we lost our 5th at the last minute. I have had loads of people adding me so we're trying to play with everyone, it's really close to the event though so we have to make a decision quite fast.

Haha, I know it was a bit foolish of us saying that there was a "free ticket", but no it wont happen for him, not this time :)

I am a really competitive person, so I would like to compete at the highest level eventually but I wouldn't say it was a "dream". I'm happy with going to the events having fun and meeting people.

I think if anyone really wants to do something then they can. I believe there is loads of talent out there that just lack on small things and with some changes and improvements could be really good. I agree with the "treehouse" statement, in the UK scene it's always about what you've achieved, your history or most importantly people you are friends with, and thats why you rarely see new names up there.

Yeah this will be my first time, I personally think it's great to have events in between the i-series and many more as it brings the people you talk to online together and allows you to meet new people that maybe you wouldn't have spoke to online.

I thank you :). Good luck to everyone at the event and don't forget to come say hi :) Also a big thank you to our manager Daniel Sweetind for covering our tickets for the event!