Interview with Berkut
Hello community!
Today I'm grateful to present you a interview with Berkut, formely known as Adantoud. He's been around XJ since 2008, recording World Records for both 1.6 and KZmod.
Hope you like reading it as much as I enjoyed doing it!
-> I left a YouTube video of a Piano jam I like a lot. If you want, you can listen to it while reading.
Click here to open music
[slide="interview" Click="Click" here="here" to="to" read="read" the="the"]
kUZKKK: Hello Berkut! Would you like to introduce yourself to the community?
Berkut: Hi. Sure. My first name is Vladyslav, I am 20 years old. Currently living in Chornomorsk, which is a city in Odessa region of Ukraine. Chornomorsk is situated on the coast of the Black Sea, and my apartment is around hundred metres from the seashore, which I guess is too good to be true.
After graduating the school with honors I came to national maritime academy to become a navigator (the one who is responsible for controlling the movement of a vessel from one place to another). I am doing good and shall become a third officer in 2 years. From this point I might stop to continue playing KZ on the constant basis.
kUZKKK: Sad news to the KZ world! You've been in XJ for around 8 years, I'm wondering, how did it all start?
Berkut: I discovered first KZ maps before 2007 with my friend as we were kids, kz_nolve and kz_streetbl0ck. These maps type were novel to me, I found it addictive. Very first attempts to play online were in summer 2007 on some slovak server. I met there first big names that, as far as I remember by now, were rEs0LuTe and PsYxOpAt. Pretty sure nobody remembers me in those days, because I was a casual noob and had weird nickname "DYLLIUTEJIb". However, I was very capable and learned how to jump relatively quick. I was very wicked in terms of completing the maps as fast as I could and I managed to penetrate a lot of tops on groza KZ server. In 2008 I have already been trying maps like kz_kzsca_mineblock and kz_sandblock without checkpoints.
kUZKKK: You've had a lot of World Records in 1.6, and you still have 2 left. What was the most exciting WR you had?
Berkut: The most memorable WR is my first one. I recorded it on kz_c2l_icebean long time ago, it was a real call for me back in the days. With my hardly moderate skill I spent days having numerous fails, and eventually succeeded. This record was followed by reaction of the previous holder mgD, who challenged me on it, so it wasn't the only time I approached this map. mgD had this map for most of the time, but currently the WR is mine. Throughout years I didn't bother myself recording for XJ much, because it was too competitive and I just didn't like to geek maps. Yet I beated maps like bkm_problock, kzm_fineblock, kz_kzsca_desk[bluecave], risk_forgeblock, etc.. I used to be mostly directed to Cosy-Climbing, because it had a lot of hard climb maps which I enjoyed to play a lot. I made dozens of records that still remain there.
kUZKKK: Interesting.. Keeping in mind your long history here, what moment do you consider the best? From 2008 to 2016.
Berkut: The golden era in XJ was when koukouz, zhady and akkord used to play. The best days for me were the days with unique-kz community and when I used to discover the maps and compete on them with oldschoolers like Avenger. Particulary when I was in unique-kz team I have had a unique experience of being a team member, checking demos and running HNS cups, making achievements and stupid decisions and just so many more, that is left in the past. You can realize that just by taking a look at current LJ demos page on unique-kz which monitors how many people were involved and how active the community had been.
kUZKKK: There has been a lot of controversy these months. How do you see the future of XJ?
Berkut: From my perspective XJ (as well as KZ world) is doing well, though the community is not evolving and is kind of in buffering state at the moment. I don't know what has to happen to make it once again grow. Decisions to build a new site for 1.6, KZmod and CS:GO KZ disciplines sound promising, because I think diversity in that case is good. If there is successful implementation of CS:GO and grow of KZmod popularity, the community will probably shine.
KZmod is the best thing here, its a standalone game dedicated to KZ and deserves more attention and better integration with the site. It lacks activity and maps, but in other aspects it dominates over CS 1.6. I would have probably left the scene already if it wasn't for KZmod, because 1.6 became dull. CS:GO KZ has the right to exist too as long as many players enjoy it. I havent tried CS:GO KZ, thats why it is number 3 for me.
kUZKKK: Those are solid arguments. What changes/implementations would you like to see in XJ?
Berkut: There are two features that I would like to see in the new website in particular. An ability to view certain type of news, and some kind of trial implementation of a system designed to handle recording maps that cannot be finished without checkpoints.
kUZKKK: I hope it can be done soon! Apart from being a KZmod and 1.6 Record Holder, you are an excellent mapper. Do you have any plans in mind?
Berkut: Yeah, Im planning to work on new maps for KZmod as soon as I fix my life.. if it's correct to say so. When it happens, there would be nothing to stop me from porting to KZmod maps like kzua_zp_hamunaptra_x, kzua_zp_godroom_h, kz_synergy_x, 2man maps, etc.. If it comes to making my own maps, I will build 2man, 3man, 4man courses.
kUZKKK: That sounds promissing! Best of luck with your personal life. Ready for some fast questions?
Berkut: Yep.
kUZKKK: Abroad or home?
Berkut: Home.
kUZKKK: Favorite music genre?
Berkut: Rock, such as Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic.
kUZKKK: Vodka or water?
Berkut: Water.
kUZKKK: Summer or winter?
Berkut: Summer.
kUZKKK: A book or a movie?
Berkut: Movie.
kUZKKK: A map?
Berkut: kz_abstract_plane (1.6), kz_tombraider (KZmod).
kUZKKK: Favorite meal?
Berkut: Shawurma. If you don't know it: http://dbgcbnch6yz43.cloudfront.net/images/pictures/files/000/038/275/original/Beef_Shawarma__HIGH_QUALITY_.jpg?1436766295
kUZKKK: Well Berkut, thank you very much for your time to answer my questions. Is there anyone you'd like to thank to?
Berkut: Yes: Nannou, Spider1, sooshka, Toffifee, MEfro, muJik, dydka and lrs.
kUZKKK: See you bro!
Berkut: No problem :)
[/slide]
Today I'm grateful to present you a interview with Berkut, formely known as Adantoud. He's been around XJ since 2008, recording World Records for both 1.6 and KZmod.
Hope you like reading it as much as I enjoyed doing it!
-> I left a YouTube video of a Piano jam I like a lot. If you want, you can listen to it while reading.
Click here to open music[slide="interview" Click="Click" here="here" to="to" read="read" the="the"]
kUZKKK: Hello Berkut! Would you like to introduce yourself to the community?
Berkut: Hi. Sure. My first name is Vladyslav, I am 20 years old. Currently living in Chornomorsk, which is a city in Odessa region of Ukraine. Chornomorsk is situated on the coast of the Black Sea, and my apartment is around hundred metres from the seashore, which I guess is too good to be true.
After graduating the school with honors I came to national maritime academy to become a navigator (the one who is responsible for controlling the movement of a vessel from one place to another). I am doing good and shall become a third officer in 2 years. From this point I might stop to continue playing KZ on the constant basis.
kUZKKK: Sad news to the KZ world! You've been in XJ for around 8 years, I'm wondering, how did it all start?
Berkut: I discovered first KZ maps before 2007 with my friend as we were kids, kz_nolve and kz_streetbl0ck. These maps type were novel to me, I found it addictive. Very first attempts to play online were in summer 2007 on some slovak server. I met there first big names that, as far as I remember by now, were rEs0LuTe and PsYxOpAt. Pretty sure nobody remembers me in those days, because I was a casual noob and had weird nickname "DYLLIUTEJIb". However, I was very capable and learned how to jump relatively quick. I was very wicked in terms of completing the maps as fast as I could and I managed to penetrate a lot of tops on groza KZ server. In 2008 I have already been trying maps like kz_kzsca_mineblock and kz_sandblock without checkpoints.
kUZKKK: You've had a lot of World Records in 1.6, and you still have 2 left. What was the most exciting WR you had?
Berkut: The most memorable WR is my first one. I recorded it on kz_c2l_icebean long time ago, it was a real call for me back in the days. With my hardly moderate skill I spent days having numerous fails, and eventually succeeded. This record was followed by reaction of the previous holder mgD, who challenged me on it, so it wasn't the only time I approached this map. mgD had this map for most of the time, but currently the WR is mine. Throughout years I didn't bother myself recording for XJ much, because it was too competitive and I just didn't like to geek maps. Yet I beated maps like bkm_problock, kzm_fineblock, kz_kzsca_desk[bluecave], risk_forgeblock, etc.. I used to be mostly directed to Cosy-Climbing, because it had a lot of hard climb maps which I enjoyed to play a lot. I made dozens of records that still remain there.
kUZKKK: Interesting.. Keeping in mind your long history here, what moment do you consider the best? From 2008 to 2016.
Berkut: The golden era in XJ was when koukouz, zhady and akkord used to play. The best days for me were the days with unique-kz community and when I used to discover the maps and compete on them with oldschoolers like Avenger. Particulary when I was in unique-kz team I have had a unique experience of being a team member, checking demos and running HNS cups, making achievements and stupid decisions and just so many more, that is left in the past. You can realize that just by taking a look at current LJ demos page on unique-kz which monitors how many people were involved and how active the community had been.
kUZKKK: There has been a lot of controversy these months. How do you see the future of XJ?
Berkut: From my perspective XJ (as well as KZ world) is doing well, though the community is not evolving and is kind of in buffering state at the moment. I don't know what has to happen to make it once again grow. Decisions to build a new site for 1.6, KZmod and CS:GO KZ disciplines sound promising, because I think diversity in that case is good. If there is successful implementation of CS:GO and grow of KZmod popularity, the community will probably shine.
KZmod is the best thing here, its a standalone game dedicated to KZ and deserves more attention and better integration with the site. It lacks activity and maps, but in other aspects it dominates over CS 1.6. I would have probably left the scene already if it wasn't for KZmod, because 1.6 became dull. CS:GO KZ has the right to exist too as long as many players enjoy it. I havent tried CS:GO KZ, thats why it is number 3 for me.
kUZKKK: Those are solid arguments. What changes/implementations would you like to see in XJ?
Berkut: There are two features that I would like to see in the new website in particular. An ability to view certain type of news, and some kind of trial implementation of a system designed to handle recording maps that cannot be finished without checkpoints.
kUZKKK: I hope it can be done soon! Apart from being a KZmod and 1.6 Record Holder, you are an excellent mapper. Do you have any plans in mind?
Berkut: Yeah, Im planning to work on new maps for KZmod as soon as I fix my life.. if it's correct to say so. When it happens, there would be nothing to stop me from porting to KZmod maps like kzua_zp_hamunaptra_x, kzua_zp_godroom_h, kz_synergy_x, 2man maps, etc.. If it comes to making my own maps, I will build 2man, 3man, 4man courses.
kUZKKK: That sounds promissing! Best of luck with your personal life. Ready for some fast questions?
Berkut: Yep.
kUZKKK: Abroad or home?
Berkut: Home.
kUZKKK: Favorite music genre?
Berkut: Rock, such as Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic.
kUZKKK: Vodka or water?
Berkut: Water.
kUZKKK: Summer or winter?
Berkut: Summer.
kUZKKK: A book or a movie?
Berkut: Movie.
kUZKKK: A map?
Berkut: kz_abstract_plane (1.6), kz_tombraider (KZmod).
kUZKKK: Favorite meal?
Berkut: Shawurma. If you don't know it: http://dbgcbnch6yz43.cloudfront.net/images/pictures/files/000/038/275/original/Beef_Shawarma__HIGH_QUALITY_.jpg?1436766295
kUZKKK: Well Berkut, thank you very much for your time to answer my questions. Is there anyone you'd like to thank to?
Berkut: Yes: Nannou, Spider1, sooshka, Toffifee, MEfro, muJik, dydka and lrs.
kUZKKK: See you bro!
Berkut: No problem :)
[/slide]