"I just try and do my best to be a good replacement for Genja": we talk to Gambit's “P1noy”

We caught up with Gambit Gaming’s AD Carry, Kristoffer “P1noy” Albao Lund Pedersen, who officially replaced Genja on November 7th 2014.

ESL: Hello Kristoffer, I hope you've been well. When you joined Gambit officially, you changed your name to P1noy. Was there any specific reason and was the timing planned or was it just an impulsive move?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: I knew that if I was getting into an organization with a lot of international fans, not just local in Europe, I would change my name. I thought about changing my name a lot but I just kept it as I wasn't that famous at all… I mean, I’m still not that famous!
 
I didn't care about my name but it ended up getting to me, because I don't have a good relationship with my dad. The "Lund" in “Krislund” was from my dad's name and I didn't really want to represent myself like that. Of course it's just an esports name but it’s a huge part of how people see me in the esports industry.

I just wasn't happy with it, so I went with a name that has more of a connection to my mum. I am half­ Filipino and I am really happy with that name now. My new name - though it doesn't sound cool at all - it's 100% mine and reflects who I am and how I want to be represented.

ESL: So this really is a new chapter in your life: new name and new organisation. Do you feel like there is more pressure on you now that you play for Gambit, rather than a less well known organisation? People still have the legendary Gambit Gaming with Alex Ich in their minds and have the opinion that Gambit died alongside the departure of Alex Ich. What are your thoughts on that?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: Of course there is a lot of pressure but it doesn't get to me at all. I just try to focus on me and try to improve and do the best that I can with my potential… Guess I will see where that takes me with Gambit. But you’re right, there is still some pressure I think, because Gambit is a huge organisation. I realise I am very lucky that I get to represent them and so I just try and do my best to be a good replacement for Genja.

I feel like the only people saying that Gambit are dying are those with tunnel vision. In football and in other sports, there are always a lot of changes that bring about new eras. You can compare the changes to Gambit with when Christiano Ronaldo left Manchester United and so many fans went with him to Real Madrid.

ESL: Who do you think is going to play in the final of IEM?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: I think it will be ROCCAT, they are going to take down CLG meet Gambit in the finals.

ESL: Switching to the LCS Expansion tournament quickly - who do you think is going to make it into the LCS?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: I think H2k are going to make it. Giants Gaming beat Reason Gaming 3-0 in their last meeting but I think it will be a lot closer this time and with enough research I think Reason Gaming will win and advance to the LCS as well.


ESL: Something that a lot of people are talking about is the LCS moving to Berlin. Apparently a lot of the organisations are not getting gaming houses anymore, instead they are getting apartments for their players and an additional office where they can practise with the whole team. Is Gambit going to commit to a move or will you continue to travel to Berlin every week as you did in the last split?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: We are looking at a lot of possibilities, but are currently battling with the issue that we have two players that aren’t able to live in Berlin on a full-time basis due to their visas. So, I don't know what exactly we are going to do...

We are trying to figure something out. Maybe we’ll all live in Berlin for the first few weeks of LCS and then travel home for the last few weeks. I don't know how exactly the visa issues work out but we want to be together as much as possible for the playoffs as that is what matters. The split itself matters too of course, because we need to get into the playoffs but we really want to be together when we play the playoffs! That’s important to us.

ESL: Switching back to the game… since you play AD Carry yourself, what are your thoughts on Kalista and can we expect her to be picked in the LCS or will she be utterly useless?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: Hm, Kalista is a really interesting champion. You need good mechanics to play her. I actually think she is a really strong champion but I am not sure how she will work out later in the game. I haven't played her much yet because she is not enabled at IEM... I want to test her more before I comment on whether she is going to be viable or not but I can definitely see her potential.

ESL: Thank you for the interview! Any shoutouts?
Kristoffer "P1noy" Albao Lund Pedersen: I want to shoutout to Gambit Gaming and Pringles, our sponsor, and then to all my, hopefully, new fans!

Want to find out if P1noy was right with his predictions for IEM and the EU Expansion tournament? Tune in to http://euw.lolesports.com/ to find out who makes the LCS and who will become the champion of IEM Cologne on Sunday!

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