Ask coLstaff is a question and answer column which features the thoughts and opinions of the coLStaff answering questions asked by the coL Community. This piece does not necessarily reflect the official views of the Los Angeles compLexity or its parent companies.

Ask: coLstaff

Welcome to the first addition of Ask coLstaff, where CompLexity staff members Michael "Peawok" Fleming, Andrew "aMies" Miesner, and a mystery coL member answer your questions. Ever wonder what we get for working for CompLexity? Want our opinion on 1.6 and source? Want to know our favorite team other than CompLexity? Ask away here!

PLEASE READ: Please make sure you check the other 'Ask coLstaff' articles before you submit a question. We get asked many questions and cannot continue to answer the same ones. If you have a legitimate, mature question, we would be happy to answer it. We just cannot continue to repeat answers. As always, please be mature when asking your question, and make sure that your question is understandable.

This week, aMies and Peawok brought on legendary staffer Andy 'fro' Popkin. Fro has been with CompLexity longer than any other staff member. He also knew Jason well before CompLexity started, and attended many events with him and the team.

What's the weirdest thing a complexity fan said to you?

fRoD- NOT fro

Peawok: Back in February, I was involved in the CompLexity Cast with Kirsch. I would be on the phone while Kirsch ran his webcam and I’d answer different questions as well as talk about CEVO. At one point, Renji (a coL fan and – at the time – future staffer) asked “I poopied in my pants, can I get in yours?” I’m just like “Uhhh…. I don’t think my girlfriend would be to happy..” Go back in our content history and find the video, it was rather awkward.

aMies: I honestly can't pinpoint a 'weirdest' thing, but I've had countless requests to be the bearer of my children, or my intimate partner. However, one that really stands out to me would have to be the fan that requested a link to help him cure his foot fungus. I'm not one to skip out on the treatment of fungi, but hey, go see a doctor.

fro: I'd go with people asking if I am fRoD. I remember someone asked me at CPL because I was wearing a coL shirt. I still get those on occasion; It's funny...you think they would see him in the IRC...

What do you think about the ESWC ruling in the match fnatic vs estro?
Peawok: I wasn’t able to watch the stream live, but from my understanding it was estro who was at fault for using an illegal nuke boost. I also heard that the estro player in question did not have a major impact on the round. So I personally feel that the loss of three rounds was sufficient. Sure, it didn’t give fnatic much of a fair shot, but if you can’t win one round on the stronger CT side of an overtime at a major tournament, you don’t deserve to advance. That is, obviously, my own opinion on the subject. It sucks for fnatic, but I think estro deserved to move on, illegal move or not.

fnatic against estro
Courtesy of Gotfrag

aMies: I wasn't able to watch this specific match so I can't really be sure that the Estro player that made the jump didn't have an effect on the round, however what occurred was still illegal by definition. I think the 3 round penalty was very fair. For those who think they shouldn't have been penalized, should criminals be let off the hook simply for the fact that no one was hurt during their crime? Sure it may be an over exaggeration, but hey, rules are rules. Don't do the crime (truck to rock jump) if you can't do the time (3 round penalty), and that's how the cookie crumbles.

fro: I don't feel it's really my place to say anything; I didn't see the match or hear anything about it, actually. I asked my good friend Peawok about what happened and I guess what's done is done. Can't change it, so hopefully teams remember it for next time.

What events do you guys attend with coL?
Peawok: I personally have not been able to attend any event yet, but usually a member – or more – attends major tournaments. For instance, I likely would have attended Digital Life 2008 with the team, if they attended. aMies, Loki, Fro, Sony, and Detonator are just some of the staff that has gone to places like California and Texas.

aMies coaching Wardino!

aMies: This past March I attended the CGS Region 1 Combine/Draft in Austin, TX with the team. I had a great time, not only experiencing my first trip to the Lone star State, but also my first trip with the team. It was a lot of fun to hang out and become even better friends with the people you chat with behind a screen. Although the weather sucked, it was still fun, even if I ended up getting sick after an hour of walking back and forth in the freezing rain trying to find Chavisan's room. HEY CHAVI!

fro: I went to CPL Winter 04-06. Those were always fun. I also attended WSVG Kentucky on a road trip with Jason Lake... oh... the memories..

What is it like working for Jason Lake?
Peawok: Honestly, when I first started working for him, I wasn’t scared or intimidated by him at all. He was very welcoming and has been a very passionate boss. He strives to be the best in everything he does; It is in his nature. I worked for Mark Dolven beforehand, so I kind of knew what to expect. I think Jake is the best General Manager when it comes to building a community and keeping up with content. I don’t think any other GM has done as much. That’s not to say they are bad GMs – I consider Mark Dolven the best GM (in terms of winning in the CGS.. sorry Jake) – I just feel Jason is one of the best in every category.

No slacking on his watch

aMies: It's intense. That's really the only way I can describe it. With Jason you really need to be on top of your game at all times. He is not afraid to let you know that you suck, nor is he afraid to let you go. He is beyond dedicated and will go to extreme lengths to ensure that the CompLexity name and tradition continue. Even under hard times, he doesn’t change. He is always motivated from one day to the next regardless of what the day before brought him.

fro: It's great. He always stays on our butt to get stuff done. I've been friends with him since before coL, so I know more about him than any other staff member. It is always a pleasure to work for friends, even one that gives you a kick in the butt every once in awhile!

What is the best thing you got to do for complexity?
Peawok: Well, again, I haven’t gone anywhere. I guess I’d have to say writing some pretty opinionated articles. Sometimes I write stuff that goes against the flow and will get people upset (see: Going Global). However it’s been a great experience working with the staff overall and I think that even if my future in eSports goes this far, I’ll always remember it.

The CompLexity Syndicate

aMies: I can’t really think of a best thing. I’ve been officially “on the staff” for about a year now and I have had the opportunity to run nearly every aspect of the organization including but not limited to coverage, events, photography, editing, writing, public relations. I was in the crowd during the CGS Draft, and in the war-room debating who to draft. There really isn’t much I haven’t done, except maybe play? Give it one more year, aMies will be on the roster.

fro: Hahaha... I kind of gave Jake the idea to get Bullseye which sort of backfired (if you were around back then you would understand). It wasn't the best idea, but it did go down in history I guess. Of course, everything I do for CompLexity is great (haha), so I can't pinpoint one thing. I guess the Bullseye thing was pretty big, though.

If you had to work for any other CGS franchise, who would you choose?
Peawok: As you likely guessed, I’d love to work for Mark Dolven again. He is a great GM who really knows his staff and players well. This isn’t an attack against Jake, but sometimes, with him being so busy, you don’t get to have great in-depth conversations. Mark Dolven and I sometimes had fifteen or twenty minute conversations about different things in eSports and gaming in general. If I can’t say Carolina, it would have to be 3D.NY because I live so close to there. If the players ever become local to their franchises hometown, I think I would be involved with 3D.NY.

Mark Dolven

aMies: If I had to work for any other CGS franchise I’d probably pass. It just wouldn’t be the same atmosphere. At compLexity we are used to working with the best fans as well as the most fans. I need that base and I honestly don’t feel as though another franchise would give me the same opportunity. If I did have to choose SOMETHING, I would probably go with some sort of position with the CGS itself. I'm not really a writer, so blogging is out of the question (Don't fear me Mike Luxion). I have always been a behind the scenes kind of guy so I'd probably be interested in an administrative position.

fro: None. The only reason I'm still in the gaming scene is because of Jason Lake.

What are the benefits you get from being a part of complexity?
Peawok: Well, it depends on what you mean by benefits. I’m one of the lucky ones as I get a monthly salary. It isn’t spectacular pay, but it’s nice to see – as my parents put it – the ‘gaming thing’ finally pay off. I also feel there are many other benefits. Working for the largest team in the country, being recognized here and there in pubs, pugs, and scrims, hopefully seeing places I might never get to see; all of that stuff. Staff that are not paid usually get some kind of prize after several months, like mouse pads or headsets.

Livin' large

aMies: Apart from working hand in hand with the legendary frozilla? That’s a hard question. Sure, I get the perks of fame and fortune but that’s nothing to the aMies. I think the best benefit that I get from being with compLexity is the ability to witness the smiling faces of our fans when we take another championship. But in all seriousness, I get a monthly salary, some coL gear, some gaming gear and the ability to research the problematic fungus of our adoring fans.

fro: Now that the CGS owns us we get reimbursed for our duties (writing, editing, ect). We get free products from Steel Series as well, and we get to go to major LANs (like the draft and season) for nearly free, just pay your plane ticket and you're there!

That's all for this addition of Ask coLstaff! Leave your questions on this thread and Peawok, aMies, and a mystery coL member will answer them! We also want to quickly mention that positions are available. Jake wants to make the site even bigger, so we need more staff to keep up with the content.

nice questions, the main reason for me following the CGS and being from Europe (not the uk part) is Jake

I'm happy you guys can feel the "gaming finally pay off", cuz I'm waiting for this 4 years and it doesn't seems like it will for the next 4, so I think about quitting :<

Thanks for all your hard work ( especially amies ) because I deal w/ him every match night and he's always on top of things bringing coverage to you guys. Should be thanking him after every match that you enjoyed as well.

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Posted by: aMies

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