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This week ACL presents a “Rising Star” timeout special. Inmaniac catches up with Dirty, a Rising Star of the ACL community.
Hey there Dirty! For all the peeps out there who may not know you, give us the basics.
Dirty: Well my current Gamer Tag is AdR Dirty. My real name is Josh Arena, I’m 17 years old and my current team is Adrenaline. My favourite gametype is TS Amplified and I play 3 sensitivity, no vibe, Bumper Jumper.
Great, so kicking off with the real questions Dirty, when did you start gaming? When did you start playing Halo? And when did you start playing competitively?
Dirty: I began gaming pretty close to the date of Halo 3's release, which would be a few years ago now, and I started to play competitively around 12 months ago. Good old Sussy really introduced me to the community.
What do you know, same here. Looks like Sussy does some great things for the community (besides bringing hot chicks to LANs).
Dirty: Hahaha.
Most importantly, when did you notice that you were getting good at the game?
Dirty: I started to notice I was getting pretty good when I actually started to kill all the people I would play in customs with, as I used to be that guy to post pretty poor stats and get dominated. Also it helped that Sussy was willing to take me under his wing and give me a shot to prove myself as a good player.
So, as stated, the community has really noticed your gameplay stepping up a notch, especially at Sydney. You also currently stand 9th individually on ACL. Is there anything in particular that you've been doing to get better at the game and do you have any suggestions for the people out there looking for a Top 8 finish?
Dirty: One thing that I really think has helped is instead of spending all of my time just practising, I go through my game clips in Theatre, to see where I went right or wrong. It is important to go through films and look at your positioning on the map. I soon found out through those films that team work will always be the key to winning games. As for looking for Top 8 finishes, it takes more than practice and game review, it is really important to be comfortable on the team you’re in and also understand each of your team mates' play styles. As I said and everyone knows, it’s a team that gets victory, not one player. You also have to be willing to take criticism from team mates AND learn from it. And boy I’ve copped plenty from Az!
Speaking of your team, how long have you been with Adrenaline and what is the team’s history?
Dirty: Well Adrenaline is a fairly new team. We only formed a month or so after Round 3 when I had a chat with Az and we were then keen teaming with Braver and Stealthy as they were looking for two to attend Sydney. We were fairly confident on getting a Top 6 finish when we formed and were obviously happy securing 5th place.
So, after only one or so months worth of practice you boys at Adrenaline snatched fifth place!?
Dirty: Yes, that is correct.
Dirty pushed Adrenaline to achieve an amazing 5th place at ACL Sydney. Left to right: Az, Braver, Dirty, Stealthy.
Very impressive! That must give you guys a massive confidence boost leading up to Brisbane?
Dirty: Yeah it has actually. However, it’s only after finding a brilliant new fourth team mate in Haunted that we will be looking to turn some heads in Brisbane.
So a team change? Can you give us the scoop on what happened?
Dirty: Basically during and after Sydney we thought George (Stealthy) wasn’t going to take us up to the level we were looking for and at times lost confidence in himself to play well (which we all knew he could). So our next best alternative was Haunted BR, who was more than happy to be the new fourth for Adr.
Great stuff. So you guys will no doubt be playing in Round 4 to get some good practice in before Brisbane? Not to mention getting those tasty points!
Dirty: Yes we will be competing in Round 4 and we are currently on the lookout for a fourth as Haunted is unable to play. He is currently in Turkey! And yes the points will be oh so handy.
Well... it will definitely be interesting to see how Adrenaline really goes in Brisbane, seeing as there is a team change since Sydney and not being able to practice with your full team for round 4. Are you guys still feeling confident on a good place in Brisbane? And on that note, got any predictions??
Dirty: Yes we still practice with Haunted whilst he is still in Turkey so practice will not be the issue and yes we will be going to Brisbane with plenty of confidence! As for predictions... Hmmmm...
1. Fray
2. BBR (if they go)
3/4. BE or nR
5. TSW (if they go)
Ok, well we have to get onto this topic, it's almost protocol. Halo: Reach. We are all 99% sure that it will be adapted as ACL's new flagship title, however, what are your general thoughts on Reach? Will you continue playing? And most importantly, will you and Adr continue your dominance?
Dirty: Well, firstly, I’ll say this, I’m shocking at Reach and that’s a fact. So Adr will be looking for someone to backpack me (Az I’m looking at you!). I don’t see why Adr wouldn’t continue when Reach has arrived, it all depends on if Adr shall carry me across the line I suppose...
Not much of your famed confidence there?
Dirty: Truth hurts.
Fair enough. So Dirty, all this talk of LANs what about the people who don't go? What is the advantage of going to LANs and what are your thoughts on the XBL vs LAN debate?
Dirty: I believe XBL has absolutely nothing compared to the potential a player can have on LAN. Schmuttt for instance has one of the worst connections in Aus and because of it gets dominated on XBL, but, when the LANs come around he not only has the best trash talk at events but also destroys, regardless of who his opponents are. I simply believe XBL is a joke compared to LAN, but that is simply my opinion.
Ok Dirty, Shout Out time!
Dirty: Alrighty, first of all in no order:
Schmuttt for being an absolute top bloke and for consistently making me giggle every time you rage on XBL.
To the KAAB boys who are all top blokes and impressive players. Jay your snipe is like "What? How'd he do that?"
To the bE guys who are all amazing players but more importantly great blokes to talk to.
Sussy for introducing me and giving a shot on his team when I first came into the community.
My team mates of course for all being great blokes and teaching me new things all the time.
To all the staff at ACL, especially the man Vanz. Words can’t explain how much effort you boys put into the ACL community. It’s a great privilege to attend these LANs run by you guys.
And of course to my retired team mate Drockbottom who was not only a brilliant player and a good team mate but a great friend as well.
Oh and Inmaniac cheers for the interview.
Thanks for your time Dirty.
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