All About Mint #2 : Idols

Posted by: xilef

The second installment in the "All About Mint" article, this week we have decided to ask the players about their role models. Who provides the inspiration for the best players in the UK, and what do they take from them into their game? This week we asked London Mint:

Who do you consider your hero, or role model, either in or outside gaming?

CS:Source Squad

Henry "HenryG" Greer - SkreaM

The person I am going to talk about is not really an Idol to me but someone i really respect and look up to, He is a music producer and works in the genre of 'dubstep'. A lot of people probably haven't ever listened to any dubstep before as it is only now getting recognised as a truly respected electric music genre.

Skream (born Oliver Jones in West Wickham, Bromley) is a 21 year-old dubstep producer based in Croydon.One of dubstep's first and most prominent producers, he has played an important role in the genre's development. He has now played all over the world and is one of the biggest names in dubstep and really sets the bar.

I have always been into drum and bass and this is really how I first heard his work. I was at a drum and bass gig down at my university (Portsmouth) and people were telling me that 'Skream' was supporting and would be on before the bigger producers. I was blew away when I heard his first track and couldn't get enough of the bass his music afflicted on my ears. Ever since then i have been listening to as much dubstep as possible and it really has equalled my love for drum and bass.

Although this is really not related to gaming, I love the fact that he started in his bedroom and made it to be one of the biggest names, and really shows that even when you start with nothing, the right vision and perseverance you can achieve anything.


George "HudzG" Hoskins - Various

Through my life there have been alot of people that have stood out for me and that I have looked up to. I really look up to the people with extreme sucess storys from starting with nothing to building up and having everything even when things look grim. I admire people like this because it takes extreme dedication and persistence to achieve and its something I think I have learnt from these type of people to keep going with things. I think however if I had to choose a role model outside of gaming it would be my family and grandfather, my family have always been persistent and not quitters and that really rubbed off on me and my grandfather taught me never to give up on things as whenever he started something it always had to be finished to perfection and I really admired that.

In gaming my role model would have to be heaton as cs is the first game I really took professionally and I remember just sitting watching his movies and demo's in awe because really him and potti were the two people who showed insane teamwork and aim and really set the bar in gaming for me not only that they always showed professionalism and were fun characters to watch something I like to think Ive carried over to my career. I know it sounds weird but thats just how it is for me something im not afraid to say.


Lewis "Hughsy" Hughes - Thierry Henry

Having played football since I was very young at a good level, this was the time that I stayed with my dad and this was how I was introduced to counter strike. I played only on the weekends after I had my weekly training and football match. Being a big fan of Arsenal FC it was likely that my idol would come from the club, and it is none other than the legend that is Thierry Henry.

The year 1999 when Thierry joined Arsenal it was here where he made himself known as a world class footballer and I to this day believe it was his impact that made Arsenal one of Europe's best teams. I compare myself to him because he is such a team player and the fact that he was made captain after Patrick Viera left proves this. Being inspired by Thierry made me who I am today when it comes to Counter Strike because I like to make an impact on anything I do and be a team player and this is why I believe Counter Strike suits me.

Richard "Ritch" Gibbs - Eminem

Outside of Gaming, my role-model has to be Marshall Mathers(better known as Eminem). It's all about the fact he speaks his mind and lets no-ones opinion on him, affect anything he does. He has gone lengths in his career and his life. From being an ordinary kid to turning into a world wild famous musical artist then extending this into being a great actor. He has extreme determination and believes in never giving up when theres something you want really badly, which to me is a brilliant feature to have about yourself.

Tom "Chenery" Chenery - Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima

Back when I played football a lot, he was my all time idol, the way he could easily go past any defender and won the golden boot twice in a row in the world cup just inspired me to learn the skills he showed and try to be as good as him, he was confident and had so much flair it just made him a pleasure to watch. I try to interpret this into my style of play in css, I believe i play with a lot of flair (bunnyhopping etc) and hopefully its fun to watch me play!:)

Forza 2 Squad

Nick "nt_101" Townsend - Nicholas Cage

I don't really have one to be honest, but if I was to choose one, it would have to be Nicolas Cage, hes an awesome actor that really understands each character he play's (e.g. Castor Troy/ Sean Archer in Face off). This allow's him to perform really well in front of the camera, helping to make the movie what it was.

His performance's are always consistently strong, even if the script can be rather dodgy, with his movies you don't tend to feel let down after you leave the cinema, helpings to emphasise how strong his performance is on screen.

Hopefully I can bring this kind of presence to the Mint team, in order to firstly beat Salvo and then hopefully take on the rest of the world.

Steven "Stune" Embling - Kazunori Yamauchi

Kazunori Yamauchi is one of my biggest role models. He is the lead designer of the Gran Turismo series. It’s fair to say the original Gran Turismo changed the face of racing simulators forever, forming the birth of an entire new sub genre. It wouldn’t even be an exaggeration to say that the game I play today, Forza Motorsport 2, probably wouldn’t exist today without the inspiration of Gran Turismo. As a keen student of Computer Games Design (studying a degree and Staffordshire University) I can not only admire his work from a player’s perspective, but also that of a future designer (hopefully).

Dead Or Alive 4 Squad

Avtar "Paddaman" Padda - Paddaman

While, I have been influences by many famous figures, the first I will mention is a historical one. In the days where a bow and horse were the pinnacle of military engagements, Genghis Khan was the renowned emperor of Mongolia who combined these components, the resulting potent mix of mobility and lethality was used to maximum effect in securing his vast empire and place in history. Although, it is difficult to understand how military warfare ties in, when looking at Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” you can see how the theories used to gain an advantage over your opponent or outwitting your enemy has relevance in many current aspects such as politics and business, in fact most if not all forms of competition today can take something away from this, including eSports.

From the modern day icons, however, I would have to say Derren Brown. I take particular interest in his manipulation of psychological influences, considering I compete in a medium, which pits against each other the mental abilities of its participants. Finally, I would like to mention Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose talent to hype up the crowd can only be admired in a sports entertainment setting.

Nevertheless, I would like to declare that I never have nor ever will have a central idol or role model. It is often better to tread your own path, than live in the shadows of someone else’s, to leave your own unique footprint on the world, so that one day someone else may see a role model in you.


Ruth "Strobe" Harrison - Nelson Mandela

Ive never really had a hero or role model while growing up. Im inspired by a number of people for a multitude of reasons which generally relate to either my own experiences, interests or beliefs.

But of them all, I'd have to go with Nelson Mandela. I think hes fascinating, both as a person and a politcial figure. He feels very strongly in what he believes (and isnt afraid to discuss it) and he will do anything within his power to attain his goals. Despite what he has been through during his long career, nothing has phased him or discouraged him to keep on fighting and he hasnt forgot himself along the way.



FIFA 08 Squad

Chris "ChrisyB" Bullard - David Beckham


My idol is David Beckham, Someone who has been able to represent his country for many of years. Not only as captain but as one of the top celebrities in the United Kingdom. I think he's someone everyone has admiration for and just looks up to, even his team mates look to him for inspiration and when it matters he always delivers. I think he got where he is today from simply practicing hard with the addition of Raw Talent. Even today he can just pick up the ball and create a goal from anywhere on the pitch by the quality of a pass, or even score the odd goal himself. To me, David Beckham is a prefect example of someone who is a great leader in many ways than one.