Since the beginning of Call of Duty 4’s competitive endeavor on the MLG GameBattles network, one team has quickly and distinctively set themselves apart from the masses. Through the use of countless hours of practice, key recruitment policies, and a plethora of self-discipline, they have made their reign over the community brutally apparent.

As you may have assumed, we’re talking about Team Fear. Directly after being crowned champions of MLG’s first Call of Duty 4 Online Tournament A, they went on to duplicate the feat by winning the Online Tournament B as well. Multiply these two accomplishments with becoming GameBattles’ inaugural Fall Season champions and you undoubtedly have the most successful Call of Duty 4 clan currently in existence.

In light of their overwhelming success, we sat down with Team Fear to find out what exactly makes them tick.

 

GameBattles: First off, congratulations! Tell us about how you first got involved with MLG/GameBattles.

Moho: We have been competing on GameBattles since day one, trying our best to get to the top of every ladder we’ve participated in. When MLG acquired GameBattles, we had already heard about them from Halo and have always been anxious to compete in a game they support.

 

GB: Moho, give us a quick run-down on how the team originally formed.

Moho: In the beginning of Call of Duty 4, Team FeaR was formed by me, Brydogg, Luffy, and Choppy. We had some issues from the start and ended up recruiting three of the best players in the game - Punisher from sL and Assassin and Jumbalia from Unreal Talent.

 

GB: In your own opinions, name one your favorite things about being a member of Team Fear.

Choppy: Well, for me, I enjoy the fact that everyone is very dedicated to the cause. Considering how long we’ve been together, it’s great to know the clan will not be splitting up anytime soon. We are just a great group of friends who happen to work well together.

Moho: My teammates. All of them are great gamers and I know I can rely on them in all kinds of different situations.

Assassin: I think it’s great to know that our individual skills are good enough to clutch it at any given moment.

Jumbalia: We are all friendly players who originated from Call of Duty 2, even though we all come from different clans. I like the fact that we have a lot of knowledge about the CoD style which makes it very easy to play together

 

GB: Let’s talk about Online Tourney A for a moment. Before the competition started, were you confident you could go all the way?

Moho: We were definitely confident. Before it started, we dedicated a lot of time practicing and playing top teams, knowing that if we played the top teams we would be prepared for anything that came our way.

Choppy: Not only us, but a lot of other people thought that we could take it all the way, too. About halfway through the tournament, though, we started to slack. After noticing it, we started to play as though everyone was rooting against us, instead of for us. It worked out pretty well, too.

 

GB: Tell us a little bit about this practice schedule then. How much practice are we talking here and, more specifically, what did you practice the most on?

Moho: Our practice schedule revolved around everyone’s school schedule. Once everyone got home from school, we played as many scrims as we could against every single top team. We also went over strategies on our own personal time to find nade spots and vantage points for every map that was selected for MLG.

 

GB: Whom would you credit as giving you your toughest match throughout Tourney A?

Punisher: I think I speak for everyone when I say 3rd Degree was by far the toughest competition we had throughout the tourney. They were the only team to take maps on us. They went up two maps to zero on us, which forced us to step up our game.

 

GB: Did the pressure of knowing money was on the line each week affect the team?

Jumbalia: Overall, we play Call of Duty for fun. Even with money on the line, we didn’t let it affect our game.

Choppy: Not really. We just played our game as if it were any other match, and tried to block the money aspect out of our heads. Thinking about the money would have forced us to play a game we’re not used to playing.

Assassin: I think the money came into play more when we were practicing rather than when we were actually playing matches. It was great motivation to get on every night and practice our hearts out.

Moho: Not at all. Team FeaR has been around since 2001, and has been in numerous situations with money on the line. When it comes to pressure, I wouldn’t want to be on any other team.

 

GB: Did winning Online Tournament A give the team a boost in confidence for Tourney B?

Punisher: Definitely. Assassin and I were the only players to play in both Tourney A and B and, for us, it was a huge boost in confidence.

 

GB: Changing focus towards Online Tournament B, what was your toughest match throughout that tournament?

Punisher: We feel that the competition in tourney B was nowhere near close to the competition in tourney A.

GB: That’s understandable, but did anyone even give you a fight?

Punisher: Honestly, no and that’s the truth.

Moho: The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

Choppy: So help you god.

Team: (laughs)

 

GB: Throughout both tournaments (A & B), what sticks out in your mind as your most memorable experience?

Moho: Oh, there are so many!

Jumbalia: Assassin and I carrying Xclusive and Punisher against DS in the finals!

Choppy: (laughs) NOT!

Punisher: For me, one of the most memorable moments was when we were playing 3rd Degree on Downpour. It came down to Choppy and I in a 2v4 situation, and we still somehow pulled out the W.

Moho: We were playing against sL on Strike SnD and were down 3-1 in map count. I told my team we are NOT losing. It must have worked, because from there we came back to win 4-3 and it felt amazing!

Choppy: For me, it was the feeling I got when we won it all. Such an adrenaline rush!

 

GB: Online Tournament C has just recently kicked off. Although you’re not participating, who do you think has the best shot of winning?

Moho: In my opinion, 3rd Degree has the best shot of winning.

GB: Everyone agree?

Choppy: Yeah. Although 3rd Degree is overlooked by many, I believe they have great teamwork and can easily win it all.

 

GB: And finally - the $3,600 question. What are your plans for the money?

Moho: My plans are to save the money and use it toward traveling to MLG events if I decide to play Rainbow Six Vegas 2.

Jumbalia: I’m thinking of buying a McDonalds near my house and have LANs there every weekend!

Team: (laughs)

Punisher: I plan to buy stuff for my new car.

Choppy: Well, if I can somehow find a Wii, I’m going to buy that and Super Smash Bros Brawl. Other than that, I’m going to use it for my own personal pleasure, such as buying cookies!

 

GB: (laughs) All right, guys, thanks for your time and best of luck in the future!