Interview with Call of Duty Player, MadCat

Here is an interview with Dylan Daly, also known as TMC or MadCat, from the Call of Duty Xbox 360 scene. In this interview he spoke to us about how and where his competitive gaming career started, also he tells us what events he has attended, his placements at some events and what he thought of them.

We also have a brief chat about Black Ops 2 and what he thinks it will do for competitive Call of Duty.

Ok Dylan, if you don't mind me asking, where did the gamertag MadCat originate?

MadCat: It came from me being ‘mad’ on Xbox, when I first came to Decerto someone said "you’re a madcat" I thought it was a good GT so I went for it.

 

My first main question is, where did competitive gaming start for you?

MadCat: In terms of minor level, I started around season 2 on Cod4 on playing Gamebattles with a school team. Major level was around the middle of Black Ops where I came to Decerto and my first LAN event was ECL3 summer 2011.

 

So since ECL3, what LANs have you attended?

MadCat: Since ECL3 I've been to 3 events, EGL4 where I came 6th, EGL5 where I came 2nd and most recently EGL7 where I came 2nd again.

 

Out of these four events, which one would you say was the best and why?

MadCat: I would say they all were really good in terms of competition and the laughs I've had but overall EGL7 was the best due to playing 9 games back to back in the loser bracket to get to the grand finale. Also the fact we had 2 weeks practise which was an awful lot less than the rest of the top European teams and the two NA teams which attended.

 

Since ECL3, I know myself you have teamed with different teams and players, can you please list the teams you have been in and the best player who you have played with?

MadCat: ECL3 New Breed (Me, Doddy, Joshh, Ferluff)
EGL4 Imperial.2 (Me, Momo, Joshh, Marc)
EGL5 western Wolves (Me, Tobi, Mak, Blackk)
EGL7 SK.Dominance (Me, Tobi, Blackk, Joshh)
I'd say the people who I enjoyed playing with the most were Momo, Joshh, Tobi and Blackk also i speak to them a lot outside of the game and have a laugh and the events competing with them has been really good and love them all.

Looking at your previous LAN achievements, we can see you’re a top player, but why is it that you never have a team prepared for LAN events and pick up a few weeks before?

MadCat: Some would say attitude others would say out of game behaviour. Personally I think it’s a bit of attitude and a bit of bad luck, obviously knowing my attitude isn't the best I am trying my hardest to get it to scratch. Hopefully for Black Ops 2 I will have a team for quite some time that will achieve big things.

 

Do you think you will have a team sorted for EGL8, or just pick up a few weeks before?

MadCat: Looking at the team situations I think it will be a pickup team however if there are upsets at iSeries, I can see team changes happening where I can jump in and have a team for the event.

 

You mentioned Black Ops 2 earlier, what are your expectations for this and do you think the European console side of eSports will grow with this game?

MadCat: I think the whole of eSports will grow not just the European side, Hastro and the team have made the game to make eSports grow which is a huge step up. I think the game will be really good and hopefully will take skill for once unlike the recent titles. Hopefully MLG support the growth of Call of Duty and introduce it to the circuit, so we European players can play against all the NA teams not just two.

So would you be willing to travel to America to play some LAN events?

MadCat: I will be more than willing if I have a prepared team and the financial funding to get over there.

 

Moving away from Black Ops 2, what has been the best Call of Duty you have played and why?

MadCat: Black Ops mainly because it’s where I started getting a name in the scene, it made Call of Duty bigger in eSports and it was a really good game to play at LAN. Modern Warfare 3 is my most achieved but I haven't had as much fun playing it as it’s a very poor game.

 

So as you are a well achieved player on MW3 and Black Ops was your favourite, should we be expecting big things from you on Black Ops 2?

MadCat: I hope so but I don't want to go overboard and go over the top before the game is out.

 

Also will we be seeing a more settled and quieter MadCat at LAN events in the future?

MadCat: After calming down in game at EGL7 I found it better to play so yes I will be quieter at LAN as I find it more relaxing to play and personally I play better with better communication.

Finally any shout out’s before you go?

MadCat: First of all a big shout out to Josh Tobi Ellis and Zak. Shout out to Ryder, Dinge, Lyle, Melo and everyone I talk to, also shout out to everyone I have teamed with in the past.

 

Well thanks for taking the time out to talk to me and good luck in the future, hopefully I’ll get another interview with you after EGL8.

MadCat: Thanks for having me and doing an interview.