Hello and thank you for taking time off to do this interview – can you please introduce yourself to the norwegian community?                  

Hi, I’m Alessandro Avallone, 19 years old and I live in Andora, a small tourist town in Italy.

How did you first come into contact with computer games?

I’ve been playing games since I was really young, my dad bought me a Sega Master system when I was only 2 years old and after that I got all the others consoles out there and of course a computer.

At the age of 12-13 years I got my first internet connection and I started playing Quake III Arena just for fun; one day I read about a tournament in Italy where the best players were competing for money so I went there and I was shocked to see so many people competing and having fun. After that, thanks to different friends and the support of my parents, I started playing in different competitions in Italy to get better and shortly after I managed to qualify for the World Cyber Games 2002, in Korea, which was my first very professional tournament.

Hailing from Italy, a nation not known to have many gaming stars, how hard was it for you to evolve as a player and to reach the top level of competition?

Well I have to say that it was really hard. Most of Italy was not even equipped with fast cable connections such as dsl (we still dream cable/fiber connections) so I had to practice only with ISDN 64k connection which was really bad and of course not good enough to practice outside Italy; there were only few “important” LANs every year and most of the people couldn’t attend bootcamps.

During my quake3 career  I spent most of my time on practising, school and soccer; only when painkiller came out I dedicated myself to it 100%, with bootcamps every month outside Italy with good players and looking back to it afterwards I’d say that I made the right decision.

Research shows that you have been considered an electronic sports superstar since you were 15 years old and the youngest participant at the World Cyber Games that year – can you please tell us a little bit about how you got there at that age?

Well my training for WCG started in 2001, when I went to Milan (at SMAU) for the WCG 2001 qualifier. I was already practising quite often at that time, but I was only 14 and I didn’t get invite for the qualifier because most of the people didn’t really know me and they didn’t do an open tournament but an invite only one. So I went there with all my stuff, hoping that they would let me play in the tournament, but unfortunately that was not the case.

All the players showed up so I had to sit outside and watch the games....so when the tournaments finished I made a promise to myself that 1 year from that point I would play in that tournament and win. So I started training hard for the whole winter and 1 year later I managed to win the qualifier and fly to Korea ;).                                                                                          

You have succeeded in every game you have played competitively – what do you think is the reason for this? ¼thus far which has been your favourite game?

Probably because I’ve been playing so many games ever since I was really young, so I guess I can learn pretty fast and adapt my game style in the game.

My first favourite game is probably quake3, because it was my real first “multiplayer” game, I spent a lot of time playing it (3.5 years) and I got to know so many nice friends.

How do you practice before a big tournament?                   

I always do bootcamps before big events, it’s the most important thing if you want to go to a tournament prepared.

I usually play around 5-6 hours a day, watch some demos, eat healthy food and so forth.

Of course mental preparation is important too , so sometimes it’s better to take some time off, relax and think about How to play ,what to do, etc.

Thus far which has been your greatest moment in gaming and which do you consider your darkest?

I had a lot of great moments, the first one is when I won the WCG 2002 qualifier in front of the people that were cheering for me and my family, then The final at ESWC 2004, The CPL World Finals last year and of course winning the first WSVG stop this year.

My darkest moment was probably during the CPL World Tour  last year when I was in great shape during practice but I couldn’t perform well during the actual tournament and as a result got a 5^th place at several stops.                                               

How does the 1on1 scene compare to the 5on5 scene in terms of competitiveness – are you friends with your opponents and hang out at events, or do you prefer to keep your distance?                

I guess most of the 1on1's people are friend with each other, they usually hang out together after tournaments and have fun, often joined by counter-strike players :)

You are currently one of the ”F” players – can you explain a little bit about how that works out as Jonathan ”Fatal1ty” Wendell is one of your opponents but technically also a sponsor? Would you consider taking a ”dive” in a tournament, like we see often with the drivers in the same team in Formula 1, if the organisation called for it?

Free Players is not a real team but more like an group/organization,sponsored by the fatal1ty brand.

Me an John have been friends since a long time and last year during the World Tour this idea came up and I was just waiting for something like this and I didnt have any doubts in taking part of it ; anyway, regarding your actual meaning of the question, no I'd never consider taking a dive, we are professional players and we all compete for be the best. We train together,we travel together but when it's up to compete then it's another story since all of us have the competitive feeling and there should not be rules like that in any way.

During one interview I compared the skills in Quake/Painkiller/Doom-esque games to Counter-Strike; ”CS requires a feel for the guns i.e recoil and movement while anyone playing 10 hours a day can learn the Quake/Painkiller/Doom-aim.” This is now an infamous statement within the community in Norway.

What do you think about that statement – any truth to that in your opinion?

I would say that games like Quake/Painkiller/Doom needs also more skills in movements, own strategy, way to aim with differents weapon, timings and so furth, while in counterstrike aiming,feeling for the gun and strategy are primary points.

I dont wanna make a big deal about this so let's just say that who practice alot and have talent can improve his game and become a good player in any game.

Obviously being a professional gamer has had an impact on your personal life. How do you handle your personal relationships in the midst of all the travelling, practice and media?

Gaming is my job and it's the only thing i have to focus on right now.

Family have always supported me since the start and my girlfriend is a gamer too so we travel alot together and she follows me at tournaments or during practice.

I'd say right now i'm handling my personal relations in a pretty good way and I never had big problems in the past.

How do you relate to fans of electronic sports; were you ever a fan before you became a star and did that help shape the way you are towards youngsters asking for autographs?

Who didnt have an idol before starting doing something? like a point that you had to reach for be like or better than him? I think it's great that when you got to a "good" level you can help other people and it's nice to have fans that look at you as their idol so you can also be more motivated to keep playing.

Throughout your career you have visited a vast number of locations, do you have a favourite?

I have been to so many nice places, but if I have to choose I'd say Brazil and Singapore are amazing! :)

Do you see gaming as a part of your life after you quit competing? (i.e do you expect to work in the industry etc?)

I can see myself working in the industry after I quit gaming, even so, you never know what the future will look like :)

How do you handle pressure? Obviously it comes with the job, but most top players have their own way of coping with it – what’s your secret?

I always try to be calm and just play my game.

No one in game can fly, which means that i should not worry to play an alien or someone that is going to do crazy stuff, but he will be just as the other players, maybe smarter, maybe with better aim .. so i just have to play my game,be focus and try to dont make mistakes.

If you are an established gamer, either in 1on1 or 5on5 – is there a fundemental difference in approach to those two formats or do you feel that

if you put your heart into it you could be just as successfull in a team game?

I've been playing team games alot and i really enjoying playing them with a team because i think it's alot of fun and it brings greats moments that you can share with your friends; it's really important to have good coordination between your team mates and it's really important to dont forget that you are not playing alone.

You cant win by yourself, especially if the other team have better tactics and position, but you can surely make the difference in some important moments of the match.

I'd say that if there will be big team competition then I'll also practice and play in team tournaments

While Norway has succeeded in Counter-Strike we have yet to see a dominating player in the 1on1 circuit. Do you have any experience with Norwegian players and what is the reason for the country not achieving anything in those games when there are so many capable 5on5 players from Norway?

The only norwegian player I actually played was plaZma which is/was one of the best cod/cod2 players. I believe he was doing pretty good, but I guess he stopped playing and went back to Call of Duty.

I dont really know why there are no "big" norwegian names in the 1v1 scenes, maybe because they are not alot of players playing 1v1s or just because there have no motivation in playing since they might need a sponsor and they dont have one.

It's a hard question :)

In closing; if you could mentor a young, up and coming player – what kind of advise would you give?

I'd tell him to keep trying, never give up and follow his dream.One day he could be one of the new champion.

Thank you for doing this interview – it’ll help the 1on1 scene in Norway I’m sure J

FATAL1TY ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ALESSANDRO "STERMY" AVALLONE AS F-PLAYER™ Free Players Organization Adds Top Ranked Player to Group Prior to CPL World Tour Finals in New York City

(Woodland Hills, CA, November 17, 2005)

Grapatin who has become an integral part of the growing FPO organization.

"Auravision and I have been carefully looking for the right opportunity to bring on a quality player with lots of potential and commitment,"

said Wendel. "stermy represents the perfect player to join our group."

stermy was equally excited with this new association. "I’ve been an admirer of Fatal1ty and all he’s done for gaming as well as the partnership he’s put together with Auravision," commented stermy. "This relationship will bring my pro game to the next level and open doors to genuine business opportunities."

This alliance takes effect immediately, in advance of the CPL World Tour Finals, to be held in New York City commencing November 20th. Fatal1ty, Zen and stermy will all be competing as Free Players for the first prize worth $150,000.

About Alessandro "stermy" Avallone

Alessandro "stermy" Avallone began his gaming career in 2001 when he started training for the World Cyber Games Italian Qualifier. One year later, at age 15, stermy won the qualifier and got the chance to compete with the very best at the World Cyber Games Finals in Korea, making him the youngest player to have participated in the World Cyber Games at that time.

stermy played Quake III until 2004, demonstrating remarkable skills and earning a reputation as one of the best 1 vs. 1 players in Europe. He then started playing PainkilleR, the newest FPS Game, and finished 2nd in the Electronic Sports World Cup in France, confirming him as one of the top PainkilleR players in the world.

During 2005, Alessandro participated at all nine stops of the inaugural CPL World Tour, giving him the opportunity to compete with the very best, at interesting locations around the world. stermy, presently ranked number four in the world, emerged as one of the most consistent players on the CPL World Tour and, with his open and friendly demeanor, is one of the tour’s favorite stars. For more information visit

About Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel

Johnathan first got involved in tournaments when he heard about CPL’s

Frag3 Tournament that took place in October 1999. He won third there and was invited to represent the USA in Stockholm two weeks later where he won undefeated, winning all 18 maps against the top players in the world. He has continued to dominate competitions all over the world, including The United States, Singapore, Korea, Brazil, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, and Russia.

He won the CPL Pentium 4 Winter Championship playing Unreal Tournament 2003, a victory which made him three time CPL Champion of the Year

About Auravision, Inc.

Auravision is a pioneer in the field of personal interface devices and has literally changed the way consumers and business professionals look at the computer workstation. With its first introduction of an illuminated keyboard utilizing EluminX® technology, Auravision continues to lead the way in developing new computer peripherals and consumer electronic technologies designed to enhance the user’s experience.

Auravision is the master licensor for Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel, the world’s leading gamer and three-time World Champion from the Cyberathlete Professional League. Leading companies have signed agreements to bring innovative products to market carrying the Fatal1ty brand in order to meet the needs of a growing gaming lifestyle. A number of products with the Fatal1ty brand are already in the marketplace.

For more information on Auravision and its EluminX technology, visit

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