Interview with Deficio's Girlfriend, Sarah
Interviews

7 Jan 19

Interviews

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Interview with Deficio's Girlfriend, Sarah

Deficio's girlfriend Sarah tells us about his career and their relationship

Martin 'Deficio' Lynge qualified for the first LCS split in Europe with the Copenhagen Wolves, later becoming Ninjas in Pajamas. After 2 splits in the LCS Deficio decided to retire from professional play. He then joined the EU LCS casting team for 2014 and has remains on the team today. His girlfriend Sarah has supported him through his entire career and in this interview tells us a bit about his time in the LCS and her experiences in esports.

How did you two first meet, and what led you two to start dating?

Sarah: I was studying journalism and wanted to make my final exam about esports. I came in contact with Copenhagen Wolves and talked to their manager (back then it was Deficio). We set up an interview with the former ad carry TheTess whom I was going to do a portrait of. We started talking online before the interview and got to know each other. By the time I did the portrait in January 2013 and we met, we pretty much started dating.

Wow so you guys have been dating through his entire pro career. What was it like supporting him while he was a pro player, especially when the scene was so young?

Sarah: At first I did not know what it was going to be like since I had just started in the esports scene. He was practicing every day from at least noon to midnight when they joined the LCS. Since I joined the CW organization during the spring split 2013 I was almost there every single weekend for the LCS to support him and his team while doing work. In that way we could balance the relationship by seeing each other "after work" but also doing things together involving the games and such. I must admit it was hard having a newly in love relationship with such a busy schedule, but we still managed to be together quite often.

What was the transition from pro player to caster like for you guys? Did it make it easier to see each other?

Sarah: When he became a caster he moved to Cologne to settle there since he did not have to live in a gaming house or on the road. I moved in with him when I finished my degree last summer first in Cologne and now in Berlin. The working hours were more settled and he was not working until midnight every day, so I would say we got a more normal everyday life after he became a caster.

In the beginning of his caster career he had to improve his English and learn how to cast, so he spent a lot of hours on improving that. He had English lessons and vocal coach so at some point we only spoke English to each other at home so he could get more familiar with speaking it all the time. He is still using a lot of time on VODs and so on, so I try to help where I can and give feedback on his casting if it sounded good, boring etc.

Was the decision to move from pro player to caster hard for him?

Sarah: No, it was his own choice to stop as a pro player and was looking into other possibilities. It was a part of his transition into esports that he would go from pro player to something else at some point. When he got the chance to help at Worlds season 3, he got the interest for casting.

What do you think the most important thing you've done or do to support him in his career as either a player or caster?

Sarah: When he moved to the caster job he got more of an "office job", since they have specific call times and so on. But it is still odd working hours from day to day and they travel a lot. We have to be more flexible at home to adapt to his working hours and it is not always possible to attend events at home in Denmark because he has to work and can't really take days off during the season.

By events I mean things like my sister's 18th year b-day and my mom's wedding.

Did your relationship with him encourage you to do more journalism work in esports or were you already pretty set on doing that?

Sarah: I started doing work in esports even before I met him. I started out as a journalist for a Danish website called esport.dk, I was then offered a job at Copenhagen Wolves to help making content, do social media and help the players. Since then I have done some journalist work now and then while I have balanced it with my full time job.

I would say I might have been encouraged more to show my experiences for fans and so since I have a foot into the esports scene and some behind the scenes insight.

That’s interesting, a lot of pro's girlfriends have said they don't have much interactions with fans. How do you interact with them?

Sarah: From my Copenhagen Wolves times I made a Twitter to show some behind the scenes pictures and not only the normal "publicity" stuff. Since then I have always been active during events with pictures and funny gimmicks. I recently also started my own esports blog, which shows my esports life. I for example post pictures and stories from events I attend to show the fans a side of esports that they might not normally see.

And for those who cannot attend they are always able to check it out

Do you have a favorite event you’ve been to?

Sarah: My favorite event must be World finals season 4. I went to Seoul, Korea to watch the finals at the World Cup Stadium. I know Korea is known for the huge esports support, but I was so surprised when I entered the stadium. I had goosebumps. I was even so lucky to get a picture with Madlife! With that event and exploring the city it must be one of my best experiences so far.

You said you go to a lot of events, do you have any stories about you or him from one?

Sarah: I can share a few fun stories from the Copenhagen Wolves times. We were pretty close on the full Danish line-up back then. We have the same Danish humour (black humour as we call it). One day Svenskeren wants to come and chat in our hotel room, but what we did not know was that he showed up all naked, only covered by his CW cap.

He walked naked in the hotel hall way! I saw too much butt that night.

Any final remarks or shout outs?

Sarah: I don't have any shout outs but I have one more story:

At Summer Dreamhack 2013 we were at the Twitch after party. After a few drinks Froggen wanted us (Snoopeh, Yellowpete, Wickd and me) to do the Anivia dance with him. We had to start as an egg and then evolve into Anivia. It was all done to an electro song and I know someone recorded it. If that person is out and still has the movie let me know.

You can find Sarah on her twitter or blog for events news: Twitter Blog and Nightsend on his twitter for more interviews: Twitter

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