Stizzy Talks Moving to NA and Reflects on Split Performance
During his first split in NA with Dignitas, Stizzy talks about the second half of the RLCS season and hopes for the future.
During his first split in NA with Dignitas, Stizzy talks about the second half of the RLCS season and hopes for the future.
After a strong start in the first split of the 2023-24 RLCS season, Dignitas brought on a new talent, Gaspar "stizzy" Rosalen Andre, to support the existing roster of Tshaka “Arsenal” Lateef Taylor Jr, Jordan “Evoh” Manley, and Jirair “Gyro” Papazian. We were able to talk with Stizzy about his shift to NA, performances with Dignitas over the last split, and his hopes for the future of his career.
Hey, Stizzy! Congrats on finishing your first split in NA with Dignitas! This split, you not only started with new teammates but shifted into a new region as a player originally from EU. How was the transition from EU to NA for you, both in terms of gameplay and team environment?
Stizzy: The first time playing in NA was hard for me, because it was a new playstyle. It’s weird to play in a new region because the usual plays are different. We tried our best and, honestly, I think we did very well. I feel like the gameplay is slower in NA than in EU. In Europ,e the players go more directly for the ball whereas in NA they play at a slower pace. Also, the mentality in ranked is different. In Europe, it’s like all the players are trying their best… it feels like NA players are playing more for fun.
The NA environment is definitely different, and it looks like you only got better as you adjusted. Between the 4th and 5th Open Qualifiers, Dignitas went from just barely missing top 16 to nearly making top 4 in a close game 7 against Spacestation Gaming. What part do you believe you played in that improvement?
Stizzy: In that regional series against SSG, we almost won that series. It was an unlucky game seven, we didn’t play too well in that game, but we played well overall in that series. I think it was a mentality change. We started to work harder for the second qualifier of the split than for the first, and I think that showed in our results. I did really well individually. I worked so hard over the past split with Dignitas, and as a team we worked very hard for our results.
Between these two qualifiers, you also swapped teammates, with Gyro subbing in for Evoh. How was the adjustment between these two rosters?
Stizzy: Gyro played very well in the last two qualifiers. He plays very well with everyone, and he definitely made us play better. Our playstyle with Evoh was harder to execute because we didn’t have that same chemistry with him.
After a full split in each region, let’s talk about the big teams in each region. In your first split, in EU, which team was your favorite to play against? Similarly, in your second split, in NA, which team did you most look forward to playing?
Stizzy: In Europe, my favorite team to play was Karmine Corp. I really enjoyed playing against them, they play very well. My favorite team in NA… I’m not sure because I’ve only played a few Regionals, so I don’t really have a favorite yet. Maybe NRG, I’ve played a few times against NRG and have enjoyed those series.
On the flipside, what teams in each region were the most troublesome for you to play, in your opinion?
Stizzy: In EU, Karmine Corp. In NA, definitely G2.
After experiencing both regions, for the next season, where are your sights set? Do you plan on continuing in NA, or is a return to EU still in question?
Stizzy: I want to keep playing in NA. I really enjoyed it, and I think I can be a top player in NA. I can be really good, and I want to keep playing with Dignitas for the next season in NA.
What’s your favorite thing about being in NA over the past split, RLCS-related or otherwise?
Stizzy: I am in Canada right now, but I am working on my visa, so I will be in the United States soon. In terms of RLCS, being in NA was very enjoyable. I met new people and now I have experience competing in another region. Playing with Dutch players or English players, for example, is a very different experience than playing with NA players.
Now for our last question. We’ve seen a lot of unpredictability, such as with Karmine Corp missing a main event in EU, and predictions everywhere seem to be going awry. Based on how the season has been going, what are your predictions for the London Major and Worlds?
Stizzy: For the next LANs, I think anybody could win. Any of the top 4 EU teams could win. In Rocket League, anything could happen, but I still think an EU team will win the major. I think Oxygen could make a really great major run.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to see great things out of you next season. For our interested readers, where can they find more of you?
Stizzy: I’ll shout out my Twitter, @StizzyRl.