NFS: talking to sliver from aTTax!
 He was World Champion in 2004 and also two times European Champion in Need for Speed. Now he is on it to fight for the next title. His target, SEC 2008 Need for Speed Pro Street European Champion.
Is he able to beat some of the best drivers all of europe like Poland or the Netherlands? In our interview you can see how he is thinking about all those things and how he is preparing himself to get the maximum achievment, became European Champion.
1. Hi Niklas. Say, what kind of a car are you currently driving?
Currently, I’m driving an old Mercedes C-Class, still working on my 911 (grins).
2. As announced yesterday, you will yet again represent Germany during the Samsung Euro Championship. What are your goals in Hanover?
My goal for his year’s SEC will obviously be securing the SEC title for a third time. I’m going to focus all my attention on this goal and go to and beyond my limits, in order to get the title for Germany again.
3. What about the competition from other nations, what are you expecting?
Right now, unfortunately there isn’t all that much info on who will be participating or representing the other nations. The only thing I can say for certain is that my teammate Steffan from the Netherlands will be there and will be one of my toughest competitors. Apart from that I’m counting on a certain driver from Switzerland as well as the current European Champion from Poland to be there.
4. How was the switch to Pro Street for you? Rumor has it you were able to test this version one or two days in advance, is that true?
The switch to Pro Street was actually pretty easy for me, because I can use a racing wheel again, something I trained for with several compatible games like CMR Dirt and WTCC. I also had the fortunate privilege of traveling to Amsterdam with representatives of Team Germany to join the Kick-Off and play against the producers.
5. Which NfS-title, in your opinion, was the best so far?
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2!!! No doubt about it. The LAN-battles with the F360 Modena along the ultra cool ocean drives are unmatched to date.
6. It’s been a long time since you were declared World Champion during the WCG Grand Finals in 2004. Does it ever get on your nerves always being asked about it or hearing “then and now” comparisons?
It never really bothered me to begin with, but you really can’t compare the WCG 2004 to those of 2005 or 2006, because the requirements were so radically different. In 2004 I neither thought about the prize money nor did I feel any kind of pressure, what really made the playing itself a lot easier on me. 2005 and 2006 however there was an added pressure that I hadn’t experienced up to that point, even after several years in professional eSports, it still bothers me. Add to that, that you lose your light-heartedness and start only competing for the money, rather than for the joy of playing, like back in early 2004.
7. What are your goals in regard to the upcoming WCG Season, considering the Grand Final being in Germany?
Obviously, I plan on winning the WCG, just like I plan every year ( grins ). This year there are two major differences of course, compared to the years passed. One of those is of course the WCG being in Germany, which really motivates me to give it my best in front of my home audience, similar to the SEC.
The other thing being that starting May I have a huge break until my time at University starts, which really enables me to train harder than ever before. As long as everything is in order with the official WCG rules this year, i.e. no setups for individual cars, I have high hopes for finishing within the top 3 or even winning.
 8. What would you be willing to do for another gold medal at the WCG Grand Finals?
I would give it up to you… nah, just kidding. I would of course adjust my sleeping patterns according to my training schedule and possibly give up on private matters during the weekends, considering a realistic chance for the title.
9. What media value does a game like NfS have, compared to regular “shooters”? Are these kind of (racing) games easier to market?
NfS is, as seen by marketers, of course the perfect kind of game to advertise, whereas I have to admit that I have had to deal with contrary belief when confronted by high ranking politicians on how racing-games would encourage reckless driving in real life ( laughs ).
It is true though, that when people ask me what I play and I don’t reply with Counterstrike, there’s an obvious wave of relief in those people and suddenly they take a much more favorable stance towards the hobby, because sports games are generally seen to have the more “friendly” image.
10. The job of your dreams would be…?
Chief test-driver for Porsche, but sadly I’ll have to wait for Walther Röhrl to retire for that ( grins).
11. Last question: Who will be Formula 1 champion this year and why?
In any case Raikkonen, because he has much more experience than Hamilton and therefore has an advantage while driving the same car. But just for the record: Touring cars are much more exciting, at least they’re not afraid to put some strain on their paint-jobs ( grins ).
Thanks a lot and we’ll be seeing you at CeBIT.
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