"I gave my first salary to my mom" - Interview with 16-year-old Yellow Submarine carry - bottega

We had the opportunity to interview the 16-year-old Yellow Submarine carry, bottega, who shared how he got started with Dota 2, how he was scouted by the BetBoom Team’s manager, his future aspirations, and much more.

Q: At CIS Battle you are yet to drop a map. How did you manage that?
A: The drafts are high-skilled, and basically, we can play with different heroes, including summoners, it's easy to play with them.

Q: How did you get acquainted with Dota?
A: My brother has been playing since 2014. When there was nothing to do, I watched him play and sometimes played myself.

Q: Why did you start actively playing Dota?
A: It was the only thing on the computer, and I saw him playing. That's all.

Q: Do you play Counter-Strike or other competitive games?
A: No, I don't play anything except Dota. It's a hassle. If I try a new game to play, I only enjoy it if I win. But to win in other games, you also need to grind a lot, rack up hours, and know the nuances. It's too long.

Q: How did your parents react to your desire to break into esports? Were there any problems?
A: No, my mom said it's okay. There's a salary – and that's good. It suits her.

Q: You're 16, how are things with your studies?
A: I'm studying in college, finished the first year and took an academic leave because it was difficult to combine studies and an esports career.

Q: How do teachers/classmates/groupmates react to your successes?
A: I think they didn't really see me. Probably don't even know who I am.

Q: What's more important, The International or Riyadh Masters?
A: TI, of course, 100 percent. It's much more prestigious. Every time I see someone lift that plate, I immediately understand that they are a Dota genius.

Q: Does the prize pool play an important role?
A: No, I play for fun.

Q: What would you like to achieve in esports before you turn 18?
A: Obviously, to get into Tier-1, I think that's the main thing.

Q: Which Tier-1 team seems ideal to you, which one would you like to join and why?
A: The BetBoom Team. I have great respect for the organization.

Q: How were you scouted for the first time? What emotions did you experience, who did you tell first and how did they react?
A: I was scouted by Lukawa when I wasn't at the top rank, somewhere around top-700 in Europe. Then I ranked up and was handed over to Korb3n's Yellow Submarine. When Luka wrote to me that there was an opportunity to get a salary and play Dota - it was a thrill. I immediately told my mom and asked if I could sign the contract.

Q: And what did she say, was there a serious conversation?
A: She said yes, she doesn't really care what I do.

Q: What would you choose, to win TI and end your career or never win TI but be in the top-3 for 5 years?
A: Never win TI, I wouldn't want to end my career at 16 laughs.

Q: Are there any carry players you look up to or have looked up to?
A: No, there wasn't anyone like that. I never followed pro-Dota so much to think: “Wow, this guy is high-skilled, I need to watch him.”

Q: Do you have any unusual signature heroes in your pool?
A: I can play carry Pudge, but they don't let me *laughs*. Sometimes you can have fun, we pick something for fun in pubs, and Pudge fits well.

Q: What did you spend your first salary on?
A: I gave it all to my mom, she needed to fix the car.

Q: How do you feel about your media presence? Do you like giving interviews, managing social media?
A: I don't have social media, but it's cool.

Q: BetBoom provided you with a new computer and devices. Tell us, what equipment did you have before, how much FPS did Dota run at?
A: I was playing as if I was on a microwave. I had a very small square monitor and a computer with a GTX 1050 graphics card, about 60 FPS. In fights it dropped to 30.

Q: You have already secured first place in the group, who would you like to meet, with 1win or Odium?
A: I think the strongest are 1win Team. We played pubs with Odium, basically, we can win. The 1win Team can also be beaten, but they are just stronger in individual skill each.

Q: Do you want to go further in the bracket or play against stronger opponents?
A: It's important that it's interesting, I think 1win Team are the main favorites.

Currently, bottega is ranked 180 on the European leaderboard. He and Yellow Submarine are participating in the CIS Battle, where the team advacned to the playoffs without dropping a single series in the group stage.