NRG BeastMode: "I definitely do feel like a villain"

"The rest of NA has a lot of work to do"

Crowned world champions in Lyon last September, NRG return to France for the Rocket League Major in Paris (20–25 May) among the favourites. As was the case a few months ago, the American side will once again have to operate in hostile territory, with the other legitimate contenders for the title — Team Vitality, Gentle Mates, and Karmine Corp — all competing on home soil. The playoffs will indeed be played in front of 20,000 spectators at La Défense Arena, marking a first in RLCS history.

In an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, Landon “BeastMode” Konerman reflected on the team’s mindset heading into the event, with NRG determined to improve upon their Boston Major campaign, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals. The player also discussed the exceptional longevity of the trio he forms alongside Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi and Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski, as well as the current level of the North American region.

How are you feeling? What's going on through your mind right now?

Landon "BeastMode" Konerman: “Obviously, feeling good. I've been practicing a lot with the team. We’ve been here for about a week or so, so we’ve gotten used to the time zones and the areas and just being over here in general. It's been very lovely in the area, and the practices have also been going well. We've been taking it very seriously, taking every single practice with experience, and just making sure we get the most out of it. So it's been very fun and very nice.

Every time you went to majors, at least the last three, you've... ended as a semi-finalist, right? Have you taken some time to identify as well what was not necessarily going right in Boston, right, for example, and even like last year as well in the majors?

BeastMode: Absolutely. I think we need to talk more as a team, especially between matches. In the Boston Major, after we won against Karmine Corp, we kind of just thought we were going to win the entire event, and we didn't talk about Vitality or the extra teams that we were going to end up playing. Every team has its unique play styles and the way they play. And it's very important to remind ourselves what we want to do and what is best against each team. And that's something that we kind of learned playing against all these other teams, and then you know finishing third and fourth.

Do you feel like you have a good read on all the teams this time around, then?

BeastMode: Yeah, I would say so, especially since we're through the middle of the season. So obviously, there were a bunch of new teams, especially with Karmine, Vitality, and a bunch of new players mixing together. So new play styles would come together. We definitely have an eye for how they play.

If you qualify for the playoffs, you are going to be fighting in hostile territory. Is this something you feel like could affect the team at all, or do you have full confidence that you will revel in the booze of the crowd?

BeastMode: Yeah, I actually enjoy it. I think a lot of the team does as well. Playing in North America adds more pressure on us to do well. So when we're over here, the French teams and all the European teams have more pressure than we do. So we kind of feed off of that and just play freely, we focus on what we do. So I think we like it better. And obviously, the last time we were here was in Worlds in Lyon, and we did take the win there. We like it more as a team, and we're just very excited to play in front of the crowd.

You feel a bit like a villain because of what you did in Lyon last time?

BeastMode: A little bit, yeah. Last time we were here, we did win, so yeah, I definitely do feel like a villain.

Do you feel like you are coming into this tournament as the favorites?

BeastMode: I mean, I don't know. Every time we do poorly, the community rate us lower as we do, especially after the Boston Major. Certain teams like Vitality have our number, and I think we're one of the favorites. I don't think we are quite THE favorite. Obviously, the only thing we can do is prove them wrong and just try our best and play against all the teams.

And European teams always say that North America feels a bit like a one-team region. How do you feel about that statement?

BeastMode: I do agree. We're really the only team that has gotten top fours or finals in every single event. All the other teams either don't qualify for the playoffs or just make the top eight. So I definitely could see why they say that. Although I do think NA has some work with how they think, how they approach the game, and their mentality. I think European teams are very different. They are just much better in all aspects of the game. So the rest of NA has a lot of work to do.

For you, what does it mean to represent North America abroad? Have you ever even considered moving to Europe to pursue your professional career in a more developed environment?

BeastMode: Representing NA is obviously a big achievement. It's also always an amazing thing to see the fans, and it makes us very happy to see them all rely on us. Funny thing is, we actually have talked a couple of times if we ever want to move over here, just to practice and bootcamp. Either moving or coming over here for longer because the practice is just way better. The teams are just way better. The mentality is way better. Everything over here is just much more competitive, and every time we come over here, we learn a lot, and we realize how strong teams are. For example, in our scrimmages, we played against European teams, and it was very close. As soon as we went to a North American team, we beat them completely. So it's just a whole different level. And yeah, we definitely have conversations about it.

What do you think about your group in general? Do you have any opponents in particular you are excited to face?

BeastMode: You could definitely say that we have one of the easier groups in the tournament, and definitely, there are a lot more harder groups out there. The team that we're excited to play is Manchester City. They're a European team; they're used to the competitiveness over there. So obviously, we can't take any team lightly. We have to make sure we're at our best and playing with our full potential. Another thing is that we play in group C. If we do decide to top our bracket, which would be a fun match, show a lot of things to look forward. We're very confident and excited for the group.

Any players in those teams, in particular, that you are looking forward to?

BeastMode: Seikoo (Enzo Grondein). He's been here a long time. He's one of the best players of all time. For sure top 10, top 15 world. Obviously, always a good time to play with him. I think his teammates are rookies, if I'm not mistaken. So yeah, you just got to make sure we're fully focused and excited for all the matches and just all the players in general.

What's the perfect scenario for you in Paris this time around?

BeastMode: Obviously, win and cruise everything. That's not the case with us usually. We go to game seven so many times, always heart attacks for us as well. So definitely not a great time, but this time, just to be as dominant and full focus as we can. We’re just excited to play anyone and just play at a land, especially in France again.

One of the most commendable thing is that is the longevity of this roster. What do you think is the special element or the secret that lets you, as a trio, be able to be this consistent over this long?

BeastMode: It's a lot of things. The number one is how honest we are, and our friendship together. It's really hard to find people you enjoy playing the game with and not only enjoy playing the game with, but also just being friends. Another thing is a lack of mentality and a lack of work ethic from NA. What we've learned, especially from all these lands and finishing all these lands, is that we kind of learn a lot from all the teams, especially in Europe, and how they want to play the game. And we just take it very, very seriously and just really try to be humble while all these other inner teams, they sort of can definitely have an ego to them and definitely take the game a little bit differently. So I think just being honest with each other and our work ethic has been very different from other teams.

You are very outspoken as well about your religion in particular. How does your faith impact you and influence you as a player, and how does it shape you as well in your career?

BeastMode: Absolutely, that's a good question. It means everything to me. It's just outside of the game, inside of the game. Every time I used to get really upset with losses, just in certain moments. But now with my faith, I think everything is meant for a reason. And I think I take every single loss, win as a learning experience. And I think it's a good opportunity just to learn from past mistakes or just whether you do something like wrong or good. So it's been a very helpful thing in my career and just it's led me to where I am today. So it just, means everything to me.”