Interviewing Ilias Tsetsekos

When it comes to the most popular user of this site, we’ll all think of one name and that is ILIAS. His dedication for the site inspires others. It was a great experience of mine being able to interview him. So, let’s not waste time and head to the interview section.

 

Tell us about yourself and share something you usually don’t with general people.

Hello everyone. I’m Ilias, 32 years old, born, living (but hopefully not gonna die) in Athens and a Christian Orthodox. Hmmmm, what I don’t usually share with other people… let me think… My toothbrush! Oh and my granddad used to say that women and cars shouldn’t be shared too. He’s so damn right.

 

Share something from your personal life? Your hobbies, activities, family etc.

I live alone. Sometimes my brother comes along for some gaming but mostly for food. Parents have both retired and are on permanent holidays since then (I envy them for that). I like football and rock music with a passion. Gaming is on the hobbies agenda too, but only when it comes to really good ones. Travelling and getting to know new places and people is a thing I found I enjoy much, on the way of the big trip of life. And I like to serve the people…

 

What type of games you like the most and name few of your most favourite games?

Traditionally, I like playing strategy games, sports and music rhythm. I wouldn’t say no to a good FPS game, with action and RPG elements in it. As for games, I must definitely mention the following among my favourite of all times: Command & Conquer series, Red Alert, Wing Commander series, Guitar Hero series, Rock Band series, Resistance 2, Starcraft, Pro Evolution Soccer, Football Manager series (I'm sure I'm forgetting many at the moment).

 

It’s obvious that you are a role model for users like me; when it comes to become a community person. And, I’m sure your community skills didn’t grow in a day. Tell us something about your passion for online communities.

I started my online community activities in Gamespot in middle 2004. Things weren’t easy at the start, but I’ve managed to find my way after some hard work. Soccer Addict Union became my main posting place. I’ve made some really good friends there that I still try to have contact with. Having to manage such a union wasn’t easy, at least for the one year that I was a leader. Things can go crazy, as football can easily trigger strong debates and controversy. Keeping the balance wasn’t easy, but I wouldn’t have learned if I hadn’t swum in deep waters.

 

When you get to know new people online, it’s not different from real life. You gotta be pleasant, use proper language, have a good sense of humour and try to help and guide people when they need some. And if you don’t know the answer, that’s ok, just guide them to the proper person. The real magic hides when you get to know some of those online friends in real life, sometimes it can be a hugely nice surprise. This is the biggest proof that there’s a bright side on online communities and nothing to be afraid of, especially when you‘re an honest person.

 

You are one of the Super Moderators of NoobFeed? What role do you play and how did you get involved from the very beginning?

I remember serbsta being the first telling me that something was on the works and that a new gaming site was about to be launched by him, Ron and fishdalf. I instantly replied to him that I’d fully support them. Since the official launch, I‘ve tried to recommend them some cool ideas about the site, invite some new members, advertise it in any way I can, find gaming and other tech news that can be useful and last but not least keep the site clean. I wouldn’t say that I have an exact role at the moment, I follow rules/orders all my life, NoobFeed is the place that I feel free to express my opinion about gaming, something that (cough) doesn’t always happen in other “famous” sites. I’d say that I’m very dedicated to the whole project and I will help them in any way I can.

 

You seem to be the ultimate source of soccer updates at our sports board. What’s your secret behind this passion for soccer?

There’s no real secret to be honest. My first memory from football is the World Cup in 1982. I was 5 years old back then, but I can strongly recall the semi-final between Italy and Brazil. This is when I saw Paolo Rossi and started supporting Juventus. The 1983 Champions Cup final between Hamburg and Juventus was the next major game I remember. I have plenty of football memories since then. My father and my uncle battled hard to persuade me to either become an Olympiacos or Panathinaikos fan respectively. But I had eyes only for that tall guy with the moustache, wearing that red jersey. I remember asking my father not to go to sleep and let the telly on for a while more on Sunday nights, because it’s the time to show highlights from English football. Wait dad, you’ll see the guy with the moustache score again. He was Liverpool’s Ian Rush. The years passed and I liked football more, liking all kind of styles and formations, as long as they‘re not boring.

 

Generally speaking, I say when you love someone or something, love it with passion, or don’t love it at all. Borrowing Bill Shankly’s quote, I’d say that Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.

 

Name one user from NoobFeed community; who you think is an ideal user. You have to name only one even if there are several.

This is the toughest of questions. Well, since the question refers to the ideal user of NoobFeed community, I’d say canana without a second thought. He has contributed some great reviews, his retro gaming articles are of great quality and you will see his cool comments and posts all over the site.

 

If you were to play for a soccer team, which would be the team?

There are actually three kind of answers on this one:

a) Strange question, because I’ve already played for three football teams you know. The first one was in my high school years. I played as a centre back for the youth team of a local club for two years, but then stopped to take the exams. The second one was for my team in the academy. I played as a left back mainly, even though I’m right footed. The guy who played in front of me as a left winger is a very good friend of mine. In fact, I’m the godfather of his second son. The third team was a random team, with players from all over Europe. My team mates were from Italy, Malta, Cyprus and Slovenia (the Slovenian guy turned out to be from Serbia). We played in a 5vs5 tournament, we had no subs available while all other teams had but in the end we managed to win the trophy. I told them afterwards that putting a European and a World Champion of football in the same team was their biggest mistake.

 

b) When you support a football team the way I do, well you literally play on every single match!!! Plus, you retire on a higher age than normal players and you never get paid for this.

c) The Greek national football team.

 

What is your future plan for NoobFeed and other communities you are part of?

Support NoobFeed in every way I can, that’s all I can say. Actions speak louder than words in such things. I suggest everyone to do the same. Gaming sites like NoobFeed and other independent ones are the ones that really make the difference in gaming opinion and community.

 

Thank you for your time Ilias. Tell us anything you feel like saying to the readers and, have a nice day.

I’ve recently had an “adventure” with my health. I haven’t fully recovered from it, while I still have unanswered questions regarding the reasons that led to it. I’d like to say to our users that health is the most important thing in life, even though most of us take it for granted. Like my father says, health is number 1 in life, prosperity, friends, love, money etc are all zeros and without health, they mean nothing. Take care of yourselves, live every day of your life as if it was the last one. The adventure of life is so small and we only live it once, despite what Ian Fleming believes. Thanks for the interview Tanya. You have made a very good progress on the site.