Lemminks: For those of us who don't know who you are, why don't you start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

Soulja: My names Joshua Loya, I go by Josh. I live in the States! Dallas, Texas is where I reside. 19 years of age and I've been working for my father's company since I was 13 and was prepped as far back as I can remember! I'm currently attending Northwood University, a strictly business oriented college. I picked up Starcraft back in the day, the first Starcraft of course. I would play casually, until SC2 came out. I joined the beta, and became very competitive. It's been a fun hobby ever since.

Lemminks: Care to elaborate on what your father's company does and what your role in it is?

Soulja: Proudly. Fred Loya Insurance. A car insurance company (now does home). Started in my hometown of El Paso, Texas. Now you can find us in six states at your convenience.

As far as my role goes, I started off in the mailroom, moved up to your sales representative, to your adjuster handling claims. Now I'll travel with corporate executives of the company where need be, whether it'd be training sessions, meetings, etc. All over the course of 5 years.


Lemminks: A prodigy, brilliant. There's actually a lot of insurance companies advertising in Australia, they're on in every ad break.

Anyway, what surprised me was the fact that you're American, any particular reason for donating to the SEA scene as opposed to, say, hosting a small tournament in your home country (for example I remember reading about a Texas showdown on liquidpedia once)?

Soulja: Honestly, what brought me to the SEA section was their Grandmaster Manual Guide!! Didn't have a clue as to what the SEA was, it didn't matter at the time - the manual did! Over the course of several days with the manual, the site, I grew to learn some of the members by reading various posts on the forums, exploring the store, etc. As well as a few PMs from Nirvana because I had a little trouble downloading the TW\KR version of SC2 XD (which is awesome BTW!) Ever since, I've grown to visit the site normally.

I would maybe have done it in my home country, but I also wanted to donate to SEA for all your help, the guide, the TW\KR version, etc. I felt like I owed a little to SEA community.

Also, I wouldn't be able to single-handedly host a tournament at the size I'd want it to be. I want it to attract a lot of players, top level players, and I know Nirvana, the staff, and SEA can do that.

Lemminks: Well I'm pretty sure that the format Nirvana and the other admins have chosen suits your vision perfectly.

You seem to go by several IGN's (In Game Name), soulja on sc2sea and BEASTMODE on sc2, do you have a permanent IGN in particular and if so where did it come from?

Soulja: Soulja was spur of the moment, but 98% of the time - I am BEASTMODE. The name came from my high school days at the gym, on the track field, the football field. They would call me BEASTMODE when I was... I guess BEASTMODE lol XD I was a gym fanatic since 7th grade and I've always been a little slim - so other students, JV, and Varsity would be surprised at the weight I'd put up as a freshmen and what not. So I was given the name by my upper classmen.

Lemminks: Hehe, Beast was one of my favourite phases that the Americans would always say when I was in Japan.

So despite being a complete baller at the gym, have video games, and the Starcraft series in particular, always been a big part of your life?

Soulja: Oh definitely, I was always VERY competitive even at an early age, with FPS games. Like the Halo series, the Gears of War series, the Modern Warfare series. Halo 2 I would say was my peak. I would attend tournaments and receive no lower then 2nd place at my events. I looked up MLG events on the official website and try to fly out there, but my parents thought it was ridiculous Lol XD. This was my 8th grade through Freshmen year, so unfortunately I never made it past your online and local tourneys.
Another game that's not listed in that category, was Dance Dance Revolution.

That also went beyond just being a fun hobby. Every weekend, when my parents would allow, I'd be at your local Peter Piper Pizza 3+ hours on DDR. For months. I increased my skill, I was able to play on the Expert level. I went on also to online tourneys, we didn't have many local tourneys in El Paso at the time (two minor events).

Lemminks: Brilliant to see eSports was always a big part of your life.

As someone who seems to follow a fair number of eSports scenes (such as the FPS's and DDR), in your opinion how does the Starcraft eSports scene match up against the others?

Soulja: No comparison!!
MLG Providence was amazing!! I didn't actually go but I was up to date on all the vids, all that good stuff. I was so surprised when I saw how full the stadium was!! I loved it! I also tune into GOMTV.net daily. I have my yearly subscription and I always watch the VODS to improve gameplay or just to see who's coming up, who's coming down (SlayerS_Boxer -_-). Sometimes I'll stay up till 3AM just to watch them live.

The SC2 fans are so dedicated to the scene, it's amazing. The Korean players, especially SlayerS have so much passion in the game. It's awesome. Also, casters like Artosis, Tasteless, Day 9, Mr Bitter, Husky make the game all that better. The SC2 scene wouldn't be the same without them, and I believe we owe them our gratitude and thanks.

On another note, it may seem like too much. DDR, Halo, GoW, MW3. But I no longer play those games competitively, or hardly at all. I'll jump on MW3 on a rainy day, but doesn't catch my interest as much as it, or FPS in general. It's all in the past. Just Starcraft for now.

Lemminks: Are there any other hobbies that demand your attention?

Soulja: I love snowboarding, with a passion. But I don't go enough to get "good" at it. Just on the holidays, to get away. Ruidoso, New Mexico the Ski Apache slopes is where you'll find me during the Christmas season.

Lemminks: LOL there seems to be quite the positive correlation between people who love Starcraft and people who love Snowboarding/Skiing.

Soulja: Is that so? Are there others on the SEA scene that love the snow as well? XD

Lemminks: Yep, JoFritzMD, who sponsored the SEACL #2, is apparently an "arctic creature that has Ski's for feet."

Soulja: LOL!! I love it!!

Lemminks: Well to finish off, what are you hopes for the eSports scene in SEA and the World?

Soulja: My hopes for the eSports scene in SEA and the World...
My hopes for the eSports scene in SEA is that I hope it continues to grow, not only in SEA, but in the world. It's come a long way in the USA, I hope this growth continues worldwide. The day Time Warner Cable, Dish TV, DirecTV get a dedicated eSports channel... That'll be the day XD.

Lemminks: Well I've had an absolute blast conducting this interview with you. Thank you so much for being such a Beast and thank you once again for donating ^^.

Soulja: No problem! Thanks again.

Lemminks: Any shoutouts before we go?

Soulja: Shoutouts to any of the users? Is that what you mean?

Lemminks: Well anyone in general, this is the part where you go listing a bunch of names while we pull you off stage ^^.

Soulja: Nirvana - I felt like I owed him for his help with my general introduction to the SC2SEA scene, and his continuous help with SC2SEA store.

And I know a certain someone is going to read this - She stays up with me watching me play SC2, she nagged at me to get off while QxGDestiny was coaching me, she watches replays with me at times, every night - Carmen Carrillo. .

Lemminks: Bonus Question: Any plans for visiting the Lovely SEA Region?

Soulja: Oh man.. to be continued. (..Nirvana check your PMs in the near future! XD)