SirActionSlacks talks about reviving Midas Mode in an interview at ESL One Kuala Lumpur

Jake “SirActionSlacks” Kanner returned as soon as once more to Malaysia, bringing the hype for ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. From the very first day of the occasion to the ceremonious second of Azure Ray bringing it again dwelling for China, Slacks endlessly induced waves of power all through the world to maintain spirits excessive among the many followers.

In between a fully-packed schedule, esports.gg managed to catch Slacks on the venue for an interview. True to his nature, Slacks did not shrink back from sharing his anarchic concepts — whether or not it’s utilizing the psychological artwork of “Pen Concept” to govern gamers in pubs or doubtlessly reviving Midas Mode for the third time.

We additionally wished to learn the way Slacks had been all year long earlier than the evening of Frostivus Christmas.

Inform us, Slacks. Are you on the naughty or good checklist this Frostivus season?

Slacks: “I ain’t ever opening that shit. Nope! Nope! It is a Pandora’s field. That factor is Schrödinger’s cat. I do not know if anybody has any sort of vendetta, however pay attention — do not open the field. What are you going to get? A standard Kunkka Shoe? Some individuals have taken the hit! Let it go! Maintain that shit sealed. Alright. Do not let uncle Gaben get you.”

Many know you out of your Gyrocopter impersonation movies. Nevertheless, I imagine it was the Fails of the Week sequence with DotaCinema that put you on the map. Are you able to inform me how you bought concerned in that?

Slacks: “That began as a result of there was some stuff with SUNSfan and Reaves. They had been deciding to separate and SUNSfan contacted me and stated, ‘You realize, I feel that you would be a stand in for a little bit bit till I discover somebody higher.’ And I stated, ‘Ouch.’ Then he stated, ‘So I am not going to pay you. You are simply serving to out.’ And I stated, ‘Nice.’ After a number of years, I used to be by no means paid. He by no means discovered anybody after which they stopped making it. So thanks, SUNSfan. What an unbelievable story!”

Slacks: “By the best way, I solely stopped doing my Gyro voice as a result of I had like a 30% win fee. However in case you have not been watching, Gyro assist is now hype and I immediately began enjoying it once more. I am doing that in pubs once more now, and it is actually enjoyable.”

Which Fails of the Week episode is your favourite?

Slacks: “Favourite episode was the worst episode we ever made. We determined to make one the place we simply had these very dumb voices your entire time. And Cliffs of the Week. I needed to undergo the lists each week. And 20 out of 2000 clips had been horrible. Nobody appreciated it, however the ones that had been horrible had been my favourite.”

Do you bear in mind which episode quantity that was?

Slacks: “The quantity? What the hell is unsuitable with you? In fact not! Episode quantity 69 to 420. Ayy!”

You have cemented your function because the grasp of ceremonies of Dota 2 tournaments. What would you attribute your success to?

Slacks: “Annoying perseverance. You realize that man who all the time sends you invitations to play with him like a canine? And then you definately play with him and he performs offlane Wisp? That is me. I simply maintain annoying individuals and so they’re like, ‘Wonderful, positive.’ As a result of if I am not a number, then I am a panelist. And you may’t have that. And me as a caster? That is terrible! So that is the least cringe, quickest job they might give me. And that is why I am right here.”

We all know that you’ve a level in psychology. Would you say your diploma helps you in your profession?

Slacks on utilizing his schooling in psychology all through his life

Slacks: “I play video video games for a residing. I exploit psychology lots. I’ve tricked lots of people in my time. That is how I get employed to occasions — psychological manipulation. In each facet of my life. I abuse psychology in my pubs. I abuse it to get employed. I am abusing it on this interview proper now.”

On that notice, inform me one trick you utilize to get solutions or interactions from the hardest viewers and gamers.

Slacks: “Okay. I’ll truly educate you one thing about psychology. That is known as the Pen Concept. Have you ever ever been in school and somebody asks you to borrow a pencil or a pen? What’s your first considered that individual?

It is only a pen, so I am going to lend it. However I might say that individual is sloppy and must study to convey their very own stuff.

Slacks: “Possibly you do not even like and even look down on them as a result of they requested that. However do you know that our brains are hardwired to truly like that individual extra for asking you for that pen. You see, we’re constructed as a society of hunter-gatherers. And in a restricted society, we’d solely share issues with individuals from our tribe. Now, I’ve tricked you as a result of I’ve requested for one thing insignificant. However the act of you giving me one thing signifies that a part of your mind prompts and also you truly like me extra. Since you would by no means give one thing to somebody you did not like.”

Slacks: “So this can be a nice option to trick individuals and manipulate them. Even in pubs. If I am a pos 4, I am going to ask for that silly pos 5 function that no person desires. Now he is mine and I can then flip him in opposition to the remainder of the staff and ultimately personal your entire staff to do no matter I say.”

(Additional analysis means that Slacks’ Pen Concept could also be a reference to influential psychologist, Hans Eysenck’s PEN Mannequin).

Slacks in a crimson and yellow DHL uniform (Picture through esports.gg)

Thanks for the Pysch 101 lesson, Slacks. Going again to Dota 2, are you hoping to develop into a fair larger a part of its future? Or do you are feeling such as you’re able to discover different avenues?

Slacks: “I feel Dota is a sport that you could’t escape. Whether or not as a expertise, as a participant, as something. It is dwelling! When you get Dota, each different sport sucks. Positive we’ll play some PUBG, Amongst Us, or another rubbish. However then we’ll all the time come dwelling. There is no hope for us. We have been contaminated. It is over. So sure, I feel that I hopefully will all the time be a part of Dota’s future. I have never accomplished something to cancel myself, so I must be good. I’m right here so long as the neighborhood can have me, and I hope that is for a very long time.”

Let’s discuss another tasks that you’re a a part of. One factor I’ve seen is that you have kind of turned the face of DHL. Are you able to inform me how you bought concerned with DHL and why are you in all their industrial movies?

Slacks: “I do not know. All of it goes again to 1 group of men. I used to be speaking to them in Berlin. And DHL had sponsored a Dota event for the primary time. I used to be strolling over there and so they requested me handy out some containers. And these 5 wasted dudes, utterly obliterated, had been simply screaming, ‘DHL! DHL! DHL!’ And your entire stadium began doing it. So now I do it, too — carrying crimson and yellow. And I actually adore it. DHL are cool peeps. I like them lots and this can be a good gig.”

I wish to discuss concerning the Nounsvitational proposal. What ever occurred to that?

Slacks: “Nothing [laughs]. Hear. I attempt to do stuff for Dota. I attempt to get non-endemics [third-party companies] to get into Dota. For Midas Mode 2.0, I bought NASA [Kennedy Space Center] to sponsor it. I am all the time looking for non-endemic individuals to find Dota. This [Nounsvitational] was an try and make a Dota event, get it funded, pay the gamers and abilities, and all that jazz.”

Slacks: “Usually, if you do one thing like this, it will likely be behind closed doorways. Nevertheless, they [Nouns Esports] simply tweeted it, which was unusual. However that is okay. Anyway, this was like an enormous neighborhood factor the place all of them vote on stuff. Sadly, they voted in opposition to it. Although I do hope to have an concept of locking a hero [program] to a staff and so they maintain it endlessly. Actually, I am actually beginning to consider doing one other Midas Mode or one thing like that. I am getting very excited to do one thing like that.”

There you go people, you first witness right here on Slacks’ plans on reviving the legendary Midas Mode.

Slacks: “I imply critically. I assumed I might by no means do it once more till I can neglect how painful doing the final one was. It has been like 5 years? However yeah, I am truly now actually serious about it.”

We’re so wanting ahead to it, Slacks. Then what’s your perspective on Dota sooner or later as an esport?

Slacks: “I feel esports is having a tough time proper now, and Dota would be the solely survivor, and I do know you assume I am loopy. I do know you assume I am silly. Dota’s total ecosystem has all the time been like this remoted island, and it has been such a unfavourable factor. There is no overlap. Riot followers watch League, Valorant, and a few even watch Counter-Strike. In case you’re a Dota fan, you do not do the rest. It’s a horrible system; till the apocalypse hits.

Slacks believes Dota will outlive all different video games in esports

Slacks: “Now we’re the one survivors on that very small island whereas the nukes go off in all places else in esports. We will be the one ones left! So, I actually assume that so long as the patches are good, Dota will truly dwell endlessly. I am not even kidding. So long as IceFrog makes good patches.”

What about your self? Do you’ve gotten some other vivid concepts for Dota?

Slacks: “I’ve had plenty of concepts. None of them are vivid. Alright, plenty of them had been unhealthy. Bear in mind Lycan Wolf Chunk? Black Dragon on Dragon Knight? Centaur Cart? Yeah these aren’t good concepts. So, I’ve plenty of concepts, however they’re unhealthy. They’re very unhealthy.”

Slack and his sensible concepts (Picture through esports.gg)

So says the mad scientist himself. However we love his concepts anyway. Lastly, is there something you want to say to all of your followers on the market?

Slacks: “I wish to handle latest allegations which have surfaced. I am not a foul individual. Don’t hearken to the latest allegations in opposition to my identify. They’re false. I am harmless! There was nothing occurring. However sooner or later if something unhealthy ever occurs, I’m harmless! Nah, I am simply kidding [laughs]. My followers are nice. Sorry I do not make Loregasms as typically as I ought to. They value some huge cash and time.”

Thanks Slacks for an interview that’s nothing in need of pleasure and chaos. We want you an exquisite vacation season together with your family members and look ahead to all of your shenanigans sooner or later.