Esports
German Mustafa Akcakaya, aka 'Ice', is smashing through the professional scene as one of the strongest Melee players in the world. We asked him 10 important questions.
1. Why Super Smash Bros. Melee? When did you start competing?
Super Smash Bros. Melee was my favourite game on the Nintendo GameCube. I was a huge fan of the original Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64 and eager to play the sequel. Like most others I started playing Melee casually. One day I saw a video on YouTube explaining more advanced techniques that make it possible to push the limits of the game and that there were tournaments people could compete in.
I started playing Melee casually
The mastering – the 'grind' – of those techniques started when my father took away my video games and electronic gadgets as a punishment but forgot to take my GameCube with Super Smash Bros Melee. This made me focus on that game."
2. Fox is your character of choice. Why did you pick him?
I've played a bunch of characters during my career, mainly Marth and Sheik. But in the end I gravitated towards Fox because I had a blast practising with him, even when just playing by myself. Fox also has all the tools to overcome any grim situation – if you have the proper knowledge and execution.
3. You've a lot of experience and are counted among the international top players. What's your biggest success so far?
My biggest success was getting third place at Big House 6 in Michigan, USA, which was the fifth-biggest Melee tournament of all time. I'm especially happy about the mindset I had during that event which allowed me to play the way I did.
Watch the video from the event below:
4. Where there also some heartbreakers?
My biggest heartbreaker was definitely missing getting into the top eight at GOML 2016. After that, I felt devastated. The good thing was that it made me realise what parts of my mindset I had to work on to keep my nerves during a tournament match.
Watch the video from the event below:
5. You made some impressive comebacks. Would you say that you can handle stressful situations really well now?
Most of my comebacks are made possible by putting aside my ego and blind will to win at all costs when confronted with dire situations.
The best way to improve it is to realise that the journey is the reward.
I replaced this feeling by asking myself, “What can I do to turn this around?” This is something I'm permanently working on. The best way to improve it is to realise that the journey is the reward.
6. Which others players do you practise with on a regular basis?
My main practice partners at the moment are SchlimmerShady, Meatzorz, Blaze and Sixx. We're also very good friends, share a lot of interests and push ourselves to reach new goals.
7. From all the tournaments you've visited all around the world, which one's your favourite in terms of atmosphere?
EVO is my absolute number one. Having thousands of Fighting Game players and fans around and competing with the best players in the world give the whole thing something magical. I also enjoy Las Vegas.
Watch Ice playing at EVO below:
8. When Nintendo release a Super Smash Bros. for Switch, what will it take to make you interested?
I'd personally like Nintendo to combine the best of both worlds – Melee and Smash for WiiU. This means pairing the characters from the WiiU version with the mechanics found in Melee.
9. Any advice for new Smash players?
Never dismiss your love for the game! Because if you do, it's pretty easy to forget why you put so much time and effort into making progress. This makes practising feel like a chore, which [it] should never be.
10. Last but not least, the question on the mind of every fan: WHAT IS THAT MOVEMENT, ICE?
The MOVEMENT is an easy way out of all the rules you put on to yourself, to express yourself – all while observing the reaction of the opponent.
