Gary Carman

Gary Carman is the 1999 SWCCG World Champion, the first British winner of that title. Trandosite interviewed him on 29 September 2000.

This page is a fan encyclopedia stub. Facts below are from published SWCCG sources (Trandosite interview and, where noted, Squadron Member tables). It does not add unsourced biography.

Interviews

Trandosite, 29 September 2000

Interview conducted by Rod Latham on Trandosite.

Site player profile:

Since 1998, Gary Carman has been the dominant force in British SWCCG. He has won an impressive number of tournaments, numbering well over a dozen. It is, however, his performance in major championships that has been most impressive - 2nd in the 1998 Regional (beaten by John Shields), 1st in the 1999 Regional (ironically beating John Shields) and 3rd in the 2000 Regional. He gained international recognition in 1999, when he became the first British World Champion of SWCCG. The final confrontation with Steven Lewis has been heralded as one of the greatest matches of the game ever played. Since that victory, Gary has played across the world and continues to improve his skills through regular tournament action.

1. How did you get involved in SWCCG, and what attracted you to the game?

I started playing the game not long after it was released in premiere. I have always been interested in strategy and loved the Star Wars films, so when I saw a few of my friends playing I got started. I then left the game before the first expansion as it became boring, as the game was won and lost on who owned more Darth Vaders or Obi-Wan's. I played Magic for a year or so, but that got too expensive, so when I finished I was looking for another game to play and met Mike Riboulet in Bristol. We played a few Star Wars games and I was back.

2. If you could change one thing in SWCCG, what would it be?

Same answer as John Shields. I would remove rarity from basic cards, so all cards would effectively become common allowing access to all and significantly reducing the cost of deck building. I understand that Decipher and collectors like rare cards, so keep the foil cards and change their rarity, so when you buy a pack you could get 14 commons plus one random foil.

3. What were your expectations going into the World Finals of 1999? How do you prepare for such a big tournament?

I had no idea what to expect, but I set myself a goal on qualifying for day 2, which I was pleased to achieve. As for preparation, I did surprisingly little. I play tested with Mike Riboulet, John Shields and Bruce Savin a bit, but not much more than normal, which was maybe once or twice a week in the month before worlds.

4. What were your initial reactions following the final confrontation with Steven Lewis? How would you have felt if you had not have won?

After the final confrontation, I was obviously very pleased and relieved, as all I could think of when I had made the final was of Mike's two attempts in 1997 and 1998 when he had failed to win, so I was wondering is the UK destined to always finish second. If I had lost it would have depended on how I played. If I had made a mistake that cost me the game I would have been disappointed, however if Steven had outplayed me then second in my first world championship would not have been too bad.

5. Since your victory, you have played against hundreds of people across several regions. Which area produced the best competition, and how do you rate the United Kingdom in comparison?

I cannot answer which area produced the best competition, as the players I have played were mainly at the Cons and they had came from all over. As for rating the UK I would say the record speaks for itself, Mike has finished 2nd in worlds 1997 and 1998, John Shields was 13th in worlds 1998, Nick Rice was 2nd in Europe Open 1999 and Peter Di Biasio was 3rd in the European Continental this year. On these results it is clear to see British players are capable of competing with the best in the world.

6. You begin the defence of your title in October at DecipherCon 2000. Do you feel pressure as the defending champion? Are you still the best player in the world?

I do not really feel under any pressure this year, as I now feel I have nothing to prove. I am going back with the aim of enjoying myself and meeting up with the many friends I've made over the last year. As to being the best in the world, winning the world championships dosn't make you the best player in the world, and I have never claimed that. I would like to think I am one of the best players in the world, but the best judge of that is my fellow players.

7. Decipher have recently unveiled a new product, the "Jabba's Palace >Sealed Deck". What do you think of the new premium cards, and what impact do you think they will they have on the game outside of Sealed Deck play?

I have had a brief look at the new cards, it might be too early to comment but there seems a few good cards, the new lando and jabba look good, there are fixes for Honour of a Jedi and Ralltiir as non-unique sites are looking a bit poor now. The two new objectives look interesting, however I personally don't like the move to encourage playing large multiples of one card as it reduces deck design and diversity of play. As for impact, Hunt Down will be back and Ralltiir is dead, Profit looks stronger and I only ever met one player who played Dantooine Ops, but that is dead now too. Oh and Operatives on both sides is now even worse and its pretty bad now.

8. What do you enjoy doing outside of SWCCG?

Drinking, socialising with women and playing squash.

9. If you could play any player in the world, who would you most want to play and why?

Difficult question, as I have played a lot of great players now, I would have to say Joe Alread though - and this time not straight after he has played 10 games and won an open!!!

10. What is the greatest misconception in SWCCG?

That any one deck has an auto win over any other deck. I would agree that there are match ups where one deck type has an advantage, but to say you have an auto win without considering who you are playing, card draws, exact deck design etc, is both arrogant and stupid.

Many thanks!

See also

• Trandosite · Interviews
• DeckTech · GamePlayers Network

Sources

• Gary Carman interview on Trandosite (29 September 2000; Wayback)
• Interviews index (Wayback 5 April 2005)