GG Licorice on facing C9 at MSI 2023 and his name choice

Despite a rocky start, team GG pushed a best-of-five (Bo5) match to four games at the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2023). GG players secured a game before they got knocked out by C9. Before another day at MSI 2023 came to a close, we sat down with GG toplaner Eric "Licorice" Ritchie for an interview. We asked about his in-game name and what it meant to be back on a top team.

C9 was incredibly dominant in the first game, and you’ve played them plenty at home, so were you feeling ready for how competitive they kept it in that game?

Licorice: "Coming into today, we were kinda shaky as a team. So I think that contributed, but I was definitely surprised at how aggressive they came into the game."

The second game was looking good for you — especially in the early game. What went wrong?

Licorice: "It was really just us dying once and them getting Baron, which put them back in the game immediately. Just one slip up, and they were back. Sometimes, you make a mistake and they can’t get Baron, which is good. But this time, they could, which kind of sucked. After that, it was just an even game. On the fourth dragon fight, we were just in the wrong positions. They managed to get picks. And from there, it spiraled."

In the third game, we saw you get an insane pick to stop C9 from making it a 3-0. How on earth did you get that pick?

Licorice: "Honestly, I also don’t really know. I was running down the river. And while I was running down, I was worried about what I was doing. I had absolutely no vision and was thinking maybe they are going to trap and ambush me and kill me. I was like, 'I'm just going to do it,' and he started basing, and then walked towards me, and then basing again, and I was like, 'Oh, this is perfect for me.'"

Obviously, you’ve been on quite a few teams in the LCS. What does it mean to you to be on the international stage once again?

Licorice: "At times, it’s really nerve-wracking to be back on the international stage. It’s something I'm grateful for — to have the opportunity to come again. After I left C9, I wasn’t sure if I ever would be on a top team again. So [I'm] mostly grateful."

This is your first time back on the international stage in four years. How does it feel to be back?

Licorice: "I was mostly really nervous. International competition is really tough as an NA player because there is a lot of pressure on you. Historically, you know, coming into the tournament, at least you are weaker and are under pressure to improve really fast and play a lot. But the longer I've been here, the more fun I've had. I've had a really good time playing."

The MSI format changed this year. Do you like the changes?

Licorice: "I like them. I think it's nice to have more teams come to MSI and be able to see the strength of teams — even if that does mean seeing the first seeds and being like, "Wow. They’re really good." I think it's nice to see [more] players [over time]. And, obviously, happy I got to come. While in the past, I wouldn’t have been able to. And just on top of that, the Bo3 and Bo5 format this year — I really liked [them].

What animal do you think you would be? And why?

Licorice: "I’m going to say I’d be a Border Collie. Just feels like it fits my personality."

Why licorice? What about other candy and sweets out there?

Licorice: "I just liked licorice a lot as a kid. And when you write it out, I liked the look of it a lot. I like how it looks, so I just kind of picked it for aesthetics more than anything else."

What is your favorite thing about MSI being hosted in London this year?

Licorice: "I've been really enjoying English breakfast tea and just the fans. I mostly spend my time in my hotel room, so I haven’t had a ton of time for other things. I will say I've taken a few walks by the canal by the arena, and it is gorgeous out there. It is a highlight of my trip."

What does being a pro player mean to you?

Licorice: "These questions are always strange to answer because I've been a pro for seven years now, give or take. So it just feels normal to me, but I think it has been an amazing experience to be a pro. It's been really difficult, too, at times. But it's not something I'd give up for anything else."

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