You Need to Know: Esports Host Alex "Machine" Richardson

Summary

This transcript chronicles the journey of a person who began their esports career by commentating and hosting small gaming events before being given a major opportunity at ESL. From humble beginnings, including awkward moments navigating life in Germany, the speaker reflects on their growth as a host and commentator. They share the pressures and rewards of managing live shows, while humorously noting their love for games and the challenges of balancing professionalism with personality. The story is about perseverance, learning, and the thrill of doing what you love in the competitive gaming world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker highlights their unorganized approach to packing, despite traveling frequently, illustrating the casual nature of their preparation.
• 😀 The speaker uses humor and puns as a coping mechanism, especially when it comes to gaming, showing how they deal with stressful situations.
• 😀 The speaker expresses their love for the community aspect of gaming, where friendships are formed and maintained through shared interests.
• 😀 They discuss how their competitive side in gaming gives them satisfaction, particularly from provoking reactions in their opponents.
• 😀 The speaker recounts their early days in eSports, including commentating and working with others who later became their colleagues in a professional capacity.
• 😀 They share how they transitioned from casual involvement in eSports to a more serious career, moving to Germany and working at ESL, driven by a combination of passion and opportunity.
• 😀 The speaker describes their initial experiences in Cologne, including their cultural adjustment to living in Germany and navigating daily life with limited language skills.
• 😀 They credit a mentor, Lauren 'Pansy' Scott, for encouraging them to pursue opportunities that would lead to their growth in eSports commentary.
• 😀 The speaker talks about the challenges of hosting large events like ESL Katowice, including pre-event nerves and the pressure of delivering a smooth performance on stage.
• 😀 They describe their growth in the eSports scene, recognizing the moment they gained confidence and acknowledgment from their boss, which marked a pivotal point in their career.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the concept of 'sonder,' the realization that everyone has a complex life, which shapes their perspective on traveling and meeting people in the eSports industry.
• 😀 They discuss the responsibilities of being an eSports host, emphasizing the importance of balancing entertainment, audience engagement, and understanding the personalities involved in the show.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the challenge of maintaining professionalism and energy, even when dealing with personal issues or being tired, which is essential in the high-pressure environment of live events.
• 😀 They humorously mention the frequent sponsor plugs in their work, acknowledging how this has become part of their role, even while joking about the overuse of these plugs in their broadcasts.
• 😀 The speaker shares their ongoing personal growth, noting that their experiences in the eSports industry, particularly traveling, have made them a more mature and well-rounded person.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by saying that their dream is not about a specific target but about continuing to enjoy their work in eSports, with a focus on happiness, fitness, and staying involved in gaming.
• 😀 They humorously dream of becoming a 'Grecian God' in the future, reflecting their aspirations for personal growth beyond professional achievements.

Q & A

How does the speaker approach packing for travel?

The speaker admits to being disorganized when packing for trips. Despite traveling frequently, they don't follow a structured approach like preparing days ahead, making lists, or packing in advance. Instead, they pack based on what they can find at the moment, questioning if things are clean or suitable for the trip.

What is the speaker's primary reason for enjoying gaming?

The speaker enjoys gaming because it brings friends together. They emphasize the competitive aspect of gaming, particularly the joy of making opponents frustrated with a good shot, which adds to their enjoyment.

How did the speaker get involved in esports and commentary?

The speaker's journey into esports started with commentating on Call of Duty for a community event called promod. This led to early experiences in events, working with ESL, and gradually building a career in esports commentary.

What was the speaker's first experience in a professional esports event?

The speaker’s first professional esports experience involved commentating at small LAN events with their team. They initially worked unpaid and gained exposure through community events. Their role in ESL UK eventually led to more significant opportunities.

How did the speaker end up working full-time with ESL?

The speaker’s involvement with ESL started as volunteer work, including tasks like building stages and promoting events. Eventually, ESL offered them a full-time position, partially due to encouragement from industry figures like Lauren 'Pansy' Scott.

What was the most challenging moment for the speaker in their career?

One of the most challenging moments for the speaker was when they were asked to host the Katowice event for ESL. They were nervous and questioned their ability, but with support from colleagues like Joe Miller, they were able to overcome their fears and perform well.

What does the speaker believe is essential for being a good esports host?

The speaker believes a good esports host needs to understand how the show is structured, engage with the personalities on the desk, and maintain a positive and professional demeanor even when feeling down. They also highlight the importance of being comfortable with sponsor plugs.

What personal challenges did the speaker face when they moved to Germany for ESL?

When the speaker moved to Germany for their ESL role, they faced challenges like living out of a suitcase, unfamiliarity with local supermarkets, and language barriers. They had to learn basic German phrases to get by, especially when ordering food.

How did the speaker prepare for hosting the Katowice event?

The speaker prepared for hosting the Katowice event by dedicating significant time to memorizing names, understanding the show format, and practicing their presentation. Despite the nerves, they overprepared to ensure success.

How does the speaker view personal growth within the esports industry?

The speaker reflects on their personal growth over the years, noting that they have evolved from a nervous newcomer to a confident host. They acknowledge the role that travel, experience, and mentorship played in their development.