Esports Journalist - The Roar
The Roar is Australia’s largest sports opinion website. At the time, I was writing Tech news for sister site Techly.com.au (Both under the Conversant Media umbrella), where I was approached to launch the Esports section on The Roar.
Over time, interest in professional gaming on The Roar grew, which lead to the creation of a dedicated Gaming section, and even sponsonship with a team in the Gfinity League.
An Insight into Oceanic esports
This article was one of the first esports articles to appear on The Roar, and was fueled by my involvement as a Content Manager of the Avant Garde Esports organisation. This was an introduction to the world of esports, the tournaments, organisational structure, players, games, and teams. I would eventually write a series on the comparisons of traditional sport with traditional gaming.
Prize pools and sustaining the scene
As esports became more prominent in the Oceanic region, the question of sustainability and prize pools arose. As global minnows, the Oceanic scene needed a way to ensure that the best of the best could compete against the global giants of North America, China, South Korea and Europe, while still ensuring that the small monetary incentive was enough to encourage players.
Overwatch - The Next Big Esport
With the release of Blizzard’s class-based FPS, Overwatch, I analysed the nuances of the game and made my predictions as to why and how it would be the next big esport spectacle. Fast forward to today and the global Overwatch League is one of the biggest and most successful esport ventures, joining the ranks of the LCS, ESL Majors, The International, and the CoD World League.
The following are other stories I have posted on TheRoar.com.au
Oceanic Esports Organisation Profiles
Legacy Esports – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/01/08/oceanic-esports-organisations-profile-legacy-esports/
Competitive Games Previews and Predictions
League of Legends Oceanic Pro League: Legacy vs. Chiefs grand final preview – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/01/league-legends-opl-final-preview-chiefs-esports-club-vs-legacy-esports/
OPL Finals Preview: Legacy vs The Chiefs – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/11/opl-finals-preview-legacy-vs-chiefs/
LoL World Championships: QF Preview and Predictions – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/12/lol-world-championships-quarterfinal-predictions/
LoL World Championships: SF Preview and Predictions – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/22/league-legends-world-championships-semi-final-preview-predictions/
LoL World Championships: GF Preview and Predictions – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/28/league-legends-world-championships-grand-final-preview-prediction/
Esports News
HOYTS to broadcast League of Legends events –http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/02/hoyts-teams-riot-oceania-broadcast-league-legends-selected-cinemas/
Chiefs defeat Legacy in OPL Grand Finals – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/06/chiefs-defeat-rivals-legacy-thrilling-opl-grand-final/
Crown Casino CoD World League Invitational – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/09/crown-casino-melbourne-hosts-cod-world-league-challenge-division/
Sporting Legends and European Giants invest in eSports – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/06/10/sporting-legends-european-giants-invest-esports/
Event Recaps
CyberGamer Autumn LAN wrap-up – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/29/pandamonium-mindfreak-legacy-sql-triumph-cybergamer-autumn-lan/
Renegades CS:GO finish 2nd at PGL KeSPA Asia Minor – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/05/12/renegades-csgo-squad-come-second-best-pgl-kespa-asia-minor/
Player Interviews
Interview with Chief Egym and Chief Swipe3rR – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/04/14/interview-opl-split-1-champions-chief-egym-chief-swip3rr/
OPL Grand Finals Interview: Chief Swiffer and Chief Spookz on another El Classico –http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/12/opl-grand-finals-interview-chief-swiffer-chief-spookz-another-el-classico/
Comparisons between traditional sports and competitive gaming
eSports Parallels: The Spine – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/31/esports-parallels-traditional-sport-spine/
eSports Parallels: Support and Coaching Staff – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/09/esports-parallels-traditional-sport-support-coaching-staff/
eSports Parallels: Governing Bodies – http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/15/esports-parallels-traditional-sport-governing-bodies/