bit-tech: With esports, there's a perception that it's for the best of the best? How can more players be included who aren't quite at that level?
Min-Liang Tan: We've got this new platform that we're really excited about. We're still in beta right now. It's called Arena. That's where we're getting amateurs or semi-pro gamers to be able to come online. We've got Counter Strike, we've got Team Fortress 2, we've got Battlefield 4 and I think Dota 2 coming online and we're going to have a lot more games. That's where we're going to be doing a lot of talent scouting and we're going to be organising tournaments. I'd like to be able to get into a competitive scene but I'm not today fully invested to play 16 hours a day to train. Arena is one of those things that we're giving back to the community, we're investing in prizes and stuff like that but it's still truly competitive. At some point in time we're going to be splitting it up such that there will be the over 30s tournament, for example, 'The Masters'. We're going to have different categories and stuff like that. So arena.razerzone.com – that's just gotten started.
Click to enlarge - The DeathAdder Chroma
bit-tech: What's the one thing you like most about esports as it is today, besides the games?
Min-Liang Tan: I like the competitive aspect of it. I like when somebody does a phenomenal play, and it takes your breath away, one of those things where you go, “holy shit, I wish I could do that.”
bit-tech: If you could change one thing about esports, what would it be?
Min-Liang Tan: The one thing I wish would come back, honestly, is one on one FPS duels. I think those are visceral. I've seen a couple of games out there that I'm excited about. Reflex, for example, I think it's an indie developer working on that, bringing back the Quake kind of tournaments. The new Unreal, based off of community feedback, I'm excited about that. But that's one thing I would love to see. I know it's a very hardcore niche, but when you see an amazing play come out from a gladiatorial style thing, it stays with you.
Click to enlarge - The DeathAdder Chroma
bit-tech: You've been with esports for a long time – what catalyst or catalysts have there been that have most contributed to its explosive growth, where prize pools are now surpassing traditional sports tournaments?
Min-Liang Tan: The games themselves have made a huge difference. Guys like Riot coming in and supporting it and Valve supporting Dota. In the past, unfortunately, it used to be guys like us that were holding the flag and there was only so much we could do. But with guys like Riot, with guys like Wargaming, I think esports has got a massive amount of opportunity moving forward.
bit-tech: Thank you very much for your time!
You can keep up with Min-Liang Tan on Twitter @minliangtan
Min-Liang Tan: We've got this new platform that we're really excited about. We're still in beta right now. It's called Arena. That's where we're getting amateurs or semi-pro gamers to be able to come online. We've got Counter Strike, we've got Team Fortress 2, we've got Battlefield 4 and I think Dota 2 coming online and we're going to have a lot more games. That's where we're going to be doing a lot of talent scouting and we're going to be organising tournaments. I'd like to be able to get into a competitive scene but I'm not today fully invested to play 16 hours a day to train. Arena is one of those things that we're giving back to the community, we're investing in prizes and stuff like that but it's still truly competitive. At some point in time we're going to be splitting it up such that there will be the over 30s tournament, for example, 'The Masters'. We're going to have different categories and stuff like that. So arena.razerzone.com – that's just gotten started.
Click to enlarge - The DeathAdder Chroma
bit-tech: What's the one thing you like most about esports as it is today, besides the games?
Min-Liang Tan: I like the competitive aspect of it. I like when somebody does a phenomenal play, and it takes your breath away, one of those things where you go, “holy shit, I wish I could do that.”
bit-tech: If you could change one thing about esports, what would it be?
Min-Liang Tan: The one thing I wish would come back, honestly, is one on one FPS duels. I think those are visceral. I've seen a couple of games out there that I'm excited about. Reflex, for example, I think it's an indie developer working on that, bringing back the Quake kind of tournaments. The new Unreal, based off of community feedback, I'm excited about that. But that's one thing I would love to see. I know it's a very hardcore niche, but when you see an amazing play come out from a gladiatorial style thing, it stays with you.
Click to enlarge - The DeathAdder Chroma
bit-tech: You've been with esports for a long time – what catalyst or catalysts have there been that have most contributed to its explosive growth, where prize pools are now surpassing traditional sports tournaments?
Min-Liang Tan: The games themselves have made a huge difference. Guys like Riot coming in and supporting it and Valve supporting Dota. In the past, unfortunately, it used to be guys like us that were holding the flag and there was only so much we could do. But with guys like Riot, with guys like Wargaming, I think esports has got a massive amount of opportunity moving forward.
bit-tech: Thank you very much for your time!
You can keep up with Min-Liang Tan on Twitter @minliangtan
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