Author: Pedro Romero

Shopify Rebellion took the world by storm when they competed in the 2022 VCT Game Changers Championship. Backed by an unrelenting momentum that helped them score crucial victories over X10 Sapphire, Team Liquid Brazil, and their North American archrivals Cloud9 White, the team reached the grand finals where they took on G2 Gozen for the chance to become the first-ever GC world champions.Even without the help of head coach Rob “rob-wiz” Kennedy, who was infamously suspended from the finals, the second-seeded NA team started off well by building a 2-0 lead over G2. Unfortunately, their scorching form went cold at…

As the recent Valorant Champions Tour offseason presented an exciting roster shuffle, which moved world-class players to different teams, it dispensed a taxing frame for others looking to find a new home. With a limited number of spots in the Tier-1 level up for grabs, it then enhanced the urgency behind joining a Tier-2 side as those not chosen to join the five North American partnered teams must look for another team that will strive to compete in Challengers and its reformed format. Although a greater number of players would extend–and in essence, salvage–their careers by joining a Tier-2 team,…

On the back of an impressive string of performances in VCT LOCK//IN 2023, Natus Vincere reached the Semifinals as one of two remaining representatives of EMEA. Thoroughly redeeming the region’s place in pro Valorant after a disappointing showing in the Alpha Bracket where just one team cracked the overall round of 16.With a team that already boasted a stellar core holding a Masters title under their belt, NAVI upgraded themselves even further with the arrival of cNed; the famous Turkish duelist that led Acend to world championship glory in 2021. That led many people, fans and analysts alike, in selecting…

In the second part of BLIX.GG’s interview with Dota 2 host Sophia Mapua, she covers her who she views as her role models, the growing presence of women in the game, becoming the host for the Southeast Asian DPC Winter Tour, and more.Role models and presence of women in DotaPedro Romero, BLIX.GG: You mentioned Sheever as one of your biggest role models. Is she the only role model within your following of Dota? Or is there another person you have in mind that fits that bill?Sophia Mapua: Back in the day, I was a big fan of SirActionSlacks (Jake Kanner)…

Since 2020, the professional Dota2 scene has seen an influx of new talent grace the broadcast screen with their distinctive personalities. These people would work alongside the scene’s familiar names to forge a new brand of entertainment and analytical presentation for its audience. Particularly among women, these names include Mira “Ephey” Riad, Natalie “NatTea” Mahoney and Alexandra “Sheepsticked” Roberts.Entering the 2023 Dota Pro Circuit, hailing from the Philippines, one more person made their debut on the hosting desk: Sophia Mapua. A fiercely devoted Dota fan from a young age, Mapua dabbled in numerous corporate jobs before deciding to pursue content…

In the second part of BLIX.GG’s interview with VALORANT caster Daniela “Dryad” Herrera, she goes in-depth on why she decided to cover FPS games, her growing presence in VALORANT, and how she reflects on her career thus far. You’ll find more of Dryad’s thoughts, as well as the beginnings of her esports journey in part one.Covering FPS games Dryad working an interview with KRU Esports’ Roberto “Mazino” Bugueño during Champions 2022(Credit: Riot Games/Colin Young-Wolff)Pedro Romero, BLIX.GG: When you started working in esports by covering VALORANT, Overwatch, and Call of Duty, why did you specifically focus on FPS games?Daniela “Dryad” Herrera:…

From the moment VALORANT was released in early 2020, it served as a new chapter in many people’s lives. For those that were cast aside in a previous game, starting in VALORANT presented a new opportunity for them to restart their careers with a clean slate. Additionally, for those with previous experience working in Esports, such as Daniela “Dryad” Herrera, entering VALORANT could signify the springboard to even greater heights than what they foresaw.Helped by a profound love of FPS games, Dryad started working in Esports in mid-2020 as an interviewer and then as a Spanish and English caster for…

Sometimes, in the lucrative world of esports, besides relying on one’s own merit, a decent amount of luck is needed to properly make their way into the scene. Regardless of how it happens, so long as the person seizes the opportunity presented in front of them, they can start a career; one that could ultimately take them to different places and positions whose range can stretch far beyond their predisposed horizons. This was how current Team SoloMid LCS manager Chien-Yu “Kristine” Huang saw her admission into esports.Through her initial jobs, including selling popcorn as a vendor for public esports events,…

In the first part of our two-part interview with TSM LoL Manager, Kristine Huang, she took us through the early days of her time in the industry.In this second half we speak with her about her move back to TSM and more recent challenges she faced, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as some advice for young hopefuls on how they can make their dream’s in the esports scene a reality one day too.The COVID Pandemic and difficulties in Carry LivePedro Romero, BLIX.GG: When you joined Carry Live Co. in 2020, you basically had to experience the difficulties of the…

Ordinarily, when one compares China to other regions in competitive Valorant on paper, they view it as a weak region, far away from competing with the rest of the globe. Considering the country’s dominance in other significant Esport titles like League of Legends and Dota 2, it is a stark contrast to the type of attention it is accustomed to receiving. However, with Valorant not being an accessible game for the general populace since its official launch in 2020, it is hard to view the country as anything beyond its meager state so far in competitive Valorant.Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped…