@thederekminor
Very much so. And if it doesn’t go how I thought, I’m dwelling and thinking about it for a LONG time afterwards (sometimes months). Tend to assume if I wasn’t “perfect” the people I spoke to don’t like me/I did something wrong.
Ahhh, introverted anxiety 👍
The draw is live! After doing the draw I realized just how stacked playoffs is. So many amazing teams and we start out with some absolute insane matches. Can’t wait to get playoffs started!
Bit delayed because I tried to disconnect in Japan, but huge congrats to
@FNATIC
on the Masters win and what an incredible run by
@EvilGeniuses
.
Nine events down for VAL which is crazy. Thank you all for letting me bring part of my role to the screen this time 💜 it was surreal
I’m EXTREMELY excited to announce I have accepted the position for League Operations for the Global Competitive Team, VALORANT at
@riotgames
!
To say I am thankful is an understatement. I have worked so hard and to join such an amazing team is a gift.
VALORANT, here I come.
This is beyond heartbreaking. Daveeys was so kind to myself and everyone else around me during Champions. He was so happy to be there after their story and really acted like he was soaking in every moment. My heart goes out to his team, family, and the community.
Es con profunda tristeza que tenemos que comunicarles que, tras sufrir una descompensación el domingo, falleció
@Daveeys21
.
No hay forma de suavizar esto, nos tomó a todos por sorpresa.
Daveeys, Santi, era un player espectacular y un compañero de primera. Con su característica
VALORANT event number twelve in the books.
Huge congrats to
@Sentinels
on a hard fought win against
@GenG
who is an insane team. Excited to see what they can do next.
Madrid, thank you for everything. You’ve been incredible.
Next up, Shanghai ❤️
8 international events done. They just keep getting better and better. Congrats to
@FNATIC
on the win and congrats to the amazing Riot team who put this together. What a freaking event.
Event script started with a 9-3 curse, so y’all know it had to end with a 9-3 curse too 😉
Today I woke up to a major honor. So excited to be part of the 2024
@Forbes
30 Under 30 class. So many people have believed in me and helped me get to where I am. I’m beyond thankful for this honor and to be part of such an amazing Games class.
I’m just getting started 💙
Late again but wanted to give a huge congratulations to
@EvilGeniuses
for being VAL World Champions and to
@pprxteam
for being amazing competitors.
Ten international events managing comp ops for VAL & got to show a small part of my job again. All the support means the world 💛
I was so excited to finally bring the pick your own opponent mechanic to an event! We have some wild matchups for playoffs with very talented teams.
See you in two days!
Huge congratulations to
@GenG
on a hard fought victory at
#MastersShanghai
against a great team in
@TeamHeretics
. First major win for the Pacific region to prove VALORANT is truly a global esport.
13th international event leading match operations down. I’ll see you in Seoul 💛
Esports folks:
Started this conversation at Masters and it made me curious. If you didn’t work in anything close to esports but instead you followed a passion or major interest of yours, what would your career be?
Mine would be a volcanologist or paleontologist hands down.
It’s my one year anniversary at
@riotgames
and let me tell you, it has flown by. I’ve grown so much as a person and in my career. Crazy to look back at the experiences this job has given me, and the fact I just got to Iceland again for round 2. Cheers to year one 👊
@Olympics
Hiring someone with extensive esports knowledge and who has worked in different areas of esports would do them wonders. Hopefully we can get there and see esports become cohesive with traditional sports in a way that creates longevity and opportunity for young esports players
Two teams from each region will fight to become the 2023 World Champion of VALORANT.
The Playoff matchups are set and kickoff August 16!
#VALORANTChampions
I’ve spent every international VALORANT event running different competitive operations things behind the scenes. This
#VALORANTMasters
I’m briefly on the other side as well. Not a big deal, but very surreal to me to see this.
Alright friends. I’ve caved. I will once again be streaming on Twitch. A wise woman in my life told me I should try to be a positive role model to the community instead of removing myself from it, and that’s hard to argue. I’ve really missed it, so I’ll be returning next week!
I want to say that
@MiloshTheMedic
is one of the best hosts to ever be in esports. The knowledge, sense of humor, quick wit and so much more makes Milosh extremely top tier. Keep crushing it.
Coming to Tokyo was a mistake because now I want to move here. Everyone is insanely nice, I feel so safe and it’s difficult to find a single piece of trash anywhere. I can’t wait to explore more while I’m here
Started prioritizing working out and getting outside again and it makes such a difference.
Remember to prioritize your mental health folks. Work, stress, or other things defeating you and taking up your time aren’t worth sacrificing your mental ❤️
We are beyond excited to unveil the inaugural Influential Voices in Gaming class of 2024! Presented by
@Ally
, we’re shining a spotlight on remarkable talent across categories like Creators, Pro, Esports Players, Journalists, Executives, and On-Air Talent.🌟
Check out the full
So happy to be part of the final VCT event of 2022! I can’t put into words how much the
#VCTGameChangers
event meant to me. Watching these women show how amazing & unstoppable they are was incredible.
7 global VCT events in, so many to go. Now on to hibernating for 2023 VCT 😈
I can’t believe
#VALORANTChampions
starts in 4 days. Feels weird not hopping on a long flight the first time.
The schedule is insane and there are so many good matches. It’s gonna be nuts
Hi friends. I am looking for some moderately experienced Overwatch and CS:GO casters. If you or anybody you know is looking for some paid collegiate work over the next couple of months, send me some vods!
@minijake_
@amylaix
Correct, ya. The global list was updated and that’s what is shared to regions. All tiers should have the same bug and exploit rules
The collegiate esports space will never improve until we listen/empower the coaches and leaders with good intentions. It should be about improving things for the people, not the dollar sign. I hope we can change to that idea soon.
Just want to make it known I had a dream last night that my next job was working on developing/running Valorant events. I wake up to the 2021 schedule being announced.
Coincidence? I think (hope) not. 😂
Just want to give a shout out to
@colinyoungwolff
for being one of the most talented event photographers I’ve seen. Not only did he take these pictures of me to make me look cooler than I am, but he captures how incredible our VALORANT events are. Don’t let him go unnoticed
Had to run through the London airport like an idiot in a comedy movie because the international lines were insane. BUT I am officially in Berlin. Masters 3, I’m ready. 😈
If you told the me of four years ago that my life would be what it is today, I’d laugh hysterically then probably cry a lot because I’d feel like you were mocking my dreams. I’m so thankful and I’ve never been this genuinely happy.
Things do get better friends.
Had the absolute honor of being given the Young Alumni of the Year award from my alma mater.
Spent both my undergrad and masters journey at MSU and it’s a true honor to be given this. So thankful for everyone involved ❤️
The entire team has been working on this for so long. I’m excited to see where this can go and thankful for the fan base that has allowed us to think bigger already! We genuinely couldn’t do anything we do without the support from each of you 👊
A new era of VALORANT Esports is coming in 2023. Today we want to share a preview of our vision for the future of competitive VALORANT. Watch out for more details and info later this year.
Seven minutes into my birthday I dropped two plates on the venue stairs and shattered them. BUT it was an amazing first day of Masters 3 and I am so pleased with everything! Hopefully my birthday brings some good luck to Day 2, minus the broken plates 😂
It's here and I am constantly blown away by the talent of the team around me at Riot. There is so much more to VALORANT than just the competition, which makes it one of the most incredible things to work on.
So excited to kick off this event today! It’s incredible to see all these outstanding players on a LAN stage.
I’m not able to be on site for this one which hurts my heart but as always, I’ll still be doing my thing. Just remotely ❤️
The wait is over! Eight teams take the stage at the
#VCTGameChangers
Championship and bring VALORANT to another level. Turn up the volume and GET AMP’D 🔊
Don't miss a moment of Opening Day at
I graduate this Friday with my MBA and I don't know how to feel about it. It feels so surreal on top of what I get to do for a career. I feel empowered for the first time in a very long time friends. It's so nice
I spent my week “off” after Champions doing a doctoral residency for my dissertation. Today I defended my dissertation topic and proposed study, and it got approved!
Still a long way to go, but the first major hurdle is done 🙌🏼
Now that I have officially settled in, I wanted to announce that I have taken the position of Chief Revenue Officer for
@MidwesteSports1
.
I am beyond excited to work with this team and help propel this already amazing company forward!
Honestly, so blessed to have been able to be part of this event. Not only am I blown away that I get to do this for a job, but being part of such an amazing team at Riot is beyond a blessing. I have never seen a more talented group of people.
Now on to
#VCT
2022 and more events!
Hot take. Getting on a plane clearly sick (coughing, sniffling, etc) with no way of trying to protect those around you from getting it is one of the most incredibly selfish and infuriating things you can do.
I... I can't tell you how happy it makes me that we traded away all of our picks and money to grow over the next few years to get a QB and Coach who were supposed to turn us around. I know it takes some time but SEVENTY POINTS?! 🫠
Six years ago today I was working a Super Bowl in Houston.
Tomorrow I head to Brazil to help run a global VALORANT event.
Kind of feels like two different life times but also a decent evolution 🤷🏼♀️
I’ve left my house less than a dozen times since March, mainly for curbside pickup of groceries. I’ve been EXTREMELY cautious and never irresponsible. Always have worn a mask. Now I have COVID. I beg you all to be even more careful. Please, for the sake of others.
I’ve been seeing more Iso played well in my games lately. With him being eligible for the Game Changers Championship, I’m really interested to see what the teams might come up with and if we will see him on the international stage there 💜
Finally back in the states! Loved being able to be at Masters 3. It was amazing and can’t wait for LCQ and Champions! Now time to celebrate my birthday a little late with loved ones.
Also shout out to the hotel we stayed at for having the pinkest rooms I’ve ever seen 😂
This Siege Finals casting with
@KiXSTArTV
and
@INTERRO
(and a dash of
@blucasts
) is absolutely insane. They're bringing a whole new level of hype. One of the most exciting Siege casts I've ever listened to and we have only played one map.
My mental health has been really, really struggling lately and I just wanted to remind you all that you don't have to pretend to be okay no matter what your life looks like to others.
Also a reminder to reach out to loved ones and check in on them even when life is crazy 💙
What an incredible end to an amazing event. GGs to
@Sentinels
on their win!
Next stop is Berlin! I came in late at Riot for Stage 2 but I get to work on Stage 3/Masters 3 from start to finish. So extremely excited for that and thankful to work with an incredible team at Riot.
If I can, I just want to take a minute to be proud of myself for once. I created the concept of what is now UCEA entirely by myself. I took that idea and grew it to what it is. I started the idea in 2019 and ran with it because I knew collegiate esports needed something better.
One thing that sucks about esports is that you get to meet and hang out with some of your best friends at events, but then after a few days everyone goes back to their homes that are hours apart.
@OfficialBoaster
We would give you a tech pause, don't worry. Emergency illness is one, but also I think I speak for our entire crew that we don't want this happening 😂
I just want to be able to buy my own house, you know? Drove past a gas station where regular was $7.50 per gallon though so it’s not looking good anytime soon
Decided to go ahead and upgrade to a 2021 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatchback.
To say I am thankful and blessed is an understatement. I know it's cliche, but I really couldn't have done this without the support I've had in my career that got me to where I am now. 💙
The amount of lies and poor business in esports really hurts my heart. Just going to continue to do my best and create the best practices I possibly can for a positive environment.
I’m another year older and I had an existential crisis at least three times today. 😂
On a serious note, I’m very thankful for where I am in life for my age and everyone who helped me get here. Here’s to another year around the sun 🥂
I will be starting on April 5th and it can’t come soon enough. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here and believed in me. I’ll work to make VALORANT the absolute best it can be. 👊
The eSports community has given me amazing friends that I would’ve never known without it. It’s given me more opportunities than I can count. I can’t wait to dive deeper and see what I can give back in a profession. I may not be where I want to be yet, but soon I will.
Three years since I reached out to Riot to run a collegiate VAL tournament. Found an incredible human there who worked with me and let me do one of the largest and first collegiate VAL tournaments.
Now I’ve been doing that for global VAL events for over two years. Life’s crazy
Based on player and fan feedback, the
#VALORANTMasters
Berlin knockout stage will pivot to an eight-team single elimination bracket and remove the final match of group play. Additional details on the format will be shared next week.
One week from today I will be having a Clubhouse discussion on collegiate esports. I have hot takes and welcome anyone who wants to learn about them. Join us next Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern!
One of the biggest problems I see in esports is that we expect a decade-ish old esports industry to be doing the same things as a century+ old sports industry.
There’s about 87 things wrong with that. We HAVE to let esports grow independently of sports and change the mindset.