Mr Hill, when you first heard your son wanted to start a career in eSports, what was your first reaction?
I was surprised that there was anything like that, because he never mentioned it before, but I guess he didn’ t know much either, so he never could actually describe it to me. His mother took him to his first event in Sweden at the time, which I didn’ t know since we were divorced. But she really supported him from the start. A lot of the press releases never gave her credit for her being so supportive since the beginning. I am probably more involved now, because I started to play the game and got hooked on it as well. I’ m still playing it to this day, but I’ m also sad that Dyrus doesn’ t play for TSM anymore.
Had you heard of eSports before your son had told you about it?
No, actually his aunt started calling me to explain he was famous on this game and that it was a big thing, guess my sister was right, but I still didn’ t know it could be a career or job.
You meet someone new, and they ask what your son is doing for a living. How do you explain eSports to them?
Just tell them that he plays video games for a living, that he is a pro gamer and then explain from there, you can see bewilderment on their faces at times.
When you attended an eSport event for the first time, how did it feel? Was it underwhelming or overwhelming?
It was a very overwhelming event. My sister passed away around that time as well, and she was the one that got me and my son talking again. With everything coming together, it was a very emotional event for everyone.
In comparison to other popular sports, like baseball for example, do you think that eSport crowds need to be more energized?
No, not really, eSports fans are a great bunch and overall just some people wanting to have fun. I do realize that this sport is hard for some people to understand because they do not play video games themselves. The reason I started playing was to understand what my son was doing, but not every parent will want to play league( laughs). But they will feel the excitement in the air if they ever decide to attend an event. I met a few parents and it’ s just as, or even more exciting as any other sports event.
What tip would you give other parents whose kids want to become professional players?
I was a hard dad in some ways, but you learn to be a parent along the way. It is not something you automatically know, as your kid grows, so do you. In my opinion, you don’ t have to follow the standards every other parent does. I tell other parents that if the kid is really good at the game, giving up a year to try to be something in the gaming community is not a bad thing. At least he’ s actively trying to accomplish something that few people get to do. And really, what’ s the worst that could happen to them? Having your son or daughter with you longer is something that all parents will have to face one day. Finishing high school is a must though, no matter what you do in life. Then what the rush, try it when you are young and got time.
What has your experience with the eSports industry been like so far?
Positive, in most cases being around it has soften me a lot, I’ d probably be in trouble or even jail if this video game did not take me off the street, but that’ s another story. Overall it’ s positive, but I do think young people are disconnected in