How did your esports journey begin?
I’ve always loved games, ever since I was little. My mom would complain that my eyes were “glued to the screen” while I spent countless hours gaming. Then, my brothers introduced me to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). We huddled around the monitor, watching tournament highlights together… and that was it. I was just completely enthralled by the energy of the shoutcasters (also known as esports commentator), and the strategies and high level of skill displayed by the professional players. It was like a game of high-speed chess, and I absolutely loved it.

What made you venture into shoutcasting?
Throughout the numerous tournaments, highlights, and streams watched, there was always something entertaining, something engaging. One common denominator – the voices. The voices that let you know when something BIG happens, the voices that shout and go “Oh my God! IN-HUMAN REACTIONS!”, the voices that tell the story of the game. The shoutcasters. I wanted to do that. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to share my excitement for the game and tell those stories, too.

What is your In-Game-Name (IGN) and how did it come about?
My IGN is Kentrell “heyimquack” Kwek. I usually go by ‘quack’ since it’s a homophone of my last name, Kwek. Also, ducks are cute. However, ‘quack’ tends to be taken and thus, ‘heyimquack’ was hatched (pun intended). Also available for casting gigs! (kentrellquack@gmail.com)

What would you label yourself as?
“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer.” – Satoru Iwata, late CEO of Nintendo. While I am an aspiring esports commentator, I like to think that I’m a gamer at heart. As much as I enjoy esports commentary, at the end of the day, it’s all about the game. It’s what I love and what I’m passionate about. And I think that commentary, as my best friend puts it, is all about sharing that love and excitement with others.

Do you deem programmes like the Events and Commentary Mentorship (ECM) beneficial in developing the esports scene?
Definitely! Programmes like SCAPE’s ECM create opportunities for interested parties to learn, get their feet wet and rub shoulders with industry professionals such as casters and event organizers. Participants learn about the work behind the scenes of esports production, gaining a deeper appreciation and making friends along the way. You get to learn tips and tricks such as tongue twisters for vocal warmups, and different synonyms, phrases, and idioms to give your commentary that extra spice and sizzle. Being able to jump in and practice casting in front of an audience was an absolutely invaluable experience for me. The programmes can also serve as potential doors into the industry. I know I benefited from them!