MEET ESPORTS GAMER “DZ PAUL”
ButterB: You’re definitely an accomplished player, so can you tell me how you got started in Rainbow Six and video games in general? Can you also explain Rainbow Six for those that don’t already know?
Paul: In general, I played video games ever since I can remember. My dad got me in to playing XBox when I was really young, and ever since I’ve just loved it. As far a Rainbow Six, I came across it super early and I realized I was super good at it compared to all the other games I played. I just stuck with it. Basically, the game is a tactical first person shooter game. It basically revolves around strategy and methodical play than a normal shooter video game. It’s basically a 5v5 and there’s seven rounds. It’s three minutes per round and you have one life per round.
ButterB: How often do you travel for gaming?
Paul: There are four regions: North America, Europe, South America, and APAC (Asia-Pacific). If you place top two in your region you get to a major which is held in a different country decided by the developers. I just recently went to one in Montreal, and then I went to one in Japan. It’s amazing being able to visit these places and play around the world. My favorite place was definitely Japan. It is the cleanest place I’ve ever seen, like there was no pollution.
ButterB: Who do you look up to the most in the gaming world and in life in general?
Paul: The person I look up to the most is my coach. He was my ex teammate and he holds me to a high standard. Outside of the gaming world I would say Michael Jordan. I may be a little bit biased because I just finished watching the documentary he put out, but his outlook on sports and life in general is inspiring. He’s something else. The ultimate competitor.
ButterB: Do you feel like you are in a unique position as an esports gamer?
Paul: I’m super grateful to be in the position that I am. It’s a very limited position there’s only fifty people in the North American region that have the same position that I do.
ButterB: What is your favorite thing about the gaming experience?
Paul: Taking up gaming has helped me improve more as a person. It’s been a great experience learning what it means to be a great teammate, and getting to know the people beside me each day. It benefits my personal connections.
ButterB: What advice would you give to people who want to get started playing video games for money?
Paul: To follow your dreams, but if you feel like you have even one ounce of doubt then I wouldn’t put in as many hours as it takes to get here. It’s a lot of hours, and a lot of people think I just get to play video games and it is not that big of a deal but the esports industry is growing every year. It’s a lot of work.
ButterB: How many hours do you put in every week and how many do you recommend for people who want to get serious about their gaming?
Paul: I work from 12 to 7 every day except Saturday, but I recommend at least 6 to 7 hours a day. It really just depends. You can also still improve just by watching a game and studying it.
ButterB: How do you react when you lose?
“Losing is amazing“
Paul: It’s a great opportunity to learn from it. Losing is amazing. You learn more from a loss than you do from a win. No one likes losing, but you just have to view it positively.
ButterB: When did you start taking gaming more seriously and to a competitive level?
Paul: I’ve always been competitive. I mean I played sports like Soccer up until high school, so I think it was after my first match when my team won. It was such an amazing feeling that I loved and craved and wanted to experience every game.
ButterB: If you had to become an animal which one would you be?
Paul: This might be a common answer but I would pick the lion. They’re wild and dominant, and no one really f**** with you.
ButterB: Is there trash talk involved with teams at your level?
Paul: There’s definitely some trash talk that goes around. It doesn’t really affect me but it affects others so that’s why I do it to a certain extent. I feel like it can get in people’s heads and affect how they play. I never say anything too bad and no one takes it personal because at the end of the day people know trash talk is just trash talk.
ButterB: Whats your fashion sense like?
Paul: I’m a little hype-beast, i have some Louis Vuitton stuff. i love Adidas, their quality on their gear is amazing. I am actually wearing an Adidas sweatsuit right haha.
ButterB: That’s interesting! Ok so now it’s time for our last question called the butter question. This question is typically out of the ordinary and sometimes controversial, but we want the full, honest answer! So the butter question is: “If you had to pick one person to babysit your child out of El Chapo or Kim Jong Un who would it be?
Paul: That’s a hard choice haha. would have to pick El Chapo because if I leave my kid with Kim Jong Un I don’t know if I’d ever see him again.
ButterB: Thanks for the interview! We enjoyed having you, and keep it butter!
Paul: Thanks, keep it butter.
