Esport is now so recognized that it is becoming a career choice for young passionate players. But, like in sports, very little space and intense commitment is required to become a pro-gamer. On Jeu.Video we talked to you, a few months ago, about the first Tekken 7 tournament in France and also about Esport overseas. Today we present to you Guess, an amateur player who trains like a pro-gamer. He has just snatched third place at the Giga Games Canoc Esport series in Guadeloupe. Next to that, he is preparing to participate in the UFA (Ultimate Fighting Arena) 2022 at the Paris docks. An inspiring story, a harsh reality, tips; let yourself be carried away by his journey and perhaps become the next challenger!
Hello Deveine, could you tell us about your beginnings in video games?
The first console I played on was my uncle’s Mega Drive. I remember playing Sonic when I was five years old. Right after that I got my first console, a Playstation with Tekken 2 and Tekken 3.
I played many games back then, but since fighting games were already my passion, I played Tekken (and even Soul Edge) a lot more. I played Tekken with my little sister, my best friend at the time and his two older brothers. These were bigger, so I lost all the time, but that never stopped my desire to progress.
Moreover, I also like Tekken since it is the game of Arslan Ash, a very inspiring pro-gamer. Ash is a Pakistani player who started from scratch and was crowned Tekken 7 World Champion during theEVO (Evolution Championship Series) 2019.
When did you really get into competitive gaming?
It was in 2016 in Bordeaux, during my studies, that I discovered the competitive scene in a gaming bar, the Meltdown. He organized weekly competitions of Tekken tag tournament 2. This is where I got to know the first technical terms from pro-gamers, like Frame Data (number of frames of each movement – very important for fighting games!). It was with this knowledge that I really started to understand how fighting games work at a pro level. I then decided to learn on my own, but it was difficult to progress like that.
A year and a half later, I found Rising Opossum, a Martinican eSport association. That’s where the click came and I started to improve faster. Integrate the FGC (Fighting Game Community) brought me new challenges to deepen my knowledge. This was made possible thanks to competitions organized by the association as well as by the many defeats suffered by facing better players than me.
However, I have a competitive soul. For me, every defeat is an opportunity. Why did I lose? What did I do wrong this time? What good did my opponent do to win? It is by analyzing each match that I managed to improve myself by mastering my mistakes and perfecting my techniques. The appearance of tutorials on the internet has also helped me, such as the lessons of That Blasted Salami.
This is also when I really got into Tekken 7, my current competitive game.
Today, do you only play Tekken 7?
I also play other games such as Street Fighter V, Mortal Kombat 11, Guilty gear vie or DNF Duel. All this to have another perspective on my favorite game, to learn more and improve myself.
How’s your almost pro-gamer training going?
I train alone to work on matches up but also to improve myself in the execution of sequences. In addition, I also face opponents to manage to incorporate in my game all the strategies in a natural way. I spend about 15 hours a week training.
Does it take up a lot of space in your life?
It is sure that Tekken has a big place in my hobbies! However, it also offers the opportunity to surpass myself. It also makes it possible to have new things to learn or to be in search of mastery. It’s a tangible way to improve myself.
What are the next steps on your path to pro-gaming?
I’m taking part in the UFA in Paris from November 11 to 13. I will find very great players like Super Akuma and Arslan Ash! My ultimate goal is to be in the top 8, but to be in the top 32 would already be a great victory!
Deveine, any advice for those who would like to become a pro-gamer?
Right now is the right time to get started! There are a lot of resources on the internet to learn on your own and the FGC is always very open. If you have the motivation, you can make it happen.
However, you should not be afraid of losing. Losing is part of the process. If you don’t lose, you can’t improve. So you have to look at each defeat as an opportunity to become better and get closer to the dream of becoming a pro-gamer!
There is also a short quote from Nelson Mandela which I particularly like:
“I never lose. Either I win or I learn”
Many thanks to Deveine for answering our various questions. We wish you good luck for the upcoming competitions.
