It may be every teenagers dream, but being a professional gamer is a reality for Russel Van Dulken.
The 19-year-old from Kelowna is a superstar Counter-Strike player playing in the biggest eSports competitions in the world. Alongside his team, Team Liquid, Van Dulken plays against other professional teams across the world in games that gather millions of viewers.
Starting playing seriously in 2015, it only took a few years for Van Dulken to realize this was his desired career.
香蕉视频直播淲ith my first pro team, I was getting used to playing in a team environment, it was for me to learn and educate myself,香蕉视频直播� Van Dulken said. 香蕉视频直播淲ith my second team, I knew it was happening; when I moved to California, that香蕉视频直播檚 when I knew.香蕉视频直播�
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With his gamer handle 香蕉视频直播楾wistzz,香蕉视频直播� he quickly rose through the ranks of the professional eSports leagues. Moving to California in 2017 was a strategic step to be able to train in the same room everyday with his teammates, something that had become a necessity for teams if they wanted to improve and win.
And winning is something he香蕉视频直播檚 done, having earned over $300,000 in his career and three first place titles in eSports major competitions in 2018 alone.
Winning comes a lot harder in professional game than one may think. Van Dulken said it香蕉视频直播檚 more than just putting in a few hours while sitting in a chair.
香蕉视频直播淪ix days a week, eight to nine hours, and if we香蕉视频直播檙e all in the same area it香蕉视频直播檚 11 to 12 hours.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e all physically active. I work out 6 days a week. People don香蕉视频直播檛 realize how physical and mental health are important. You need to make sure you香蕉视频直播檙e feeling good and eating healthy,香蕉视频直播� said Van Dulken.
He said it香蕉视频直播檚 also important to have an office where he can separate his work and his home life.
香蕉视频直播淓ven though it香蕉视频直播檚 just leaving your house, it香蕉视频直播檚 good. You香蕉视频直播檙e forced to socialize, which I like, and you香蕉视频直播檙e not just at home with the computer on.香蕉视频直播�
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While his game-play has gotten him plenty of recognition from the large, international eSports world, he香蕉视频直播檚 still surprised that he has grown a fan-base, especially at his old high school, Rutland Secondary.
香蕉视频直播淎n old teacher contacted me to see if I could interact with some students, and like 45-50 students came,香蕉视频直播� Van Dulken laughed. 香蕉视频直播淭ruthfully, I feel like people didn香蕉视频直播檛 know I existed.香蕉视频直播�
Meanwhile, nearly a million fans will tune in to watch him, and other gamers, play during national competitions.
While he香蕉视频直播檚 unsure if eSports will ever take off locally in Kelowna, Van Dulken thinks virtual reality games (VR) will soon blow up and change the world of pro gaming.
香蕉视频直播淚 think computer games (that I play) will be around for a long time, but with wireless VR headsets now, more games will be trying to build something in VR.香蕉视频直播�
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According to , a Counter-Strike coverage site, Van Dulken was ranked as the 12th best player in 2018. Twistzz said he香蕉视频直播檒l continue with his gaming, with his next national championship coming April 28 in Australia.
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