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Today on SG Gamers, we had a chance to catch up with Amber aka Valeisky.
Tell us about yourself.
I am not a professional gamer but I do play a lot of games. What I do is, I am a social media influencer for esports and I also do hosting for esports events. My current tie up is with Singtel, as an influencer for their PvP esports league.
I am also the manager of a professional player called vtfaded who is actually ranked 2nd in China and ranked 4th in South East Asia. I manage his player transfer fees, his social media and also watch his training and analyse them for him. I also cast his tournaments on my stream. My last emcee was for the internationals 8 pubstomp for asterisk. I quit the competitive scene for girls as I needed to concentrate on building up vtfaded. However, I still do game a lot.
How did you get into Dota 2?
I got into the Dota scene 11 years ago. At that time, esports tournaments were scarce and female gamers were almost like taboo; or a mythical creature. The stigma still do exists nowadays and many guys still look down on female gamers saying things like “get back to ur kitchen” etc. But even though I am not a competitive player, because of my frequent job on analyzing pro games and playing with the pros, I am better than the average player; and I am ranked divine 2 on my solo mmr.
Besides Dota 2, what are the other games you play for fun?
I play a variety of iPad games, on PC will be: Overcooked, Resident Evil 7, the Witcher, Layers of fear, some random indie games and Sims 4.
You mentioned that you are a social media influencer with Singtel for PVP esports league. How long have you been doing that? Any other events before this?
I was in Asterisk doing events for them, but I joined the aviation industry for 2 years. PvP is the first big project I have after leaving my life as a cabin crew 2 months ago. I landed this gig the moment I left the airline so things are not too bad for me. I am going to cosplay for some VR game in mid October in a bid to help create awareness.
How long have you been managing vtfaded? Are there plans for you to manage other pro gamers?
I have been managing him about 1.5 years. No plans to manage other pro gamers but I would love to manage a team again soon. 🙂
What do you think are the challenges/ obstacles a local pro gamer would face?
I think one of the greatest challenge for a pro gamer especially in Singapore would be shaking off traditional mindsets of parents and fellow countrymen. Negative mindsets deeply embroiled in DNA that we as Singaporeans need to get a degree and an 8-5 job because that’s the only way people would regard u as “decent and normal” and not a “useless delinquent”. It saddens me to know many pro players need to give up on their dreams because this “pro gamer” idea is just not practical in Singapore. It’s more like a luxury I would say.
What are your future plans?
I plan to delve deeper into esports be it the social media side, events, emceeing or team management. Esports is my passion and my dream 😀
In your own words, how would you encourage young female gamers who wish to go pro?
My words to young girls who wish to go pro or start embarking on your own esports career be it the player, or the one behind the scenes like me is this:
When in doubt, don’t think. Just do it! We can fall and stumble, or achieve nothing but failure, but what we can say at the end of the day to the naysayers is: “Well at least I tried my best. Did you?”
Catch Valeisky at the PvP Esports on 5th -7th October at Suntec Convention!
