Flying the South African flag high in eSport
eSports (also known as mind sports) is gaining in popularity and is being recognised as a sport in its own right, with dedicated gamers and participants.
One such passionate eSport gamer is 24-year-old Lyle Jeacocks.
The Northmead-based young man is thrilled to be participating at the IeSF Ie(International eSports Federation) World Championships in Jakarta next month.
He and his team of eSport players, known as Anteria Gaming, will be representing South Africa at the world championships, taking place from October 6 to October 9.
“To be part of the championships will mean that we receive international exposure and to win will be a complete life-changer,” Jeacocks said.
At the championships, they will be playing Counter Strike: Global Offensive, a multiplayer first-person shooter video game.
His position in the game is the in-game leader who “analyses and targets the opposing team, while helping his team with their positions”.
Jeacocks has been playing Counter Strike for 10 years now and aims to reach an esteemed position in the game.
“My wish is to put South Africa on the map and to help show the world what we are made of,” he said.
To make it to the world championships Jeacock said that the team of five eSport players had to participate and win “many” online tournaments and championships.
“The best thing about eSports is that it allows people to be involved and connects them anywhere and everywhere,” he said.
“There is a huge community of people that come together all in the name of gaming.”
Jeacocks started playing video games when he was eight years old and said the first game he ever played was Half Life.
He has been hooked on gaming ever since and joined the online gaming scene when he was in Grade Seven.
He said that the best way to build a name for yourself in eSports is to find a platform that is comfortable for you as well as putting in many hours of practice, while also looking after yourself physically.
