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.
91裸聊视频淲ith my first pro team, I was getting used to playing in a team environment, it was for me to learn and educate myself,91裸聊视频� Van Dulken said. 91裸聊视频淲ith my second team, I knew it was happening; when I moved to California, that91裸聊视频檚 when I knew.91裸聊视频�
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With his gamer handle 91裸聊视频楾wistzz,91裸聊视频� 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 he91裸聊视频檚 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 it91裸聊视频檚 more than just putting in a few hours while sitting in a chair.
91裸聊视频淪ix days a week, eight to nine hours, and if we91裸聊视频檙e all in the same area it91裸聊视频檚 11 to 12 hours.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e all physically active. I work out 6 days a week. People don91裸聊视频檛 realize how physical and mental health are important. You need to make sure you91裸聊视频檙e feeling good and eating healthy,91裸聊视频� said Van Dulken.
He said it91裸聊视频檚 also important to have an office where he can separate his work and his home life.
91裸聊视频淓ven though it91裸聊视频檚 just leaving your house, it91裸聊视频檚 good. You91裸聊视频檙e forced to socialize, which I like, and you91裸聊视频檙e not just at home with the computer on.91裸聊视频�
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While his game-play has gotten him plenty of recognition from the large, international eSports world, he91裸聊视频檚 still surprised that he has grown a fan-base, especially at his old high school, Rutland Secondary.
91裸聊视频淎n old teacher contacted me to see if I could interact with some students, and like 45-50 students came,91裸聊视频� Van Dulken laughed. 91裸聊视频淭ruthfully, I feel like people didn91裸聊视频檛 know I existed.91裸聊视频�
Meanwhile, nearly a million fans will tune in to watch him, and other gamers, play during national competitions.
While he91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚 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.91裸聊视频�
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According to , a Counter-Strike coverage site, Van Dulken was ranked as the 12th best player in 2018. Twistzz said he91裸聊视频檒l continue with his gaming, with his next national championship coming April 28 in Australia.
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