“I don’t have to worry about not having enough money”: South Aussie’s big eSports score
A 23-year-old South Australian has been announced as the first Australian to be signed by a team for the inaugural season of the lucrative eSports-based Overwatch League.
SA's Scott Kennedy is set to earn a six-figure salary in professional gaming.
Scott Kennedy, who goes by the online moniker ‘Custa’, is the first official signing by the Dallas Fuel.
Excited to play with such an incredible org and some crazy players. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. LETS GO! https://t.co/iz8YuGS3cO
— Scott Kennedy (@Custa) October 27, 2017
The Overwatch League, which provides a professional platform for elite players of the video game Overwatch, is set to launch its foundation season in January.
With over 35 million players worldwide and only 12 teams in the League, Kennedy joins an exclusive group of professional eSports athletes, with all players in the League guaranteed a minimum salary of US$50, 000 a year.
I don’t have to worry about losing my job, not having enough money… I can focus on just the game
Currently residing in Canada, Kennedy told InDaily via Skype that he relishes the “job stability” that the Overwatch League provides.
“eSports is a very up and down business,” he said.
“Overwatch League is a lot more season-orientated, it gives me the chance (to play) and proves that I’m going to be there for the first season, no matter what.
“I don’t have to worry about losing my job, not having enough money, not any of those things.
“I can focus more on just the game and less on everything else around it.”
There’s always that stress that you need to be the best – just like any normal sport
eSports, a term coined to describe professional video gaming, is a growing industry in Australia.
Scott’s favourite AFL team, the Adelaide Crows, became the first club in Australian sport to purchase an eSports franchise this past May.
Globally, eSports is booming.
According to the 2017 Newzoo Global eSports Market Report, the global eSports audience this year will reach 385 million, whilst bringing in revenue in the realm of US$700 million.
Around 20,000 spectators watch the semi-final between teams ‘Liquid’ and ‘Secret’ of the ESL (Electronic Sports League) One event in Hamburg, Germany, this week – with more than $1 million in prize money up for grabs. Photo: David Hecker / EPA
Streaming services like Twitch have fostered a budding gaming culture, providing a platform for eSports fans to watch and interact with content creators, while providing professionals an avenue for greater exposure and financial support.
Scott Kennedy moved to Canada in early 2016, deferring his engineering degree and leaving his friends and family behind to chase his dream of playing professional video games.
Quickly earning a contract with prominent eSports organization Fnatic in late 2016, ‘Custa’ established himself in the professional scene, becoming well known for his communication skills.
Scott ‘Custa’ Kennedy (bottom left), pictured with Fnatic Team members during his stint with the team.
Kennedy then had a stint with Arc6, before landing his dream job with Team Envy’s Dallas Fuel.
“To know these guys, playing against them at tournaments and to then finally join them, it’s honestly amazing,” Kennedy said.
“They’re all such incredible players, such amazing guys.
“I’m over the moon with the team. I wouldn’t want to be on any other team.”
Kennedy, the only Australian signed to an Overwatch League roster, is set to earn a six-figure salary next year, which includes sponsorship, and donations from his loyal Twitch followers.
Whilst Kennedy opens the newest chapter of his professional eSports career when he jets off to Los Angeles in late November, he rejects the notion that he’s got it ‘easy’.
“There’s no prize for being second in eSports,” he said.
“Once you start competing there’s always that stress, just like any normal sport, that you need to be the best.
“If you aren’t going to perform, you are going to be out of a job.
“There are so many unknown people that are wanting to take your spot at any given moment, so your ability to stay within the top level is always under fire.”
Pre-season for the Overwatch League gets underway in December, with the official season to begin on the 10th of January 2018, followed by a championship series and finals in July.
All games will be played in the custom-built Blizzard Arena in LA.
