How are you doing?

Are you with the Dota 2 team in Europe or are you in North America?

Im good, thanks for asking!

I am currently in Toronto (Canada) right now, and not with the team in Europe.

The Dota 2 team isnt even bootcamping together right now.

Only Quinn Quinn Callahan is at a bootcamp facility due to some visa issues he has.

Do you travel to all major tournaments with the team?

But other than that, youll find me at most Dota 2 events.

Ive been playing the game since 2009, which makes me a big Dota fan first and foremost.

That sounds like a very unique approach, where a higher up travels with the team.

Is this something other organizations do as well, as far as you know?

Ive seen a couple of organizations do it, but they dont get into the manager role.

Theyll come to an event for the mainstage games, so we are unique in that aspect.

But till now, its worked well and led to us having a good relationship with the players.

Its a bit cliche to say this, but weve kind of built a family here.

I can imagine that takes the stress off players, allowing them to concentrate only on the games.

Lets get to Gaimin Gladiators the organization is quite nascent.

What were you doing before starting an esports organization, and what made you get into it?

We were pretty big in the tier 2 scenes in certain games like Counter Strike and Smash.

Besides that, I was a part owner in a construction company with my parents.

That was our main source of income, which we would invest in Oceanus Gaming.

A little more than year ago, they acquired Oceanus Gaming and we merged to form Gaimin Gladiators.

And you got into it only because of the love for the game?

That, and the fact that I used to play esports professionally.

I was never a professional in Dota 2, but I was quite high ranked.

A few years ago, I was ranked Immortal, playing in the tier 2 scene in North America.

But then I transitioned to other MOBAs like Infinite Crisis and Heroes Evolved.

I was also commentating and coaching for a few years as well.

But thats all to say, high level gaming has been my passion.

I have a very competitive nature.

All four co-founders of Gaimin Gladiators are Canadian.

Why did you think at the time Western Europe was the best place to go for Dota 2?

What has been the most challenging thing in this journey to the top?

Issues regarding visas can be really challenging.

We havent had any major problems yet, but weve been living on the edge.

The other stuff, it is challenging, but Im typically up for that.

How involved are you with the Dota 2 team?

Are you involved in the day-to-day workings or just the big picture stuff?

I have a great relationship with all the players.

What advice would you have for others planning to venture into this space?

Dota 2 is a difficult game to get into.

We had a bit of luck with the team that we picked up.

They are all amazing players!

The success they had cannot be easily replicated.

But you cant expect to invest a lot of money and see instant results in this industry.

There is a new era of players that are rising, and you oughta look out for them.

you better grow with your team.

That is killing esports to a certain extent.

We want to do that, but only after weve done our due diligence.

What you say about a new era of players makes so much sense.

What other titles are Gaimin Gladiators currently associated with, and what are you planning on getting into?

Gaiming Gladiators are currently into PubG Mobile and Rocket League [other than Dota 2].

But its difficult to predict what we will get into as an organization, because things come up unexpectedly.

Options do come up frequently, and if our values align, we will go for it.

All four co-owners are huge esports fans.

The moment that stops for a title, the perspective on it will be lost.

Thankfully, we have some very thoughtful and understanding board members that help us make decisions.

You mentioned you are an avid gamer.

What games do you like playing in your free time?

I still play Dota 2 whenever I can find the time.

Im not so good anymore, but Ill play about three games a week.

I dont have the energy to be competitive and talk shit online anymore!

laughs

Alex, you have five of the best players in the land.

Why dont you get them in party and make them carry you to victory?!

I could do that, but I dont want to put them through that!

But at events, Ill play fun custom games like Overthrow with them.

Like at the Berlin Major, they were playing a lot of custom games for stress relief.

Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, Alex!

Shoutout to every single person at Gaimin Gladiators!

Weve built a solid foundation here, and every employee is amazing.

Also to the Dota 2 roster for being genuinely good people, who I am close friends with.

Theyve made my first years in esports something that I will always cherish.

All of them make it possible to run this company and push forward in the esports industry.