Estreal: “I started playing video games while recovering from brain surgery”

EasyMac

November 28, 2023 10:08 PM

In a Call of Duty League with a new wave of talent, a new mysterious name has entered the conversation. A rookie from North Carolina whose journey from casual gaming to the professional league is nothing short of extraordinary.

Estreal’s entry into the Call of Duty League is entwined with controversy, replacing the proposed roster and sparking debates within the Call of Duty community. In an exclusive interview with Breaking Point’s CDL Insider Ace Abedi, Estreal opens up about the shocking way he discovered his love for gaming, his rise in Call of Duty, and his determination to silence the noise surrounding his place in the league.


Ace: Where did you grow up and how did you first get into playing Call of Duty competitively?

Estreal: "I've been a Fayetteville, NC resident my entire life. Started gaming with COD around the BO2 era, but I wasn't aware of the competitive scene, OpTic, or any of the big names initially. After a few years of COD, I started getting into GameBattles and 8s during BO4. That's when I seriously started playing for money, engaging in tournaments, and eventually making a name for myself. I started to get a following on Twitch and get noticed by some people."

Ace: Did you play anything other than Call of Duty? Like, was there any other game or sports you were focused on?

Estreal: "I played basketball and football a lot growing up and then I had brain surgery around like middle school. After that, I started gaming heavily while recovering."

Ace: Wow! Are you doing well now?

Estreal: "Yeah, I’m great now. It happened randomly. My allergies built up over years of my life. I ended up getting really sick. I had a bad headache one day and it just crept up. After that, I had to go to the hospital."

Ace: How old were you at that time?

Estreal: "I think sixth grade, maybe 11 or 12. It was a while ago. I’ve been good ever since."

Ace: Brain surgery led you to Call of Duty, that’s a wild story.

Estreal: "Actually. I was a big Gears Of War fan. That was my game, to be honest. I enjoyed Gears more than Call of Duty. Around BO4, when I started playing for money, that's when I really focused on COD."

Ace: What's your favorite Call of Duty title ever?

Estreal: "I'd say my favorite titles are BO2 or BO4, for sure. BO2 was great as a kid; the ranked, pub experience, and zombies were fantastic. Then, BO4 is the main game that got me into watching Call of Duty and following the pros."


Ace: From your perspective, what are the steps that ultimately led to you joining LAG?

Estreal: "I'd say the steps really began towards the end of the year when people started to notice my performance as a sub, especially during Champs. If you watched the VOD at Champs, my stats were impressive, and the whole run was remarkable. Coming into this year, we were the number one seed in Challengers in NA. Our coach [Veohz] was impressed by how Fame and I played together, so he decided to keep us together. Now here I am."

Ace: What's your reaction to the controversy surrounding the LAG roster?

Estreal: "Initially, I was a bit confused and out of the loop with the whole situation. They projected themselves as a lock, or at least that's how it seemed from the information everyone had. However, when everything played out, it seems like the org and the [previous] players were on different pages.

I get how the fans reacted to the roster change. Those guys have a huge following. I didn't dwell on it too much. I can understand everybody's perspective on it."

Ace: You mentioned one of the reasons you're on LAG is how well you and Fame have been playing together as a sub duo. What's your biggest compliment for Fame?

Estreal: "The biggest compliment is, without a doubt, the vibes and the competition. Always maintaining composure during a tough map, even if someone is trolling a hill. Composure is so important in maintaining consistent vibes, communication, and consistency.

Ace: Now you're teaming with a veteran like Assault who holds a Call of Duty World Championship. How is it teaming with experienced players? What's the comparison to Challengers?"

Estreal: "Playing in Challengers, you can often get bailed out by just shooting your way through without relying on teamwork. Talent alone can sometimes outshine playing together. You can’t get away with as much as you would in Challengers. There is a lot more discipline playing with these guys, especially the vet, it’s definitely helping me. I always know what’s going on the map because of the constant communication. Plus, with someone like Assault, he’s gonna make the right play no matter what."

Ace: Do you feel any pressure? Are you jittery for your first time on the main stage?

Estreal: "It's like, what will you do when the pressure hits? I haven't been on the main stage yet, but when things get tough, I know I'll stay focused and deliver. I’m definitely going to be locked in."

Ace: Are there specific teams or players you looked up to before getting in the league?

Estreal: "I looked up to FaZe and New York. Faze are just consistent winners. They are a great roster and are doing something right.  New York had a lot of good strats with amazing teamwork. They won multiple events, plus Champs. It’s the consistency of those two teams mainly."

Ace: Which team or player are you most excited to compete against?


Estreal: "I'd say Vegas, mainly because my boy Purj is on the team. We played together last year, and he's one of the people I'm closest to in the CDL. We’re both friends and rookies, so there is definitely something there. Competing against friends is always a good time."

Ace: What advice do you have for aspiring Call of Duty or Challenger players looking to break into the competitive scene?

Estreal: "Start streaming to show people what you can really do. Another thing is to stick with a solid group of players around your skill level. Everyone in the league started with a crew and stuck together. Don't keep hopping teams. That’s one of the biggest things. There doesn’t need to be a change every time something gets bad.

I played with the Flames for years, and we both took off last year. So, find your crew and make sure to take chances.

Be coachable and be able to listen when you’re wrong. A team is here to identify mistakes. Listening to your coaches and teammates can take you to the next level. Acknowledging you are wrong is a really underrated trait. You could be the best player, but no one wants to play with you if you’re not coachable. You won’t get better."


Ace: What’s your message to the LA Guerrilla fans and the Call of Duty community?

Estreal: A lot of people think I might not deserve it or it’s kind of random. Everybody has us at the bottom, but I’m just ready to prove everybody wrong to be honest. We are gonna show everyone why we were picked up.

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