Fatal1ty Interview – CES 09
A chat with one of the most recognized names in the industry, and perhaps the best ambassador videogames have today
Tags: CES 2009, Fatal1ty Categories: Features, PC Features, Tech Features
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Jan 22nd, 2009
I met with Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and the first thing he asked was if we were doing a video interview or not. Why? Because if we were going to video it, then he would have to continue standing in front of his banner where the lighting is good for the camera. Instead, this was simply him and I talking, so we were able to go, sit, get away from the noise of the CES floor, and relax a little. Here is a guy that goes to CES every year and performs. It’s hard enough for a guy like me trying to pack in meetings all day, but here is a guy that has to be at the top of his game all day providing interviews, competing in tournaments, and plenty more. The chance for him to sit down for a few minutes looked quite welcome.
The annual consumer Electronics Show is a major component of what Fatal1ty does, which is as simple as pushing his brand and gaming as a culture. Yes, Fatal1ty is a brand these days. There is a full line of products that he has partnered with Creative Labs OCZ and XFX to offer, ranging from mice and headsets to video cards and power supplies. Then there are the showcase competitions he does throughout the day. Sure, playing a game can be fun, but having to do it at a competitive level, and consistently, is not something to scoff at.
So what does he do these days? He’s still playing 2 to 4 hours a day, partly for training, but also he does still play for fun. Since DirecTV has pulled back on is professional gaming showcase, the opportunities for him to color comment have diminished, giving him more time to head back to LAN parties, which in many ways he prefers because of the camaraderie and energy. With more and more of his income coming from the sales of the Fatal1ty products, he doesn’t rely on tournaments as his sole source of income these days.
“People are beginning to see the Fatal1ty brand to mean gaming,” he told me. “If you’re buying a Fatal1ty game product, you know you’re going to game with it, as well as have it go with other applications. We’re starting to move from simply a gaming brand to a lifestyle brand.” He then told me a story about when a friend of his from Sweden called him up (from Sweden) to tell him that a guy on the train was wearing the Fatal1ty headphones. “That’s what I’m about.”
To further this goal, tweaks to the design of some Fatal1ty gear is on the way. A set of noise cancelling headphones with a removable microphone is on the way. This is going to be part of the Champion Series line of products that will have a lot more cool features, going further than the typical gaming gear. The idea is to have this be the one set of headphones that the gamer takes with them wherever they go, and whatever they do.
What does Fatal1ty play when he’s not training? Mario Kart and online poker. Yeah, I was surprised too.
I asked him how many career kills he estimates to have, and without pausing he said it was in the millions, maybe 5 or 6. The obvious suggestion was then made, a T-shirt with the Fatal1ty logo and the phrase “5 million frags served” so we’ll see if that ever gets made.
“Some people thing that some company bought me out or that I was just hired as a face.” This is very far from the truth. Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel rose from the trenches to be the first star professional gamer, and is beginning to reap the rewards that come with it. “Everybody that works under me I hired – it’s a true partnership, not simply a sub-brand,” he mentions when talking about Creative. The goal has always been to make things better for the gamers, and acter to new gamers, helping them to get into the scene. Now, he has no reason to stop, with an expanding product line, continuing public appearances and tournaments, sponsorships and more, this is a young man who may be tired, but is living out his dream. “I have fun doing what I do. I Love it.”
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Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Jan 22nd, 2009 and is filed under Features, PC Features, Tech Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can post a comment, or trackback from your own site.
