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At 29 years old, Gideon never thought he would be where he is today; an internationally recognised e-sports caster who earns up to RM100K Yearly
But his journey to this point was anything but easy. It was filled with tough decisions, sacrifice, loneliness, and a whole lot of passion for gaming and broadcasting.
Today, he’s living the dream, but getting here meant saying goodbye to traditional career paths and embracing one that few people truly understood.
Dropping out of 2 degrees
Gideon’s journey into e-sports didn’t start with a clear vision. In fact, it started with two degrees he ultimately abandoned.
He began with a computer science degree at university, thinking it was the logical choice.
I loved video games, but the math and programming were overwhelming. It wasn’t what I imagined it to be
After two years, Gideon decided to leave computer science behind and pursue something else: mass communication with a major in advertising, thinking it was the right one for him.
But even then, juggling university and his growing interest in esports casting wasn’t easy, with one particular moment springing to mind.
“I was supposed to work on an advertising assignment during the Identity V tournament. I had to fly to China for the event, and when I got there, I realised I couldn’t access my Google Drive due to China’s internet restrictions.
“I had to rush back and finish the assignment, but it was nearly impossible. That moment made me realise that I couldn’t keep doing both. I was constantly torn between schoolwork and my true passion.
Dealing with loneliness & making sacrifices
Aside from hitting snags in balancing his studies and e-sports casting, Gideon also had to contend with stiff resistance from friends and family.
“My parents thought I was making a huge mistake. I was just one semester away from graduating, and they couldn’t understand why I wanted to drop everything for something as ‘unconventional’ as e-sports.
As for my girlfriend at the time, she simply didn’t understand the time and energy it took for me to pursue his passion as she thought it was just a hobby. In the end, we went our separate ways
Although breaking up was a tough situation, Gideon saw it as a ‘wake up call’ and it caused him to be even more focused on pursuing his dream, even if it meant making difficult sacrifices.
“I just loved being an e-sports caster. There was something about being in the middle of a live tournament, hearing the crowd roar, and bringing that energy to the viewers. That was what kept me going,” he reminisced.
Delving into e-sports casting
Gideon’s journey into casting wasn’t immediate. After dropping out of his university degrees, he started freelancing, doing whatever work he could get his hands on. It was a grind, but it was also his entry into the industry.
“When I first started, I was just trying to get my foot in the door. I did anything and everything under the sun— be it League of Legends, PUBG, or Mobile Legends,” he explained.
At the time, freelance casting was much more about building a reputation and getting noticed.
Back then, it wasn’t as formal as it is now. You had to network, show up to events, and prove you could do the job. I didn’t have any formal training, just a lot of passion, trial and error, and persistence
Today, Gideon is a regular caster for Mobile Legends and other popular games, where he rakes in RM20,000 to RM40,000 per tournament through contracts for seasonal and international events.
Choosing e-sports casting over going pro
Gideon could have pursued a career as a professional gamer, but he realised that e-sports wasn’t just about playing the game; it was about experiencing it from a different perspective.
‘I wanted to be a pro player when I was younger, but I wasn’t on the same level as some of the younger, more dedicated players. E-sports is very much a young person’s game, and by the time I realised I wasn’t going to make it to the top, I had already found my love for commentary.
When you’re casting, you’re living through the game with the players. It’s about the adrenaline of the moment, the hype, and the stories that unfold live. Being on stage and capturing that energy. That’s what I love
Gideon also had to work on developing his speaking skills in order to articulate his thoughts clearly and engage viewers while casting matches.
“I joined a choir, took part in choral speaking, and did a lot of public speaking when I was younger. Those skills helped me a lot with casting. You need to speak clearly, confidently, and be able to react quickly.
“It’s about being sharp and entertaining. If you can’t keep the audience engaged, you’re not doing your job right.”
A dream job with real challenges
Contrary to popular belief, being an e-sports caster is far from the typical 9-to-5 job and requires lots of resilience.
It’s a lifestyle. You’re always on the go, and the hours can be crazy. Sometimes I’m on-site for 12 to 15 hours a day during a tournament
“Not many people understand what it takes to be in e-sports. It’s not like other careers where there’s a clear path or a degree you can get to get started. You have to be willing to work hard and face the tough times,” Gideon explained.
Despite the challenges, Gideon is grateful for how far he’s come in his journey. “I’m in a place now where I can say I’m living my dream. I’m doing what I love, and I’m making a living doing it. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.”
On top of that, he also has the unwavering support of his current girlfriend, who shares his love for e-sports too.
“She gets it. She’s also a fan of gaming and e-sports, so we share the same passion. It’s so much easier when you have someone who understands the hours, the travel, and the ups and downs of the job,” he shared with a smile.
‘Start now, not later’
For those wanting to follow in his footsteps, Gideon has this simple advice:
“Practise your speech. Put yourself out there. Create content that you can showcase your skills. And remember, it’s not just about knowing the game, it’s about being able to entertain, speak well, and keep the energy up.
There are going to be tough moments, but don’t give up. Keep pushing forward, and eventually, things will start falling into place
Gideon’s story is a reminder that taking the road less traveled might be challenging, but with determination, passion, and the right mindset, it can open doors to amazing opportunities.
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