AsoXe

[TW: SERIOUS TWEET FOR ONCE] A few thoughts on the interviewer–Keria drama today. First off: > Whatever you think of me, I was the interviewer who blew up because I brought a unique emotional intelligence to out-of-broadcast interviews: something the scene was lacking. So on this topic I know what I’m talking about. > I have the unique position, at least in comparison to most people chiming in on this, of having over 30 videos of players flooding tears out of their eyes on my home PC. Most if not all have never seen the light of day. > I find it difficult to view myself, but I am told constantly by people, that they felt they could pursue interviews from a “content creation” POV rather than purely Journalistic — because of me. > Conversely, I think I was just the first respondent to a coming wave, rather than someone who changed anything. So I think I can give perspective on this “new wave” of interviewers. I say all of this to qualify my opinion on this topic. I can be a pretty arrogant guy, but all of my outward validation for myself mostly comes from deep insecurity. However, interviewing is something that I truly believe, for the niche category of, Out of Broadcast - League of Legends interviewing, I was the best in the World for a time. Self-masturbatory victory lap over. Let’s unpack this. — Interviews are a really hard thing to do well in League. For every false assessed diatribe about how emotionally underdeveloped players are on Twitter, there are a million more complexities that lie beneath the surface. Process as such should always come from unpacking this complexity and delivering it in a way that doesn’t harm the athletes. Difficult conversations at times must be had, but when these conversations are failed to be had, it is always more helpful to look upon one’s shortcomings as a communicator perhaps, rather than looking at the athletes unwillingness to communicate. I say this because I can be honest, the first 2 years of chasing spotlight, via the access that Riot grants, is purely intoxicating. You are out for the views, the respect of industry figures, the encouragement from your riot reps, team reps, fellow journalists. So naturally you become geared for the big scoop, the big moment where a player reveals the big elephant in the room, talks about something difficult. This is something you have to quell within yourself as time goes on, but even at First Stand 2025, my 6th or so event? I still felt this way. I think when you see the older journalists, they have this of course, but the younger ones have all of it in spades, with no subtlety, such is the nature of our social media. I’m guilty of this also. Because the players is what are important. As much as you can become clouded by metrics, you have to view yourself as a sort of supplementary guide for the storyline, at your best you can help influence the broadcast narrative, or even maybe foster a talking point between players. At worst, you’re tossing the coals of a fire that has burnt for many years, participating. And players won’t always give you what you want. I look at my Faker interview in 2024 as like, despite being my most viewed interview, not being a very good interview, he didn’t give me much at all. But conversely I recognise that as a response to issues that he had faced at the hands of other interviews, irresponsibility of emotional intelligence that led to him being clammed up and guarded. But you should never think to react as that being the players fault. They don’t owe you anything. Even if you travelled, put yourself up, any of this. You can put some onus on Riot for giving you a certain amount of access, or push for transparency on what access you’ll get. But once you’re in that interview room. Whatever happens is on you.

Oh dude this is so bad 😭 also low-key just doesn’t sound possible? I’ve been at 2 worlds, an MSI, and a first stand: I think at MSI 23 the players would wait in the corridor with journalists whilst being escorted to interviews, I have a funny picture of Bin and Bong from then, but they’ve always had their own room to wait in as is standard. Typically Riot keeps this room at least shut, the best you might get as to an idea of like feelings, or maybe a little verbal spat, is typically on the walk over into the room. Or maybe as you walk past and the door is ajar. I’m confused to as to what could’ve happened for this to go on. The idea that this person was privy to an entire conversation, and an unfolding situation: seems unlikely to me, again I’m not at Worlds so I’m sure people who are at the event can verify how likely this is. But it immediately jumps out at me as like complete embellishment. Further to this, what an insane thing to share on social media. I was very charitable in my long thread I made on this person but this is like so unequivocally bad faith from them. I don’t see any way this doesn’t lead to a removal of access. It’s unreal levels of unprofessionalism.