Two UW students place 4th at 'surreal' international gaming competition in Spain
Two University of Waterloo students are back in the region after being flown on to Spain to compete in an international gaming competition.
The two-day tournament, Red Bull’s Campus Clutch, featured the game Valorant.
Valorant is a new game released in 2020. The goal is to take out the other team by planting a bomb while defending your own side and avoiding detonation.
“Valorant is a much slower pace, more strategic game. It falls under the category called tactical shooter,” said Damian Reiter, a local gamer who took part in the tournament.
Out of 12 teams from across the world, the Canadians placed 4th.
The local gamers said they walked into the competition with a positive attitude.
“This is such a unique opportunity that we have. Regardless of what happens during the actual competition. I already feel like a winner,” said Reiter.
Reiter said his favourite part of competitive gaming is the strategic thinking behind it.
“I’ve been playing games competitively for almost 10 years now. So literally almost half my life,” Reiter said.
Reiter said going up against tough competitors around the world was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Competing, seeing my friends and family back home cheer me on as I’m halfway across the globe,” Reiter said.
One of the other competitors, University of Waterloo student Tommy Pham, said he had a great time in Spain.
“It was pretty insane. It was really surreal. Every time I walk on the stage. In my head I’d be like 'woah, I’m actually here,'” said Pham.
Playing in front of a big crowd was not what they’re used to, the players admitted, but it was also exhilarating.
“The crowd is unbelievable. They will push you to kill those nerves and play your best,” Pham said.
While this season is over, the team said tryouts will take place in late August and early September for the next competition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.