Interview de « JaZ », Manager/coach EVA for Vitality

Evalunna (Vitality)

Welcome and thank you for accepting this interview, can you introduce yourself and your team briefly?

Hi, I'm JaZ, Manager/Coach of the Vitality EVA team.

I'm fortunate to be able to supervise a team that has been competing on the scene for 3 years and to be able to represent Vitality.

What's the daily life of a team manager on the EVA scene? People see the players, but what do you actually do behind the scenes?

A team manager must create a climate of trust for their team and constantly aim for improvement.

Training, schedule management, commercial activation, remote communication management, internal and external communication with the team, psychology...

My mission is to make life easy for an EVA Vitality player.

What sets EVA apart from other video games?

Its pace, its physical demand and its investment.

In your opinion, what qualities should future players have if they want to go pro?

Promote constant work, listening to your management and being demanding with yourself. Without forgetting that we don't move forward alone, but with our team, so having good team cohesion is essential.

What do you think about the recent push to promote the scene?

I'm delighted that EVA can evolve so much. This game is a real revolution for esports.

A manager is often the one who manages crises no one sees. Do you have an example of a chaotic situation you had to resolve behind the scenes?

Currently I only encounter minor situations, but at the beginning of the team 2 years ago, I had to confront a player about his behavior and it ended with "tomorrow will be your last match" and he left the team.

Do you think age is a factor for going pro in a game?

No, the most important thing is physical condition and game intelligence.

If you could change one thing about how young players are trained in esports, what would it be?

Awareness and bringing a true vision of a professional athlete: the sacrifices, the importance of a life outside of gaming and commitments.

What made you want to get into esports?

The passion for gaming and the feelings that competition gives me. I wanted to live an adventure with a team and turn them into monsters.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to make it as a professional player?

Be patient and do an enormous amount of work. Be as humble as possible and constantly seek to improve.

What's the difference between supporting a team and really managing it? Where's the line between support and decision-making?

Not clearly defining a hierarchy. Many teams don't make decisions and ultimately the players control everything. For me a manager must be decisive in their words and choices and create real credibility with their players.

Do you have a funny or memorable anecdote as a Team Manager?

I don't have a particular anecdote, but I have very good moments with my team especially when we do content creation or photo shoots.

What did you do before EVA?

I was a student studying commerce and management.

How do you become a team manager on the EVA scene? Did you get here through a passion for the game, by chance, or is it a real career choice?

I decided to support a team that wanted to compete on the scene at the beginning of the Marseille facility. I invested money, time, and today I'm here. So my advice is to always aim higher and enjoy it.

What's your favorite game outside of EVA and why?

League of Legends, because it's the game that made me fall in love with esports.

Who's your role model among professional players, someone you'd love to shake hands with?

FAKER and Yellowstar, the ultimate GOAT and the French GOAT.

Do you play EVA yourself, or are you more in the camp of those who prefer to watch others play?

I watch, because I consume too much EVA 😂

What would you improve in EVA esports if you were in charge tomorrow?

Bring a true POV system on streams to facilitate game comprehension and smooth out patch changes.

As a manager, you analyze maps differently than players. Is there a map where you particularly like to see your team evolve, and why?

I focus on the behavior and how they evolve on the map. I love Helios Station, because it's always spectacle.

Is a physical routine necessary to play EVA?

Completely. Warm-up, off-game practice, everything helps improve physical performance and attention.

A final message for the fans?

Don't forget to support Vitality and we'll make you proud 🐝🫶🏻

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