Interview with Commend, Valorant Esports Content Creator

Yoann: Hello, everyone. Today I’m with Commend, Valorant content creator!

Commend: Hello, everyone. I'm Commend, I make Valorant esports videos, I’m a fan first, content creator second.

Yoann: Awesome! When did you first start posting content on the internet? 

Commend: Just like a lot of people nowadays, I have got some ancient YouTube channels. I was 16 when I started posting Minecraft stuff, videos, tiktoks and whatever. 

I just kept doing it today on Valorant.

Yoann: Great, what made you start making Valorant content, and why for esports?

Commend: I've always been a massive fan of esports in general. I come from a Nintendo background. I've been invested in Valorant since the first Reykjavik Lan when Sentinels were dominating. And then last summer I was planning to go to uni, but I decided not to, to take a gap year. I was looking at casters, hosts and in all of this involving esports. I'm a massive fan. I have loads of knowledge about it, so why can't I do it? And the easiest way to get in the scene would be to make content. And here we are now!

Yoann: That’s nice! What does your content creation routine look like?

Commend: It's not super disciplined. I don't have a massive routine. I do have a part time job, so

on the days I don’t work, I watch all the games, write script, edit and just upload it, and do the thumbnail and stuff. I also have got a podcast with two other content creators, BoDork and Bangovic. So we record on Monday evenings.

I do all of my stuff by myself at the moment. 

Yoann: Alright! You are aspiring to become a Valorant caster or analyst. What can you tell us about it?

Commend: As a kid, I've always watched sports and I got really interested in the commentary. I want to tell the storylines to people in the same way. 

I've had some interactions with Bala and Bren (two casters for Valorant). I need to get some proper experience in casting doing smaller stuff, and I’ll talk to them more about it. That’s the plan.

Yoann: That’s cool! What are your favourite teams for each region?

Commend: In Pacific, I'd say my current favorite team is GenG. I feel like they've got kind of a TV storyline. I like Global Esports as well, they sent me a jersey haha!

In EMEA, I really like Fnatic, Boaster seems like a really nice guy, and the team is just cracked. 

I did a podcast with Berkovitch, he's just been signed to Liquid as a short form producer. So I'm supporting them as well! In NA, my favourite franchised team is Furia because they're insane, I love the passion from the Brazilian fans. I also love The Guard, it’s my favourite team, I've got their jersey too!

Yoann: Which roster do you see winning the next major event in Tokyo?

Commend: It's really difficult, there are so many teams playing really well.

I think Fanatec obviously have a chance, I would love to see a Pacific team take it. So for that reason I'm going to say DRX!

Yoann: That would be awesome! Now I’m going to ask you ten quick questions, so you'll have to answer them as fast as possible.

Phantom or Vandal?

Commend: Phantom.

Yoann: What's your favorite agent?

Commend: I have to say Jett.

Yoann: Who are the seven teams who won an international event?

Commend: Sentinels, Gambit, Acend, Optic, FPX, Loud and Fnatic.

Yoann: Perfect! What's your favorite skin bundle?

Commend: Prelude to Chaos!

Yoann: Are you interested in Valorant’s Lore?

Commend: Kind of. I watch some lore videos. 

Yoann: What’s the best match you ever watched?

Commend: I think Fnatic vs Loud at Lock//In was just incredible. But KRU versus Gambit was insane

too.

Yoann: What's the best region right now in your opinion?

Commend: Europe. Well, I would say Brazil, but it's kind of America's, isn't it?

And I don't think NA is as good as EMEA as a whole, so I'd say Europe. 

Yoann: Would you like to join an amateur or semi-pro team in the future?

Commend: I’m not super good. I mean, I got to Immortal once, but I think it could be interesting!

Yoann: What's your favorite map?

Commend: Ascent.

Yoann: Can you quote a voiceline from Jett?

Commend: What's the one I was actually playing earlier?

"I hate to say it but, probably best to play as a team. So, uh, what's the plan?"

Yoann: All right perfect! Let's now get back to the standard questions. 

How do you feel about the brand new Valorant Meta?

Commend: I think it's good right now. I think we've got a nice variety of duelists. Obviously, some teams are still just playing Jett, but this is a nice switch from Chamber. But I don't know about the double controller thing with Viper and Harbor. I think we'll have to see how that plays out. But yeah, I'm enjoying at the moment!

Yoann: What are you first thoughts about Gekko in pro play?

Commend: Obviously his creatures are very cute, but in terms of the way teams are using him, I think people haven't fully figured out how to play him to his maximum potential. I think he'll be good, but I don't know if he'll be incredible.

Yoann: What would you change to the game if you were a Valorant developer?

Commend: I think I’ll change some of the sites. Pearl B site and Lotus C site especially. Maybe change the dimensions where you can plant. So you can't just plant and just spam the spike, it’s getting boring.

Yoann: That’s for sure. You ranked up from iron to Immortal, how challenging was that?

Commend: Technically, it was over a span of two years. To get to Immortal, you have to have a period of, “Okay, I'm really going to grind now.” And that's what I did. I really wanted to get better, but I also wanted to play with my friends. But eventually I was like, “okay, I'm going to do my best to grind properly.”

It was a long journey, I'm glad I did it! 

Yoann: That’s insane! What are your short and long term ambitions on Valorant?

Commend: Short term, just keep making great stuff. And also become a more prominent member in the community, I think I'm doing that well at the moment. That's going well and hopefully, I’ll get some watch party rights. I did a few watch parties for the off season tournaments, and I really enjoyed those. About the llong term, I've talked about casting and that kind of thing, but I think just being really involved in telling those storylines, even through my YouTube channel. 

Yoann: Awesome, thank you for your time, and best of luck in the future!

Commend: Thank you for the interview!

Commend’s Twitter: @CommendYT

Commend’s YouTube: youtube.com/@CommendYT