Who is the best “Street Fighter 6” player on the planet? To find out, Red Bull is organizing a competition dedicated to the famous fighting video game license. Thanks to a close victory in the final of the French qualifying phase, e-sportsman Nathan Massol, aka Mister Crimson, 28 years old, will go to New York to defend in a final qualifying clash the right to play the big final phase. After his victory, he agreed to answer our questions.
What does it feel like to represent France internationally?
NATHAN MASSOL. It is always a great pride to represent France internationally. This allows me to play against good competitors and gain experience. I will do my best to win the Red Bull Kumite. It’s a special competition for me, I hope to win my second major title. France has its place to play there, we’ve already done it once, we can do it again!
How do you become a professional player?
At first, you don’t see it coming: I had an opportunity in 2016 when I won the Cannes Winter Clash. I was offered a partnership right after my victory. So I made the choice to take a year off and try the professional adventure. Finally, eight years later, I’m still here!
How do we live in this environment?
I am part of a generation where it is socially better seen to declare oneself a professional e-sportsman than it was at a certain time. I have the chance to live from this passion thanks to my two sponsors, Team Falcon and Nacon. E-sport is a small group sport, but as in a martial art, there is great respect towards the opponent: they are also our training partners who, behind them, allow us to shine at the international. There are, generally speaking, great similarities between e-sport and combat sport, both in adaptation and concentration in the face of one’s opponent.
How many hours of training does being an e-sports player require?
That’s seven to eight hours of gaming a day. It’s not that much when you step back. Street Fighter, for me, is above all a passion.
Is aging in e-sport possible?
Reaction time is often essential. But as we get older, especially for fighting games, we can compensate with strategy and mentality.
A word for your future opponents in New York?
Good luck in the qualifying phase, because I’m going to arrive angry!
