My Journey with Overwatch Esports: How a Game Shaped My Life
In late 2016, I discovered a game that would become one of the most significant
influences in my life: Overwatch. It was just a few months after its release, and I had been
introduced to it through YouTube, Twitch, and other video/streaming platforms that I was
familiar with. Some of my favorite creators were showcasing the game in their videos,
highlighting its exciting, team-based gameplay and unique heroes. The hype around Overwatch
was infectious, and it didn’t take long for me to purchase the game myself and dive in on Xbox
with my friends in middle school. What started as casual fun soon evolved into a journey of
passion, community, and personal growth that I’ll never ever forget.
Overwatch became not just a game, but a gateway to meeting incredible people and
experiencing the competitive world of esports, both of which helped shape me into the person
I’ve become today. I joined three main teams during my Overwatch career on Xbox, each
leaving a lasting impact on me. My first team, Kinetix, was where I played the role of off-tank
with my 7 other friends. Together, we dominated Xbox tournaments, winning seven straight
championships and being known platform-wide as one of the best teams ever assembled on
Xbox. My second team, Gilletes, brought me new friendships and opportunities along with
reunions, while my third team, Orchis, pushed me to my limits when we reached the Console
Gaming League (CGL) finals, ultimately losing in a close 3-4 series, but a moment I won’t ever forget.
These competitive experiences brought both new goals and victories, as well as lifelong
connections and friendships that I cherish deeply even still today. Through these teams, I met
some of the most amazing people, including my best friend Sam from Jacksonville, Florida. Sam
and I met in a Discord server of a premier league for Xbox Overwatch, called XBOWL.
XBOWL was a league dedicated to letting any console players interested in competing in
Overwatch get a chance to do so, and it just so happens that me and Sam were joining the same
team to compete in. Despite living across the country, we’ve stayed connected and even met up
in person twice over the years, which is a testament to where Overwatch as a game has brought
me!
One of my biggest inspirations nowadays came from Alex “Headrammer” Wacker, the
captain of Kinetix when I was a part of the team. His calm and strategic decision-making during
high-pressure games inspired me to approach challenges in-game with confidence and focus
while helping my team play the best they can. As captain of Endicott's Overwatch team, I strive
to emulate his ability to motivate and unite my players, creating an environment where everyone
feels valued and can speak their opinions. The traits he showed as a role model still influence me
today as I lead the team.
My introduction to Overwatch esports came while playing the game casually. In the
game’s main menu, there were occasional promotions for the Overwatch League (OWL) that
caught my attention when I saw them. The league launched in 2017 with 12 teams representing
cities worldwide, such as New York, Boston, London, and Shanghai, showcasing the best players
in the game from all around the world with various different backgrounds. Watching the OWL
felt magical, as seeing different professionals play at such a high level inspired me to take my
passion further and to even try it out for myself! After the first season of the OWL, I decided to
pursue competitive play, teaming up with my friend Sam, who went by “Trilogee.” This decision
marked the beginning of my competitive journey, one which I never knew would change my life
so drastically.
As a fan of the Overwatch League, one team stood out to me: the Seoul Dynasty.
Representing Seoul, South Korea, the Dynasty became my favorite team for several reasons, like
their players, their team mascot, their team colors, and so much more. They entered the inaugural
season with high expectations, built on the success of Lunatic-Hai, a two-time
championship-winning roster in earlier Overwatch tournaments like APEX. Despite their
potential, however, the Dynasty struggled to meet these expectations, enduring ups and downs
over the six years of their existence, which made it hard to be a fan at times.
The ups and downs of supporting the Dynasty tested my loyalty but also deepened my
passion for Overwatch esports as a whole. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I stayed up
consistently from 3-5 AM on weekends to watch their games live, since the team was stationed
in Seoul and the time-zone difference to Massachusetts was brutal. Despite the setbacks,
including four seasons without a title and a heartbreaking loss in the 2020 grand finals to the
reigning 2019 OWL champions the San Francisco Shock, I remained loyal and committed that
my team would one day bring the pieces together. Cheering for the Dynasty during this time felt
like a beacon of hope, reminding me that even in tough times, there are moments of joy and
triumph to hold onto. This came to light, especially in 2022, when my patience and loyalty were
finally rewarded when the Dynasty won their first official title by defeating the Philadelphia
Fusion 4-0 in a regional championship tournament, named the Kickoff Clash. The sheer joy I felt
that day was unlike anything I had ever experienced and solidified my love for the Dynasty and
Overwatch esports forever. Even now in late 2024, where the Seoul Dynasty is a disbanded
Overwatch league team with no signs of a potential return to Overwatch esports, I still have a
Seoul Dynasty banner hanging up in my dorm in Ventui, one that I got all the way back in 2020.
I even have Seoul Dynasty merchandise, like shirts, jerseys, socks, and drinking cups.
Now, reflecting on my journey with Overwatch, I realize how much this game has shaped
me into who I am today and how I’ve put the lessons it’s taught me into real-life scenarios. It
taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of devotion and
overcoming various challenges that might stand in the way of my goals. For instance, the
teamwork I honed and gained while coordinating with my teammates during tense matches
throughout my career has translated into my role as a leader in college. Persevering through the
Dynasty’s struggles taught me to remain optimistic in the face of challenges, a mindset that has
helped me stay resilient during difficult academic assignments and projects. The friendships I’ve
made, the memories I’ve created, and the skills I’ve gained through this experience have
profoundly impacted my personal growth, and still impact me today. Overwatch esports is not
just about the competition for me, it’s about community, connection, and finding a place where I
truly belong and will always remind me of a journey that shaped my life in ways I never
expected it.














