How to live in esports? Interview with the lecturer of professional player "Kyohei Nozu" of Niigata Computer College esports department!

NCC teaches students who want to become professional gamers, so we teach game-playing techniques, mindset, conditioning, etc. based on our own experience.

NCC's curriculum is not limited to e-sports, but also includes programming knowledge and IT studies, since we are a computer school.
We do not specialize completely in training professional gamers, but we also emphasize the importance of finding employment in companies after graduation.
Rather than aiming to become a full-time professional gamer, our goal is for students to be able to work as a professional gamer on the side and be financially stable in the future.

In terms of being a professional gamer, there are no specific qualifications required, so we don't require students to acquire any specific qualifications.
However, in order to get a job, even students in the e-sports course are required to acquire basic IT-related qualifications, and the school also supports students who wish to take national examinations such as the Basic Information Technology Engineer.

I hope to become a professional gamer and belong to a professional gaming team, and I also hope to work as an engineer such as a programmer in the IT industry, making use of the computer knowledge I have acquired so far.
In the future, I would like to expand the career possibilities for students by constantly monitoring trends in the e-sports industry and proactively incorporating what will be needed into our curriculum.
We would like to start with the areas where NCC has experience and know-how, and work our way up.

I don't really see other schools as rivals.
Rather than rivals, I would like to build up the market together with them as friends who share the same interest in e-sports.

During the week, I work as a teacher at a school and train for games in the evenings.
On weekends, I mainly compete in tournaments as a player and do commentary work.
Sometimes I appear on TV, radio, and other media, and sometimes I participate in lectures as a lecturer, and I am involved in a wide variety of activities centered on e-sports and games.

It is not limited to e-sports, but I think it is necessary to put in the right amount of effort.
For example, I think that the key is not to increase the hours of practice in the dark, but to practice after carefully assessing "what I am lacking".

I tell them that it is important to "compete" with themselves.
It is a competition, so we tend to focus only on winning or losing against our opponents, but what is important is what is inside.
I tell them that it is important to be aware of whether or not they have surpassed their past selves on a daily basis.

I participated in Red Bull 5G tournaments in the past when I was an amateur.
The reason why I decided to work in the professional scene was because I felt the tension and elation of playing games in front of a large group of people, a feeling that you cannot experience in everyday life, was something special.
Another reason was that I admired the overwhelming technical skills and aura of Street Fighter pros Umehara and Bon-chan, who were standing on the same stage at the event.

I had several opportunities to visit Niigata for e-sports events, and I decided to move to Niigata after receiving an invitation from a company belonging to the NSG Group, which is the same as our school.
As for e-sports, I wanted to contribute from a standpoint other than that of a player, and I moved my base to Niigata in June 2019, hoping to use my experience as a player to help boost the local area.
It's been almost two years now, and one of the things I love about Niigata is how good the food is! Especially the rice and fish!

Because my favorite food is "Karaage" (laughs).
(laughs) There was a video streamer I used to like whose handle was "Udon", so I decided to use a food name because of his influence.
I don't think it is cool, but I like it because it is easy to understand.

I think the attraction of NCC is that the distance between teachers and students is very close.
Of course, we are strict when we have to be strict, but in general, we try to stand on the same level as the students and communicate with them smoothly as much as possible.
Another attractive point is the abundant cooperation with companies both in and out of the prefecture.

In terms of the e-sports department, NCC has a full-scale facility called "NSG esports stadium," which is actually used for e-sports competitions.

While e-sports is easy and simple to start playing by yourself at home, it also has a depth that allows you to really get into it as a competition.
In terms of spectating, most people have the opportunity to watch e-sports on a screen, but as with other sports, if you actually go to the venue, you can feel the enthusiasm and atmosphere that is completely different from what you see on the screen, and it is easier to understand the appeal of the game.
Also, since last year, it has been difficult to go out due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, but with e-sports, you can enjoy it even at home.

Even if you are interested in e-sports, I think there are many things you don't know about e-sports, such as what to learn or where to start.
If you have such concerns, please feel free to come and talk to us at the open campus.
We understand that you may be worried about the curriculum and career path after graduation in a new industry, but NCC is strong in employment, and you will find that you can make use of what you have learned in the e-sports course after graduation.

We look forward to meeting more people at the open campus!