Mettlestate: Forging the Future of South African Esports

Summary

In this final episode of Season 5  the Gamers Change Lives podcast, host Tom Leonard speaks with Barry Louzada and Carly Twaddle from South Africa about their gaming journeys, the evolution of e-sports in the region, the challenges faced in gaming infrastructure, and the growing presence of women in e-sports. They discuss the importance of community, job creation in the gaming industry, and the hiring process for gaming-related positions. The conversation highlights the positive changes in the gaming landscape and the opportunities available for aspiring professionals. In this conversation, Carly Twaddle and Barry discuss Carly's unexpected journey into the e-sports industry, the importance of building a career in gaming, and the evolving landscape of social media. They emphasize the significance of networking through events, the role of video content in engaging audiences, and provide valuable advice for aspiring professionals in the e-sports field.

Takeaways

• Barry started gaming with an Atari in Zimbabwe.
• Carly's first console was an Xbox, and she loves RPGs.
• The e-sports scene in South Africa has evolved significantly.
• Connectivity issues hinder competitive gaming in South Africa.
• Women in gaming are gaining more representation and opportunities.
• Carly's journey into e-sports began unexpectedly at an event.
• Understanding gaming is crucial for working in the industry.
• There are diverse job opportunities in gaming beyond development.
• Community engagement is essential for growing the gaming scene.
• Gaming provides a platform for self-expression and creativity. Carly initially considered a career in e-sports during COVID.
• Teaching was Carly's first career choice before joining MetalState.
• Barry encouraged Carly to join MetalState, believing in her potential.
• The gaming industry requires understanding both B2C and B2B elements.
• Authenticity is crucial for brands entering the gaming space.
• Social media has become increasingly monetized over the years.
• Video content is essential for capturing audience attention.
• Mobile accessibility is vital for gamers in South Africa.
• Networking at events is key for career growth in e-sports.
• Passion for gaming is more important than just gaming skills.

Barry Louzada is a revered figure within the South African esports and gaming community. He is renowned for his multifaceted contributions as a professional esports player, caster, and entrepreneur. His diverse and successful experience across multiple fields in the gaming industry has allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the innerworkings of the community. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years, Barry has left an indelible mark on the African gaming landscape through his passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication to advancing the esports industry. Barry is the Managing Director and founder of Mettlestate, Africa’s largest esports and gaming partner. In 2016, Barry took the knowledge and experience he gained from his competitive and casting days and founded Mettlestate. He recognised that there was a glaring gap in the scene, as there were too few opportunities for South African players to showcase their rising talent. With the goal of growing the community and elevating it to the international standards to which he was exposed in his career, Mettlestate was built to forge the future of African esports.

Connect with Barry 

https://www.mettlestate.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mettlestate/

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-louzada-23512537/?originalSubdomain=za

Discord https://discord.com/invite/mettlestate

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@mettlestate?lang=en

Carly Twaddle is the General Manager at Mettlestate. She started her journey in the industry by writing content for various esports teams and taking photographs at events. She met Barry, the Managing Director and Founder of Mettlestate, at rAge in 2019 and began her adventure with Mettlestate as the Social Media and Community Manager. By being a meticulous go-getter fuelled with a passion for excellence, Carly helped build the Mettlestate community over her two years in the position. After a short hiatus while she was a high school English teacher, she changed her career path and became a full-time project manager at Mettlestate. Carly managed major campaigns for Mettlestate, including the Intel Africa Masters, before taking up the mantle of General Manager, where she manages the day-to-day operations of Mettlestate.

Follow Carly on Socials 

X - https://x.com/CarlzTwaddle

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-twaddle-1167a621b/?originalSubdomain=za

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PRODUCTION:

Creator and host: Tom Leonard (Italy) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeleonard/

Executive Producer: Reginald Nsowah (Ghana) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-nsowah-09352929/

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Play Games. Create Jobs. Change Lives.

This is a show about how to build an esports business from literally anywhere in the world where each week we showcase the journey of esports entrepreneurs and others to learn how they solved a particular problem that everyone will ultimately face.

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