EPTInterview
With Grubby
These days, Manuel “Grubby” Schenkhuizen is a Heroes of the Storm caster, streamer, and content creator well known for his friendly demeanor and outstanding analytical commentary, but for 10 years prior to his time in Heroes, he traveled around the world as a progamer in Warcraft 3 and StarCraft 2. Just before heading off to Kiev to cast the Western Clash this weekend, he took some time to reach out and answer some questions about his career in gaming and his future in Heroes.
You’ve been involved in esports for much longer than most people in the scene today. Could you provide some background on your career in gaming and how you ended up where you are today?
When I was in high school, I got really interested in a game called WarCraft III. For some reason, it became very important for me to become better at that game. I barely knew about esports, but started to follow it a little bit. There were some international LANs here and there, for example, in France and Germany. I became eager to participate. I practiced even while I was still in school (2003) and got better and better. I realized I was improving faster than many others, started participating in tournaments…and the rest is history.
I was a successful WC3 progamer for seven years, winning hundreds of tournaments of and six world championships. I transitioned to SC2 and did pretty well for myself, though it was never going to be anywhere near what I did in WC3. In late 2014, I transitioned to Heroes of the Storm as a full-time streamer and part-time commentator.
I was a successful WC3 progamer for seven years, winning hundreds of tournaments of and six world championships. I transitioned to SC2 and did pretty well for myself, though it was never going to be anywhere near what I did in WC3. In late 2014, I transitioned to Heroes of the Storm as a full-time streamer and part-time commentator.
What is it like to have been in esports for so long? What has changed most since you started out?
The way we watch esports has changed the most. I used to follow battle reports in SC:BW, which were like written reports of epic games that had happened. It was the only way I could consume high level SC:BW when internet still costed hundreds of dollars per month. Then came replays in WC3 and Waaaaaaghtv. In SC2, the primary way to consume esports became watching through Twitch, with VOD’s as a second method and replays as a distant third. Now, in Heroes of the Storm, people follow all the action through live streams on Twitch as well as VODs.
The way we play esports is still the same: months of meticulous practice leading to the culmination of one’s efforts at an international tournament—showing what you can do in front of thousands of viewers who are looking to learn or be entertained. That has always been the key formula of esports.
The way we play esports is still the same: months of meticulous practice leading to the culmination of one’s efforts at an international tournament—showing what you can do in front of thousands of viewers who are looking to learn or be entertained. That has always been the key formula of esports.
Looking back on your days as a progamer, are there any standout moments or achievements that you are particularly proud of?
I feel like I have achieved as much as I could’ve hoped to do. I’ve won pretty much every acronym that I had hoped to win in WC3 and finished well in the SC2 events that I cared the most about (IEM, WCS). I always felt extra proud when I won in front of an empathic crowd, and in front of loved ones. WCG 2008 in Cologne stands out as extra special. I also loved watching the first SC2 IEM I ever followed through Twitch. It felt so hype and it called me to SC2 and Twitch.
In 2015, you got to cast the first ever Heroes of the Storm World Championship at BlizzCon.
What drew you to Heroes so early in the game’s life? In the two years since then, how has your involvement with the game changed?
What drew you to Heroes so early in the game’s life? In the two years since then, how has your involvement with the game changed?
Actually, I started playing Heroes in October of 2014 after I lost in a WCS tournament. I didn’t make it to BlizzCon for any progaming tourney (the SC2 tourney was 15 or 16 Koreans, and I didn’t collect enough points), but Blizzard invited me as an influencer, so I got to experience my very first “leisurely” BlizzCon in 2014.
There was a showmatch for Heroes as well, and I was already slightly playing it, but I mostly followed the SC2 tournament anyway. During the holidays of 2014 and early 2015, I played loads and loads of Heroes and just had a total blast of a time playing it with friends and wifey. I started streaming it on January 1, 2015, so by the time BlizzCon 2015 came around, I was thoroughly a Heroes of the Storm streamer and caster! It always feels amazing to be invited to cast BlizzCon though, and 2015 was an amazing event. It had the Cloud9 Murky game vs the Koreans, and I felt so fortunate to witness it live. I still remember it as one of the best esports moments.
There was a showmatch for Heroes as well, and I was already slightly playing it, but I mostly followed the SC2 tournament anyway. During the holidays of 2014 and early 2015, I played loads and loads of Heroes and just had a total blast of a time playing it with friends and wifey. I started streaming it on January 1, 2015, so by the time BlizzCon 2015 came around, I was thoroughly a Heroes of the Storm streamer and caster! It always feels amazing to be invited to cast BlizzCon though, and 2015 was an amazing event. It had the Cloud9 Murky game vs the Koreans, and I felt so fortunate to witness it live. I still remember it as one of the best esports moments.
What do you do to prepare for live events like the Western Clash?
I draw upon a unique angle, and that’s personal experience. I play Heroes of the Storm SoloQ or Team League at Master/Grandmaster level five days a week, so I get to experience the meta firsthand. To prepare additionally, I watch the recent HGC games of the qualified teams and figure out the kind of style they’ve been running.
However, there are always surprises, and I’m very happy to—along with every viewer—experience the special strategies and personal metas that teams have been developing behind the scenes. So I go in with part knowledge, part excitement, and part wonderment...and I spontaneously share my thoughts on stream, on screen, all the time!
However, there are always surprises, and I’m very happy to—along with every viewer—experience the special strategies and personal metas that teams have been developing behind the scenes. So I go in with part knowledge, part excitement, and part wonderment...and I spontaneously share my thoughts on stream, on screen, all the time!
In addition to appearing as a caster at international Heroes events, you’ve also made a name for yourself as a Twitch streamer and YouTube content creator. When you started out as a progamer more than a decade ago, did you ever imagine that your career would move in the direction it has? Are you happy with where you are today?
First of all: I feel so fortunate and happy that it did go in that direction. Even when I was progaming, I did a lot of stuff on the side like writing strategy articles, making videos, and so on. So I do feel like it’s a natural transition. I’ve been wanting to stream more since 2011 but never could because I didn’t want to give away important tournament strategies.
In the Heroes community, your stream is known for being respectful and beginner friendly. Do you make it a point to set an example when you are on camera, or is that just your personality? Do you think it is important for esports personalities to maintain a level of professionalism when they are broadcasting?
When I started playing Heroes of the Storm, I wasn’t really used to playing team games. I was used to the pure meritocracy of SC2 and WC3: no one to blame but yourself when you lose, no one to thank but yourself when you win. When I joined Heroes, people told me, “People in MOBAs are toxic! Be careful!” I didn’t want to believe it. In fact, I believe we can all do our part to prevent it. Although I felt the easy attraction of blaming teammates, I felt that it was important to carry over the lessons of self-analysis and self-deprecation from competitive 1v1 games. Of course I am only human, so I don’t always live up to my own expectations. I notice that when I have a worse day, I tend to be a little bit more critical of others. When I have a good day, everyone seems nice and everyone seems to be playing well. A lot of it is in my mind, and in the impression you leave on others.
Doing your part to be positive isn’t being fake; it’s using your people skills to positively influence your teammates. Each time you play a game of SoloQ, your teammates are your key to victory. It is in your best interest to be as helpful, forgiving, and skillful as possible. And in doing so, you all inspire each other to all play your best. When we let our ego take free reign of the situation (as can happen all too often), flames may come out, and it makes everyone play worse. That’s more likely to contribute to you losing the game, when you flame. It’s definitely a struggle at times, but that’s the beauty and the challenge of it. In becoming better and more effective HotS players, we become better versions of ourselves.
Doing your part to be positive isn’t being fake; it’s using your people skills to positively influence your teammates. Each time you play a game of SoloQ, your teammates are your key to victory. It is in your best interest to be as helpful, forgiving, and skillful as possible. And in doing so, you all inspire each other to all play your best. When we let our ego take free reign of the situation (as can happen all too often), flames may come out, and it makes everyone play worse. That’s more likely to contribute to you losing the game, when you flame. It’s definitely a struggle at times, but that’s the beauty and the challenge of it. In becoming better and more effective HotS players, we become better versions of ourselves.
The path of your esports career has been long and winding. What’s next for you? Do you see yourself staying with Heroes or with streaming for the long haul, or do you have plans for new projects in the future?
My stream is still growing, and I am enjoying the routine immensely. I don’t foray into a lot into new games yet. I play Heroes and some WC3 at the moment and will give StarCraft: Remastered a try. I look forward to the possibility of WC3: HD. For the rest, for now, the future in esports always remains a mystery. I’ll look at any developments, challenges, and opportunities as they arise.
And of course I have to ask: what are your impressions of Garrosh? Excited to have another orc in the Nexus?
I’m unreservedly positive about his coming, design, and role in the Nexus as a main tank or maybe as an off tank/bruiser! That’s one of my favorite roles, and orc blood by now must surely run in my veins. Once I come back from the Western Clash, he should be released shortly after, and I’m looking forward to playing him on the live servers!
Where can people find you if they want more Grubby in their lives?
You can find me pretty much every day live streaming (when not traveling for an event) between roughly 18:00 CEST to 02:00 CEST! The best moments, highlights, and games are uploaded to YouTube, one to two videos per day—an unbroken streak in the past 465 days already!
Thanks again for talking! Any closing thoughts?
I want to give a deep appreciation to everyone that’s supported me streaming and commentating in Heroes of the Storm. That includes all the followers, viewers, and fans, as well as my long time supporter and sponsor Republic of Gamers. I use all their hardware to bolster my gaming needs, including my G752 laptop when traveling, my G20 desktop PC, and all my gaming peripherals.
