Salad Spotlight: Eugene Ling

Esports has revolutionized the entertainment industry, captivating millions of viewers and boasting unprecedented prize pools, cementing…

Esports has revolutionized the entertainment industry, captivating millions of viewers and boasting unprecedented prize pools, cementing its position as a dominant force since the early 2000s.

In this dynamic landscape, Eugene Ling stands out as a true pioneer who has played a vital role in shaping Singapore’s Esports scene. From humble beginnings with small-scale tournaments held in cyber cafes to commanding the big stage in front of adoring fans, Eugene has seen it all.

Having initially made a name for himself as a professional player with Resurgence, Eugene has since embarked on a new chapter in his career; as a remarkable partnership manager for Klick, a cutting-edge Web3 gaming news platform and aggregator. His deep understanding of the Esports ecosystem, combined with his passion for cultivating meaningful partnerships, has made him an invaluable asset to the company.

Pioneering the Industry

During his National Service, Eugene stumbled upon Mobile Legends, a mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. As he ascended the leaderboards, it dawned on him that his passion for gaming could become his ticket to professional play. This revelation led him to secure a contract with Resurgence, one of Singapore’s premier Esports organizations, where he showcased his prowess in Mobile Legends on their highly competitive roster.

Reflecting on the remarkable surge in popularity of the local esports industry in recent years, Eugene admits that he would have been astounded by its growth a decade ago.

Truth is, every remarkable growth comes with its fair share of challenges. Back in the day, making a sustainable livelihood out of professional play was one of his biggest hurdles. The majority of Esports athletes endured grueling training sessions of up to 14 hours a day and earned modest sums of around $1,000 per month. Undeterred by the financial struggle and lack of substantial monetary rewards, Eugene continued pouring his heart and soul into the pursuit of his competitive dreams.

“Dedicating 14 hours a day with limited returns can be incredibly challenging, especially when overseas counterparts are earning significantly more. However, it’s heartening to see players are being paid more fairly now with the increased interest and support of esports.”

Life After Professional Play

As Eugene decided to hang up his professional player jersey, he decided to embrace a new chapter in his career by venturing into Web3 alongside Klick. With a clear vision in mind, they created an all-encompassing hub for avid gamers and followers of blockchain gaming. Klick’s mission is to provide a centralized platform where users can access the latest news, updates, and create an avenue for user-generated content while fostering a vibrant community.

In the constantly evolving world of Web3, where groundbreaking developments emerge by the hour, staying up-to-date can be a daunting task for most. In order to position Klick as the go-to destination for blockchain gaming news, the dedicated team diligently tracks every update from developers in the space.

However, Klick’s ambition does not end at just news updates alone. They aspire to redefine the narrative surrounding the Play-to-Earn industry by shifting the focus of blockchain games from being merely a means to make a quick buck, to becoming an integral and enriching form of entertainment within the vibrant Web3 community.

“I think it’s time to change the Play-to-Earn narrative and view blockchain games as a form of entertainment. In hopes that, ultimately, everyone can enjoy games as they are without the ‘web2’ and ‘web3’ labels.”

The Club Salad Difference

In partnership management, networking, and business development skills reign supreme, and Eugene is well aware of their importance. He harnesses a secret weapon in his arsenal for building relationships effortlessly and forging strategic alliances — Club Salad’s vibrant community.

He considers it as networking on a whole new level.

By surrounding himself with Club Salad’s community and regularly participating in Salad Tuesdays, Eugene witnessed the exponential growth of his network within the Web3 space. This, in turn, allows Klick to forge new and valuable partnerships.

Being an esteemed holder of a Club Salad NFT, Eugene experiences the added benefits of connecting with fellow NFT holders, engaging in meaningful conversations, and fostering synergistic relationships. The value derived from his experiences is yet another testament to the Salad Tuesday event’s popularity, which he agrees has long surpassed the invested mint price of the NFT.

“At this point, the free drinks are just a bonus. I’ve met so many people through Salad Tuesdays and although I’m a newcomer in Web3, the community has embraced and taught me so much. It feels like I have been a seasoned member already.”

What’s Next?

While Eugene may have stepped away from the frontlines of Esports, his ardor for the industry, spanning both Web2 and Web3 realms, continues to burn bright.

Eugene was posed with a thought-provoking question from our previous Salad Spotlight guest, Nandu: What would serve as a catalyst for the next bull run?

His answer was unequivocal: Gaming and esports.

Eugene firmly believes that the upcoming surge in the market will be fueled by the exciting fusion of blockchain gaming and pioneering projects that are trailblazing the Web3 esports landscape.

And, for our next guest, Eugene wants to know:

“What do you think is the impact of gaming and esports in Web3?”

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