[M] BigCrook : Hi Kayane! Did you have a good time in holidays? When we have a crazy schedule like yours, those relax time should be really good I guess?
[MCZ] Kayane : Hi! Yes, sometimes I like to take a break and not think about games! I can spend some time with my relatives or take time for other passions Then; I come back in better shape!
True icon of the french eSport stage, we won’t introduce you, so I will not ask you to present yourself, but I would invite the readers who want to have details on your biography to read your portrait. One question is bothering me on your personality though. Actually, we only find you qualities: passionate, skilled, worker, determined, competitor, fighter, fair play, open to other, good communicate, with a good temper but not characterial, charismatic, and moreover smiling and charming! You must have some defaults right?
Wow! I’m glad to see that I inspire you all those qualities! [laughs] So I do have defaults! For example I’m impatient and impulsive. I’ve been named for a long time the « Pitbull » because of that, my game style really reflects my personality.
I’m also very foodie and it is something that my family blames me for…. ever! Most particularly my mother and brothers, luckily my father is protecting me by saying it will change some day. I’m still waiting! *Snacking*
Just a gossip question about your personal life. At 10 you had a crush on Daishi Odashima who became a producer at Namco Bandaï, and even if your reunion ten years later were very emotional, it did not go further because as you said so elegantly « physically, he changed ». More recently, you were declaring yourself to Marcus, on live on the debate TV show on Game One, but he asked you to wait because for now he is married! Did you finally find the one?
[Laughs] Actually, I think it’s more than my taste for men which has changed since.
Regarding Marcus, I declare myself in order to make him panic on the air, maybe his wife was watching, who knows? But she can be reassured; Marcus is way to blunderer for me! Plus he is calling me « Katsuni » sometimes, what a blunderer!
More seriously, finding my love one is the least of my worried! :)
You are a fighting games champion. Did you ever practice fighting sports or martial arts?
It is something I would have loved to practice!
Sadly, the good martial arts are far away from my home so I gave up. However I thought last year about doing French boxing because there is a club next to my school. I will sign up for swimming this year, but if the opening hours suit to my schedule, I will do boxing in addition! :)
You’re famous way out the French borders since you’re also a star in the USA, and in Japan, the Mecque of Versus fighting games. Your fanbase is also huge with around 13,000 followers on Twitter, and 14,000 likes on Facebook. How are you living this fame during events but also in your in daily life? Did you consider taking an agent to help you managind the several demands you have from all parts?
At events, I’m still as surprise and glad when people came to play with me. Each time I want to play and get to know as much players as I can to have a nice time with each one of them. I hope they enjoy it as me! After an event, lot of people are telling me by email that they didn’t dare to talk to me, scared of….I don’t know what or why! I think it’s such a pity so I try to go out and reach people more!
Daily, I’m still the same, but I, obviously, have less time for my relatives. Luckily they understand the time my passion takes me, and they are glad to see that things work for me. They know quite well that it’s not because I don’t text them or don’t see them on a regular basis that I don’t think of them. It’s true that I have several demands from everywhere, but I always want to answer myself to those persons who contacted me. When I can’t follow up because I’m away, I ask someone to take care of it, but it’s very rare!
It’s your two older brothers who initiate to video games from your early age. Back at this time, they were sharing the French and Europe champion and vice champion titles on Tekken. Are they still active in eSport today?
Well, they don’t play fighting video games at all; they have a very different life than mine now. But they follow what I’m doing and they are quite surprise to see where this passion drives me. Sometimes, they have troubles to know whether I’m in France or abroad [Laughs]. The only thing that bind us as in old times now it’s Starcraft II! We’re playing 3v3 almost every nights :)
Your eSport career started at the beginning of year 2000. Except your two brothers, which people have played an important role in your career?Indeed, I won’t be where I am without some key meetings!
Samy Ouerfelli (one of aAa founder) was one of the first person in an eSport team who sees a potential in me. In 2006 I came in the eSport world by making an animation on the aAa stand at the Gamers Assembly. I think I understood my communication skills thanks to him.
Julien Pecqueron (Commercial director of Bitdefender) who I met in 2009, always gave me good advices and is very supportive for my projects. He also introduces me to nice people to improve my Kayane Sessions. When I have any decision to make, I ask him, I trust him completely. :)
The Mad Catz team and most particularly Mark Julio (Marketing, Sponsorship and Partnership manager of Mad Catz USA) and Alexandre Evrard (Marketing Manager France) who materially support me but also financially for my Kayane Session events. Lately, Mark Julio allows one of my dreams with Mad Catz comes true, travel around the world to attend big events and play to fight games.
And my best friend Philippe I met thanks to fighting games, he is not involved in this world, but he played a huge role in my career because of his trust in me, his advices and his support in hard time. He helps me to handle a lot of things that I took at heart and to see the people differently. :)
I would never thank those people enough! :)
What are the best memories you have from the last 13 years? Most particularly, what are, according to you, your best fight and most beautiful win?
I have a lot of beautiful memories thanks to fighting games, and that’s why I would not change my life for anything in the world!
First of all, my beautiful fight and win, it was during the 2004 Event when there was a cashprize of 1500€ for the champion. I was 12 and faced the big Soul Calibur champion DTN, almost unbeaten at this time. I managed to win 10-5 while he was leading at the beginning, I won my first check and I didn’t own a bank account! [Laughs] For the symbol there was also the female EVO on Street Finger that I won, I don’t think winning a female tournament is a great victory since I always attended a mixed tournament. But it was the first time I was traveling alone at 19 years, I knew no one and I went to Las Vegas to win this tournament while I was the only foreign player. The fact I did it without any support there helped me to gain in confidence.
There is also, of course, the gift from Daishi Odashima (Soul Calibur V producer) who offered me the original and unique artwork of my character Xianghua and her daughter Leixia. It’s really the only time I cried because of joy at an event! I was really touched. After spending so many years to love the Soul Calibur saga, it is a real consecration!
Other consecration is to be in the Guinness World Records, I thought it was a joke or a fake when I received the proposal to be in this book…
Also I’m living amazing moment in my trips: I could visit a lot of countries and play against a lot of players with different citizenship, but I particularly loved Japan, USA and Saint-Martin Caribbean!
What are the toughest moments you had to get over, I think particularly to the false rumors which had circulated after you leave from Low Land Lions?
There were a lot of tough moments to get over. But I think I did it in the good way.
Today having haters is a very good thing and good sign I guess: it proves that we are actually succeeding and that they are upsets. So I like to annoy them more and more because I will never let it go!
The only sad thing is that there are some people not very mean who are looking for recognition and so who are following the others wanted to be seen, integrated in a group, a community. So I’m often criticized by some people I never spoke with, never done anything but who are actually influenced.
It’s quite pathetic to see, but life is like that everywhere. I will keep following my path! :)
From your personal experience, what are the most important changes you noticed in the eSport and its perception by the general public?
The biggest change for me is to see that the eSport is starting to get professional structures to host eSport events, I’m thinking especially to MLG which I attended several times and even see the premises at New York City (for the MLG Arena) for Soul Calibur V. The fact that it’s made in a professional way allow those structures to make things big and to attract big sponsors so they can finance their employees, independent casters, but also the players through huges important cash prizes. That’s why it allows eSport team to invest seriously in professional gamers who can have a paycheck so it becomes their main work, and there is more and more.
Those professional structures and actors of eSport have also largely took advantages of streaming to attract more and more esport fans (more than 2,5 millions of unique viewers for one MLG for example).
The general public is realizing that professional gamers, and casters living from video games can exist. Then the perception is still either positive or negative I’m hearing things like « It’s so great to live from his passion! » and like « But it’s still the same thing when you’re playing, you’re not thinking, it has to be tiring for your fingers with time. » And we are not very helped by general medias…
You are travelling a lot, going in events all around the world: England, Sweden, USA, Japan, Caribbean, etc. That’s how you can compare what is eSport in France and abroad. What are the main differences between the countries in terms of professionalization and democratization?I think in all the countries I’ve been it’s in the USA that it’s the most developed (I’ve not been in Korea). It has to be the country where eSport is the most developed after Korea, and in Europe, we are so late compared to USA… The Japan is more over late of all of this, gamers don’t make money in tournaments and are not payed by japan companies to play, and it’s not in their mentalities. While American pro gamers are often motivated by the cash prize to train, the japan players are more interested by decorticate a game as much as they can, to know all the elements of the gameplay, train enough to no make any mistakes and are rewarding by victory. So, Japan professional gamers are sponsorized by foreign structures, as it is the case with Daigo, Tokido and Mago who are sponsorized by Mad Catz (USA).
In Saint Martin Caribbean it’s another sight of things: they are using eSport console to attract tourists! The Video X Games (VXG) tournament is in partnership with tourist information office, casinos, hotels, night clubs: everybody is contributing to the events, shops are involved and participated to the event. Their purpose is to allow the gamers to play during the day, and have fun at night by partying!In term of game level, you are one of those rare girls that is performing is mixed tournaments whether they are international or nation. In less part, we can mentioned the example of MaddeLisk from Millenium team on Starcraft II or Colalin who is playing as replacement in Taipei Snipers on League of Legends. How can you explain that, and how can we remediate to this feminine representativeness when we know that in France 47% of persons playing video games in France are women?
There is actually half of gamers who is women, but I think they are less playing to competition games. There are even less who go to offline events, they are quite intimidated by this world mainly male and they are afraid of being staring and judged by going there, I guess. There is also the fact that they feel an additional pressure when they are playing in tournament: if they lose it happens that the opponent tries to comfort her…« it’s normal anyway, you’re a girl » or also « you’re quite good for a girl ». Sentences quite humiliating and frustrating that female players hear a lot. And if it’s only that it could be ok, but there is a lot of critics about the physic, mostly on internet, and gamers don’t go easy on them. Then, they don’t come back because after all they didn’t come to have this pressure or feel bad, it was to have a good and friendly time. This observation comes from testifies from female gamers I read or they confide to me.
For my part, for living that too, I understand very well there are few women considering the attitude of some players and unfortunately they stop at this. But for the ones who continue to get respect, finally they live very beautiful moments and are happy to be there.
I think having women who continue to impose them in this world can motive those women who don’t dare, anyway we are on a good track since I’m seeing more and more women in tournaments. I think they realize they’re not alone and that imposing themselves is possible. Moreover there are some machos but also and mostly very nice gamers who don’t make any difference between man and woman and are still ready to help. Luckily there are always people like that to welcome new persons!
You knew several teams through the past: La Triade, aAa, LLL. Now your status allows you to be free to choose yourself the brands you like and want to work with. It’s really great but managing her image, fanbase and sponsors can be very time consuming. How are you managing to not do that and damage your studies and training at the same time?
I get with time that I was not made to be part of a sponsorized team but to be independent. I have personal projects as Kayane Session events where I’m seeking myself the brands I want to work with, I get along with and I share the values. I can now work with whoever I want (which is not the case when you belong to a team) if I feel good with them and the products are good. My main sponsor is Mad Catz because it’s provides me financial support for my travels and gives me a lot of equipment, but it doesn’t keep me for working with other sponsors.
Being independent and managing myself is really great indeed but it is not without sacrifice because I, sadly, have less time to play!
Luckily, I never had issues for my studies and I’m in my last year so it will be over soon! My studies had always been the priority and I’m advising all players, even very passionate as me, to not give up on studies.
A high level, what is really making the difference between eSport champions: skill or mind?
I think it’s the state of mind which makes the difference. At high level when it regards champions, they generally have the same practice time, and as much tournament experience. What makes the difference it’s the way of handling their emotions, anticipate the opponent and establish the good move at the good moment.
Several studies trend to show that as in other sports, the physical and mental performances of gamers are decreasing with age. Personally have you the impression that your reflexes or your motivation fall with time?
It’s true that my reflexes are less good even if they are still strong but I mostly lost some spontaneity in my gameplay. When I was young I was running over my opponent like « I don’t care » and they had troubles to anticipate what I was going to do, everything was faster with me, it disturbed them. But by growing up I also understood a lot about game so I take really more things in consideration before doing anything.
It’s not my motivation which decreases but more the time I can dedicated to games with my studies and work. There is also my desire to make think move on, that explains the fact I’m involving in projects as an organizer.
At what games are you playing during your relax times?
I’m playing Starcraft II in my relax timing :), or also RPG! Lately I played Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core on PSP and I also have Valkyrie Profile Convenant of the Plume on 3DS which is waiting for me! I also played at Sleeping Dogs and Resident Evil 6, I liked quite well. :)
Today you become a VIP among the people who are working for the development and promotion of eSport in France and in the world. In the first place, it happens with the Kayane Sessions you’re hosting and which really have a huge success. It’s really something you care about, right?
Yes! It’s an event I created and doesn’t stop to develop with more and more sponsors each year. It’s a bit like my baby :p! I manage to gather a hundred of players for fighting games to train, develop help and have a good time. Seeing them having fun is what I enjoy the most! I’m planning to organize them in other big cities in France so we leave Paris a little bit! :)
You also became the ambassador of several editors by participating to adversiting campaign of new games, like it was the case with Soul Calibur V, or more recently with Injustice God Among Us. Are you trying the games to know if they are good before agreed to assure their promotion?For a game as Soul Calibur even if the editor was not asking me I would promote it because no matter what happens it’s the game of my life, I really grow up with it so it’s by love for the game! :) There are games I’m less playing as Mortal Kombat and Injustice, but this community Finish-Him sees me as an important spokeswoman and is counting on me to help them. I appreciate its members a lot, I see the passion and the invested time to promote their game, welcome and develop loyalty of the new members. I like fighting games in general for the values they represent, and I’m willing to help each community to promote its game and their events even if I’m not a huge fan of this game or this other… it’s the development of fighting game I want, so we need to help each other!
So it’s not the editor who motivates me to promote a game, but its community. :)
Among your several occupations, you’re also presenter on GameOne (french TV channel specialized in video games) since last January. You’re kind of the consulting eSport specialist in the TV show presented by Marcus and entitled « The Game One debate » in its version dedicated to eSport. Can you tell us the genesis of the project and the backstage of the show?
It was July 2012 when I was in Caribbean for an event, I received an email from the schedule director of Game One. The email is short and quite vague, he was wondering whether we could work together for TV but didn’t have anything specific in mind. We had to wait until I got back in France in September to meet, I spoke about my path and my projects. I specified I would like to talk about eSport and that was actually their goal contacting me. I’ve been offered to co-present a show with Marcus to talk about eSport once a month first, it started in January 2013. The first season ended and we will be back in September. We would like to set up a regular show dedicated to eSport which will not be inside the debate of Marcus. My fingers are crossed so it will happen!
We also worked together at the Paris Games Week while waiting me to co-present in the show, I was animated on the stage where the public could challenge me. The GameOne staff was very happy to see the passion, there was such a crowd! Especially when I invited the Street Fighter Ono producer to play with me, it was crazy, the public was crazy! Ono and I too! [Laughs]
Regarding the backstage of the show, I get along wonderfully with Marcus! He’s making jokes, he is naturally blunderer but amazingly nice! We get on directly and I think we can sense it in the shows we are making. :) It’s strange because I grew up with GameOne and Marcus was an icon I never thought I meet! And less work with! [Laughs]
In which events will we meet you during the next months? What are your projects at middle-long term?
Thanks to Mad Catz, I already have a lot of travels scheduled for this summer. I will go to the E2 at Los Angeles, the EVO at Las Vegas, the Comic-Con at San Diego, the Gamescom at Cologne and Tokyo Game Show (Paris)! I’m also invited by the VXG to spend two weeks for holidays in Saint Martin Caribbean and to attend to his fighting game tournament. A busy summer, without mentioned there is also the Japan Expo and all the French tournaments where you can meet me.
I will also continue Kayane Sessions by trying to always improve, with bigger means. I would also like to organize some in other big cities in France so I will work on it at the end of the summer. At the same time I associate with tournament organizers to make bigger events: actually I invested in some equipment as 20’ Iiyama screen no lag and 20 consoles; so I can make them to contribute for making good things!
And I’m working with GameOne on a TV show project for eSports as mentioned above! :)Before concluding, a small « Kōji Kondō» question. You started playing piano very regularly since few months, and you already know a lot of songs, especially the music pieces from Final Fantasy and Elfen Lied. Would you secretly dream to write the soundtrack of Soul Calibut VI?
Haha! :) Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m good for composing! I would more dreaming about being a Soul Calibur producer or a new fighting game but I don’t think I followed the appropriate studies for that! [Laugh]
Thanks for giving this interview to the website Millenium even though you have a busy schedule. The last word is for you.
Thanks to Millenium for thinking about me, and especially GG for the big work made on my portrait. Pro work! :) I would like to thank all the reader for reading my portrait and the interview, my adventure is far from being over so do not hesitate to follow me on https://kayane.fr / @KayaneFR / facebook.com/kayane.fr.
GL HF to all and good luck for all your personal and professional projects. ;)
Kayane à l'EVO 2010 (Crédit : kayane.fr)
