Last week, we sat down with Vera, an intern host for VCT CN who recently joined the official broadcast team in the 2025 season.
CHINA – Vera is part of the third batch of the VALORANT Esports CN Official Commentator and Host Training Camp. Out of over 1,000 applicants, she and four others earned a spot in the program to go through a six-month training period. Through this conversation, we hope more people realize that esports isn’t just something you watch—it’s an industry waiting for passionate people to step in. If you’ve got the drive and the love for it, there’s always a way to make it happen.
To start, Vera’s story is one that many in the esports community can relate to—she started as just another gamer, playing casually League of Legends in 2013. But it wasn’t until the following years that she discovered esports. “It was just another weekend in the winter of 2015 when I randomly clicked on an LPL broadcast. The casters were hyped, the pro plays were insane—it instantly pulled me in and got me hooked on esports.
“Back then, I was just a casual League player, hopping into games every now and then. But from that day on, esports became my daily background noise. I never missed a weekend match, and honestly, those hype moments blasting through my headphones made even the most boring textbooks bearable during my study years.
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“I went for a Master’s in Integrated Marketing at New York University (NYU). Even while studying, gaming and esports took up a huge chunk of my free time. I still remember watching the entire group stage of Worlds 2022 in NY and even flying to San Francisco for the grand final. Balancing school, work, and my passion for esports wasn’t easy, but looking back, I’m just glad I made it through.”
For many of us, graduating isn’t the end—it’s just the start of the next grind: job hunting. That’s exactly what happened to Vera, who ended up in the corporate world as a banker. Climbing the corporate ladder is seen as the safe and stable route, but let’s be real—most of us have had our own “what if” moments about chasing other dreams. As Vera put how she felt during her time there, “Passion felt like something I had stuffed in a drawer and completely forgotten about.”
Then, at the start of 2024, during a random conversation, a friend pointed out to Vera, “Your eyes light up whenever you talk about esports. Why not give it a shot?” And just like that, the rest was history.
VALO2ASIA: What pushed you to go for it?
“Yeah, the corporate world definitely offered stability, but it was not exciting or creative enough for me. Switching careers wasn’t easy—I definitely had my fair share of doubts. But at some point, I realized esports wasn’t just a hobby; it was a fast-growing industry where I could actually use my skills while doing something I love. Making the jump was scary, but looking back, it was totally worth the risk.”
Can you explain the broadcast talent recruitment process for those who aren’t closely following VCT CN?
“The whole process had both online and offline stages. People could apply through esports talent agencies, universities, the official site, and a few other platforms. Then came interviews and a training camp, with a live audition at the end to decide who made the cut.”
Honestly, I didn’t even realize how many people were applying when I first went for it—probably a good thing, or I might’ve been way more stressed! I heard that for our batch, there were over 1,000 applicants.”
Getting through all those applicants must’ve been intense! What were some of the most memorable moments for you, from applying all the way to landing the intern host spot?
“The final live audition was hands down the most unforgettable part. After two weeks of intense training on hosting and interpretation skills, we had to do a mock broadcast in front of industry veterans—it was nerve-wracking but also super exciting. What made it even more intense was that they announced the results right after everyone was done. When I got the offer, it didn’t even feel real—like all those late-night rehearsals and hours of prep finally paid off.”
Let’s talk about the Casters Cup last year—you were part of it too! Is this something CN casters do every year? And what’s the vibe like being a part of it?
(For those who don’t know, the casters and hosts in VCT CN actually had their own tournament! They played through a bracket, and the grand final even took place at the VCT CN Arena. It wasn’t officially broadcast, but some folks from the community streamed it.)
“I was actually part of the winning team in last year’s Casters Cup, which was pretty awesome! It was the first time they tried it out, and people loved it so much that they’re planning a more official version this year. As for the vibe, it was super fun—lots of hype matches, but also plenty of laughs and teamwork behind the scenes. It really helped me feel like part of the community.”
When you’re interviewing players on camera, how much planning goes into it? Especially when some players aren’t super comfortable in front of the mic, but you still want to get good answers—how do you make that work?
“Preparation is absolutely important for me—It’s something I’ve picked up from my earlier career experiences. I make sure to research the players—background, recent performances, even their personalities—so I can ask the right questions.”
For players who are nervous, I keep the tone light, ask straightforward questions, and give little prompts if they’re having trouble expressing themselves. The goal is to make them feel comfortable so they can share their real genuine thoughts.”
What’s the most memorable interview you’ve done so far? Who was it with and what made it stand out?
“For me, the most memorable one was my first post-match interview with Rushia from Bilibili Gaming during the VALORANT Evolution Cup Series Act 1. It was my debut on the big stage, but surprisingly, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought. Rushia was also super chill, and we ended up having a really fun conversation!”
Looking ahead, what’s your goal for this year as part of the VCT CN broadcast team
“One thing I really want to focus on is bringing more storytelling into interviews—not just talking about strategies but also showing the human side of the players. Hopefully, I can help make the broadcasts even better and give viewers the best experience!”
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