Review: Paul ‘Redeye’ Chaloner’s Book ‘This Is Esports’ Is A Must Read
by Mike Stubbs
There are few people in the world of esports with as much experience as Paul “Redeye” Chaloner. The long time broadcaster and host has pretty much seen it all in the world of esports, from the era of tiny LAN events in back rooms, to the major TV boom and subsequent crash, and the rise of esports and Twitch in recent years. He has many stories to tell, and quite a few of them feature in this new book, This is esports: (and How to Spell it): An Insider’s Guide to the World of Pro Gaming, which is a must-read for newcomers and veterans alike.
Rather than be a straight autobiography simply telling tales from Chaloner’s life in esports, this book takes a different approach and tries to educate those new to the esports world as well as keeping experts entertained with fun anecdotes and new insight into some of the biggest moments in esports history.
Each chapter in part one takes a look at a specific time in the world of esports, from the very early days right through to the present day. As Chaloner offers up entertaining stories from these days, like having to spend £800 on plane tickets to Texas and having to sleep on a floor to try and cast a tournament, he also takes a deeper look at the scene at that point. Looking back with hindsight at what was going on, he deems this venture a success, despite the personal cost, counting it as a major stepping stone for both his career and the advancement in casting.
Every chapter in this section of the book has something for hardcore esports fans, be it a small tidbit from behind the scenes or a totally new unheard of tale from the old days. However, a lot of the content will be known by many fans already. The mid-00s boom and subsequent crash is a story most esports fans will wheel out on the regular when talking about the scene’s longevity, and while this chapter does offer some new insight, especially around the ill-fated Championship Gaming Series, a lot of it feels more targeted at those new to the esports world. But that is perhaps to be expected in a book that tries, and succeeds, in catering to all audiences, from newcomers to hardcore fans alike.
As the book moves into the second part, it changes from retrospective look back at history to a current look at some of the big issues in the world of esports. Chapters on cheating and match-fixing bring to life some of the bigger scandals seen in esports in recent times, with expert commentary from Chaloner. This more analytical look is where the book excels, bringing a new perspective to some areas and showing that the esports world is not as perfect as some make out.
In one of the few areas where Chaloner is perhaps not best to speak on a matter he and co-writer Ben Sillis bring in commentary from other esports industry professionals. When looking at the difficulty women have in the world of esports, the pair bring in names such as CS:GO player and winner of Canada’s Smartest Person Stephanie "missharvey" Harvey to talk on the matter. This chapter is one of the highlights of the book, with no holds barred when it comes to looking at how women can be treated in esports.
For anyone who is new to the esports world or looking to learn more about it this book is a must. Chaloner’s knowledge of the entire industry is unparalleled and throughout the book he offers up insights that so-called esports consultants would charge thousands for. For fans of esports the book will perhaps prove less useful, but the anecdotes, behind the scenes stories and detailed analysis will certainly keep you entertained for the duration.
As the first major autobiography in the world of esports this is somewhat of a triumph. The book isn’t inaccessible to anyone, and is something even your grandmother could read. With esports having so many amazing stories to tell it’s somewhat amazing a book like this hasn’t happened sooner, but hopefully the resounding success that is This is Esports (And How To Spell It) will result in many more esports stories being told in this way.