Overwhelming Energy: An Interview with ODPixel

By: Julius “swarley” Tabios

Standing before a ravenous crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena, Owen ‘ODPixel’  Davies is relishing the amount. The amount of enthusiasm and all-around hype is insane. When the crowd roars, you feel the ground shake and just can’t help but feel your goose bumps rise.  There is an air of electricity at the ESL One Manila. “It’s definitely up there. In terms of hype and atmosphere” ODPixel  beams , “Maybe only second to TI. Naturally just because of the set-up.”

ODPixel is casting a professional Dota 2 game before thousands of diehard fans and he is enjoying every moment of it. “It is just absolutely awesome.” OD Pixel, “I would definitely love to come back to the country because I don’t have any time to explore right now.” OD flew in for the two day ESL One Manila event on a Friday and flew out early that Monday morning.

ODPixel is wearing a national fashion statement in the barong tagalog. A breath of fresh air from the suit and tie that is normally associated with the Dota 2 caster.  “Ken ‘Hot_Bid’ Chen actually flew in earlier and had time to shop for us. He decided to give us all barongs. It feels comfortable. Let my arms run free. Get in a bit of the culture. I think it was a great idea. Thanks Ken! ”

ODPixel loves how the crowd will just cheer for right about anyone. “When I was casting the Mineski-compLexity game I was expecting the crowd to just cheer for Mineski. I was pretty shocked that they would also cheer for coL. Usually in LANs the crowd would just cheer for the ‘home’ team y’know? No bias.”

Growing up, ODPixel never expected to be anywhere in eSports despite being one of the more reputable casters of the game today.   The British caster grew up in the countryside of England and was not used to the big city life as a kid. “Flying in I saw a lot of mountains and countryside. I wanna go check it out. I love hiking, camping and climbing mountains. I love the outdoors. If I had the time I would check it out.”But as fate has it, the nature loving ODPixel is now a big name in Dota 2.

When asked what his career would have been if he did not become a Dota 2 caster, ODPixel quickly answered, “A music producer.”  ODPixel possesses a degree in Music Technology. The fans know him as the Rap God because he can rapid fire a cast like no other.  “DJ ODPixel would have been the back-up man. I’m thinking about uploading something soon. I hope the fans will check it out.”

Once ODPixel starts streaming on his personal Twitch stream he easily gets a thousand viewers. “I just have fun when I stream. My favorite hero is Pudge.  I love it when the pros pick him. But recently he hasn’t been getting a lot of love sadly.”

“My favorite player is definitely Jacky ‘EternalEnvy’ Mao. Once that guy gets his Divine Rapiers, it just becomes all the more fun to cast. In terms of caster of course I look up to Toby ‘Tobiwan’ Dawson and David ‘LD’ Gorman. I watched them growing up and they are a source of great inspiration. And fun dudes to hang out with.”

With the Manila Majors slowly getting closer, OD answers what he thinks could be done better with the Valve-event. “For one I think we should find a way to move the Philippines closer to the UK. So I don’t need a 24-hour flight to get here. But on a serious note, I wish the venue could be bigger maybe? There’s not enough room in the MOA Arena for the amount of hype.  Get it bigger! That would be epic. I genuinely hope I can come back for the Major! Please please please!” Bring back ODPixel to Manila? Yes please.

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