1 Nov 2024
Based at the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant, Reagan Kelly is working on a wastewater digester as part of an ongoing asset renewal job. Working on site, his responsibilities include handling drawings and modelling, along with procurement and quality documentation. Outside of work, Reagan, who started playing games as a toddler, is a prize-winning esports player who goes by the gamer name GhostChips.
How were you introduced to gaming?
My dad grew up in a time when arcades were very popular. Because of this, we always had a console in the household and he was my first opponent for everything.
How did this progress to competitive gaming?
Fighting games are a special kind of esports. Unlike other games where you must be scouted, fighting games tournaments are open entry. Anybody can become a professional by simply turning up and winning. I attended my first Street Fighter competition when I was 14 after encouragement from community members online.
What do competitions or tournaments involve?
Tournaments are held over weekends with a double elimination format. This means you get two lives, but if you lose your first, you must play twice as much to win.
What three words best sum up gaming for you?
Community, competition and boundaryless.
Photo: Mark Tantrum
What do you love most about esports?
Everyone competes with everyone. I’ve seen professionals from a variety of backgrounds compete at the highest levels. Kayane, BrolyLegs and Arslan Ash are perfect examples of people who break down stereotypes. Kayane has been a top Soul Calibur player since she was nine – most people don’t expect women to have an interest let alone be one of the best in the world. Arslan Ash, from Pakistan, a region that most never expected to produce top esports talent, is arguably the best Tekken player in the world. BrolyLegs, who died in March, was one of the best Street Fighter players in Texas. He used his face to play as he was paralysed from the neck down.
Where has gaming taken you?
Australia, the USA and most recently, Istanbul.
What is your greatest achievement with gaming to date?
Placing ninth out of 436 players at Combo Breaker 2022, the second largest tournament in the United States, and placing third at the Global Esports Games 2022 in Istanbul, representing New Zealand.
What does training involve?
During the lead up to a tournament, I try to set aside at least an hour a day of dedicated practice. This can be studying game data, watching replays of professionals and reviewing my own games. To improve doesn’t necessarily mean you have to play more – the key is to optimise the amount of time you have available.
Tell us something about your involvement with esports that might surprise people.
I hate playing online. Lag isn’t very fun, and I’m not very competitive at home. This is why my practice revolves around learning the game, studying better players and less playing.
What do you say to people who say it shouldn’t be called a sport?
I don’t mind – I’ll compete regardless of whether people think it’s a sport. I will admit “esports” rolls off the tongue better than “competitive video gaming”.
Why did you choose engineering as a career?
Maths and physics were always strong subjects for me, and I wanted a secure career. Working as an engineer, I have a lot more reasons in retrospect, including contributing towards improving people’s lives, the day-to-day variety of work and engaging with cool projects and cool people.
Does being an engineer bring any advantages to the way you approach esports?
I’d like to think I’m more patient and less flustered now that I’m an engineer. When things don’t go according to plan on site, things not going right in a video game suddenly doesn’t seem as bad.
This article was first published in the September 2024 issue of EG magazine.
