The first week of the European League and APAC North Division is now in the book, and while we have seen some incredible play during the first week, we have also seen some new on-screen talent join the scene's top tier.
One of the new casters is Geo "Geo" Collins, who has come a long way in a short period of time. Having recently covered both the ESL Premiership and European Challenger League, she is now casting games in the top flight of both regions and has shown that while she is one of the newer casters at this level, she brings a lot of insight to the broadcast.
Geo took the time to sit down and talk to SiegeGG about her current experience within the scene, how she felt the first week of competition has gone, and what she expects from both regions.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk to us and on becoming a caster for both the EUL and APAC North. For those that do not know who you are, can you introduce yourself and let us know your esport background?
Considering you have only been in the esports casting scene for a few years, that's quite a resume of experience you have built up. What made you decide a move into Siege esports was the right one for you and how has your previous experience transferred over?
Considering that while you had an interest in the game since Operation Chimera, it's great to see the amount of effort you have put in since the start of the year and how that hard work has been rewarded. You mentioned that it was scary to start from the bottom and work your way up was scary, but you did this well covering both the ESL Premiership and then Challenger League. How valuable an experience was casting both tournaments for you?
While you say that you are still in the learning stage, you seemed comfortable on-screen during your first week. I am glad that you mentioned about the amount of studying you do for each game, as the notes you share over social media proves you put in a lot of work. What is it that you focus on when you're doing match preparation?
The preparation you do started to show through as the week went on. With you casting both Europe and the APAC North regions. Have you found that your approach has changed and what is the biggest difference you have found between the two regions?
I agree it has been incredible seeing the variety that the APAC North region has shown through the first week, especially with the old school, red-dot suppressor meta they were running. While it is deemed as a weaker region currently, how are you expecting the region to progress and develop?
Seeing Electrify Esports turn that game around when they looked down and out was one of the most interesting games of the week and they should be a team that everyone watches with interest. Now, to flip it over to Europe, which is obviously the more established region. The region had a few big roster moves this off-season prior to the start of the EUL. Which moves were both most surprising and intriguing for you?
I personally agree as Fabian to Vitality was one of my personal stories to look out for this year and it was not the smoothest of first weeks by any means. Two teams that you have previous experience in the European Challenger League are Tempra Esports and Team Secret, who were known as IziDream and OrgLess when you casted them last season. What are you expecting from them in the EUL?
It was good to see them both get results early and not be blown away and just seen as teams from Challenger League that might not be able to hang. Their development will be interesting to watch as we go along. With that said, who do you currently feel are the strongest teams in the region based on their moves in the off-season and week 1 performances?
It was hard to deny just how good Rogue looked against Team Empire and the instant impact both karzheka and LeonGids big as players on top of rcuth and r0usty behind the scenes. Now, as you mentioned earlier, you have only been in the scene a short while but there have been some incredible games during that time. Which stands out as your favourite?
It's definitely not your typical pick but the fact that a game from SI 2020 piques your interest that much is amazing to see. Now, imagine you are a general manager and your able to pick two rosters from the EUL and APAC North, who would you select?
Definitely some strong picks there, though I do wonder how Kantoraketti would feel about that. Finally, with week one in the books and more to come do you have anything you would like to say to the fans?
With both the EUL and APAC North seasons underway, not only are we going to get to see some incredible games in the two regions but some incredible casting from Geo and the rest of the onscreen talent. You will be able to watch Geo cast both regions Monday to Thursday each play week.