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Drew “Midbeast” Timbs is traveling back from Korea to his home country this weekend for PAX Australia, where he’ll host several panels for Alienware.
Midbeast joined Team Liquid in 2017 after spending several years playing competitive League of Legends for teams that include the now-disbanded Infernum Gaming and Team Exile5. The Australian midlaner-turned-streamer has amassed a following of over 87,000 on Twitch and 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, producing high quality League content and streaming five days a week. Along with streaming, Midbeast frequently travels to South Korea to practice and hone his skills in League.
At PAX, Midbeast will take part in the Game Like a Champion and Alienware Command Center panels where he’ll talk about esports, streaming, and the latest Alienware, among other things. We spoke to him about what it takes to be both a pro player and streamer, his experience with Alienware’s training facility, and thoughts on what’s happening at Worlds and the current state of the League pro scene in Australia.
How are you enjoying your time in Melbourne?
Loving my time in Melbourne! Definitely my favourite city in Australia.
You spend a lot of your time in Korea bootcamping, how important is that to you to progress?
It’s definitely important to me to be in my prime at all times. Korea has the best practice environment so I like to spend time there to stream and hone my skills for myself and also the viewers.
The move to an NA team is a big one, what was that like for you?
It was amazing to be reached out to by Team Liquid. Coming from a small scene here in OCE it was a big deal. It’s been almost a year now!
Have you had a chance to check out the TL / Alienware training center? What is it like?
I had the chance to fly out to LA earlier this year and the Alienware training facility was insane. Easily the best space I’ve ever used for gaming and content creating.
How big of an impact does PAX have on esports in the region?
I think PAX is really important and helps bring the community together. A lot of people come from all across the country to connect with friends they only see online and engage with games they love.
What do you think the OPL needs to catch up to the other regions? The return of Midbeast?
Honestly the return of Midbeast is what is needed for the region to reach Worlds…. Haha but seriously, I think we need to develop our own style of play, whether it be through cheese picks like GAM did last year or hard aggression. Teams for years now have just copied the Korean style and failed when it came down to international tournaments. It’s the reason western teams are doing so well now, they play with aggression and are happy to make risky plays that the Korean teams aren’t used to reacting to.
Will we see a return to the pro stage? Or are you enjoying your time as a streamer?
Maybe one day… Right now I’m enjoying streaming and making creative content that I enjoy.
What are your favorite gaming rig?
Personally I use the Aurora for streaming and editing and its 10/10. Massive upgrade to my previous PC and I haven’t had any issues with streaming and editing.
The current meta has been quite enjoyable to watch, what are your thoughts on Worlds so far? Who do you think will win it all?
I’m Loving all the upsets at Worlds! Going into the tournament I was expecting Korean and Chinese teams to win with about 90 percent confidence but was happily wrong. I think in the end it’s going to be FNC vs IG but I’m hoping FNC take it all.
Any tips for an aspiring players and streaming alike?
For streamers: Set yourself goals and work hard towards reaching them. It doesn’t have to be specific numbers or targets, it could just be I want to have a positive community or unique content but stick to your guns and go for it.
For pros: Grind grind grind. Efficient practice is really underrated. Some people play 16 hours a day and don’t get as much as somebody playing 8 hours at 100 percent and reviewing games taking downtime. Don’t just play brainlessly for hours a day, set yourself a timetable for practice and stick to it day in and day out.
