November 25, 2025
Esports has come a long way since its initial launch. Many roles have opened up, creating a way for those who love games to dive into the industry. Sarcopels has taken these opportunities and continues to pave a way for themselves in the esports industry. We were able to catch up with Sarcopels to get a deeper look at their journey!
The start of the journey
Raidiant: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? What inspired you to go into esports?
Sarcopels: I’ve loved games for as long as I can remember. My dad is a computer programmer and played a lot of games, so as a kid my brother and I would sit behind him while he’d play little flash games on our computer at the time. We also had one of those original Wii consoles and would destroy some Just Dance 2 and Mario Kart.
Despite all that, I wasn’t allowed to play much besides browser games growing up, so I never really had access to a lot of the games I was interested in. Instead, I’d watch YouTube ‘Let’s Play’ content to stay in touch with the gaming world.
Sarcopels shares that they did that until they were about 20, when they finally built their first PC.
I explicitly built (my PC) to play Valorant! It’s the same PC I worked every show on until my current job.”
The road so far
Raidiant: What is/was your role like as a tournament replay operator at Raidiant? What were some of your responsibilities?
Sarcopels: (The role required) a lot of prep before the show goes live. I had to make sure my equipment was working and set up properly, and I had to review the run of the show to know what I needed to be ready for once we’re on air. Next, it’s all about the story of the game – the coolest plays and the important moments that deserve to be seen again.
Sarcopels expresses that they really started to push themselves and what they can do when they first worked with CAH and Raidiant.
I really focused on how I could organize clips and build extra packages about specific players and moments to sell throughout the broadcast outside of just the series or map highlights. That’s what always made Game Changers the most fun, getting to crunch together preshow packages, then managing the in game replays while building a desk segment in between moments. I love the rush of the time crunch to finish a cool replay package.”
The day-to-day
Raidiant: How does your day-to-day look as a full-time replay operator?
Sarcopels: It’s all bigger and on different equipment, but other than driving to an office now, it feels largely the same. I show up, run through rehearsals and tech checks, and then the show begins, and everything becomes new because it’s a new day and a new game. I spend a lot of time in the moment and outside of it thinking about what stories matter to the show and what the fans would want to see, especially because I’ve been a fan for so long that I know what it feels like.
They also explain that it takes three or four people to operate a show instead of one, so they can focus on specific parts, like player comms, kill replays, and analyst desk segments.
Favorite moments
Raidiant: Do you have any favorite moments or plays from your time working tournaments?
Sarcopels: I loved Starbound farming everyone on Chamber at the start of this year for GC. It was so crazy to watch. Since I started at the Riot RBC, I also loved Potter and Jawgemo doing their handshake after that insanely close match between G2 and EG to qualify for Toronto. I was so into that match while we were working it, and I definitely cried watching the two of them display that cool moment from their time on EG, despite being rivals for the match. I also usually run the coach cam replays and have really enjoyed and appreciated Kaplan for his silly antics with Cubert.
Transition into a new role
Raidiant: What did your transition to Riot or other bigger tournament orgs look like?
Sarcopels: It was a big move and a lot of anxiety, but also a lot of excitement. I’ve always struggled with impostor syndrome in esports, and I definitely felt it during my transition here, since I didn’t come from a more formal broadcast background and didn’t enter my role knowing EVS.
They continue by saying it feels good to see the hard work pay off because this is something they really care about.
I just want to do a good job and make a good show.”
Raidiant: What piqued your interest in learning about the replay operator role? What excites you about your new role?
Sarcopels: I was doing ‘observing’ before I started in replays, and I really wanted to learn them at the time because it just felt like something I understood and could be good at. I would pay a lot of attention to the cool things other replay ops were doing in bigger shows, and it felt like there was so much to nerd out about, so I’ve always had that interest since I started in broadcast.
I think coming here has also truly made me fall in love with the art of replay. I loved doing it before, but it feels different now–people don’t realize HOW much we think about everything, how much time goes into discussing new things to try out and what did and didn’t work, how often we VOD review our own work and go watch what’s happening in other regions and other games. I got to do a live sports event recently, and it taught me SO much. It’s really cool to apply those lessons to the work I do with VALORANT and League.
They move on to explain that their current role means a lot as VALORANT does. Sacropels has been able to form closer connections with family and peers who share their love for VALORANT and VCT.
I am so passionate about this game and this community, and I feel lucky every day I get to do this… I’m still new and I have a lot to learn, and I hope I never stop learning. That’s what makes it so rewarding.”
Taking old skills into new environments
Raidiant: How did your time as a tournament replay operator prepare you for becoming a trainee and now employee at Gravity Media working on Riot Games events?
Sarcopels: Working with Raidiant was everything for what I do now. I would not be here without the time I spent with Raidiant, and I’ll forever be grateful to the people there for teaching me and trusting me to grow. It’s so hard to even boil down the lessons I learned, but I think the most important one is just what it means to care about the show you’re working on. Game Changers, CAH, Milk Cup–there are so many people as marginalized genders, people like me, who really deserve to have their stories showcased and told with the kind of care and thought that Raidiant gives it, and I’ve taken that kind of passion and energy to apply it to the stories I get to help tell now. Also, I learned how to be FAST!
Raidiant: Do you have any advice for someone who may want to break into the gaming industry?
Sarcopels: My best advice is to treat others–and yourself–as human beings first and foremost. Esports has a lot of grind culture in it, and when you get too caught up in that, I think, it really damages the human connections you make and burns you out. Obviously work hard and get involved, but none of it matters – or will be worth it – if you don’t build care and community.
Raidiant: What’s next for you?
Sarcopels: Show-wise, I’ll be working Worlds, which is a deep honor to be a part of. I’m excited to end the year strong and continue to practice my EVS mechanics and decision-making as a replay operator.
They jokingly add that outside of esports, they are working really hard to be a better GM for her tabletop games.
We here at Raidiant wish you well, Sarcopels! Hopefully, their story can help ignite a passion for others interested in similar roles.