January 5, 2026
The polished broadcasts we see in esports only exist because of the people running everything behind the camera. From replays to observing to cinematic shots. DazedDreams pulls back the curtain on that world, sharing what really goes into live production and how she found her place in it.
The backend of the esports production can feel invisible to viewers, but it’s one of the most demanding parts of any broadcast. Between camera work, observing, replays, and storytelling, every match depends on people who can translate fast gameplay into something clear and engaging. The role of an observer, in particular, sits at the heart of that process, shaping what fans see, when they see it, and how the match narrative unfolds.
DazedDreams has spent years behind the monitor shaping how fans experience competitive moments, but her path into esports production wasn’t something she planned. Like many in the scene, she started by helping build community spaces and slowly found herself drawn deeper into the mechanics of live broadcast work. What began as organising small events eventually turned into discovering the craft of observing, learning from mentors, and developing the instinct needed to follow the action in real time.
With experience across different games and formats, she has built a foundation that now informs everything she brings to the Milk Cup and beyond. We had the opportunity to chat with DazeDreams at length, and learn about her experience as an esports observer and tournament admin.
When asked about her entry point into esports, DazedDream gave credit where it was due, highlighting the mentors who offered guidance, confidence, and support when she needed it the most.
“In Galorants, I started out as an event coordinator, creating events for marginalised genders to learn how to play Valorant in a safe space. My friend Wolf (Kate) and I would stream the games to give advice to new Valorant players. At the time, we didn’t know anything about observing.
I saw Heather “SapphiRe” Garozzo chatting in Galorant’s Discord and remembered watching her Twitch observer stream for a Valorant Invitational, so I asked her to observe one of our scrims called Learning Valorant and explain her thought process. She educated me about the observing role. As I hosted more tournaments, I fell into the observer and producer role since most individuals wanted to be casters.
I was very fortunate to find mentors and opportunities to grow as an observer. I want to thank Victor “Vflight” Pothikan for taking me under his wing and showing me how to observe Valorant at a basic level. I would also like to thank Justin “Pythian” Glasner for pushing my production capabilities and allowing me to expand my skill set.”
You’ve worked across different games and formats. How do you mentally and technically prep for a new season as an observer?
D: Before thinking about the games and formats, I first ask about what resources I have to utilise. Every production set-up is different. Limited resources may leave you feeling uncomfortable making certain creative decisions. On the other hand, you may realise that you can contribute more to a broadcast as an observer, depending on what you have to work with. For example, if a production team has a replay operator and I’m working as the cinematic observer, I try my best to capture shots specifically for replays and ask what they would like to see from me.
In a similar vein, I ask about client expectations. A tournament centred around content creators may have different goals than a traditional esports tournament. These are some of the factors you consider when you are storytelling through observation that are outside the gameplay itself.
What’s one thing viewers might be surprised to learn about what an observer does during a live match?
D: Observers react just as intensely and passionately as the fans. A lot of us are fans of the game that we work on. We know when we observe well. We know when we miss the mark. Observers are making decisions in real-time. Especially in FPS games, we have to digest so much information and make the best decision that we can.
DazedDreams was on site for The Milk Cup LAN, an event that shattered multiple records for women’s Overwatch esports. Beyond the headlines and high-energy matches, she pointed to the details that often go unnoticed but matter just as much.
“The Milk Cup 2025 is quite special compared to other circuits and its former iteration. This year, they have added a training component, The Milk Cup Academy, to foster upcoming talent. Outside of providing the opportunity to compete and earn prizes, I am most excited about the mentorship and health and wellness component of the program. Mentorship is one of the biggest contributors to a person’s growth in their given interests.”
When you’re behind the scenes on events like Milk Cup or Game Changers, what does creating an inclusive and welcoming broadcast actually look like in practice?
D: The obvious answer would be to give marginalised genders PAID opportunities to work on live broadcasts. Of course, that is crucial. Representation matters. However, I think there is so much emphasis on representation that we neglect another important aspect of creating an inclusive and welcoming broadcast: culture.
At least when I was coming up in the esports scene, I felt a lot of pressure to be perfect because I was afraid that my mistake would cast judgment on other marginalised gender individuals in this space. This sentiment is consistent with many marginalised communities, even outside of esports. Building confidence in your skill set requires learning from mistakes.
Even though live broadcasts are pressure cookers, I think productions should focus on creating an environment that allows individuals to feel comfortable and secure enough to know that it is okay if there is a mistake. We want to avoid making mistakes, but if they happen, we can move past them.
Raidiant is already putting observers in the spotlight to highlight the heroes who work behind the scenes. DazedDreams echoed that sentiment when asked what she hopes to see more of in the esports scene.
“I would love more video content about people behind the scenes, working on the live broadcasts. I think most viewers think the only jobs in esports broadcast are being a competitive player, a coach, or a caster. Observing is becoming more well-known in certain esports, but it’s still a niche job. I think sharing knowledge about other careers in esports would create more “buy-in” for viewers.”
As esports continues to grow, so does the need to recognize the people shaping every moment from behind the camera. Observers like DazedDreams remind us that great broadcasts don’t happen by accident: they come from instinct and collaboration.