Did you know that Brunei has got a professional esports player? Meet the Sultanate’s first esports pro Mohd Zulkarnain Hj Mohd Zulkifli aka WizzKing. The 23-year-old is the top global Mobile Legends player and has been part of RRQ - an Indonesian based esports organisation - since late 2018. We at BruSports News had the opportunity to get in touch with him to know more about his journey.

Q: There are so many games to play, why did you choose Mobile Legends?

A: It is because Mobile Legends is one of the biggest e-sports games right now and I like the graphics. There is also the opportunity to earn money and make a living from it.

Q: You are the only pro player in Brunei. Why did you take the plunge?

A: It actually took me a long time to make the final decision. But in the end, I just wanted to be different from everyone else.

Q: What was the reaction like when you first told your parents or friends and take it on?

A: My parents actually approved me to take it on after the found out that I can make a living through gaming and livestreaming. They saw that there is a future for me in esports.

My friend, Jimbay, also supported me by travelling to Indonesia together to get my contract for my first livestream.

Picture: Courtesy of MPL

Q: How did the name WizzKing come about?

A: Wizzking is just a random name which I thought of. I used to play a lot of RPG games and I like wizard characters. So that's where the 'Wizz' came from while 'King' is just random

Q: We checked out your YouTube channel and you have a lot of subscribers. How did you get yourself into streaming games online?

A: It is something i enjoy doing because I like talking to my fans.

Q: How did you get into RRQ?

A: I’m a top global player and an ex-player in MPL season 2 so the CEO of RRQ gave me an offer and contracted me around December 2018.

I remember I was just playing games at that time when he called to ask if I could join and the rest was history. It is a dream come true to be part of RRQ because all my idols are here.

Q: Looks like a lot of RRQ fans were a bit doubtful at the start when you first came in. How did you feel about that?

A: I just kept training and stayed focused on the team in search of finding chemistry playing with them. That’s all.

Picture: Courtesy of MPL

Q: Can you share with us how training is like with the team? Or what do you guys actually do daily to reach such a level?

A: In a week, we scrim eight games per day from Monday to Saturday. These are against others teams which are not in the Indonesia’s MPL (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League). After scrims, we normally spend time watching Netflix together and play magic chess.

Q: Who is your favourite character in Mobile Legends and why?

A: Selena because I’m good at aiming my arrows. I also like assassin heroes such as Fanny and Gusion.

Q: You recently won the IDR 1,000,000,000 (approximately BND$92k+) MPL ID season 5 title with RRQ Hoshi. What’s the feeling like to reach such an achievement?

A: I feel happy and blessed because I’m the first Bruneian to win the MPL title. The next target is the MSC (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup) and to get the trophy.

WizzKing celebrate winning MPL ID season 5 with his teammates from RRQ. Picture: Courtesy of WizzKing

Q: How different is playing the game in Brunei compared to Indonesia?

A: It is a lot more different in Indonesia because it is much more competitive with so many pros here.

Q: What kind of advice can you give to any upcoming esports players that might want to turn pro just like you?

A: I spend my time playing Mobile Legends everyday and keep trying to make new friends from top global.

So you just have to try hard, keep training and focus on achieving top global so that other esports teams will notice you.