A Tale of Video Games, YouTube and Opportunities

A few years ago, when my "illustrious" gaming career had just begun and before I ended up dominating the Search and Destroy scene for approximately zero seconds, I decided to go on YouTube to try and learn a few things about Call of Duty: Black Ops that might help me get better at the game. Eventually, I clicked on a video from a channel named 'TheSyndicateProject' (real name: Tom Cassell) that was demonstrating how to improve at the Zombies mode on Black Ops. It was a mode I'd struggled on for quite a while until the video taught me a method that I would go on to use every time I went on Zombies - and it worked a treat. With every new map that was brought into the game, I would head back over to TheSyndicateProject to discover everything I needed about the new map so I could succeed again.

Just over a year later I pretty much stopped playing video games. I took a break from COD after a sustained period of "success" on Modern Warfare 3, and have only occasionally picked up the Xbox controller since then. However, I didn't stop watching COD videos on YouTube. Well, truth be told, I wasn't really watching videos because COD was the featured content - I'd found a few channels that I subscribed to whom I liked the personalities behind the videos. These people were funny and entertaining, so I kept watching. When I look at it now, it became, and still is, my "television". I can count on one hand the number of TV shows I actually keep track of and watch regularly - there really aren't many at all - but I followed these YouTubers online like any normal person would tune in each week for the next episode of a drama series.

Towards the back end of 2015 I was on YouTube again and a vlog of Tom's was in my recommended videos, so I watched it. I quickly found out that he'd been in the USA and Russia and now had an apartment in Los Angeles to add to his home in the UK, as well as a company based in LA. To this day I've been hooked to his vlogging channel, SyndicateCentral, and haven't missed a vlog for ages. If I miss one day, I'll just double up and watch two on the next day. What I find most amazing is how I first came across Tom five years ago when I wanted video game tips, yet for some reason I am absolutely hooked to his vlogs to find out what he's been up to every single day. I honestly can't put a finger on why I watch them - his life is worlds away from mine (and he swears way too much for my liking!) - but at the end of the day I see someone inspired by others, inspirational to others and who is appreciative and grateful for where they are now. Most importantly, he does what he enjoys and takes every opportunity that comes his way, and that is what I take away most from his videos. Despite the differences between us, I'd like to think we promote the same message: take the chances you get to enjoy life as much as possible. I'd say it's working for me - and it's definitely working for Tom.

I doubt he needs any more exposure than he's already got but his vlogging channel is here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/SyndicateCentral

Ollie :)

Twitter: @Chowerz
Instagram: @chowerz

An update...

So I've updated my blog page layout to look a bit more aesthetic...the background picture is from a holiday last summer to Spain, where we found some beautiful coastal views that took little effort and time to get to.

I had my first exam last Friday and have got another week or so before I hit the barrage of 4 in 9 days. I've planned my revision and it looks like I'll be having one day off (to play cricket) in the next fortnight or so. Fun, I know!

Last Friday I used the oven for the first time in months. Shoved some chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots and peppers in for 35 mins with the minimal seasoning and it came out like a dream.

...and unfortunately that's the best I can offer you for a blog right now! :/ Just realised it's been exactly a month since my last post on 23rd April. Oops.

Ollie

Twitter: @Chowerz
Instagram: @chowerz