Trading Card Spotlight - Angel Rodriguez
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Angel Rodriguez, who is displayed on card number 4175 from the Superstars of 2022. Angel is an Esports competitor that loves gaming. His favorite game of all time is Super Metroid on the SNES. Known as the “The Director of Awesome”, someone said, “Everything he does he makes awesome” and just like that, he became the Director of Awesome. Angel is a proud dad as well and loves adventuring with his daughter, that he affectionately calls Sweetie-Pizzle.
When did you decide you wanted to compete in video game competitions?
I was inspired to compete way back in the late 80s. I would hear about competitions going on in California but as a New York kid, I didn’t have the money to get there. It wasn’t until 2008 in Grapevine, TX that I had my first taste of competition via ScrewAttack’s Ironman of Gaming Tournament. I won the Killer Instinct (SNES) championship during that weekend event, and it changed my life forever.
Do you remember your first console game you played and what do you remember about it?
ABSOLUTELY! Super Mario Brothers on the NES. I remember being amazed by what I was seeing. The music, the colors, being able to magically control what was happening on screen with this weird controller thing. It blew my mind… until I died at the “hands” of the very first Goomba on level one.
What are your opinions about today’s generation of games? How do you compare them to older, classic ones?
Impulse answer is that older/classic games are better, however the truth is more nuanced. The technological constraints of older games forced developers to tell stories through gameplay, and that refined approach made them more immersive. Developers today have a wealth of technology available to evoke emotion and tell stories without the requirement of good gameplay. This has led to interesting experiences, but it has also led to a reduction in quality games due to the “release it and fix it later” mentality.
Do you remember your first arcade game you played and what do you remember about it?
Ms. Pacman was my first arcade game. The game was fun and challenging, but what I really remember is the totality of the experience. Sitting in the pizza shop with my NY style pizza, listening to the sounds of the cabinet while watching my mother play the game. I thought she was the greatest Ms. Pacman player alive and I couldn’t wait to play and impress her with my skills. Spoiler alert, I did terrible, but it’s such a great memory.
What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?
As a variety streamer I was all over the place with my games, but the ones that took hundreds of hours were retro games (NES/SNES), Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War series, Elden Ring, Streets of Rage 4 and everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure, Destiny 2. My favorite genre by far is souls like. There is something exhilarating about the difficulty spikes and the feeling of triumph that takes me back to my childhood.
How did you get the name “The Director of Awesome”?
It was given to me by the team at ScrewAttack. Originally, I was known as Mr. Enthusiastic during the Ironman of Gaming tournament, because I was so excited to be there. My overwhelming excitement and entertaining gameplay during competition created this infectious energy that pulled everyone in. After the event the team brought me to conventions with them and I would create that same infectious energy. Someone said, “Everything he does he makes awesome” and just like that, I became the Director of Awesome. It wasn't really official until the ScrewAttack Gaming Convention, where the fans embraced my energy and my vision for the community. When the fans called me the Director of Awesome, I knew I had earned it.
What other hobbies do you love and why are they special?
My hobbies include combat sports (boxing/karate), mountain biking, hiking and reading. They are special because they challenge me in different ways and always force me out of my comfort zone. The physical activities push weakness out of my body and help me to be more confident but remain humble. Reading reminds me to dream beyond what I know to be real and that learning never truly ends.
What does it take to be a dedicated father and role model?
I would distill it down to 3 points: think generationally, embrace sacrifice and give yourself grace. First, thinking generationally means realizing how you were treated affects how you treat someone, which affects how they treat others and how those people treat others. Specifically, I saw things my grandmother did, that my mother did, that I did, all without realizing we were doing it. This made me realize how important what I do or don’t do, really is in how my daughter develops as a person, mother, grandmother and general human being. Secondly, I had to embrace the idea of sacrificing for the greater good. If that meant taking a job, I didn’t want but that allowed me to provide better for my daughter, that’s what I did. Running around a convention for 12 hrs. a day interacting with attendees can be exhausting but, seeing the joy created by those interactions is well worth it. Being ready to sacrifice time and energy in pursuit of a goal is required to achieve success, just as being good to yourself and others is required for perpetuating positivity. Lastly, giving yourself grace means don’t judge yourself too harshly. It is impossible to do everything right all the time. It is impossible to know everything that needs to be known to avoid failure. Do the best you can while looking at failure/mistake as an opportunity for learning and growth, and you will definitely stay on the right path. In short, I worked hard to be the father and role model I wish I had when I was growing up and that desire still guides my actions today.
Are video games aimed mainly at children, adolescents or adults?
Video games are aimed mainly at adolescents. They are in this wonderful space where they are wise enough to interact with what’s happening, but still easily believe dreams can become reality. They are the ones who openly accept the developer’s artistic expression and breathe life into it. Adults can enjoy the experience, but the realities of life often make it more difficult to suspend disbelief and become immersed in a game’s world.
Do you believe some video games are too violent and lead to violence in America today?
I do not believe in the correlation between video game violence and real-world violence. Regardless of how incredibly realistic graphics become, there is always the understanding that the digital space is not the real world. Either we understand this consciously through the requirement of an interface (controller/VR goggles), or subconsciously, through the artificial nature of creating a picture. What could lead to violence are movies with real humans, depicting violence against other real humans. But even then, the artificial nature of the experience makes it difficult to prove a one-to-one correlation. The problem with violence in America falls on poor parenting, poor leadership and the violent nature inherent within the human species. I think history proves that last point.
Which company makes the best video games and why?
Nintendo by far. Their first party titles have a level of consistent polish and innovation that other companies have trouble keeping up with.
What is your opinion on the price tags of video games today?
The standard $60 price point is where it should stay. The price increases are not logically sound in today’s climate. Producing disks is cheaper than producing cartridges, digital storefronts significantly reduce distribution cost, and the introduction of DLC opens new revenue streams. The idea of rising development costs requiring the cost of games to increase doesn’t make sense because we are NOT receiving higher quality games or games offering a significantly different experience than what we receive with a game of $60… or less, given the success of indie titles. I worry how the corporate pursuit of profit over players will impact the industry moving forward.
What is your favorite portable gaming device and why?
If we are talking about pure gaming, then it would be the GameBoy Advanced. Its game library is filled with bangers and because it was a larger device, I could have extended play sessions without hurting my hands. If we are speaking in general, then my laptop is king. The combination of Steam and Netflix is unbeatable!
If you could describe Walter Day in one word, what would that word be and why?
BRAVE. He saw the potential in competitive gaming during a time when everyone thought they were silly kids games. He recognized that the mental framework to be a champion gamer matches that of champions of any discipline. He understood the significance of the history being made while they were actively living it and had the foresight to capture those moments and share them with the world. His entire career was fighting against those who sought to delegitimize the significant achievements of digital competition. Without Walter Day, there would be no ESports. Without Walter Day, the rich history of competitive gaming would not exist. He is more than just a man; he’s an icon and is quite literally is the father of ESports
What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘Esports?
Digital competition amongst people who elevated a hobby to a life passion… and dimly lit arcades filled with people standing around Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct arcade cabinets.
What is your favorite video game of all time and why?
Super Metroid on the SNES. It is the perfect blend of challenge, adventure, atmosphere, memorable soundtrack and replayability. But more than that, it was released during a time in my life where I was trying to figure out where I fit in. I had recently moved from New York to Florida, didn’t have any friends and struggled to understand my new school's social politics. So I would come home and escape my world and get lost adventuring with Samus. Coming in a close second is God of War on PS2… but that’s a story for another time.
Where do you see ESports in the next 10 years?
If it continues to grow and evolve, it will be seen as legitimate as any other Olympic sport. The heart of gaming is enjoyable escapism, but the competitive scene is as intense, demanding and rewarding as any other competitive sport. I’ve won wrestling matches, I’ve won medals in martial arts tournaments, and I’ve won ESports tournaments. I can say without a doubt, the mental toughness and dedication required to be a champion in each of these disciplines is exactly the same. When the greater public understands this truth, then there will be no limit to how successful ESports can be.