An Interview with Alan Brice

Alan 'Bricey' Brice is one of the more regular casters in the Call of Duty Community. I took some time to sit down with him and discuss his commitments to gaming, his casting duties, opinions on EGL Manchester and Black Ops 2.

 

Thanks for talking the time to do this interview. For those who are unaware of who you are, could you introduce yourself?

Bricey: Hi im Alan Brice, im 24 live in sunny Colchester. Im the Community mananger for Xtreme Gaming Uk, Im an E-sports shoutcaster for Call of duty and all round media and event's guy. Im also the Manager Of Xtreme Academy the best ORG ever. =]

 

Can you explain in more detail what goes on at Xtreme Gaming / Academy?

Bricey: Awesomeness............  Ok ok Well Xtreme Gaming is a Lan Center in Colchester.

Apart from being a place where you just play games we also run alot of event's ranging from Game launch's in which we work closely with developers and other companies. This can range from anything to previews of the game early Eg: Assasins Creed 3 which has appeared in the store at least 3 times now for people to get hands on. To midnight launch's with game and partners with prizes giveaways and competitions.

We also have our themed arena's like the zombie arena which is done up like Nazi zombies with a juggernog machine a Competition zone with 4v4 monitors wired controlers and Astro A40's on each. We also have a Sci Fi zone' Racing arena and a kinect area. This is all done with support from various gaming companies Like Mad Catz, Steel Series, Astro, Turtlebeach, Gunnars, GtOmega, and a smattering of others.

We also have an awful lot of the latest gaming accesories because of this for people to get hand on with as each of the companies has a sponsored arena EG: Astro/competition Bunker, SteelSeries/Zombie room.  Along with this we also produce videos reviews and other related media for people that has been shown at places like Games Con.

Bricey dead centerwith his Xtreme Academy teammates.

 

You also mentioned you were a Call of Duty Shoutcaster. How did you get into this aspect of CoD?

Bricey: To be honest me getting into it was the weirdest of all the current crop of shoutcaster's. Like I mentioned previously I had done work with media in the industry and a few video's on Youtube as well. This combined with just knowing people meant that After EGL5 I was talking to M3Lm0th at a launch event in london, and tbh only really asked him who he was getting to cast for i-series. After a few talks I mentioned id be willing to help out.

Didnt think much of it but 2 days before got a call and attended thinking id be on the sidelines. No Rel the first day and Dead the second meant I was forefront on the stream and combined with the release of our EGL5 event montage meant that I had been noticed. After that I was doing fun cups almost everyother day, and the rest they say is history.

 

Will we be seeing you at EGL8 then?

Bricey: Oh you most definitely will, even if I wasnt casting (still waiting for final confirmation email) id have to attend LAN anyway as its simply amazing. Plus I have so many people to meet.

 

For those out there who are still contemplating attending LAN, what would you say to them to make them take the plunge?

Bricey: Oh about a million things, its the focus point for anyone who loves competitive gaming. Most people will realise that online is irrelevant and that if you are grinding out CoD and want to see how good you are you need to go. Not only that but its a fantastic social event meeting people striking up freindships and generally having a laugh. Almost everyone one at LAN is Sound and are there to have a good time, If you want to get more heavily involved in the scene or gaming its the place to go. Once youve been LAN you will never doubt if you want to go LAN again. That, and the memories.

 Bricey preparing to cast i46

This event is looking like it will be the most competitve to date. What teams are your predictions for top 5?

Bricey: Wow you know what its usually hard to judge and im almost never right even with the inside track on talking to players. This event is so up in the air, PAIN Gaming are coming and could do well as well as 5 american teams who could easily all win it. Not to mention the recent team changes and recent form suprises from the big teams. But with that said:

1. Optic
2. Apex.Razer (DH wow)
3. nV
4. Proph
5. Team FeaR

 Im hoping that in the next couple of weeks after watching scrims and talking to people it will become clearer.  I'm EU optimistic :D

 

Are there any players from lesser known teams that have caught your eye?

Bricey:  Btmx at i-series certainly suprised me, and I love it when things like that happen and lower teams suprise and their work pays off. Tbh whats suprising me atm is Foriegn players that ive seen who are really talented. Like Jockze and Gnomeboris.

 

Black Ops 2 is the next game in the Call of Duty Series, headed by Treyarch. With what the community has seen so far, it looks like it will be the biggest as well. What is your opinion on BO2?

Bricey: Black ops 2 is going to be huge for the community. Treyarch are pushing E-sports we finally have reconigition and there will be some serious money up for grabs. Im also looking forward to getting to grips with the CODcasting setup. I am so excited for what the year will bring its not even funny.

Thanks for doing the interview, any last words?

Bricey: Big shoutouts :P

To arthur at Xtreme Gaming who is possibly the most awesome man alive, My teammates at Xa The XG staff, M3lm0th who gave me my shot. The TCM boys Inc the con man. The Proph boys. Tbh anyone ive worked with who makes what I do the pleasure that it is. And of course Amy Oldfield.

 

You will see Bricey commentating at the European Gaming Leagues 8th event, in Manchester October 13-14th. Photos courtesy of decerto.net.