From Gamer to Expert Analyst: SPUNJ

Before becoming one of Counter-Strike’s faces and voices on analyst desks around the world, SPUNJ helped build the Australian CS:GO scene from scratch. This is his remarkable journey.

A lot of people are probably unaware of the fact, that SPUNJ has been a part of Counter-Strike for over a decade already. He first appeared on the CS radar back in 2008 in the CGS World Championships, where Counter-Strike: Source was the game of choice.

His team ‘Sydney Undergroud’, consisting of himself, Boomser, topguN, Huk and Tegs made it to the quarterfinals, where Fifflaren’s squad, Berlin Allianz, proved too much to handle. Still, it was a first sign that Down Under also had some folks who are pretty awesome at aligning a crosshair with a head before clicking Mouse1.

Back then, the CGS presented an opportunity for players from all around the world - the opportunity to make a living playing their favorite video game. The league promised major salaries, TV presence and unheard of prize money in the CS universe.

As we all know, the CGS turned out to be a massive failure that did long-term damage to Counter-Strike’s ecosystem, and was forced to fold soon thereafter.

SPUNJ and his teammates returned to Australia, beaten down and seemingly forced to give up on their dream of a pro gaming career. That could’ve been it, right then and there – the end of Chad’s journey in Counter-Strike. But that would’ve been too easy for someone like him, who doesn’t give up, not even in the face of Armageddon.

Chad kept on playing, building teams, while working as a plumber (he didn’t love it, besides the tan and body it gave him) and in 2012 when Counter-Strike: Global Offensive rolled around, he was more able than ever to seize the moment. By now, he had evolved into the country’s number one IGL. He assembled Australia’s finest around him, Havoc, AZR, TopguN and Snyper, and it wasn’t long before he was competing on the world’s stage once again, alongside his mates under Vox Eminor’s banner.

In 2014, SPUNJ and his boys participated in CS:GO’s second Major at ESL One Katowice, and later in July at ESL One Cologne. The results weren’t great, but it was a valuable learning experience that would prepare them for their breakthrough in 2015 after signing with Renegades.

Under SPUNJ’s leadership, the team developed into a solid tier-two contender with upset potential against anyone, winning series against Fnatic, Luminosity, Titan, Cloud9 and many more.

Perhaps the team’s biggest success under SPUNJ was a third place finish at the Intel Extreme Master Season X in Cologne. The event had a funky format, where each team started with four lives, and the winner of a series got to choose who plays who in the following match-up. Surely, this contributed to Renegade’s bronze medal, but a third place finish at a top international LAN is no joke.

Leading up to ELEAGUE Season 1, SPUNJ and his boys relocated to Las Vegas, a move that would ultimately lead to SPUNJ’s decision to step down as a player. 2016 was a difficult year for the Renegades. They finished seventh in Pro League Season 3, not making the finals, and failed to qualify for nearly all major LANs.

ELEAGUE wasn’t any different. After their now famous 16-0 loss to Luminosity, Chad decided he’s had enough. He felt like he let the team down as a player, and couldn’t contribute any longer as the IGL. In addition, as the IGL of the country’s top team, he felt crushed under the weight of the expectations put upon him.

Especially in the age of social media, someone like SPUNJ, who fearlessly and without compromise voices his opinions, can quickly become the target of an angry online mob that demands for crucifixion.

Under these circumstances, SPUNJ no longer found joy in what he once loved so dearly and it was time to seek fulfilment in another area.

But what is the assessment looking back at his playing career? Was it a success? Of course it was. Taking a team from a remote Counter-Strike country like Australia, with a thin talent pool, into the midst of international competition can only be described as such. While the trophies are missing, and that is what the players ultimately compete for, just being part of something is sometimes enough.

And, if as a player Chad never made it to the very apex, you can bet your life on it, as an analyst he sits on top of Mount Everest.

His transition from player to analyst went so smooth, it is almost beyond comprehension. From his first day onward, he’s made it look so easy and effortless, you’d believe he’s been doing it his entire life.

Some of the traits that distinguished him as a player come in handy in his new occupation. He’s extroverted, outspoken and doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind, which is rare these days, where a harmless misstep can cause tremendous backlash. He’s quick-witted and a master of that Aussie humor. Of course his over a decade long experience as player and IGL gives him an insight into the game only few possess.

He’s comfortable in front of the camera and together with Janko “YNk” Paunović forms the number one analyst pair in CS:GO today. For the Major CS tournaments to feel complete, Chad has become nearly as important as the players.

And when he’s forced to cast every once in a while, his casting is so damn good, that I fear for the jobs of our HenryGs, Sadokists and Anders as well.

SPUNJ and Counter-Strike will walk into the future holding hands, because one isn’t the same without the other.