Telkom VS Gaming star Sibu Mpanza shares what you should be paying attention to in gaming.

With so many new releases and constant innovation going on in the world of gaming, it can be difficult to keep up. Thankfully, our expert Sibu Mpanza is here to give us the lowdown on some of the trends and share his gaming journey and favourite games.

1. Let’s start with a quick history of your gaming passion. When did it start, how did it grow? And do you remember your first favourite game?

 

I started gaming in 2004 at a friend's house. Back in those days, very few could afford to game. Only one boy in my neighbourhood had a gaming console, so every Friday after school, my friends and I would get together at his house to play video games. A year later, my mother bought me a PlayStation 2 with two games, SSX Tricky and Mortal Kombat. It was the best gift I've ever received. I think my mom loved it more than me because it kept me indoors and out of trouble.

My first favourite game was The Matrix: Path of Neo. Although the graphics would look awful to anyone playing it today, they were groundbreaking back then.

2. What are the top 5 trends that you see shaping the world of gaming right now?

 

Free games

Free games like Fortnight, Warzone, and Apex Legends require only internet access and some friends. These games have done so much to bring many new gamers into the world and kept them hooked.

 

Battle Royale

The rise of Battle Royale gaming. This refers to an ‘Every Man For Himself’ type of game where the last person standing is the winner. It’s so fun and competitive. You need to be able to stay cool under immense pressure, but the win is so worth it. My favourite battle royale-style game is Apex Legends.

 

Online gaming

Many of the games my friends and I grew up playing were solo, story-mode games. Our homes did not have access to Wi-Fi, so we couldn't play with each other unless we were in the same room. With the arrival of Fibre, we’ve finally been able to play together in the comfort of our own homes. It’s such a fun experience that we didn't have growing up.

 

Cloud Gaming

Back then, you bought a video game as a physical CD. Nowadays, you can buy the game and download it online, so you don't have to put in a new CD every time you want to change a game. Enter Cloud Gaming. The future of gaming is streaming video games from anywhere without downloading the game. This way, you can play the latest and greatest games without investing in all the expensive hardware.

 

(Competitive) Mobile Gaming

We all know mobile gaming is a thing, from your Gogo on level 586 of Candy Crush to your cool nephew crushing it in PubG with his friends. Now, some games offer big prize money for competitive mobile gaming. This is amazing, considering more and more South Africans are owning smartphones. Not only does mobile gaming open up gaming for everyone but it's got to the point where you could even make money from it.

3. What is your Possible Begins Here moment?

I moved to Johannesburg in 2017 to pursue an entertainment career. One year later, I booked my first television presenter job and my first radio presenting job within three months. I had realistic long-term goals, so TV and radio were not on my radar for at least another three years. It’s been almost six years since I got my first gig, and now I have my own show with Telkom. If you told the Sibu, who just unpacked his bags in a small apartment in Jozi, what his life would be like in a few years, he would not believe you.

4. What is your advice to others to embrace their potential and make their possibilities their reality?

My rule is to wake up daily and do one thing towards your goals. You have no idea how much of a difference that can make. Even on the hardest days, take one step forward, no matter how small it may seem. They all add up. Don't compare yourself to other people. Comparison is the thief of joy. Lastly, enjoy the journey. The days are long, but the years are short.

 

For more on games & gaming, checkout the Telkom VS Gaming community here.