Mayank Prajapati talks Street Fighter V and preparing for the Asian Games

I sat down with Mayank Prajapati to discuss Street Fighter, the changes in esports as a whole and balancing family gaming passion.

From the moment Mayank first heard that Street Fighter V had been included in the 2022 Asian Games, he knew it was his time to shine. The 32-year-old interior designer from Delhi carefully scheduled his day so that he could look after his 2-year-old son, work on his design projects, and spend at least four to five hours a night practicing his moves in the multiplayer online game.

How has life been since you have been multitasking as an interior designer, a father, and training for the Asian games?

Mayank Prajapati: It has been a hectic period because I am the father of a two-year-old child, which necessitates a great deal of time and attention. However, I must also practice regularly, which I can manage due to the support of my family. Generally, I practice for two to three hours per day. During periods of hecticness, I typically allocate a half-hour of practice. This half-hour is dedicated to the necessary practice, such as the development of new strategies or the improvement of gameplay. Additionally, I study videos to gain insight into my opponent’s strategies and prepare accordingly.

Bryan Francis: In a few words, please talk about your introduction to the game and the start of your journey.

MP: The arcade shop near my residence was a regular destination for me, and I would spend a considerable amount of time there daily. This was harming my studies at the time.

It could be estimated that I began my gaming journey in 2002 or 2000 and that my first tournament was won in 2015. At that time the prize pool was around 5000 Rupees Subsequently, my E sports journey began to take off, as I began to enter tournaments and prepare extensively before each one. The most recent tournament I won was the 2019 Dreamhack Delhi event, at which the prize money was approximately 1,00,000 Rupees.

Bryan Francis: You have been a part of the Indian Esports scene since 2015..

What are some of the changes that you are happy and unhappy about now 9 years later?

MP: I think the positive side of Esports is that it’s growing since I already mentioned that the jump in price pools is quite significant, and it’s also good that there are so many tournaments for games such as Valorant, and I’m seeing more and more people joining the game, and the average age can be said to be anywhere between 18 and 23 years old.

I used to see people in their late 30’s, and late 20’s joining the game. The negative side of Esports, I can say, is that there are still not very many tournaments happening for some games. If we want to think of gaming as a profession and fighting games are still a niche, and the prize pool in the tournament isn’t that great compared to what we have in CS: GO or Valorant right now.

How was the experience at the seeding event for this tournament and what were some lessons that you learned during them?

MP: This tournament was highly entertaining and we were able to gain insight into the mindset and behavior of many international players that were previously only seen on streams or in tournaments. It was a very eye-opening experience for me as I learned that one of the most important things to remember is to never underestimate one’s opponent. This is especially true when it comes to gameplay. For example, if one is facing a high-level player who has already competed in multiple tournaments, they must not attempt to play timidly. They must play their own game as if they are not overwhelmed by the fact that they are now facing a superior player. They must believe that they are playing a great player and must give their all.

Credit: Mayank Prajapati

How crucial has the support from your family been in your journey to the top?

MP: My wife is very accommodating and allows me to gain sufficient practice for a single day. My typical schedule is that due to my wife’s employment, she must commute to the office two days per week. During this time, I am responsible for the care of the infant. Upon her return, she is expected to attend to the infant and I will continue with my internal work. Afterward, I will commence with my practice. My wife gave me a beautiful pair of headphones, as the headphones I was using previously were quite inexpensive.

What are some pointers that you would like to share with the younger players who want to go professional within India?

To become a professional gamer in a career, it is necessary to practice intensively. If you believe that you are a good player, then you are certainly a good player. However, many other players are 100 times more skilled than you. You must practice daily, as you cannot take the game you are playing lightly. If you wish to compete in international or even national competitions, you must dedicate a significant amount of time to it. For many of us, practicing is similar to learning an instrument; it must be practiced regularly to become proficient.

Bryan Francis: Finally, do you have anything you would like to share with the Indian fans of SF V as well as the Indian Gaming Community?

MP: The Indian FGC has been a constant source of support for me, despite not having a large number of players or streamers. Many people who are already passionate about gaming may already be familiar with Street Fighter, and I have been playing with the Indian FGC since 2009 and 10. I have come to know these players personally, and have been supported by them. Whenever I tried to practice with them, they often changed their characters, if I wanted to practice against a particular character, they would select that character and allow me to practice with them.

These individuals have been invaluable in my journey, and I would like to express my gratitude to them and ESFI for their support. I also went for the Asian Games Playing and Ceremonial kit launch event on 5th September. It was organized by IOA and I’ve met the legendary P.T. Usha mam, Anurag Thakur sir and a lot of athletes who have already made India proud and won medals for our country. It was an overwhelming experience for me and I never thought Esports could get this much attention.