Oil King talks Evo, Taiwan’s FGC, and more: “Evo is like a big arcade for me. There are so many different countries here.”

At Evo Las Vegas 2024, the fighting game community (FGC) brought together fighters from around the world, seeking recognition and triumph. Between July 19 and July 21, legends clashed, and among them was Li-Wei “Oil King” Lin. In an exclusive interview with esports.gg, he discussed what makes a successful Street Fighter 6 competitor, the evolution of the FGC, and the influential figures that ignited his passion for gaming! Lin also extended heartfelt messages to his devoted fans and well-wishers. Here’s the full conversation!

Oil King reveals the life of a competitive Street Fighter 6 player

For Oil King, being a professional Street Fighter 6 player is about consistent practice and aiming for excellence. He devotes six to eight hours each day to training in Taiwan, and when major tournaments like Evo approach, he adds gym workouts to his routine as well. These fitness sessions serve to refresh his mind.

He doesn’t only stick to playing ranked matches in his daily regimen. Rather, he practices with elite players and studies footage from global competitions. Despite having family obligations on Sundays, he finds time to train for approximately 2-3 hours each day.

I fully relate to Oil King’s perspective, as I too have experienced the unique blend of work and passion that comes with being a professional athlete or artist. Just like him, I understand that my loved ones appreciate and support me in my chosen career path because they recognize that “playing” is not just a pastime, but an essential part of my livelihood.

After discussing his time as a Red Bull esports player in Taiwan, Oil King explained that some people are surprised to learn he earns a living through competition. Nevertheless, once he mentions being connected to the Red Bull brand, people become more familiar and supportive. For him, this affiliation simplifies his career path and provides additional resources.

He enjoys the benefit of using a facility and working with experts who assist him in achieving peak physical and mental performance. This includes collaborating with a fitness trainer, a psychologist, and a dietitian who discourages pizza consumption during lengthy competitions such as Evo.

“My workout regimen at the gym resembles that of a conventional athlete’s,” Oil King explained further, implying a growing parallel between the rigors of esports and the world of traditional athletics, with participants from Taiwan taking part in global tournaments such as the Olympics.

Oil King on GamerB and the FGC’s evolution

Prior to major tournaments like Evo, individuals often honed their skills in fighting games at local arcades. According to Oil King in an interview with esports.gg, his interest in fighting games was ignited after observing Bruce “GamerB” Yu-lin’s streaming sessions. GamerB’s accomplishments within Taiwan’s Street Fighter 4 community sparked Oil King’s curiosity, leading him to give the game a try himself. Initially playing for fun, Oil King’s frequent victories at weekly offline competitions encouraged him to participate in Evo 2016.

He confided that he was certain of victory each week, so he signed up for the 2016 Evo, marking his debut in a major international competition.

Before the internet era, Oil King explained, fighting game competitions were largely limited to specific regions due to lack of access to widespread information. Consequently, players’ skills varied significantly from one region to another. However, with the advent of the internet, the exchange of knowledge became effortless. As a result, players’ skills across the globe started improving at an accelerated pace.

“According to Oil King, the internet makes enhancement and expansion simple, and participating in global events is more accessible. For him, Evo is similar to a large-scale arcade with various participants from around the world.”

The older crowd appears to lean towards traditional, offline activities over their younger counterparts. Nevertheless, the value of offline and online preferences is equal.

He’s not angry — he just looks like that

In closing, Oil King invited his followers and admirers to come speak with him. Though he wore a solemn countenance, he is in fact a warm and friendly individual.

In Taiwan, I’m often told that my expression appears angry to many fans. Consequently, during offline events when I’m not speaking, they hesitate to approach me and greet me. However, I assure you I’m quite friendly. Should you attend an offline event and have the opportunity to meet me, please do come over, take a photograph, and engage in conversation. It will be an enjoyable experience for both of us.