Our next superhero joining Creators United is among one of South Africa's most renowned and prolific talents in the gaming industry. We're proud to introduce the fantastic Pippa Tshabalala! Many know Pippa as the voice and face of The Verge, but she has gone on to create an extraordinary profile of work over the years that solidifies her as one of the leading industry professionals. With Pippa joining Creators United, there's a lot you may or may not know about her. So let's take a walk with her, and find out some interesting facts, her perspective on certain topics, and the long road she has taken to get to where she is now. She also doesn't have a favourite Pokemon, but we can forgive that! What inspired you to be a content creator? I don't think anything specific inspired me, it's just something I've always done. I work in the television industry so creating content is what I do on a daily basis. Who are your inspirations, and why? I'm an animator by training actually, so the people I enjoy are people who often incorporate the quirkiness of animated content into their work. I also read a lot, so authors like Neil Gaiman, who I feel is talented in so many ways, is a big inspiration for me. What type of content do you create? I do a fair amount of gaming related stuff for the Glitched brand, Marco and I have been working on it together for a few years. I also make some kids related stuff with my sons - toy reviews and so on. I do some independent content for social media, a little for YouTube, but as my day job is in TV, most of my energy goes there. What prompted you to participate in the Creators United? Mainly because of my involvement with Glitched. Marco and I work together regularly and he asked me to come on board with him for this event. Have you ever worked with any charity events before? I have, primarily through my day job in television. We do regular charity events and community service initiatives. When you're not a content creator/superhero, what do you do in your daily life? I'm a television producer. What are the greatest difficulties you've faced being a content creator? I think the hardest part is often knowing when to just let it go and put it out there. We can get stuck on "is it good enough" and that's hard to overcome, especially when you're just starting out. I've had to learn to let go over the years even when I'm not 100% happy with something. How did you feel when your content was appreciated for the first time? I think mine is a bit of a tricky one because I've been involved in so many different things over the years. I've done video content for live band performances and it's always cool when the audience responds to the visuals as the performance is unfolding. I was also the host of The Verge and a content producer on the show as well so people were seeing what I created all the time. What is your ultimate goal as a content creator? To create stuff I enjoy. To be honest, I don't really think it always matters what other people think. If you're making content for other people you're going to lose interest in it very quickly because you're not invested in it emotionally. Make content for yourself and it will continue to grow and evolve. Become better because YOU want to become better. What would you personally do to further the South African gaming industry, and why? I think we need awareness. There are so many people who still don't understand the intricacies and different career paths in the gaming industry, and the only way for that to happen is for it to be spotlighted in a positive manner. We still labour under the stigma that gaming is something that turns our kids violent, is for nerds with no friends, that only boys play games, it's ridiculous because it's simply not true. We need to break the stereotypes. Quick-Fire Questions Favourite dinosaur? Spinosaurus. Why did you choose your specific handle "Unexpected Pippa"? It's from my university days actually. A bit of a long story, but basically we had this one elective class where the assignment was to write an essay on whatever the topic was, I forget, or to draw a poster depicting it. Everyone who wasn't an art student in the class automatically assumed I would draw the poster because I was a Fine Arts major, and it annoyed me. I was telling one of my friends and they immediately responded by saying, "And you want to be Super Unexpected Girl!" And so she was born! Years later I tried to choose Unexpected Girl as my Twitter handle but it was taken so I used Unexpected Pippa. Pretty much everything has become that now. I hope I'm still not what people expect. What's your favourite and least favourite food? Favourite, salt and vinegar chips, least favourite, brinjal. Blerg. Favourite Pokemon? Ssshhhh! I don't play Pokemon... I should ask my kids, they'll have an opinion. Favourite movie? The Nightmare Before Christmas. Favourite video game? At the moment? Still The Witcher 3. Favourite superhero? Mmmm, I don't really have a favourite. Captain Marvel would probably be my choice. If you could meet one person on Earth, who would it be? Neil Gaiman. I almost met him once. I messed it up. That's another story. Mark your calendars for Creators United, happening July 27th and 28th at the Nexus Hub venue! Make sure you join in to see Pippa Tshabalala, and many other content creators collaborate to raise funds for the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children's Non-Profit. Our theme is superheroes!

Creators United is proud to welcome Grant Hinds to the cause! One of South Africa's leading talents in the gaming industry and beyond, Grant has made quite a name for himself. With a recognisable image, an exciting personality, and generally one of the warmest people to ever have a conversation with, he has come from humble beginnings to where he is now - and where he wishes to be in the foreseeable future. Let's take a walk with Grant Hinds and find out his extensive thoughts on the industry at large, and his involvement with Creators United. What inspired you to be a content creator? What inspired me to be a content creator? I kind of fell into it. I used to work in television for a very long time, focusing on gaming and technology content. Then realised that a lot of my audience is online and not on TV, so I made the switch to that and focused on my speciality which is games. That’s the thing I love. The rest is history. Who are your inspirations, and why? I’m very excited about the space in general. I love live streaming. I love YouTube. I love digital video. I’m super passionate about video games, so the two of them have just come together which is very exciting. So, I think, the platform really motivates me. My first job outside of television, was around a company that revolved around digital video. I learnt a lot. It was one of the most exciting jobs I’ve ever had because we were kind of working out different genres and content within the space. It was very cool, and I feel like we are still in that space. That’s the one exciting thing because when you have an established media like TV, everything kind of locks in. There’s no real innovation in terms of what the content looks like. But if you go to my YouTube channel, you’ll see that we are constantly coming up with new ideas and constantly trying to find new ways to work within the formula. It’s exciting. What type of content do you create? My content right now is video game and technology-based content. I like to think of it as lifestyle content with a gaming focus. That might change, but the core pillar, the spine of my content, if you will, is the fact that I’m really excited and passionate about games. I hope to attract other viewers that are passionate about the gaming industry as I am. That’s a big part of what motivates me. What would you do to further your field in the South African entertainment industry? I have a couple of content creators that I privately mentor, look after, give tips and advice. I provide a space for them to run their proposals past me and sharpen their proposals, that kind of thing. The other part of it is briefing brands on how to work with other content creators. There’s a lot of money-grabbing, unfortunately, and mismanagement of funds. It ends up looking very bad because they don’t end up investing in other content creators when they have been burnt. So a lot of it is working with brands, to see what they should be looking for when they work with an influencer, and to build sustainable relationships with the content creators. That’s what is going to keep everybody employed in the future, and also, where they will get the most value out of working with influences and digital content creators. What prompted you to participate in the Creators United? Creators United is amazing. I got pulled into the space because I love the cause. I love the fact that we are working with a children’s home. That games are getting together over something. There’s a lot of division in the community and it’s good that we can all participate together. That’s what it’s about. I’ve always said gaming doesn’t cure cancer. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s the fact that we take this industry too seriously. We should be focusing on using this for good and what we are capable of doing. I think the Nexus is putting something very exciting with Creator’s United and I’m proud to be involved with it. I think more gamers should stand together and make it happen. Have you ever worked with any charity events before? I have worked with charities before. I worked with the Greyton Farm Animal Sanctuary in Greyton Mcgregor. We have raised money for them and for the SPCA. The Greyton Sanctuary is great. They’re a farm that rescues animals what would be going to the slaughter or abused on meat farms. They spread a lot of awareness of animal rights and animal cruelty - what we can do to curb it, what it looks like, how we can escape it as a society. Literally, hands-on looking after animals, which I think is great. I think we should be doing way more charity work when it comes to gaming and live streaming. Using our influence for good. When you’re not a content creator/superhero, what do you do in your daily life? When I’m not a content creator, I have a cat that’s currently playing with me. I love watching Netflix. I love the cinema. I think cinema is an underated experience. The smell of popcorn and the enjoyment of a franchise, something that we are just excited about - it’s just a quiet place that you can just chill in. Also, I enjoy going to the gym. I enjoy running and getting my mind off of things. Running is probably the clearest my mind gets, which is great. What are the greatest difficulties you’ve faced being a content creator? There are a lot of difficulties with being a content creator. It’s not an easy task. I think the greatest difficulty is competition. There’s an unnecessary amount of competition between content creators. Which sucks, I think. We should all be working together and building each other up in the industry. More realistically, the daily grind. I think it’s very hard to just switch on and stream. There’s a lot of things preventing you from doing it like: dodgy bandwidth, hardware that keeps breaking, and the impotence to script and film something is quite tough. You have to step through that stuff and make it work, you know? It’s very challenging. How did you feel when your content was appreciated for the first time? It’s a couple of things. I felt first appreciated when people came up to me. There’s a lot of South African support, and I get that. There was a big moment for when I was in the UK at a bus stop and somebody recognised me and told me they loved my videos. It was heartwarming that someone from another hemisphere decided to watch my videos instead of doing their homework, but still, benefit from my content. You work with a lot of distributors and retailers here and someone from abroad goes “Wow! That campaign was so good”, and share that communication with me. It’s a huge honour to contribute to the games industry, not only from an audience perspective but also giving back to the brands that are basically fighting for this kind of marketing abroad. It’s easy for Activision and MSI or whoever to do some really cool stuff in the first world because there’s an established bunch of content creations. But to come up with innovative and creative solutions for our space, and get noticed for it, is hard. It’s nice when working with a brand and a PR manager gets super excited because they got the thumbs up and approval from head office, which gets our area used as a case study. That’s amazing and that’s happening with some of our stuff before. It’s a huge honour. What is your ultimate goal as a content creator? My ultimate goal as a content creator, is really to have fun. I know that sounds staged or cheesy, but I’m able to do this full-time. I’m extremely fortunate. I don’t know how long this is going to last. I don’t know what new medium we are going to be and where it is going. What I’ve found about content creation, is that it’s not like accounting where you have a career outlined for you. You’re essentially within the industry as it progresses and evolves, which is extremely exciting and I'm grateful to be a part of it. That’s kind of what’s interesting, is that around the corner you never know what you’re going to be and what you’re going to be and what the space is going to look like in a year’s time when algorithms change. If you need job security, content creation is not for you, but if you enjoy discovering new things, this is the space for you. Quick-Fire Questions Favourite dinosaur? It’s got to be a velociraptor. I actually like the deinonychus (a larger velociraptor). I really like the agility of those dinosaurs. Why did you choose your specific handle? I’ve never really understood gaming tags. I’ve had a couple in the past and they were always lame, so I just used my own name. Then kind of stuck with it because it’s more recognisable. Favourite video game? Probably in all-time, is going to have to be Half-life. I enjoy Overwatch and Fortnite, but a lot of these are with you for a season and you move on. The game that made the biggest impact has to be Half-Life 2. Oh, actually, Rainbow Six. I never got to play much of Rainbow Six Siege, but I really loved the games that have come before. How did you get here? I was storyboarding for a cartoon show. That was my first job. I studied advertising. The cartoon show worked with a whole bunch of live TV shows. I ended up doing a lot of moonlighting gigs on one of the TV shows, just because I was excited about games, without me even having any TV experience. The rest is history. I think gaming and digital media work well together, because they’re both forefronts, interesting spaces. I look at the #metoo movement, and I like to think that all started with games with Anita Sarkeesian’s content and feminist frequency content, which has bled to mainstream media. I think gaming is always at the forefront of stuff, which is always exciting. What’s your favourite and least favourite food? Not a fan of cottage pie, but my favourite meal has to be the Beyond Burger. Favourite Pokemon? I always revert back to Pikachu. I always have a season of liking Jigglypuff, but I end up going back to Pikachu. I think it’s because I have Pikachu pyjamas. Has being a role model to others affected how you go about your daily life? I think it has. The moment people started following me and saying I’m a role model to them. I felt like I needed to be more accountable. How would you like a content creator to conduct themselves towards you and their audience? Their ideals and principles that they’re upholding, would it be the same ones that you’re upholding? It’s kind of why I have a huge challenge with content creators who put on personalities. I feel like their audience doesn’t know that they’re in a character. Their ideals might be different from the characters that they’re playing. I think authenticity within YouTube and Twitch is upheld as one of the reasons that the platform is so popular. Mark your calendars for Creators United, happening July 27th and 28th at the Nexus Hub venue! Make sure you join in to see Grant Hinds, and many other content creators collaborate to raise funds for the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children's Non-Profit. Our theme is superheroes!

Our next superhero joining Creators United is none other than Sam "Tech Girl" Wright. As one of the most recognizable and prolific talents in the South African gaming industry (and gaming industry at large), Tech Girl has an impressive portfolio of work that ranges from editorial and written content to hosting various events and tournaments internationally. From worldwide esports to the local scene, let's explore Tech Girl's inspirations, her goals, and some of her favourites. What inspired you to be a content creator? Honestly, I never actually stood up one day and said "I'm going to be a content creator". I always wrote, that was what I studied and my job. As time went on I started dabbling in video and then live streaming. None of it was a conscious "I'm going to start this blog/YouTube channel and be a content creator and that will be my job" process. I literally started my first blog (Tech Girl wasn't it) because I love telling stories about people and things that interest me. I love sharing those stories with others. The first blog started as a way to share the stories of me and my friends and it developed into Tech Girl, which became a place to share stories and experiences relating to tech and then gaming. Who are your inspirations, and why? I'm constantly inspired by different people for different reasons. Sometimes it is fleeting - I was inspired by the passion of a local esports player (and friend) chatting to me about a big prize pool announcement to begin talking about esports on my blog and in videos. I had been around the scene for a bit, but that was the inspiration to actually create content around it. I'm constantly inspired by people who I can to interview or meet through my job, they help me think in new ways or see something a bit differently. My brother is my biggest inspiration though. I sound board so much off him and he has a tendency to cause my brain to come up with some awesome ideas, usually when he is telling me something completely unrelated. What type of content do you create? I write content around tech, gaming and esports. I also write content around my own life experiences and thinks that I find interesting. I make YouTube videos about similar stuff and try show behind the scenes videos of my "day job" - as an esports broadcaster. Sometimes I live stream. What prompted you to participate in the Creators United? I was chatting to the Nexus crew about raising funds for Team South Africa for the Overwatch World Cup and the conversation changed to Creators United. I'm always happy to try add some noise to good causes so it was a no brainer. Have you ever worked with any charity events before? Yup, lots. Positive projects make everyone feel good and do good. I get involved in as many as my time allows as I can. Alternatively, I do try give back monetary wise where ever I can. I think if you're in a position where you have a few extra rand to spend, even a tiny amount, you should find a way to pay it forward. When you're not a content creator/superhero, what do you do in your daily life? Full time esports broadcaster/shoutcaster. Basically I commentate on people playing video games for a living. What are the greatest difficulties you've faced being a content creator? I think putting yourself out on the internet is tough. People think they know you and make judgements and comments about you when they really don't know you at all. It's hard to learn that you can't make everyone happy. Not even chocolate has that skill (some people are allergic). Learning to accept that is still my greatest challenge. How did you feel when your content was appreciated for the first time? I don't know. I've never seen it as "my content" being appreciated. The "my" isn't important. For me, watching someone's story I've had a part in telling become more, or have more people interested in that person or thing - that makes me really happy. I love being able to share people's stories and be part of their journey. What is your ultimate goal as a content creator? To keep telling stories and making a meaningful impact on the lives of the people whose stories I tell and the ones who learn about them from me. What would you personally do to further the South African gaming industry, and why? I work predominantly overseas in esports, the reason I haven't moved to Europe is because I want to come back to South Africa and share what I've learnt - hopefully by doing so I can help add even a little bit of growth to the local scene. Quick-Fire Questions Favourite dinosaur? Raptor. Why did you choose your specific handle "Tech Girl"? Not by choice. It was the only available domain at the time and I really wasn't a fan, but I got tired of trying to find a domain I liked so I just said "ah f**k it and booked it." What's your favourite and least favourite food? Favourite: Sushi. Least: cabbage. Favourite Pokemon? Slowbro. Favourite movie? Silver Linings Play Book. Favourite video game? Mortal Kombat 3. Favourite superhero? Magneto... I could try explain this but I'm actually just going to leave it here. If you could meet one person on Earth, who would it be? Tina Fey. Mark your calendars for Creators United, happening July 27th and 28th at the Nexus Hub venue! Make sure you join in to see Sam "Tech Girl" Wright, and many other content creators collaborate to raise funds for the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children's Non-Profit. Our theme is superheroes!

Our next Creators United interview focuses on a prominent Dota 2 and general eSports shoutcaster, the great Devin "HellbirD" Rigotti. We spoke to Devin about his thoughts on the current state of the South African gaming industry, the much-debated eSports scene, and the improvements that he wishes to make to them in order to grow their potential. Find out his aspirations, favourite dinosaur (I'm still not sure what it is), and the choice behind his now recognizable handle. What inspired you to be a content creator? I was once a competitive player. I was asked to do some work with an analyst as a shoutcaster, and the next thing I knew, I was knee-deep in the scene. Who are your inspirations, and why? TobiWanKenobi, who's the best shoutcaster in the world, in my opinion. I plan to overtake him some day. What type of content do you create? There's a lot, but namely shoutcasting, panel hosting, and written content where I can. In general, I do a lot of gaming-related content. Not just eSports, but generally I like to talk about gaming at large. What would you do to further your field in the South African entertainment industry? Focus on eSports, or just give it its time in the spotlight. Currently there is a lot of misunderstandings about the world of eSports, how to market it, and where money is spent. Both as a local scene that is worth watching, and taking them overseas. Locally, the level needs to be good enough so that it's able to compete internationally. The real catch is how do you make local eSports viable enough to make it international? What prompted you to participate in the Creators United? Candice (laughs). But seriously, Nexus apparently has nice milkshakes and with Creators United, I would like to do some good with my time in whatever way I can. Have you ever worked with any charity events before? I've done quite a few, but one that stands out is Cause Gaming, like a LAN event where all the profits went through to fight cancer. I've done a couple of other ones, like Gaming Against Cancer, and smaller LAN events. Though nothing of a major scale. When you’re not a content creator/superhero, what do you do in your daily life? I work as a regional manager, working for a software solutions company. I manage the Cape Town and Johannesburg offices, which means I fly a lot. What are the greatest difficulties you’ve faced being a content creator? There's an enormous amount of fighting in our scene. Most of the time, we've been guilty of it, including myself. We tend to fight amongst each other, either through greed or jealousy. I believe we need to break those barriers if we ever want to get somewhere. How did you feel when your content was appreciated for the first time? I'm often very blown away by the eSports supporters. Generally it also comes from places you don't expect. It means a lot. You don't really expect to have fans, mainly supporters at this stage. But it really does feel uplifting, like I just wanna buy them all lunch to show how grateful I am! What is your ultimate goal as a content creator? Esports and gaming have a very short memory. People get forgotten all the time. I've been around for a while, so my want is to be remembered. The reason for it is because I feel like I have a lot of people's memories on my back, and I don't want them to be forgotten either. Quick-Fire Questions Favourite dinosaur? Ankylosaurus. Why did you choose your specific handle? I was a young kid and I thought having double-barrelled names was cool. So I wrote down multiple words next to each other until I settled on HellbirD. Years later, I realised my mistake but by then it was too late... Now I'm stuck with it. Favourite video game? DotA: Allstars. How did you get here? I was kidnapped by Candice. Send aid. Mark your calendars for Creators United, happening July 27th and 28th at the Nexus Hub venue! Make sure you join in to see Devin "HellbirD" Rigotti, and many other content creators collaborate to raise funds for the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children's Non-Profit. Our theme is superheroes!