Competitive gaming (esports) often celebrates focus, discipline, and resilience. But behind every match, there is also pressure — pressure to perform, to stay composed, and to keep going even when things fall apart.

I’m EChen, a former semi-pro In-Game Leader.  In this episode, we explore the emotional side of competitive Apex Legends and ask what mental support can look like in an esports scene where many players are expected to handle pressure on their own.

The episode features BlackRoad, also known as 黑路, a Taiwanese pro player with high-level competitive experience and international LAN experience. Through his perspective, we look at the culture surrounding esports, the role of teammates and coaches, and the small ways a community can either add pressure or offer support.

Special thanks to BlackRoad for taking the time to join me for this interview during the regular season. Make sure to follow him on Twitch.

Even though the Split One regular season is over, keep an eye on BlackRoad and his team, HABNW.

Be part of the support, not part of the pressure.

EChen is a student at the Department of Radio and TV at National Chengchi University (NCCU). 

“Speak Up” is a podcast program by College of Communication students at National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. Season 1 features student work from the class, “Podcasting: Audio Journalism & Branded Podcasts” in Spring 2026. Supervising teacher is adjunct associate professor Emily Y. Wu.

Music used in this episode: “Low Force” by Daniel Birch and “Find Out” by Kirk Osamayo from Free Music Archive.

Competitive gaming (esports) often celebrates focus, discipline, and resilience. But behind every match, there is also pressure &mdash; pressure to perform, to stay composed, and to keep going even when things fall apart.
I&rsquo;m EChen, a former semi-pro In-Game Leader.&nbsp; In this episode, we explore the emotional side of competitive Apex Legends and ask what mental support can look like in an esports scene where many players are expected to handle pressure on their own.
The episode features BlackRoad, also known as 黑路, a Taiwanese pro player with high-level competitive experience and international LAN experience. Through his perspective, we look at the culture surrounding esports, the role of teammates and coaches, and the small ways a community can either add pressure or offer support.
Special thanks to BlackRoad for taking the time to join me for this interview during the regular season. Make sure to follow<a href="https://www.twitch.tv/theblackroadgaming"> him on Twitch</a>.
Even though the Split One regular season is over, keep an eye on BlackRoad and his team, HABNW.
Be part of the support, not part of the pressure.
EChen is a student at the Department of Radio and TV at National Chengchi University (NCCU).&nbsp;
&ldquo;Speak Up&rdquo; is a podcast program by College of Communication students at National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan. Season 1 features student work from the class, &ldquo;Podcasting: Audio Journalism &amp; Branded Podcasts&rdquo; in Spring 2026. Supervising teacher is adjunct associate professor Emily Y. Wu.
Music used in this episode: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Daniel_Birch/MUSIC_FOR_TV_FILM__GAMES_VOL3/Low_Force">&ldquo;Low Force&rdquo;</a> by Daniel Birch and <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kirk-osamayo/season-4-green-1/find-out-1/">&ldquo;Find Out&rdquo;</a> by Kirk Osamayo from Free Music Archive.

Episodes in this program are made by College of Communication students at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei, Taiwan. Students here are in the undergraduate program at the Department of Radio and Television, or the graduate program at IMICS (International Master's Program in International Communication Studies).

Season 1 includes student work from the class “Podcasting: Audio Journalism & Branded Podcasts” at NCCU in spring 2026. Supervising teacher is adjunct associate professor Emily Y. Wu. 

Thank you to the following people and centers for their support: Dean of College of Communication, Dr. Hsiu-Hui Sun (政大傳播學院院長孫秀蕙); Chair of the Department of Radio & TV, Dr. Stanley Chun-Ming Huang (廣播與電視學系主任黃俊銘); Director of IMICS, Dr. I-Huei Cheng (國際傳播英語碩士學位學程主任鄭怡卉); Voice of NCCU radio station (VNCCU, 政大之聲電台), and the Audio and Video Lab (影音實驗室).

本節目為台灣國立政治大學傳播學院之廣播與電視學系及國際傳播英語碩士學位學程學生作品。第一季為114學年度課程「Podcasting: Audio Journalism & Branded Podcasts」（英文教學）之作品，指導老師為兼任教師吳怡慈。政大傳播學院成立於1989年，為台灣歷史最悠久、最具指標性之新聞傳播教育學府。

Episodes in this program are made by College of Communication students at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taipei, Taiwan. Students here are in the undergraduate program at the Department of Radio and Television, or the graduate program at IMICS (International Master's Program in International Communication Studies).
Season 1 includes student work from the class &ldquo;Podcasting: Audio Journalism &amp; Branded Podcasts&rdquo; at NCCU in spring 2026. Supervising teacher is adjunct associate professor Emily Y. Wu.&nbsp;
Thank you to the following people and centers for their support: Dean of College of Communication, Dr. Hsiu-Hui Sun (政大傳播學院院長孫秀蕙); Chair of the Department of Radio &amp; TV, Dr. Stanley Chun-Ming Huang (廣播與電視學系主任黃俊銘); Director of IMICS, Dr. I-Huei Cheng (國際傳播英語碩士學位學程主任鄭怡卉); Voice of NCCU radio station (VNCCU, 政大之聲電台), and the Audio and Video Lab (影音實驗室).
本節目為台灣國立政治大學傳播學院之廣播與電視學系及國際傳播英語碩士學位學程學生作品。第一季為114學年度課程「Podcasting: Audio Journalism &amp; Branded Podcasts」（英文教學）之作品，指導老師為兼任教師吳怡慈。政大傳播學院成立於1989年，為台灣歷史最悠久、最具指標性之新聞傳播教育學府。