Jason Flick
Jason Flick, the Seattle Sounders FC eMLS gamer. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)

Jason Flick isn’t a player on the pitch for the Seattle Sounders FC. But he will be representing the team in competition this season, and he’s even ready to take on some of the pros who play soccer for a living.

Flick is a pro in his own right, as an eports gamer, and he’s one of a handful of players chosen to compete in eMLS, a new competitive gaming league organized in partnership with EA Sports.

“I’ve been playing ‘FIFA’ on console for about 10 years, creating content on YouTube for over five years now,” said Flick, who is GeekWire’s latest Geek of the Week. “Once I started sharing my ‘FIFA’ abilities and my game play with a larger audience that kind of took it to another level. There’s more to it than just playing ‘FIFA.’ It’s also interacting with the community and other people who are passionate about the game.”

Flick has more than 24,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Flickiify. Throughout the year his new gig will take him to several events, including the eMLS Cup at PAX East in April. He hopes his longtime fans on assorted social channels will mix with the new supporters he picks up via community engagement tied to the Sounders.

On Thursday, Flick will join in the fun at Seattle’s biggest geek party, the 7th annual GeekWire Bash at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Flick will be in the “FIFA 18” zone taking on attendees, and giving some advice and tips for how to compete in the popular soccer video game.

Some Sounders players who excel at their sport in real life are also known to be fans of “FIFA,” and Flick wouldn’t shy from the chance to play them.

“I haven’t played against any Sounders players yet, but that might be something that comes up over the next year,” he said. “I definitely look forward to the opportunity, and if any Sounders players want to take me on, I’ll accept the challenge.”

Learn more about this week’s Geek of the Week, Jason Flick:

What’s the single most important thing people should know about your field? “It’s a growing industry. I think a lot of different games are getting involved in the eSports industry. ‘FIFA’ has really gone to another level in the last two years and in my opinion it’s only going to continue growing. It’s great to see the MLS get involved. There’s a growing audience and I think there can be a little bit of cross collaboration between the eSports industry on ‘FIFA’ as well as the Sounders organization.

Where do you find your inspiration? “I guess just a love for ‘FIFA’ and a love to improve at the sport. I have an audience that I want to make proud and I want to make the Sounders organization proud by representing them as their eSports gamer, so I get a lot of motivation from that.”

What’s the one piece of technology you couldn’t live without, and why? “I guess my Xbox One. I kind of need it to play ‘FIFA.'”

Jason Flick
Jason Flick’s gaming setup. (Photo courtesy of Jason Flick)

What’s your workspace like, and why does it work for you? “It’s important to have a devoted area where you game. Over the years I’ve been collecting different ‘FIFA’ editions and I draw a lot of inspiration from the games that I played in the past, so I have my ‘FIFA 13,’ ‘FIFA 14’ covers all around there. A couple of posters of soccer players — I have a Clint Dempsey 2014 World Cup poster. It’s just an area where when I sit down that’s my place to game.”

Mac, Windows or Linux? “Windows.”

Kirk, Picard, or Janeway? “Picard. I juts like him as a person. He portrays a lot of confidence and he’s relevant to a lot of different generations.”

Transporter, Time Machine or Cloak of Invisibility? “I guess a time machine because I think it would be interesting to meet people from the past.”

If someone gave me $1 million to launch a startup, I would … “Do something involved with ‘FIFA.’ I’m not sure what exactly, to be honest.”

I once waited in line for … “‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.’ That was kind of the game that just evolved my gaming passion. Before that I was kind of a casual gamer.”

Your role models: “My parents, Annette Scharrer-Flick and Jeffrey Flick are my biggest role models. They’ve always been supportive of what I do, whether that be in school, sport, or what I’m currently doing with the Sounders for eMLS. They’ve both made sacrifices for the betterment of their family, and I am extremely grateful for them.”

Greatest game in history: “‘FIFA 13.’ It grew my love for ‘FIFA’ and helped me get to where I am right now.”

Best gadget ever: “My Xbox 360. It really transformed my gaming love.”

MEET JASON FLICK: Get tickets to the GeekWire Bash, Seattle’s largest geek carnival

First computer: “Something on Windows 97. I was just a young kid playing Windows games. I guess my love for gaming started there, at an early age.”

Current phone: “iPhone6.”

Favorite app: “Twitter.”

Favorite cause: “Everyone having an equal opportunity perhaps for education. Education is something that everyone should have a right to have, and someone’s background or someone’s situation shouldn’t interfere with that.”

Most important technology of 2017: “From a broader perspective, social media, for us to be able to connect with each other.”

Most important technology of 2019: “Technology is always changing, so it’s difficult to predict. I’m really excited with where gaming is going. I think VR is an upcoming industry and it could provide for some cool things in the future.”

Finals words of advice for your fellow geeks: “Keep doing what you’re passionate about. For me, ‘FIFA’ has been a huge passion of mine and I just plugged away at sharing my passion with others. Opportunities come up to those that work hard. Just keep working to what you love.”

Website: Flickiify on YouTube

Twitter: @flickiify

LinkedIn: Jason Flick

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