Steel Rhydon rides on

A BAHRAINI engineer who spent his childhood in isolation found a new life and a community to call home after he took to gaming.

Hussain Sayed Qassim, who goes by the moniker ‘Steel Rhydon’, has taken part in more than 40 video game tournaments regionally since 2015 and won many of them - including the Kuwait Battle Royale 2019 in which he came first after defeating 94 people in the Nintendo video game Smash series.

“That was my greatest achievement as it reflected my hardwork and result of nearly 2,000 hours of training,” said the 24-year-old.

Video games have grown from their humble beginnings into a billion dollar industry and the ‘esport’ today involves players of all ages from around the world, who test and master their craft in a myriad of games available in the market.

Hussain’s favourite is the Nintendo Smash series - a 2D game where players get to choose from multiple characters from within the Nintendo franchise or from other video game series with characters like Mario, Pikachu and Princess Peach.

“I used to practice an average of four hours a day during my university years, and around two hours per day after I started working,” Hussain said.

“Most of it was learning how to react to the limited moves of characters in the game. There are more than 80 characters, with players looking for unique styles to win over the one they choose. So the grind boils down to knowing the many variables the game has, to memorising and reacting to infinite scenarios.”

Hussain started gaming at the age of six, playing the Nintendo64 and the Gamecube, and before he could realise was interacting with a community of like-minded people who have now become an integral part of his life.

“I have been for the most part of my life socially awkward, unapproachable, and non-communicative,” he said.

“However, my group of gamers have changed my life as I became more confident in myself over time and more open.”

Gaming also helped him in forging genuine, enduring friendships.

Hussain described his bond with Bahraini Sager Aljalhama, which he admits was born out of rivalry.

“After a prolonged winning streak, I lost a match to Sager. I woke up the next morning and watched a replay of the tournament and started practicing rigourously, determined to defeat him in the next encounter,” said Hussain. “Soon, we became close friends.”

Sagar and Hussain now indulge in friendly competitions.

“It took me seven months of practice to be able to beat Hussain,” said Sager who is currently studying civil engineering in university.

“We always pushed each other to our limits, it made us learn, realise our potential and improve at a quick pace.”

The 21-year-old said he would practice two to three hours a day and write down notes, all to improve himself.

Hussain dispelled the widespread notion that video games are a waste of time.

“I aced my engineering courses while simultaneously grinding the game,” he said.

Like many communities, gaming has its share of toxicity and Hussain agrees.

“Of course, playing for long hours can be detrimental in the long term.

“But if played responsibly, I see no reason to drop your hobby, as it can open up many opportunities to meet amazing people,” he added.

Hussain occasionally streams on Twitch (Steelrhydon) and you can follow him on his Instagram @steelrhydon.