In our season finale of Cultural Combos, we depart the Deserted Chateau and return to the Northeast to sit down with Cam \"Camyoin\" Harris, a Jedah aficionado and well-credited commentator in their now decade-long journey in the FGC. After witnessing Jedah's character trailer for Darkstalkers: Resurrection, Cam's affinity for the franchise could be best described as a match made in heaven, as a huge horror buff and fan of the dark and spooky. Outside of fighting games, Cam works in the entertainment industry as a professional makeup artist and FX specialist for film and television. Priding themselves on being able to mock-up medically accurate scars and soft-tissue injuries, Cam brings that level of attention and delight for the details in their commentary, often highlighting the data-driven decisions and individual styles of the players in the matches they call. Much like their fighting game career, Cam's professional timeline as a pro MUA started small with a student film at Brooklyn College while they were also attending the NYC VSAV monthlies and Skillions series events at Next Level. Their resume would grow to include multiple film and TV credits, commercial work, and even an appearance at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. As a player, they've steadily been improving as not just a Jedah main but a stronger fighting game player overall and bringing new knowledge to the mic every opportunity they get. Cam's been a familiar voice at events in the Northeast like East Coast Throwdown, they've also added Combo Breaker, Vortex Gallery, and Makai World Cup to their repertoire and shared the mic with commentary mainstays like Hagure, KyleW, and YetiGhettoSlang at both online and offline events including the VMP Community Night Series.
\"I'm a slow learner, but I do learn.\" - Cam's dedication to personal growth hasn't just been for self, they've become a resource for new players both in and out of their home region and could be best described as a literal light in the dark. One of the scene's friendliest faces and encouraging spirits, wrapped in a goth aesthetic and dark jewel tones that contrast, but compliment their bright personality and enthusiasm for Vampire. The peaks and valleys of growth haven't been lost, often reflecting on their own experience of taking lumps at the NYC locals fighting players like Apollo, DaiAndOh, Sketch, and HardBread just to name a few. They'll be among the first to remind a new player to give themselves the grace to feel everything about their play, but also encourage them that progress isn't linear nor a \"one size fits all\" journey. Salt is part of the game, and you gotta embrace all the ingredients in the recipe. If they're not on the mic, you can find them running the set with any and everyone during events and getting plenty of games in regardless of skill level or experience.
\"The highs and lows come with it, but that most recent low is gonna be so much higher than where you started and that's what you gotta remember.\"
Join us as we celebrate our first year of Cultural Combos with one of Brooklyn's finest, featuring all the pinwheels, movie magic, and bizarre adventures you could ask for.
Keep up with Camyoin on socials here:
Photo Credits: Vampire Arcadia
Mixing/Post-Production courtesy of @ThisIsPhatb0i
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