It has been a tumultuous couple of months for Jamie “Tree60” Callan. After first joining ALASKA at the start of the year, the young rifler went on to win his first EPIC.LAN, and also his second UKIC Finals. However, after the UKIC Season 5 Division 1 Finals, he moved away from the roster for a short period of time. This departure only lasted a month as he would go on to link up with Tom “arTisT” Clarke and co under the banned NXT for another UKIC Division 1 win.
Now, with the UKIC Season 7 Masters right around the corner, Tree60 has been benched as Jakub “nestee” Lempart takes this place. This was not entirely due to performance, as later in the interview, Tree60 explains that he was away on holiday during important tournaments, and that was the main reason for the roster change.
Outside of UK CS, Tree60 was also a part of the Falcons academy trials, making it all the way to the final phase of trials. He was, unfortunately, unsuccessful, but he describes the process of the trials and the disappointment in not showing his true level.
UKCSGO caught up with Tree60 at the BLAST Open London finals to talk about the roster move, his ambition to return to IGLing, Falcons academy trials and being shoutout by William “mezii” Merriman.
How has it been watching an event in the UK of this calibre?
Yeah, it is the second event I have been to, the first being BLAST London last year. Just being at CS events is really amazing to see these games on the big stage. I will be going to the Major in December as well, which will be fun.
Do attending these Tier-1 events in the UK give you any extra motivation?
It feels like this is the goal, it refocuses me and helps me understand where I am want to be. Just sitting in my room playing online match after online match, it makes you lose sight of the goal. But when you come here and see what it is all about, it is really good.
Tree60 lifting the UKIC Season 6 Division 1 trophy
For the upcoming UKIC Finals, you will not be playing with them in Sheffield. Can you explain what is happening with the team and the next step you are taking?
I went on holiday mid-way through August with my family for 10 days. Because there were important VRS events during that time, and the UKIC semi-finals, the team decided to practise with nestee instead. I understand that decision.
Now I am back, the finals are so close, so there isn’t enough time for me to slot back in and get the practice in for the UKIC finals. I might be back in the roster for the future, but right now, my plan is all up in the air.
You were discussing with me the possibility of transitioning into the IGL role, which would automatically remove you from Max.
If I go into leading a team, I would take a step back. I don’t think there is another ESEA Advanced-level roster in the UK that I would be able to slot into. I would be taking that step back and taking time.
It is all up in the air. I am weighing my options and considering how I am going to keep playing the game.
Why do you want to become an IGL?
My first Inters season, I was IGL for Machine Soldiers, a Dutch team. Until I played for AdamJC in Project Nua, I was an IGL. I decided then I would take a break from leading, and see how some other IGLs played. I have had AdamJC, dox, leaf and arTisT.
I have now had the main IGLs in the UK scene to see how they run a team and their strategies. There aren’t anymore IGLs I can play under until I make that decision to go back into what I want to do in this game.
I take it you were recently part of the Falcons Academy trials. You were a part of the process right until the very end, but unfortunately didn’t make it to the final five. Can you talk about your experience with the trials?
It was quite a long process. As I said, I was on holiday for 10 days, so I wasn’t there through the middle of the trials, but I was there at the start and the end. They were quite short on IGLs. There were several thousand applicants, and then narrowed it down to 80 in phase one. But still, short on IGLs.
NaTo then put out a tweet saying any IGLs, please contact me. I thought, “Why not? I will give it a go.”
I only had one trail in phase one. There were five teams of applicants versus five other applicants, with no practice. It was just free scrims versus each other, and NaTo would give feedback later.
He then would move half of them into phase two, where they would have some practice with each other and then play again. I am not sure about phase two, as I was not a part of it.
Phase three cut down to 15 people, and he would have rosters of five playing against real teams in scrims. Real Advanced-level teams.
NaTo made a decision based on team chemistry, something he said he prioritised. Looking at how players would fit together.
Even though you didn’t make the final five, does making the top 15 in Falcons academy give you some validation?
I am not sure, really. I think the main reason I was in phase three was that I wasn’t there in phase two. I am sure I would still have made it when I showed my true ability if I weren’t on holiday. But it was a bit of a disappointment that I didn’t get to show what I could do; it felt like I was underprepared and quite rusty after being away for nearly two weeks.
Tree60 winning his first EPIC.LAN
mezii gave you a shoutout in a recent UKCSGO interview. How did that feel when you saw the top UK player talk highly of you?
Honestly amazing, it was something I never expected. It is honestly a real honour to have that recognition from the best UK player.
As an EPIC.LAN winner and frequent EPIC.LAN attendee, what are your opinions on the event attracting international talent?
I think it is really good. There is still the level for more fun teams to play with seven BO1s being played in groups; there is still a lot of CS to be played. The Europeans like birdfromsky and b0RUP were really engaging with the culture, the drinking games and karaoke. They really got into the spirit of a local LAN. If this continues for the future, it will be great.
