SCUMP INTERVIEW: Oakley, Vanguard, and the 2022 CDL
For a decade, Scump has been branded as one of the most electrifying entertainers in esports. He’s a Call of Duty icon, boasting almost thirty major championship wins, including a world championship title. Not only is Seth ‘Scump’ Abner hugely accomplished, he’s also massively popular and highly skilled. And today, we’re proud to bring you an exclusive Scump interview, discussing his Oakley partnership, Vanguard, and the future of the CDL.
These days, Scump stands firm as one of the most iconic competitive Call of Duty players in history. He’s instantly recognisable, boasting experience boosted by the OpTic Gaming dynasty, often considered to be one of the best Call of Duty teams ever. With numerous MVP awards under his belt, trophies on his mantelpiece, and almost $600,000 in winnings, Scump is undoubtedly a legend of the game.
So, without further ado, let’s break into our exclusive Scump interview.
Introducing: Oakley’s NXTLVL Prizm Gaming Frames
ESB: Earlier this year, you signed a partnership deal with Oakley, and now, Oakley is promoting the next-generation, NXTLVL Prizm Gaming Frames. What’s your take on the frames? Do they really offer an advantage to competitive gamers?
SCUMP: The frames are truly a game-changer. Oakley’s Prizm Gaming Lens technology is engineered to enhance my vision and features blue-light filtering technology to protect my eyes. These two features allow me to see more details on the screen that I wouldn’t have noticed without the glasses, while the blue-light filtering technology allows me to look at the screen for much longer than I could without getting screen fatigue. These two elements alone simply prove the advantage of wearing the NXTLVL Prizm Gaming frames while I game.
As we all know, there’s nothing worse than tired eyes when engaging in an hours-long session of competitive Call of Duty. Although Scump is in partnership with Oakley, there’s nothing but the truth behind the statement that the NXTLVL frames heighten your gaming ability.
How Good IS Vanguard?
As of the 5th of November, gamers are now experiencing Call of Duty: Vanguard. If there’s one thing we wanted to find out in this Scump interview, it was the opinion of a pro about the new title. After all, Scump is one of the best Call of Duty players of all time, and his thoughts are certainly valuable.
ESB: You’ve already gone on record claiming that Call of Duty: Vanguard is going to be ‘better than Modern Warfare and Cold War’, and that Vanguard could offer the best competitive experience in years. Will Vanguard make up for Cold War’s failings?
SCUMP: I sure hope so. I think that with the 16 6v6 maps being launched on release, the gunplay, and the movement mechanics, we’re already in for a good year. Hopefully the spawn system and perk systems follow suit and we have a great year!
Scump famously accepted a Vanguard challenge laid down by the notorious streamer, DrDisrespect. On stream, Scump landed a nuke killstreak in one of his first games, earning him a one-of-a-kind DrDisrespect signed vest, an iconic piece of memorabilia from one of the best Call of Duty streamers in the business.
Since then, Scump has gone on to express his love for the game, offering fans the best weapons classes around – Scump’s Vanguard classes, no less:
Insider Information from the Scump Interview
If you’re involved with the Call of Duty League, one of the greatest esports tournaments in history, you’ll know about Rostermania. We questioned Scump on the nature of Rostermania from the inside, learning a little about the movement between teams.
ESB: What is it genuinely like experiencing Rostermania from the inside? If you were to play under another team, would it be as easy as just transitioning, or might there be some mixed emotions after essentially being forced to drop from the OpTic brand? Is it the team or the competition that’s more important to Scump?
SCUMP: Yeah, it would be an easy transition. Obviously, there would be emotions, but at the end of the day, I will compete with the cards that I’m dealt. The team and its players are what is most important to me. The people that you are grinding with day in and day out to try and be the best. My family at OpTic would always be there, no matter what.
As this Scump interview is expressing, there might be a sense of loyalty between Scump and OpTic, but the game comes first. Ultimately, it boils down to being the best at something, and securing that grand victory, regardless of who is at your side.
Becoming An Esports Competitor
It isn’t as easy as just signing up to play with the best Call of Duty teams in history. It’s a gradual process to become the best player on the field, and Scump let us know what it’s like to stand at the top of the table.
ESB: There were retirement rumours (which you quashed) following the closure of the CDL 2021, but is there an endgame in mind for Seth ‘Scump’ Abner? When does a pro Call of Duty player know when it’s time to put down the controller?
SCUMP: As of now, I don’t see an endgame in my future – I feel like I’m just getting started! As a professional esports gamer, I never thought I would end up partnering with a brand like Oakley, as it’s one of the leading product design and sport performance brands in the world. It’s really exciting to be a part of it. To be a part of Team Oakley, alongside all of these amazing athletes, feels like such a privilege. It’s exciting to see gaming be recognised as a sport and to be Team Oakley’s first professional esports athlete. I hope to continue playing for years to come.
Back in May of 2021, Scump famously promoted the Oakley Kato frames, a truly next-generation pair of gaming glasses:
It's here! @oakley continues to change the game! #OakleyKato pic.twitter.com/BEMvFJcpio
— OpTic Scump (@scump) May 6, 2021
Scump’s earnings, his ability as a player, and his industry knowledge have all worked together to propel him to the top. If there’s one thing you can take away from this Scump interview, we hope it’s the inspiration that a little hard work can pay off with some huge victories.
Finally, to the Call of Duty League
In the 2019 inaugural Call of Duty League, Scump played for the Chicago Huntsmen. Then, after a structural re-organisation, Scump and OpTic were reunited, the Huntsmen brand being redesigned as OpTic Chicago. As we go into the Call of Duty League 2022 season, how does Scump envision the year will unfold?
ESB: Do you have any predictions or insights into the CDL 2022 season that you’d like to leave us with?
SCUMP: It is always hard to predict the outcome of a season before it starts. The best teams from last year will most likely be the best this year as well. Some sleeper teams might turn heads but it’s usually the same. There are a lot of new players coming this year, so I’m excited to see how this new generation starts to pan out. I feel very refreshed and ready to go for another year of competition. I don’t know how many more years I have left, so my goal is to win. Ultimately, I think Vanguard will be a great game and we will have a great year.
Early impressions of Call of Duty: Vanguard are mixed, but overall, the title seems to be a hit. We’ll be able to watch the game in a competitive environment when the Call of Duty League 2022 season opens up next year. Until then, we hope you enjoyed this exclusive Scump interview, and took away a little something from one of the industry’s finest competitors.
