Esports journalist and historian Duncan “Thorin” Shields has released a long-form interview on his YouTube channel with one of the most respected figures in the Quake scene, Makaveli. The conversation covers the roots of competitive Quake, the importance of preserving its history and the challenges the game faces today.
In the interview, Makaveli talks about:
Early competitive years
The first tournaments, grassroots LAN culture, and how the community built the foundations of professional Quake.
Why history matters
The role of past players, rivalries, and legendary events in shaping the game’s identity.
Shifts in the esports landscape
Moving from small LAN gatherings to large-scale professional circuits — and what was lost along the way.
Quake’s challenges today
The struggle to grow the player base and keep the competitive scene alive in a modern esports environment.
Personal reflections
His career as a player, his work as a commentator and analyst, and why he remains invested in the game after so many years.
The interview combines personal stories with a wider perspective on Quake’s role in esports, offering insights that will be interesting both to long-time followers of the scene and to those discovering it for the first time.
