Ralph, aka Skill Up, is one of YouTube’s most watched gaming commentators and critics. Based in Australia, Skill Up made the jump from corporate life to gaming content creator 5 years ago and hasn’t looked back.
What’s the first game you ever remember playing, and what got you into gaming?
My journey began with Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo NES. I was 4 years old and I can still remember unwrapping it on Christmas day. That was it for me – no matter how hard my mother tried, nothing was going to that controller out of my hand from that point on. All these years later, here I am.
What’s been one of your biggest or most exciting achievements?
It sounds cliche but I really look at every day as a big achievement. I’m so lucky and so blessed to be able to do what I do; play the games I love, find things, share those things with others, connect with millions of people who are equally passionate about this hobby and artform. Just being able to wake up and do this every day is more than enough for me.
Who in the video game industry inspires you?
Sooo many people. I look at the creative vision of people like Aonuma (Zelda), Kojima (Metal Gear/Death Stranding), Miyazaki (Dark Souls) and Barlog (God of War) and it’s so humbling to be able to experience the art that they and their teams create for us.
What are some other hobbies you enjoy?
Hmmm…that’s a toughie. Truth is, the online content creation business is VERY time consuming, so I don’t get too much time for much else. Still, I try to stay as healthy as I can with regular visits to the gym, and I like to read since I find we typically don’t leave enough space for that in our lives these days.
Why is supporting cancer research important to you?
It’s a vital battle – it takes so many, so unfairly. It feels so…frustrating as well, since modern medicine has so many things beat at this point, so why not this as well? That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to support Game On Cancer. Anything that can finish this fight once and for all deserves our support.
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