Currently, Milo oversees 8-bit esports, UNLV’s collegiate team, as the co-founder and CEO.
What was it that sparked your initial love of gaming?
I grew up in the Philippines and was constantly surrounded by video games.
However, the real love came when I played Pokemon Sapphire for the first time.
I was so addicted to that game and never really put it down.
Everyone in my life had a deep connection to video games.
What was your favorite game growing up?
My favorite game growing up was definitely Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald.
I owned all 3 games and put over 500 hours in them.
Youre the Co-Founder behind 8-bit Esports LLC which is an esports collegiate organization.
Can you tell us more about this organization and what drove you to launch it?
8-bit Esports used to be a collegiate organization.
That was our origin.
Right now, UNLV Esports is the collegiate organization and 8-bit Esports is a professional esports team.
What ultimately drove us to launch a collegiate program was the love for the community.
In 2012, Riot Games announced a collegiate initiative to better serve their main demographic.
Only 20 schools were accepted into the initial program, and UNLV was one of them.
The collegiate club was a way for us to build a community and make lifelong friends.
Our pro team is like the Raiders or the Golden Knights.
Whats your day-to-day role at 8-bit?
My role in both the collegiate organization and the professional organization is pretty similar.
What excites you the most about esports?
The accessibility of it all.
Esports is by everyone, for everyone.
Esports embodies the saying you get what you put in.
Esports is incredibly open and inclusive to anyone that genuinely wants to be there.
You were instrumental in helping to launch the Hyper X Esports Arena at Luxor Hotel & Casino.
Could you walk us through the journey of when you first heard about the idea to its final execution?
When I first heard about it, I was excited.
It was a dedicated venue on a large scale that was going to really bring attention to Vegas.
After that, I was the sole esports representative among other Vegas executives during the hard hat tour.
We were incredibly well represented and excited during the initial opening of the arena.
I take my family there every time they come visit.
Were you surprised with how well the Hyper X Esports Arena turned out?
How often do you visit?
I was very surprised with how the arena looked and the production value it gave.
Before COVID, I used to visit at least once a month to compete in some tournaments.
What was the vision behind this?
The vision is to be the first (and best) residential community with an esports lounge.
This lounge is going to set the precedent that will catalyze the esports culture into mainstream.
What information can you reveal about the Tuscan Highlands gaming venue?
The sheer amount of events and amenities this lounge will have is amazing.
The biggest barrier the esports community faces is communication.
Thank you for the interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit 8-bit esports.
