Virtuality allows us to connect beyond physical restrictions, this particularly useful during pandemic times, but it also gives relative impunity to negative behaviors like cyberbullying, mean comments, and insults. In the gaming space, this is no different; unfortunately, toxicity is quite common. A shortcut to fix this problem is addressing it, talking about it, and, as Wes Byrd suggests, presenting ourselves with integrity.

Wes Byrd is the CEO and Co-Founder of Skullz, Inc. Wes is an entrepreneur, esports enthusiast, and e-commerce architect. Skullz, Inc. started as a gaming club in 1999, hosting LAN parties and building a healthy gaming community through things like their “rulez of war,” which restricted foul language and toxic behavior. After more than 20 years, Skullz, Inc promotes non-toxic behavior, community, integrity, and sportsmanship while providing the highest quality gaming and esports gear.

In this episode, Wes and Megan talked about toxicity in esports and gaming and the best ways to deal with it. Wes shares a bit of his background and some details of his journey into the gaming industry. They also spoke about the gaming industry during the pandemic, and Skullz, Inc’s pillars, and the company’s view on integrity. Plus, Skullz, Inc’s products and their commitment to providing high-quality products.

You can connect with Wes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbyrd/

or you can visit Skullz, Inc website: https://skullz.com/

You can follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skullzgear/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/skullzgear

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_n5U9ZfZas3Uf3DXlpazg

or Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/skullzgear

The Esports Connected Podcast was created by the Esports Trade Association. To find out more, visit: https://esportsta.org/

Full Episode Breakdown:

 1:14 – Hosting LAN parties. How Skullz, Inc. started.

2:57 – A synonym of quality. How Wes and his team built a brand around the idea of providing high-quality products.

3:50 – Attention to detail. Wes talks about what it means to deliver nothing but premium products.

5:25 – Craftsmanship is essential. Wes explains why their gear, especially their chairs, is top-notch. 

10:21 – Wes speaks about Skullz, Inc’s partnership with Non-Toxic Gaming.

13:54 – Wes talks about one of Skullz, Inc’s pillars, integrity.

18:35 – Megan and Wes talk about the psychological impact of using a uniform and how it impacts the team members and the crowd.

22:42 – Wes talks about how COVID impacted his company and the pandemic’s pros and cons from a gaming and esports perspective.

26:13 – Megan and Wes talk about the needed reset the world took during the pandemic. 

29:31 – Wes shares a bit of what Skullz, Inc. is looking forward to achieving in 2021.

34:04 – Wes talks about Skullz’s recent partnership with Oxygen Gaming and Wildcard Gaming.

36:19 – Wes talks about e-commerce and how much the esports space has to improve in this area.