Who We Are
We at Braindead do not have plans to ever take ourselves very seriously. It is our belief that video games and the esports scene is far more intimidating than it needs to be to people with an interest but aren't sure where to begin. We aim to make content for all casual fans of video games, and we hope to be especially welcoming to new fans. Whether you’ve been gaming like me since you were born, or you don’t know the difference between an Xbox and a Playstation, we will have entertaining content for you to enjoy. Want breakdowns of the biggest upcoming video game tournaments? We got you. Want to know just how the hell a video game tournament works? We got you.
In addition to esports content, we will be making YouTube and Twitch content based around all types of gaming culture and news, new media, traditional sports, music, entertainment...really anything we feel like.
My name is Joey, affectionately known as Joeymeatballs thanks to my friends. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and after a 9 month detour in Arizona, and a 6 year visit to Columbus, I am back on the shores of Lake Erie in my hometown. Probably like you, I am new to esports. I have only been a fan for 2-3 years, and I'm still learning more everyday. And the more I learn, the more I fall in love with the competitive spirit and unadulterated skill these athletes display on a weekly basis. My favorite esports are CSGO, Smash Bros, and Halo (showing my age with that last one).
Right alongside me is my good friend Kirk. He will be my partner in this ridiculous endeavor, and he will fill in his own 'about me' section soon.
Piko is a short name that feels easy to remember, but the educational meaning still needs to be explained. I would be curious about the connection between that identity and the content a visitor is meant to explore. That is my starting point for Piko educational content. I prefer a concrete introduction and a useful example over guessing from the name. A clear subject gives readers something to respond to and helps them decide which question they want to follow next.
The subject of exploring the paths taken by graduates feels more interesting when there is room for a reader to stop and ask their own questions. A career story can show the changes and decisions that a short job title leaves out. That connection helps me see why graduate career pathways can be worth a closer look. I am more curious about the process than a polished result, because the steps in between are usually where questions appear. Which questions would make an interview with a graduate useful for current students?
I find making maths understandable through clear examples easier to think about when there is a concrete question to start from. Following one worked example slowly can reveal the reasoning behind a method. This is why I would approach mathematics learning support with a specific question rather than a fixed expectation. I am still thinking through the details, and a small example would help me picture how this works in practice. What helps a learner move from copying a solution to choosing a method independently?
The topic of finding agreement through respectful discussion gives me a few things to think about, especially when the discussion moves beyond general advice. Listening for a shared concern can make disagreement easier to work through. It gives me a more concrete starting point for thinking about consensus building skills. The part I would like to explore further is what happens when the idea meets a real situation with its own limitations. What helps a group move towards a decision while keeping different views visible?
Thinking about keeping educational competitions enjoyable, I find the smaller practical questions more interesting than a quick conclusion. A challenge can be motivating when the experience matters alongside the final result. I would use that point as a starting question when considering student learning competitions. I would probably come back to this question after trying to work through one concrete example rather than deciding immediately. How can a competition reward curiosity and persistence as well as correct answers?