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From content creator to shoutcaster, Ignideus is a household name in Shadowverse. Known by some in the English community as "Mr Shadowverse", he crossed the boundary between digital card game to physical, becoming one of the English edition ambassadors of Shadowverse: Evolve.
SVE Master had the exclusive opportunity to interview Ignideus about his exciting journey, from how he started content creation as a hobby and how he managed to turn it into a successful career. He gave insight into his his unique experiences as an English edition Shadowverse: Evolve Ambassador and what he's most enjoying the most about it so far.
For those in the scene that don't know much about who Ignideus is, can you give us a brief introduction?
Hey familia, Igni here. I've been a content creator for Shadowverse digital almost since the game first came out, and a shoutcaster for the esports scene of the game since slightly after that. Almost 8 years pretty much! I've also been fortunate enough to become the Shadowverse: Evolve English edition Ambassador, and loving every minute of it.
For those that haven't seen his Youtube channel, you can check him out at https://www.youtube.com/@Ignideus for Shadowverse CCG content and Shadowverse: Evolve!
You've streamed thousands of hours of Shadowverse and published thousands of videos on YouTube over the past few years. What about Shadowverse appealed to you and made you decide on this career path?
Since I was young I always knew I liked entertaining people, and when content creation started looking like a real career path and not just a pipe dream around when I was a teenager, I decided to pursue it. At first it was just a hobby, and I made videos on all sorts of games - Shadowverse was just something I was trying out at first when I saw other card game creators giving it a shot. When my first Shadowverse video eclipsed all my previous videos in views instantly, I basically locked in and decided to be the go to guy for content in this niche.
How did you get into shoutcasting? What type of tips do you have for people who might be interested in casting card games in the future?
I got an email about Shadowverse appearing at a convention near me in Singapore, not too long after I started making content for the game in earnest. It was a simple offer to come by and see the convention and meet some of the people working on the English side of Shadowverse at the time. I decided "Why not, I'm free that day so I’ll come and say hi," without any expectations of anything. Turns out, everyone there was super chill, the Shadowverse people watched my videos, and a few people even came up to say hi after recognizing my voice (I hadn’t done a face reveal at the time). They were having matches played on stage, and since I was there they just asked me if I’d be interested in commentating it. I accepted, and lo and behold, I was a natural at it! That one random opportunity led me to everything else. In a world where I ignored the email because there wasn't any concrete offer in it, I would have never gotten the jobs I have. So honestly, my number one tip is to put yourself out there: be there, be excited, and be open to saying yes to the chances that arise - people will want to work with you.
What type of physical card game background did you have before Shadowverse: Evolve?
Not much honestly. Played some Japanese TCGs when I was a kid with my sisters, but never got competitive at them. I used all the monsters I thought looked cool with no thought to synergy, and also thought that the bigger my deck was the better it was. I would rock up with 200 cards in my deck that had no compatibility with each other, lose, and be baffled.
What have been the most surprising and enjoyable aspects of your journey of discovery in Shadowverse: Evolve?
As someone coming into physical TCGs in earnest with Shadowverse: Evolve, after playing digital card games for many years, the best thing by far has to be the community. Everyone is so willing and excited to play and talk about the game, test out decks, and they're always bugging me to come to more locals and making me feel bad when I have to turn them down because I'm busy with work. It's no wonder that post-pandemic TCGs have seen a huge boon, it's one of the best ways to make new friends.
What decks are you playing right now in Shadowverse: Evolve?
Oh man, too many. Jabberwock Dragon, Discard Dragon, Aggro Dragon, Aggro Haven are the ones I'm playing the most recently. Want to build a Giant Chimera Spellchain Rune deck soon too!
Editor's note: The below decklist is the Aggro Haven list that Ignideus has been playing recently!
Storm Haven
BP04
Some people may have heard the phrase "The Igni Difference". Can you explain to newcomers what this means?
When I topdeck lethal. When I spot a rare line of play leading to my win. When I open a leader card in my packs. When I have the full row to myself on an airplane. When I get one extra chicken nugget in the box. That's the Igni Difference.
Favourite card in Shadowverse and Shadowverse: Evolve?
Zirnitra. In both.
When I first started Shadowverse my first deck was Ramp Dragon, with Zirnitra in it. Although she quickly got overshadowed by many other cards to come out since then, I'll always remember that my first few dozen wins or so were thanks to her.
If that's the case, then do you have a copy of her Leader card from Advent of Genesis?
Yes! But I only have the Zirnitra leader in Japanese - gotta buy the English one as soon as I find it.
Many have followed your adventures in Japan earlier this year during the SVE World Invitationals, where you went out to many different card game stores and introduced yourself as an English Shadowverse: Evolve Ambassador. What were some of the highlights and your key takeaways from this experience?
I wish I spoke Japanese for real. I only know some words and phrases I picked up by being a weeb, which was not that helpful when trying to explain to some of the stores that I'm an ambassador for the game. Some of them understood and believed me and were super cool - and I was very thankful for that. But others either didn't understand what I was trying to say or just never heard of me and didn't believe me I think. And that's not their fault obviously, it's mine for not being able to articulate properly what my intentions were visiting their store, but overall it was a mixed bag. A fun adventure though!
Shadowverse: Evolve brings back a lot of classic cards from the Shadowverse Digital Card Game with a similar, yet distinctly unique design. What card changes have you liked the most between the two different card games?
I love that Fanfares activate whenever something enters the field, not just when played from hand like in the digital game. So many cool new interactions that would otherwise not be possible because of this.
The Omen of the Ten will soon be upon us in the Physical Card Game, which Omen is your favourite?
As a Dragoncraft main, it should come as no surprise that my favourite omen is Galmieux.
When she made her debut in digital she instantly made an impression with her smug attitude and fantastic voice lines. Not only that, but she introduced this self-damage mechanic to the class that we hadn't seen before that I really liked, making use of the large stats that Dragoncraft was known for as an actual resource to proc effects.
If you were thrust into a Zombie Apocalypse and you had to pick three Shadowverse cards to team up with, which would you pick and why? (Note: Cards can be followers, spells, or amulets; but please try to pick at least one follower.)
Zelgenea. Zirnitra. Zirnitra, Dragon's Flame. Zelgenea will remake the world to have no zombies in it and I'll hang out with my two wives.
As you've shared on your socials, you're very excited about the upcoming Gloryfinder multiplayer set for Shadowverse: Evolve. What excites you the most about the upcoming game mode?
Playing with four players is a whole different ballgame. The social aspect is amped up tenfold as you naturally form alliances, betrayals happen, pacts are formed - a true party game experience. Add onto that the singleton, crosscraft ruleset, and the format exclusive cards, and you have a whole new way to experience Shadowverse: Evolve from top to bottom.
What are the first crazy brews we can expect to see when Gloryfinder finally drops?
Deepwood Anomaly reads “win the game”. Pair that guy with Outrunning the Encroaching Heat to give him Storm, Armor of the Stars to give him Aura, or cheat him out for free with Enstatued Seraph - and you'll quickly become the biggest threat at the table.
You've been watching both of the Shadowverse Animes recently. What have been the highlights of the anime series for you? How did you feel about the inclusion of the Shadowverse Flame Collaboration in Shadowverse: Evolve?
I haven't watched Flame yet, though I've heard good things. Just recently I watched all of the original series though and I'll just say I'm glad they included the Flame cards in the collaboration and not the first ones. The anime power got pretty crazy by the end!
As a key community figure in Indonesia, you must have felt proud to see a fellow Indonesian, Daniel Yanto, win the first Shadowverse: Evolve World Invitational. For those who aren't aware of the bustling Indonesian scene, can you please tell us more?
The game is absolutely massive here, and the first World Champion being Indonesian has only bolstered the scene. Not much I can say other than if you love Shadowverse: Evolve, Indonesia is the place to be. Some of the strongest and also friendliest faces are to be found here.
For those that don't know, both DifferentFight and yourself are shoutcasters for Shadowverse and have even cast tournaments together in the past. What are your thoughts on your fellow Shadowverse: Evolve Ambassador, and which one of you do you think is better at Shadowverse and Shadowverse: Evolve respectively?
Kris is amazing. I always love talking shop with him, or just hanging out and jamming games together. I could not have asked for a better person to share the Ambassador title with. He's definitely better than me at Shadowverse: Evolve, since he's been playing the Japanese edition as well since its inception all the way till present. I can cook him at the digital game though!
Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans and the people reading this article?
Thanks for always supporting me, it means the world and I'm so thankful everyday to have the fortune of doing this kind of thing for a living. Thanks Bma for organising this interview by the way, I rarely get the chance to do these. And finally, subscribe to Shadowverse Master on YouTube so they can get Boron a new gamer chair - he deserves it.
