Atsushi Ienaga, also known as IeNaGa, is an intern at Game & Co. Inc. While contributing to the operations of CR Gaming School, an online school specializing in gaming improvement, he’s also a professional Apex Legends player for the REJECT esports team, having competed in the Apex Legends Global Series. He truly embodies the spirit of “wearing two hats” by excelling in multiple fields.
Even after achieving his goal and establishing himself as a professional gamer, why does Ienaga continue his internship at Game & Co.? And how did he initially come to work there? We sat down with Ienaga and Atsutoshi Kubo, a director at Game & Co., to hear their story.
── Could you start by telling us what sparked your interest in esports?
Ienaga: Of course. I really got into FPS games around my third year of junior high school. My friends started playing, and that’s how I got into it too.
Kubo: And if I remember correctly, one of those friends was Mr. Sudetaki (@sudetaki), who is now part of the REIGNITE esports team, right?
Ienaga: Yes, that’s right. Mr. Sudetaki and I have been friends since kindergarten, and we’re still close.
── It’s incredible that both of you, as friends, are now active professional gamers. By the way, did you aspire to become a pro gamer from the very beginning?
Ienaga: I initially had a goal to “make it to the pro league,” and through pursuing that challenge, I eventually became a professional. At first, I just wanted to challenge myself to reach that goal.
── Was there a specific moment when you started to seriously consider becoming a professional?
Ienaga: It was around the time I was promoted to the pro league and started to feel confident that my skills could compete at that level.
── How did you come to join REJECT?
Ienaga: As I was preparing to compete in the pro league, I was looking for a team, organization, or company to join through X. My posts and reputation among other pro gamers led REJECT to reach out to me, and that’s how the connection was made.
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連絡先:ienagaa0118@gmail.comまでご連絡いただけると幸いです。 沢山の拡散とご連絡お待ちしております！ #ALGS #NewJWIN pic.twitter.com/8SvcxjiwdQ— LFT 家長（IeNaGa) (@2aganei) April 23, 2024
── We heard you were already interning at Game & Co. before joining REJECT. Could you tell us about that journey?
Ienaga: Initially, I wasn’t an intern at Game & Co. directly, but I was invited to be a coach for CRGS* through an acquaintance. At that time, I was still aiming for the pro league, so I was coaching while thinking a lot about my future.
While I had a strong desire to challenge myself in the pro league, I also had a desire to work in the esports industry in the future. So, I consulted with Mr. Asahina (who is now my boss), who had been assisting me with the CRGS coach training. After an interview with Mr. Kubo, I was given the opportunity to work as an intern as well.
*CRGS: An abbreviation for CR Gaming School, an online school jointly operated by Game & Co. and Crazy Raccoon, dedicated to seriously helping individuals improve their gaming skills.
── Just aiming to participate in the pro league seems incredibly demanding. Were there any challenges unique to balancing both roles?
Ienaga: Yes, definitely. When I first started as an intern, I was coming into the office almost every day. However, when my first participation in the pro league was confirmed, my desire to reach higher as a gamer grew stronger, and I discussed with Mr. Kubo whether I could balance both. Honestly, it might have been difficult to have such a discussion at other companies, so I’m truly grateful for the support that allowed me to pursue both.
── Mr. Kubo, how did you feel when you received that consultation?
Kubo: The reduction in internship days or gaps in tasks were not an issue at all. Even with limited days and hours, Mr. Ienaga organized “The Ienaga Cup“* and consistently fulfilled his responsibilities. Knowing Mr. Ienaga’s efforts up to that point, we were able to explore ways to support him in balancing both.
*The Ienaga Cup: An Apex Legends custom match presented by CRGS, where Mr. Ienaga participates as a player and provides feedback to participants.
── Could you share your daily schedule when you first started as an intern?
Ienaga: My schedule looked something like this:
- AM 11:00 (JST) : Wake up
- PM 1:00 (JST) : Start work
- PM 7:00 (JST) : End work
- PM 8:30 (JST) : Head home
- PM 9:00 (JST) : Scrim practice with team members
- AM 12:00 (JST) : Scrim practice debrief
- AM 2:00 (JST) : Individual practice
- AM 5:00 (JST) : Go to sleep
── With a routine of going to bed at AM 5:00 (JST) every day, it seems like it would be a tough schedule if your work didn’t start at PM1:00 (JST).
Ienaga: Exactly. Starting at PM 1:00 (JST) was a huge benefit for my work-life balance. That said, I didn’t really mind the short sleep hours back then. I genuinely loved both gaming and my internship work, so it was just a lot of fun. In some ways, being a professional gamer now is even tougher.
── Mr. Kubo, how do you feel about Mr. Ienaga’s success as a professional gamer?
Kubo: It’s truly a joy. I’ve been following the competitive Apex scene for a while, so seeing Mr. Ienaga emerge there is incredibly exciting. More than anything, what makes me happiest is that through his professional gaming activities, the public has come to appreciate Mr. Ienaga’s engaging personality and charm.
── Mr. Ienaga, you’ve achieved your dream of competing in the pro league and are now a successful professional gamer. Today, Mr. Kubo has a question for you.
Kubo: I’ve always been curious: when we first met, Mr. Ienaga seemed to be grappling with whether he could truly make it to the pro league or succeed as a professional. Now you’re actively competing as a pro. Could you share how your mindset has changed over the past year or two?
Ienaga: In terms of mindset change, at first, my primary motivation was to “achieve my goal,” so I was largely working hard for myself. However, as I became involved with Game & Co., I started to feel a strong desire to produce results for the company. Also, while coaching at CRGS, I wanted to set a good example for the students. The biggest change was when I started to consciously work hard not just for myself, but for others as well.
Frankly, if I hadn’t started working at Game & Co., I probably would have quit gaming. Even my parents, who were supportive, told me to “get a job if things don’t work out after a little while longer.” I also felt that given my age, it was time to start working. But then I found this environment where I could receive proper compensation and continue gaming while working as a coach at CRGS, which made me think, “I’ll give it a bit more time.”
── Now that you’ve achieved your goal of reaching the pro league and are actually a professional gamer, has your mindset changed further?
Ienaga: Yes, it has. Now that I’m a professional gamer, the pressure to not only achieve results but also to sustain them is immense, so it’s actually tougher now than when I was struggling with my decision back then. However, everyone at Game & Co. and the students at CRGS are cheering me on, so, if I may say so, I want to meet their expectations with results as a form of gratitude. That’s what makes it both enjoyable and challenging at the same time.
── What kind of tasks are you currently handling as an intern?
Ienaga: When I first started, I was involved in director duties for the media business. Now, I’m working in an operational capacity for CRGS.
── Within REJECT, you serve as the IGL, essentially the team’s strategist. Do you aspire to a similar leadership position within Game & Co. in the future?
Ienaga: Yes, that’s the goal. I’m still in a learning phase as an apprentice, but I’m working with the aim of eventually becoming a manager or project manager.
── Even now that you’re a professional gamer, why do you continue to work as an intern?
Ienaga: Even after becoming a pro gamer, I still sometimes worry about my future. If I ever stop being a pro and decide to work, I still feel strongly that I want to be involved in the esports industry.
Game & Co. is committed to “100 Years of esports” and actively develops various businesses and launches new ventures. So, for anyone who loves games and wants to work in the esports industry like me, I highly recommend it.
There are many people with diverse backgrounds, but a significant number of them come from gaming backgrounds, so they understand the importance of teamwork. Of course, this applies to non-gamers too, but everyone has a perspective of “what can I do for the team,” which makes it a very easy environment to work in.
Another characteristic is that many people here are stubborn and hate to lose. I find it to be a very interesting company to work for.
── In your opinion, what makes for a good environment or what are the key elements for gamers to thrive?
Ienaga: Well, gamers tend to be persistent and resilient, so I think a company that “truly sees and supports growth from failures” is crucial.
Additionally, especially in online games, “how well you can cooperate with your teammates” often directly impacts results. In that sense, a company where teamwork can be easily leveraged is also a good environment for gamers to work in.
Furthermore, gamers frequently adapt to changing metas and strategies each season, constantly devising new tactics. Therefore, a company that allows involvement in new ventures or an environment that encourages generating ideas from scratch would likely allow their strengths to shine. I’ve been feeling this more strongly lately.
── By the way, for non-gamers, what kind of individuals do you think would be a good fit for Game & Co.’s culture?
Kubo: I believe it’s important for individuals to clearly understand and articulate their unique strengths or skills, as if they were part of a “multiplication.” I see professional gamers as just one part of that equation.
Even if you’re not deeply familiar with games, if you clearly understand your position, what you like about esports, what motivates you to be involved in esports, and what you want to achieve moving forward – if you have clear thoughts and opinions stemming from that perspective – then you’d be a good fit.
However, fundamentally, we value “diligence” and “sincerity” above all else. As long as those are strong, honestly, anyone can fit in.
── Where do you discern “diligence” and “sincerity”?
Kubo: I primarily look at how people articulate their experiences. Can they genuinely convey their experiences through their resume and words, without ambiguous or vague language? I feel “diligence” and “sincerity” from individuals who can clearly explain what experiences they’ve had, what emotions they’ve undergone, and where they are now.
── Finally, do you have a message for those aspiring to become professional gamers, or those who are considering it but feeling unsure?
Ienaga: This is something I’ve told students at CRGS who were facing similar doubts: “Will you regret doing it, or will you regret not doing it?” If you’re wrestling with that choice, I’d encourage you to “regret doing it.”
Atsushi Ienaga (IeNaGa) Profile
A professional gamer affiliated with the professional esports team REJECT. His competitive title is Apex Legends. He serves as the IGL, the team’s “brain,” guiding his team to victory with precise calls and safe zone readings. Last year, he competed in the Apex Legends Global Series. Additionally, as an intern at Game & Co. Inc., he is involved in the operations of CR Gaming School, an online school specializing in gaming improvement. He contributes to the development of the esports industry while simultaneously pursuing his professional gaming career.
・X：https://x.com/2aganei/
・YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/@IeNaGa25/videos/
・Twitch：https://www.twitch.tv/ienaga25/
Game & Co. Inc.
Game & Co. Inc. operates with the vision “100 Years of esports.” They are actively developing new businesses in the esports and related fields, including CR Gaming School, an online school specializing in game improvement operated jointly with Crazy Raccoon; CR Fortnite CAMP, an esports pro gamer experience camp for elementary, junior high, and high school students; CR UEFN School, a programming school for junior high and high school students; and the MD business “AMICIS.”
・HP：https://gameandco.co.jp/
・X：https://x.com/GameandCo_inc/