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Henrik ‘Hen’ Mclean is a UK/Lithuanian Fortnite pro player who has been with UK-based organisation Guild Esports for coming up to three years now. He’s picked up a ton of wins and high-placed finishes in tournaments during that time, and we had the chance to catch up with him ahead of his time playing at Red Bull Contested, the UK’s first major Fortnite LAN taking place in Scotland this Saturday June 10th.
How are you Hen? What’s it like to be involved with Red Bull Contested in Scotland?
I’m doing great, thank you, a little bit tired but gotta get that content done.
I’m really excited for this tournament, there hasn’t been a solo tournament on LAN that has been this big since the Fortnite World Cup. So I’m very excited to see how it plays out.
Has that changed your thought process, your scrims, going into this tournament?
Yeah, definitely, because there haven’t been many solo tournaments recently or solo practice, so you have to go with all the experience you have from other tournaments and other seasons and hope that gives me the possibility of winning.
What are your thoughts on this taking place in Scotland?
I haven’t been here before. But it kind of reminds me of Lithuania, because of the old town, the old buildings, they’re very nice to look at. I don’t think I’d come here for some fun, but sightseeing with the family – maybe for sure.
What’s your journey been like with Guild Esports? You’ve been there a while now.
I’ve pretty much been with Guild since the start, somewhat, so I’ve seen all the ups and downs. We definitely changed a lot recently, for the better. I think everything is very good at the minute.
“I think [my teammate] Anas might be playing at Red Bull Contested too. I’ve played against teammates before, but I’m not really thinking about the tournament too much in terms of my mentality, because I’m kind of zen at the minute, I’m always in my zone.”
Is this something you’ve developed, has it come from the Guild performance coaches, or are you naturally zen?
It’s come from the amount of tournaments I’ve played, and all the experience and time I’ve put into the game. I still get nervous, obviously, every human does, but not as much as I used to.
Everyone wants to win, but there can only be one winner. Do you have a set goal for Red Bull Contested or anyone you’d like to play against?
My goals are kind of like, if I don’t get first, I’d be fine with a top five. But winning is the only thing I want!
I’m also really excited to play against Reddysh, she’s the only female player going into this tournament, so that’s going to be exciting. She’s kinda cracked, you know.
After Red Bull Contested, what do you have your sights set on?
After this we have Sweden, the qualifier for Saudi’s Gamers8, so I’m gonna go to Sweden, do my best to qualify for Gamers8 then have all that time to prepare for Gamers8 and try and win that.
What are your thoughts on the state of competitive Fortnite? Are there any changes you’d like to see?
Oh most definitely. I want to see change for competitive because it’s kind of stale, and they haven’t really added anything interesting for a while. So I hope they change it up soon. They kind of took a couple of steps back a month or so ago when they removed Siphon from the game, considering it was such a big part of the game and had been there for so long. I guess people weren’t expecting them to do that, and they do a lot of stuff like that, so it’s kind of annoying.
Scotland quickfire round of questions
Have you played the bagpipes before?
No. But I’d love to! I love all types of pipes.
Have you worn a kilt before?
I don’t think so. I’ve never not worn underwear with a skirt before. It would’ve been nice to have been obligated to wear a kilt to go on stage.
Red Bull Contested host Iain Chambers said he’d wear a kilt on his stage if he had to.
We’re good friends. He’s a charismatic character, where no matter what you do, he always brings happiness to the table. We could start working super early but he’s always ready for it, he’s always switched on.
I got that impression from talking to him too. Next question – have you eaten haggis before?
I have not eaten it and no I will not be trying it. I’m not a hater, but just no can do my friend, there’s too much liver and other stuff in there, like… nah, it’s not for me! I like steak.
Have you heard of caber tossing before?
No, and I was going to ask what that was.
It’s where people chop down trees and try to throw the timber as far as they can.
It sounds interesting.
Have you watched Braveheart before?
No.
Scotch whiskey?
No comment.
Loch Ness monster, real or fake?
It’s real. I saw it the other day. Yeah. It was [Fortnite player] Kami in the morning (laughs).
Your distance from Scotland?
I’m in London so it was only like a one-hour flight, but if I took the train it’d be about four hours, but it’s no problem, I think I’m taking the train back.
Other thoughts on Scotland?
I really like Scotland, it looks chill, but it’s so mountainy bro, my legs are already knackered and I’ve walked for five minutes, it’s crazy.
What are your monitor settings or size of choice?
I don’t change any colour settings, but I have a 360Hz 24.5-inch monitor. When I first played Fortnite I was using a 27-inch monitor and no one else was really doing that, and then I switched to a smaller 360Hz monitor, it feels nice. I also change my brightness to like 65.
Hen, this has been a really nice interview, thank you. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
It’s been a pleasure. Hen’s the best, he only takes Ws!
Thank you and peace out.
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Esports News UK will be back with more Red Bull Contested content powered by AGON by AOC.
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
