Noctem Esports were launched in February 2023 focusing on content, CoD and Apex Legends. With their Apex team – South America’s first seed – competing in the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs in London this weekend, Esports News UK’s Dom Sacco catches up with Noctem founder Jack Stovell to find out about his history in esports and what the org are all about.
From FIFA to Fortnite: Who is Jack Stovell and what’s his story prior to founding Noctem Esports?
“On my 29th birthday, in December 2021, while on a bed in intensive care and doing payroll for the company I worked for, I knew something had to change,” says Noctem Esports founder Jack Stovell (pictured, far right, above).
But before he quit his finance career to put his life savings into esports and focus on it full-time, Jack used to play competitively himself. He played FIFA for Dignitas in 2009-10, back when they were a UK org and run by Michael ‘ODEE’ O’Dell.
“The structure when I played was completely different to what it is now,” Jack recalls. “My brother was the first of us to compete – he won an online tournament and won an Xbox in the UKeSA Alienware Cup.
“My first LAN was at a TV studio – I still vividly remember going 0-2, before coming back and winning 6-2. I had a post-match interview, and firmly believed I was the dogs b*llocks. After that, we competed in Sweetpatch-run FIFA events at Insomnia (I think it was i39, and we called it I-series back then)!
“ODEE lived around the corner from us – we got free mice and equipment and it blew my mind.”
Eventually, Jack had the difficult task of juggling sixth form, work and FIFA.
“It became too much and I bowed out of esports after not qualifying for the FIWC (FIFA Interactive World Cup, the old version of FIFAe World Cup),” Jack says. “I had so much fun, had really unique experiences – we played at Chelsea’s training ground in an EA cup – but I always felt I had unfinished business with esports. I tried to come back, unsuccessfully, in Fortnite. Now I can use everything I picked up in my professional career [with Noctem Esports].”
The beginning of Noctem Esports and what the org are all about
Noctem Esports launched earlier this year, with a focus on content around their teams, and opening up more behind-the-scenes footage.
“We haven’t got it right yet, but we’re progressing,” admits Noctem founder Jack Stovell. “During and after ALGS, you’ll see the direction we’re going. In terms of our goals, we want to be able to tell a story from start-to-finish so you will see us investing in grassroots more as the year progresses. In order to do that though, we need the structure in place, and that’s a focus for the remainder of the year.
“Again on structure, we are keen to support and invest in the women and LGBTQ+ scenes as a priority, and I’m hopeful we’ll have exciting news on that before the end of Q3. I am aware of my privilege, and also my shortcomings, so we’ll ensure we have the right advisors in place to mitigate as much of that as possible.
“I believe we’re on the path to pushing boundaries in esports and content.”
Jack Stovell, Noctem Esports
“We recently hired our first paid intern, and hope to be able to shape a pathway where we can help provide experience at a fast growing org.
“Noctem Esports could have started slower – I’ve made some expensive mistakes – but it has allowed us to learn quickly, and for me, that’s the most important thing.
“We have cash which has allowed us to be picky on the partners and sponsors we work with. Although it could be seen as risky or idiotic, I’ll happily invest my life savings into pushing Noctem as far as I can.
“I believe we’re on the path to pushing boundaries in esports and content. And if it all goes wrong, and we run out of cash and can’t deliver on what I think we can, at least we helped people chase their dreams.”
‘I’ve seen quite a few tier lists kicking around that don’t even put our Apex Legends team in the top 20 of 40 ALGS teams, please know I have screenshotted all of them!’
Jack says the team are a true underdog story, super confident and bring a unique playstyle that matches Noctem’s brand vision.
They have a coach, manager and community manager in place, and have been playing in international scrims with mixed results on ~200 ping.
“ALGS is an Incredibly exciting opportunity, and I’m buzzing to be competing against the best teams in the world,” Noctem Esports founder Jack Stovell comments. “If you’d have said to me last year we’d be in this position, I’m not sure I’d believe you!
“Having the first seed out of South America putting their faith in us and what we’re doing, and trusting us with their careers is special for me. They’re an incredible squad – N3las, 1Worst & Kiingz – with one of the best coaches in the world in Caffe. Hatzin is so ahead of the game on team management, and finally the legend Jessin who wears many hats across socials, community and tournament management.
“I’ve seen quite a few tier lists kicking around that don’t even put us in the top 20 of 40 teams, please know I have screenshotted all of them!”
On picking up a South American team and views on the region
“South America is one of gaming’s most passionate fan bases,” Noctem founder Jack Stovell says. “You only have to look at CS or Valorant to see the impact they have. For Apex specifically, there’s going to be changes to the SA pro league. It hasn’t been confirmed yet what that looks like.
“I can’t speak for the game publisher, but we have to remember the access in South America is significantly different to the rest of the world. For example, the price of a laptop with a 4060 in the UK, is the same price as just the 4060 in Brazil. There are limited options for peripherals, internet choice and the infrastructure…
“I’m very aware that is not on the developer, nor should it be, but the region battles many challenges and still manages to compete. My belief is the region is catching up, and in some cases surpassing, other regions, and both the Playoffs and Championships will show this.”
Jack Stovell, Noctem Esports
“The region is starting to realise the value of content too – prior to the last six months, [not many people] streamed, put out content or even let people know they were there. We’re trying to help change that, recently putting on an open tournament where professionals and non-professionals battled it out for a cash prize.
“Again, going back to the region – even to create content, you have to have a semi-decent PC, which costs double what it would in other regions. A lower income in the country, plus double the price of goods, with a smaller prize pool than other regions. Anyway, they don’t let that hold them back!”
Getting involved in CoD and signing UK veteran player Dqvee
In Call of Duty, Noctem Esports had a Challengers team where they couldn’t figure out what needed to change.
“Long story short, the team split into two rosters and we were in need of a veteran main AR for one of them, and Dqvee fit the bill perfectly,” says Noctem Esports founder Jack Stovell.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him – from the first moment we chatted, he was invested in what we were doing, keen to get content filmed and went above and beyond what I’d expected.
“We’re lucky that Dqvee is with us for the duration of the summer to stream when he can! If you haven’t tuned in to one of his Star Wars Kick streams, you really are missing out. The guy is a born entertainer, incredibly talented on the sticks and will be an incredible father.”
Noctem ended the CoD season with two teams in the EU elite, and sent them both to Toronto to compete at LAN, but didn’t manage to make it to Champs.
Other games and what’s next for Noctem
Noctem Esports founder Jack Lovell explains:
- WSOW: “Lenzo just qualified from the Stage 2 Open in the WSOW. He’s been with us since the beginning – we picked up Lenzo alongside Ben, Tiny and Swogi for our first event – and he got us our first trophy at an event in Amsterdam alongside Swogi, AliSZN and Rico, and since transitioning to Warzone has gone from strength-to-strength.”
- CoD in 2024: “We’ll be back for next year’s Call of Duty! Although I’m very hopeful we have at least one European event.”
- Other games: “I’m hoping we’ll be in at least one more T1/2 title by the end of Q3 – at the bare minimum have a solid plan for building a team there.”
- Content: “We’re expanding our content roster! We’ve recently signed Sai – an up-and-coming Kick streamer, Neslo – a COD OG on the comeback, and more to be announced soon!”
They also hope to plan community tournaments in Apex Legends and CoD over the summer.
Lastly, Jack wants to give thanks: “A huge thank you to everyone who’s been with us before, and for the rest of the team now behind the scenes – Aaditya, Sebastian, Thomas, and our advisors Lars and Philippa. We wouldn’t be here without you.”
Esports News UK’s July coverage is powered by Predator Gaming – get more Apex Legends esports news here
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.
