Renowned host and interviewer James Banks shared his thoughts on working at IEM Katowice, his support for Ukraine, and the state of British esports. In the conversation with Bo3.gg, he talked about the importance of building an emotional connection with players, his dream of one day becoming a stage host at events like Katowice and Cologne, and the challenges teams and players face in modern CS2. Banks also spoke about his friends fighting on the front lines in Ukraine and how he continues to support the country during the war.

Let's start by discussing your support for Ukraine. You've expressed it openly on social media, but many believe sports should stay out of politics. What is your opinion on this?

I think it’s a personal choice whether someone wants to speak about it or not. I have Russian friends, who don’t support the war and in my opinion they don’t need to publicly state that - it’s their choice. For me, as someone who lives in Ukraine and sees the reality of the situation, it’s clear that Russia is a terrorist state and I will speak about it - it is my choice. However, I’ll also say not all Russians are bad. Generalizing like that only spreads more hate and evil.

People may not want politics in esports because they want to focus on the enjoyment of the game, and that’s their choice. But for me, Ukraine has been my home since 2019, and I will always support it. I won’t be angry at someone who doesn’t share my viewpoint, but it would be great if more people, especially players and notable figures, spoke up. Still, everyone has their own perspective, and we can’t force anyone to speak out.

How is life for you in Ukraine now? Are there any ongoing issues, like problems with electricity?

Over the winter of last year and toward the summer we had a lot of problems. I used to wake up at 5:00 a.m. to stream for 3–4 hours before the electricity would go out. I had to work around the power schedule. Some people asked why I stayed, but I refused to leave my home.

When the war started, I left because it was dangerous. I could leave easily with my British passport, but my wife and I later moved to Uzhhorod. It’s a safer area that hasn’t been hit by bombs, though we still face power outages. I chose to stay because I don’t want to be driven away by fear.

I'm very lucky because I can leave, I can come to events and I live in a safe spot. But there are loads of people that are not safe like that. My wife's family lost their home in Kherson and they have nothing now, you know, like they've spent their whole lives working for that.

You mentioned you can easily cross the border with your British passport. Have you had any interesting experiences at the border?

The first time I crossed, they took my Ukrainian ID because I hadn’t been in the country for a while, and they thought it might be fake. I had to get a new one. Some border staff recognize us because of NAVI, while others ask why I still live in Ukraine.

It’s tricky for us. My wife, being Ukrainian, can live in Europe, but I can’t because of Brexit. The UK also has very strict documentation rules, making it difficult for her to move there despite our marriage. We had to choose between staying in Ukraine or moving to places like Serbia, but we settled on Ukraine. The border process itself isn’t too bad, though it can take a few hours.

You’re vocal on social media about supporting Ukraine, but how else do you support the country during the war?

On my stream, I raise awareness and donate all revenue—subs, donations, cheers—to various Ukrainian charities. Sometimes it goes to children’s causes, other times to the army or friends on the front lines. I also educate my international audience, including those from countries like China, where people are distant from the war and may not fully understand it. I share my experiences and perspectives but never try to force anyone to agree with me. My goal is to help others see the situation from a different angle.

You’ve mentioned donating to charity. Do you have friends or acquaintances who are currently on the front lines?

Yes, two people we’ve helped come to mind. One is a guy I knew from a gym in Kyiv. He’s now on the front lines, though thankfully still alive. He sends pictures and messages when he needs help. Another is Lucky_Cryak, a former player from the Ukrainian team IKLA. I met him when he was a fun, happy young guy. Now he’s fighting in the war, which is surreal.

I also have a friend from London who came to Ukraine to help, not as a soldier but by transporting supplies and offering medical aid. So also my wife's sister's husband was on the front line. So it's scary when you see it all and, and you see how real it all is. But there are a lot of people doing a very good job for us to stay safe and to keep fighting.

It's crazy how much people from abroad are helping Ukraine, right?

Honestly, I didn’t know until about a year after the war started. We went to Kyiv, and I was looking around like, "There are more foreigners here now than when I lived here." That was crazy. They come from all over the world, wanting to help us. I’d even call them mercenaries in a way. They’re supporting in ways I didn’t expect people to.

Let's shift to your hosting career. Why are you frequently invited to host tournaments? In your opinion, what makes you stand out?

I don’t know. I think maybe it’s because of my passion and my dedication. I never see myself as the best interviewer or the best host, but I have a lot of love for the game. The fans and players can feel that. I have great relationships with many players. I’ve seen a lot of them grow up and feel I can talk to them in a good way.

I’ve had messages from someone like Karrigan after a tough loser interview. He thanked me for making it easier for him in that hard moment, with tears in his eyes. That made me feel good—being able to translate even a difficult experience to a camera. It’s the same with positive moments.

I remember when G2 won in Dallas. There were so many storylines, and I filmed with them afterward. Because of my connection with the players, we got to hear a side that usually wouldn’t come through. Maybe that’s why people enjoy it and why I get hired.

You mentioned that you don’t consider yourself the best interviewer. What would you say is your greatest talent?

I guess my greatest talent is probably my understanding of the players and how they feel in key moments. I think my strength is being able to connect with the emotional side of things.

At this event, the crowd has been quite moody. Some teams, like NAVI, get huge support, but others, like Spirit, get booed. How do you, as a host, handle these mood swings from the audience?

I think you just have to play into the crowd, right? There will always be some boos. In Poland, they’ll cheer for a team like NAVI and boo a team like Spirit. Excuse me, I’m a little sick. You always have biased crowds.

In Rio, for example, FURIA had super support. Whoever they played against got booed like crazy. Sometimes I’ll even cheer on the other team and say, "No, no, no, that’s not fair." Some boos are friendly, but others can be dark and aggressive.

You just make it into a bit of a joke to try and make things lighter and if it's a really good cheering crowd and a lot of energy, you try and soak up that energy and give it back to them.

Do you think Spirit deserve the boos they get?

I don't think Spirit deserves the boos. They’re a very good team with great players. But since they’re a Russian team, it’s not going to go over well in Poland. However, they might do great in Kazakhstan.

It depends on where you go. In Rio, for example, FURIA got massive cheers, but NAVI got some respect too, even though they didn’t play well. There was that incident where s1mple tweeted about people swearing at him and flipping him off, but by the end, the crowd still showed him respect. That’s how it should be. Every crowd is different, and it’s always crazy.

We’re now at IEM Katowice. What does the legacy of Katowice mean to you?

Oh, dude, the legacy and history of Katowice is unmatched. Cologne and Katowice have so much history because they’ve been around for so long. Every player dreams of winning one of these trophies. The major is always number one because of the title Valve has given it.

But Katowice and Cologne have their own prestige. Just look at apEX on Vitality. He’s never won Katowice, and he’s still chasing that dream. Now he’s in the grand final with a chance to win it.

You can look back and see who won it 10 years ago—who won in 1.6, in CS:GO, and now in CS2. That history makes it more interesting for fans. That’s why these events always bring out the best in players, the crowd, and the atmosphere.

I understand what it means for the fans, but how has this tournament impacted you personally?

Oh, I feel like I’ve now worked three Katowices. The first time I got to do it, it was like a huge cheer for myself. I finally got the chance to be here. It’s a moment where you can say, "I’ve done it."

I still haven’t reached my goal, though. I want to be the stage host one day, maybe when OJ retires. Not just doing interviews—I want to be on that stage, hyping up the arena. That and Cologne are still goals of mine.

But I love the energy, the passion, and the feel of this event. Some fans have told me, "This is my first ever event, and I chose Katowice." I tell them, "You chose a good one." If you’re picking your first event, Katowice, a major, or Cologne is the way to go. Those are winners. If anyone at home is wondering which event to attend first, I’d tell them to go to one of those.

Which Katowice victory do you remember the most? Do you really enjoy this event?

The one I remember the most was when NAVI won, but there was no crowd because of COVID. It was crazy. I was in the arena, and there were no roars—just staff. It was like me, press, commentators like you, and ESL staff. We were the ones cheering for NAVI. It was so strange because you expect the trophy lift and a huge roar, but instead, there was just clapping. I remember it because it was like nothing I’d ever experienced—more like a studio event.

Do you think the players found it boring without a crowd?

For some players, the crowd helps, but for a team like NAVI, I don't think it matters as much. Once they’re in the server and connected, everything else fades away. But lifting the trophy without a crowd—yeah, that’s a bit more sad.

Which roster in Katowice history do you consider the most legendary?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I think it has to be the fnatic rosters. Even though some players changed, the core remained. They’ve won Katowice the most times. They’re the organization with the most wins here. Players like KRIMZ have been part of that journey and achieved incredible things throughout their careers. So yeah, fnatic is the one.

Let's talk about the British esports scene. It seems to have almost disappeared. What’s going on?

I wish I knew. I’m far from the British scene now. I just know we need players to come together, believe in themselves, and push through, even without an organization. They’ll need to rely on passion and skill to prove themselves. Right now, we don’t have much—just EPIC.LAN. We don’t have any big teams or orgs. Hopefully, someone will step up and change that.

Endpoint recently froze their roster. ITB is gone. Does British esports even have a future in the next few years?

It does, but it’ll have to grow from the ground up. Players might need to play with little or no salary, driven purely by passion. It’s tough because living in the UK is expensive. Many players might have to juggle university or other responsibilities. We just need that next generation of players to come together and make it happen.

Do you think Valve’s new VRS ranking system is a big factor?

The VRS system is one factor, but it’s not the whole reason. The costs, lack of opportunities, and limited sponsor interest also play a role. Sponsors may prefer other regions with better options. It’s tough, man.

Okay, let's talk about your interview career. Who is your favorite player to interview?

Probably Karrigan or Aleksib. They’re both leaders and give great insights. They know how to do interviews and provide a lot to work with. Whenever I interview them, they say things that spark more questions. They’re like masters of interviews themselves.

How do you handle players who are closed off and don’t want to talk?

You just have to respect it. I can ask the questions, but it’s their choice how they respond. Magixx has given me one-word answers many times. ropz has told me "no comment" before. You just have to move on, ask the next question, and try to lighten them up. I have no control over it.

Who gave you the most unexpected or insightful answer?

The most unexpected was Magixx. He once said, "We’re going to get fucking owned," and I was like, "What the hell?" Another time, ropz gave me a "no comment" about his performance, which surprised me because he usually gives great answers. As for the most insightful, probably B1ad3. He’s very analytical and goes into great detail if you ask the right questions. The same goes for chopper from Spirit. They can give a lot of valuable insight, though sometimes that’s tricky for producers because of time constraints.

Do you prefer interviewing coaches like B1ad3 or players like chopper?

Players, if they can give insightful answers, are usually better for the fans. Personally, I’d love to sit and do a long interview with B1ad3, but fans want to see players because they’re the favorites.

You participate in many events. How do you manage overload and burnout?

I’m lucky. I don’t get burned out because my wife is with me at almost every event. She helps me with daily things and makes my life easier. I’m never alone. In the past, when you did back-to-back events alone, you’d try to balance gym, work, and preparation, and there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Sometimes you’d have a 12–13-hour day with multiple best-of-three matches, then try to sleep and do it all over again. It was almost impossible. Now, with her support, I can manage it.

Have you ever felt like you needed a break?

Not really. There’s usually a gap between tournaments. I might do one or two in a row, then go home for a week or two. For example, I’m doing Katowice now, I did BLAST before this, and after that, I’ll have several weeks of rest. That helps a lot.

Let’s talk about the NAVI vs. Spirit matchup. What are your thoughts on this rivalry?

NAVI vs. Spirit matches are always fucking painful for my heart. I want NAVI to win, but Spirit usually do. The group stage match they just played was incredible. It showed a new side of NAVI. Spirit, on the other hand, don’t look as strong here as they did at the Major or BLAST earlier this year. On stage, Spirit tend to perform better. But if NAVI can maintain their current level, I think they can win 2-1 and face Vitality in the grand final. I’ll be praying for NAVI to win, but it’s going to be tough no matter who they face.

How do you evaluate the teams’ current form?

Spirit were the strongest, but they’ve shown they still have problems. Even against Virtus.pro with a stand-in, they struggled on the second map. Train was great, but Ancient was difficult. I’d say NAVI, Spirit, and Vitality are the top three right now. But the gap between teams is much smaller, so anyone could overtake them.

Who do you think will dominate in 2025?

I’d love for NAVI to dominate, but Vitality are looking very strong right now with ropz. If they get more time to gel, having ZywOo, ropz, and flameZ in better positions is scary for other teams. Vitality, NAVI, and Spirit are all at the top right now.