MIBR Counter-Strike: Global Offensive captain Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo's life revolves around more than flicks and headshots. As the years have gone on, the CS:GO two-time world champion has expanded his repertoire into business and politics.
During the Brazil Game Show this week at Expo Center North in São Paolo, the player introduced the Fallen, a holding company that unified its old brands and will house three of its companies. FalleN talked about his entrepreneurial side and social interests in an interview with ESPN Esports Brazil.
"We are trying to structure the projects, plan the next few years, and we are listening to a lot of advice from people close to us," he said. "The decision to join the companies starts from the idea of creating a unit."
Initially, Fallen will have three arms: Fallen Wear and Fallen Store (formerly known as the GA Store), and Fallen Gear (the former GFalleN). The highlight is Wear, which hopes to bring clothing from international organizations to Brazil.
"Teams from outside that want to enter in the Brazilian market, or are already here, know that it is difficult to enter without knowing [the country]," FalleN said. "The whole experience that we've had in recent years, representing Luminosity Gaming and SK Gaming, serves as a mold for these teams.
"We're not building this just for profit. We want to bring opportunity and experience to all fans."
One of the main highlights of Fallen's release is a partnership with PUBG Corp., the company responsible for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. The company closed an agreement with the new store, and Fallen will market the official products of the battle royale title and is working on new hardware, too, like variations of FalleN's previously developed Wolf mouse.
"The fact that PUBG gave us this credibility and believed in our project [is very cool]," FalleN said. "There are more things coming in. We've thought of new products and maybe even a Wolf PUBG version, a mousepad for them. Our mission is to give the opportunity to those who like the game to have things that go back to it, to increase the passion even more."
Trust in Brazil
On the eve of the second round of the presidential election, FalleN was also politically engaged in social networks. Recently, the AWPer has used his space to discuss changes in the Brazilian educational system.
For him, positioning on these issues is important.
"I like to bring these conversations up without pulling anywhere, without speaking to vote for one or another candidate. I do not find that very healthy," he said. "Regardless of the side you are on, everyone knows that some things have to be different."
One of those things, FalleN said, is Brazil's educational system.
"Everyone knows that education is going to change the country. It is the pillar and would solve most of our problems," he said. "We see that it passes government, passes proposal, and teachers continue receiving a bad salary.
"How do we want education to improve if the teacher, who is the main agent of this change, is not valued?"
FalleN sees difficulties ahead for Brazil regardless of whether right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro or Workers Party member Fernando Haddad wins out in the polls, but he still holds hope for a prosperous future.
"We cannot give up Brazil," he said. "I believe a lot in our country. I'm a patriotic guy. We have to believe that a change is possible and not forget that this change starts from ourselves."