Why I Won't be Playing In Nations Cup

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Edits by / @k1aoe
#Ageofempires2, #AoE2, #Hera

[@HeraAgeofEmpires2]

With all those reasons out, I hope you all will enjoy the event and cheer on your nations. I will be supporting team Canada and cheering them on until the end! Will also be cheering on Argentina so my wife will be happy :D

[@bsn_cs]

Argentina and Canada are in the finals. Who will you support ?

[@HeraAgeofEmpires2]

@@bsn_cs Canagentina

[@Usernameforsf]

Happy wife happy life 11

[@mrskinny8555]

Gotta keep the wife happy 😂 Even if she's goes for the wrong team 😁

[@santiagobusacca6393]

Primero, Hera sos un crack y te bancamos. Y segundo, Francia.

[@gmwdim]

No player should be expected to be participate in any event. Everyone has their own life outside the game.

[@jefferson8055]

Obviously people will expect the best players to participate

[@thebotanicalgardener9401]

@@jefferson8055 But, as @gmwdim said, no player should be expected to. Personal life is personal and looking after yourself is the most important thing. It's a shame people like Hera feel pressured into having to make videos explaining their personal life like this. Respect to Hera

[@mrskinny8555]

I think sometimes people forget "no" is a complete answer. You dont owe people more than that. If they have a problem then its their issue. But its hard if you feel their impacting you name. Most people in regular jobs dont need to provide an explanation for annual leave. You just take the time off. Its not up to you to make it work. I know youre still technically working, but its pretty close to it. This is no different. What you do with your time should be of no concern to anyone. Anyway, since we now know, enjoy your time with your family. I hope you feel recharged and looking forward to RBW 😁

[@The10nthdoctor]

Extremely reasonable - sorry you had to share. Work life balance is so key, stay strong!

[@sacherOSRS]

Respect, you don’t owe anyone every detail of your personal life. Very mature response, your community will always have your back. I hope you have a great time seeing your family!

[@AnubhavB00B5]

Also, fellow watchers, DO NOT BRIGADE THE OTHER CHANNELS OR POSTS. Miscommunication happens, and its that sorta actions forcing Hera to make and post something like this.

[@HeraAgeofEmpires2]

This is so important. We need to break the cycle somewhere. So to all my fans and followers please just enjoy the event and let things be! Lets not harass anyone. We all want the same thing, aoe2 to be the best, healthiest game and scene!

[@MPVC1]

@@HeraAgeofEmpires2please pin that comment. I’m already seeing people going to other channels.

[@matthewc9624]

​@MPVC1 yep people already went to harass memb now. Too late. Should've been mentioned in the video itself to not go and attack memb now for this

[@bengalgamer2043]

@@matthewc9624 its not heras responsibility to control his audience, specially after memb decided that it was okay TO LIKE the hate comments like what go cry somewhere else sad fanboy

[@Grafter83]

Hera being a virtuous person as always. Much respect. Even though im not an expert in communication, i would still have one suggestion: Just say you have personal reason. Most people will understand and you dont owe anyone personal details. I can also understand the disappointment of some folks on you not playing. Team Canadas run in the last Cup was epic and you represent the AoE community like no one else. As many top players now dont participate there is obviously some fear that private sponsors will be more hesitant in the future. But this doesnt mean you owe anyone an appology or even the private reasoning. love and respect

[@SmoughTown]

You've handled this so well brother - sorry to hear you were put in this position. Delighted you are seeing your family and cannot wait to see you in Red Bull!

[@skoe3251]

1st - I didn't know you got married! Congratulations! 2nd - make the decisions you need to make :) I'm sorry you were put in a position where you had to justify why you're not playing a tournament. 3rd- thanks for everything!

[@dtex_zero]

If it wasn't for the mic and headset, i would think this is a hostage video. P.s. ignore the haters bro.

[@HeraAgeofEmpires2]

😂😂😂 another banger from dtex

[@pwelsh6501]

We needs the curtains back

[@Jz4p]

This comment made me laugh a ton.

[@joshuah5655]

There's no shame in making family a priority, especially considering the circumstances you described.

[@crxx9626]

The fact that you have to explain yourself is what is wrong with online society. You and many other great players are what elevate this community. Keep true to you and your family and keep real.

[@diazepamdollyochagi5706]

The selfishness of people making demands to you is baffling. You dont need to justify yourself, and the fact that anyone thinks you do, is mindblowing. Hope you have a great time with your family, they are your biggest Treasure!

[@AnubhavB00B5]

What do you mean you won't play *checks notes* One S Tier tournament (most of which becomes this whole "discussion" about you dominating the scene now)? How dare you leave the basement, streamer? And confirm well in advance about your absence? Back to Saracen mirrors with you!

[@Vert1986]

Hera you’re a grown man. You don’t have to explain yourself to everyone like they are 10 year olds. Screw the haters and do what you want. Good luck next month at Red Bull

[@lsusr265]

When Hera said it was "personal reasons", I clicked away from this video. I do not need to know Hera's personal reasons for not participating in a tournament. (It's unfortunate doing so damages the video retention metrics. Hopefully this comment makes up for it in engagement.)

[@magucho5683]

It's sad that the community pushes you to the need of make this very personal video. AOE community still has a lot to learn. Respect!

[@Lofwyrf]

1.) Nobody - You have your reason, who has to care, its your Business it's your decision. 2.) You are not letting anyone down, especialy not us. 3.) Holiday is an important thing to do if you working self employed.

[@Lofwyrf]

have fun with your fam, even if it is not my buisness.

[@italianlawyer1993]

This is an immensely mature video to put out. Mad respect Hera, you owe us fans nothing, just keep being yourself. And congratulations on managing to organise this trip home! All the best

[@dre.plotkin8491]

Tbh, Hera doesn't have a contract with team Canada or with the host of the tournament, so he can do whatever he wants with his time.

[@miguelangelcosiorangel2617]

Bro is just the last straw that you have to apologize for something you have all the right in the world to keep for yourself. It's so strange people think they have the right to know everything about a person just because this person became famous (and let's be honest, being the best AOE2 player in the world makes you famous). I'm so sorry to hear that things reached this point, and I don't want to make me feel special but in general i am a part of your audience that never ask about personal life and we'll continue supporting you no matter what. Bless you and your family, i hope you have a great trip 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@leo_the_cow]

Don't sweat it Hera! Looking forward to seeing you in Red Bull!

[@sourvad]

I’m sorry people put so much pressure on to you mate, whether it’s personal or petty, it’s your decision and no one should make you feel like you need to participate if yo don’t want to

[@ar1sm70]

Didn't even realize this drama had occurred until I saw this video. Sorry you had to share your personal reasons to calm some people down... Enjoy your family time and good luck at RB :)

[@sjoerdglaser2794]

Bizarre such a mundane and reasonable reason resulted in any drama.

[@GrunkaLunka]

not really. if he hadn't withheld his main reason for not competing there would have been no drama at all. Simply saying "for personal reasons" would have been more than enough. Then the way he throws Memb under the bus as if his stream was a targeted attack.. it's actually rather petty.

[@InturnetHaetMachine]

@@GrunkaLunka If ever there was an olympics for mental gymnastics, you would win gold.

[@bengalgamer2043]

@@InturnetHaetMachine lmaooooooo

[@kenneththys8479]

Try not to lose some sleep over this. There will always be haters. Enjoy the time with your family! Well deserved.

[@mrv6554]

I'm a Canadian and big AoE2 fan/player. Just wanna say that I'm sure that all Canadian AoE2 fans got your back and hope you have a great time with your family. Safe travels!

[@jcgraham39]

You've done as much for the scene as anyone. You don't gotta explain yourself to anyone. Enjoy your family and the boot camp! We'll all be rooting for you in RBW

[@kylethe6248]

Sorry people are giving you crap for this. Go spend time with your family. Thats really important. You seem like a good guy and its been interesting watching you grow over the years.

[@animaniac2618]

sorry you have to put up with this nonsense, hope all goes well.

[@aa01blue38]

Background reveal pog Edit: Completely understandable decision, honestly having regular content from the #1 player in the world is a privilege, some people take it for granted way too much. (From a Canadian AoE fan)

[@xiaonaps3529]

As someone who’s been on visa the majority of my life, I just want to let everyone know that this is A LOT MORE DIFFICULT than you’d imagine if you are from a country that never needs a visa to go anywhere and therefore not familiar with how painful this could get.

[@CoffeeAndBusiness]

Drama in the AOE2 community? Come on people this is ridiculous. Hera, you don’t have to explain yourself man. You are a grown ass man and are free to do whatever you like within bounds of the law. Don’t worry about it.

[@agustinfranco0]

Anyone calling you names and stuff clearly has no idea who you are, like, even at a fan level of "knowing you", you may need a little t HERA py here and there when you get lamed but you are great guy, no need to expose your personal life if you dont want to, and fuck whoever is lying about your reasons. you are great guy, this community is lucky to have you, hope you have a great time with your family.

[@mathdantastav2496]

At the end of the day, no one is in the wrong here (except from the host's response video), the tournament hosts do not have to change the rules for hera if they don't want to (and i dont think they should), and hera doesn't have to play any tournament if he doesn't want to for whatever reason he choses to

[@paradox_303]

The lack of moderation on the KZbin comments especially about the former aM players is really a bit sad. Your choice not to play and completely fair.

[@CptSquirrel]

There is this underlying contempt for former aM players in some fans that is really disturbing.

[@iyziejane]

2 years is a long time to wait for a visa, I hope that situation gets better. Maybe something good will come from being forced to talk about it, you deserve some help and support for having to go through that.

[@jakoboka]

Thanks for the honesty man. A lot of people have the brain of a peanut and can't imagine that the great Hera might have a private life as well.

[@JonattanD]

People really like to start drama over nothing :/

[@ntamsma]

My family is spread around the world and im alone in the middle of the Pacific. I feel this. I have a high stress career and some people always act like they are more important than you but you have to take care of yourself

[@PinkAndOrangeAndGold]

Very clear and reasonable video, and whatever your reasons are... that shouldn't have mattered. If you were clear to not compete in an event, that was really nice to let them know in advance and when you had to like not be there for a personal reason, that should've said enough You are way too good and kind to let anybody or anything judge you. However you pick up the pieces and are a better person for it, do not become burned out or bummed out of this game please :)

[@madtree933]

Personally I am not gonna watch Nations Cup now. It was such a dick move for a TO to make a video essentially "bullying" a player for a choice they made.

[@jacobwood3326]

Am I bummed I won’t get to watch you play for Canada? Totally. Do I support you doing whatever you need to do? Absolutely, and that’s more important! Edit after watching - totally makes sense to me.

[@paulbuksmann5901]

Even if there wasn't a time overlap issue I can see reasons for pro players not to be too bothered with this tournament anyways. While it is S tier and has a big prize pool attached to it that prize pool must be split between the players in a team. Getting first place split 6 ways for the team is only 2k. I can understand players wanting to prioritise training for other tournaments or streaming rather than dedicating so much time for this prize split at the very top.

[@jong3203]

Very unprofessional of the admins to do this

[@claytonknowles25]

Not necessarily, rules are rules, and like Hera said, it was completely fine. The bad part was making assumptions about him

[@onlyhcfreak]

No need to give private reasons tbh. Next time let the shit storm pass and do what feels right for you

[@gebhard128]

I hope in the future u never feel forced to reveal private information again, time passes and u wont be recognized for missing out one tournamet. U have to focus on your own liabilities first, when others get upset about it so be it

[@DrJacobsMD]

Sorry you had to make this video, man. Love your content! Keep the mental health up however you need to, brother!

[@hkhamzahk]

Take care of yourself and your family. Especially with everything that is going on it is important to spend time with family ❤

[@bigboybaz2586]

Even when viper couldn't compete cause of the baby, he had to keep explaining to people for weeks. Even if it was just cause you didnt want to, not competing is fine. Without justification. As long as you say youre going to sit out before you do, who can complain??

[@ThomasScott-ie5nw]

Family 1st man, good on you

[@Ginasta02]

Hey Hera, we are all here for you. We all can feel the love you have for the game and are thankful for how much you added to it. Just ignore the haters, they are not worthy of your time

[@russelldegraaf4272]

So sorry it came to this. Thanks for your vulnerability. Glad to hear your wife can finally visit Canada and your family! As a fellow Canadian it will of course be sad to not see you on the team, but it sounds like you're making a wise decision. Hope the drama blows over and GO CANADA!!

[@gherlwinfireson8582]

We’ll be cheering for you! Safe travels and have a nice family time. Peace

[@Deathmoans]

I hate that you feel the need to justify yourself. You owe nobody anything. Your life your choice. You do plenty more than enough

[@AndrewH-f2g]

Hera, you are - hands down - the hardest working person in this community. You clearly care about the community. Anyone insinuating you don't is misguided or facetious. One thing, though: I think you made a mistake in how you initially communicated this. Watching your stream, it very much sounded like you were only sitting out the event due to streaming concerns. I think this conflict could have been largely avoided if you had just said "personal reasons" or "schedule conflict" or something to that end. Also, on an entirely unrelated note (Disclaimer, I'm not trying to change your mind about this event, I just mean this for future reference): could you just cast the game you sit out with a delay? It would make things a bit less interactive, but i would still eagerly watch, and you wouldnt have to restart the stream Keep doing what you do, and enjoy your time with family. Rooting for you in RBW

[@Purlictor]

Hera doesn't owe us anything. He can choose not to share these reasons. That should be enough. I can't imagine not seeing family for over 2 years. What I however don't quite understand is he's saying he was planning on streaming during that period of time, and would (maybe) play in the cup IF he could stream (3:24 - 3:37). This would lead me to conclude that, because he's going to lose out on the revenue of 3 days of streaming (assuming Canada would get to the finals) he's not participating?

[@Sarge80]

Dude your reasons are your own, the only cry babies are the ones shouting for explanations. Real Life comes first.

[@npecher]

I understand you have to balance your public persona with your private self and that it must be hard to keep the two separate. It sucks that a bunch of nosy idiots have made you feel like you had to explain yourself. It’s not for any of us to judge.

[@yohanbeck8172]

Fully understandable and respectable, enjoy family time! This was well articulated and I think any fan of yours will find this video quite quite reasonable. Regards from Finland! :)

[@ninokamps4407]

MembTVn isb't that the guy who was begging for more support and who suddenly increased "tournament expenses" from 5k to 10k once he reached the first millestone ? Sure Hera, The Viper or T90 are gaining way more money. Guess what ? They are way more likeable. Of course, they are personas, acting better that they trully are. So does Memb. And it's not glororius.

[@Juanjolead]

What is the point of this comment? Do you want to start a trashing war now? You are part of the problem being this toxic.

[@deimos1246]

Salam aleikum brother. Family comes first. Enjoy your time with them, and don't worry about the rumours

[@jorsonroctel5768]

Man, sorry that people made you feel bad. You are one of if not the most consistent streamer and tournament player in the scene, even if you just didn't want to do a tournament for no real reason that should and to me would be perfectly reasonable. Hope your trip is awesome and keep up the great work homie

[@SeahawkMoments]

You my guy Hera. Keep doing you. Anyone who disagrees with that is not your ally.

[@creampuffwar1977]

Dude. Nothing to feel bad about here. Family means more than anything. Enjoy being with them and I know we all support you doing that ❤

[@marianosimoniglesias]

It's so sad that you have to make a video about this. Let us know if we, as viewers, can do something to help. Good luck visiting your family !!!

[@QuiteAnnoyinglySaid]

Good luck with red bull! The loudest voices tend to be the most hateful. I hope you have found they are not by any means a majority.

[@Tierny_Storm]

I appreciate you coming out and listing your reasons why you won't participate, and correction people's assumptions which I believe damage the community as a whole. I went to Memb's stream to see what was said and defend you, as I was ready to even boycott the event based on your representation of the situation. My perspective of Memb's commentary was changed after watching his video. Unless I am mistaken, he read aloud what you had posted publicly as that was his only reference. I understand wanting to keep your private life private, but based solely on the words you used, I can't blame Memb for his take on the situation. It seems that this whole thing could be avoided by using language such as "I want to participate in the tournament, but family obligations make it too difficult for me to be involved the way it is set up. If XYZ changed I could participate, but as things stand, it doesn't work for me." opposed to "this situation is terrible". You don't have to give details to convey a situation and clear communication helps a lot of these situations. Aware that I'm a rando on the internet, hopefully this is helpful perspective.

[@MrTanay007]

You're awesome and very mature for sharing what you did. Much love and respect! Good luck at Red Bull, will be rooting for you as always.

[@DJCJ3TheStrategos]

Sorry to hear you had to explain yourself to every community member about your private life. I hope you have fun with your wife in Canada with your family! Take the all the time you need and good luck in Red Bull! :)

[@HeraAgeofEmpires2]

Thank you :)

[@onlyhcfreak]

You do you Hera. No worries about the others 🙏

[@JohnnyDea69420]

A month ago I found out you were living here in Puerto Madero. I felt so proud to have you living here in the country. The ones who speak ill of you clearly don't know you. Enjoy your time with your family, we'll wait to see you in Red Bull (probably with a fernet)

[@mattcope9555]

Family comes first! Sorry that so many think you owe them an explanation. you're doing the right thing and I'm sure the real fans will always support you. enjoy the vacay brother

[@TuoDev]

I will likely get some haters for this, but I see both sides of the story (and have watched both sides as well). If you do not give the full reasons, that does make the other side jump to conclusions (and taken just as they were, it did seem rather petty). That is nature: we naturally assume that what we have been told is the entire thing. Did people take it too far? Yeah. Can I blame them in today's day and age? Still yeah... but this is the world we live in. I think one of the best things you mentioned was how this is your income stream, so of course you would try to make it work; I think if more people thought from that perspective, some of the issues would have been mitigated. I personally am glad to hear your side as you are one of my favorite players. As someone else who married a foreigner (in my case USA rather than Canada), I know all about visa issues, so I am glad you finally got all of that sorted out! Best wishes to you and your family (and good luck if you ever have a kid as getting visas for others to come see the kids is even harder!).

[@TheGuthmiester]

As others have said, I’m sorry this happened and you shouldn’t need to defend your personal life and private decisions. We’ll continue to support you and look forward to your content. You are a kind, thoughtful person and you deserve the success that you’ve achieved as well as simple good times with your family and friends.

[@archilzhvania6242]

You don't have to explain anything. If you don't want to play, you don't play and it's nobody else's business but yours.

[@kevinlecavalier9720]

Luv from MTL, happy ur with family after long time!

[@watcherofthehollow5223]

Have a good time with your family! Thats extremely understandable and hope all the haters go away. Respect for how your handling this, keep up the awesome content

[@imsmeagol911]

Canada loves you, Hera. PS hope you organize some sort of fan meetup while youre in Montreal :) i think you might be surprised by the love

[@Descrypto]

Mate, only you know what your priorities are. You’re not being disrespectful to anyone, so do what’s right for you!

[@drleopoldopires]

Even before seeing past 1 minute of video: No need to explain. Everyone has its own reasons! Cheer and be safe man

[@fedakyn1583]

Man your too good for this nonsense. Always rooting for you, and wishing you great family time. Always the right call.

[@adrianhales4198]

Thank goodness the nations cup will be leech free 😂 - love you bro ❤

[@daynedehaven3527]

Much Love Hera! Family first, always! Love your content and all that you do to teach us lower elo guys how to play better. I am sorry you were forced to explain yourself like this, but thank you for always being up front and honest in your content and everything that you share with the world!

[@AlejandroRodriguez-mu7qb]

Although you didn't have to tell everything, thank you for letting us know and it's completely UNDERSTANDABLE putting off this competence, because you deciding to prioritase your FAMILY and your WIFE is the best. You have the right to have your private life outside of AOE2

[@herotalib9556]

Family First. No need for explanantions. GL!

[@sloppsmcfloppy]

Love you Hera. Take care of you my man. You are doing more than enough for the aoe community and everyone knows it. They will realize eventually that they should have made it more accessible to you pros that were literally asking for the same things instead of complaining they didn't get everyone they wanted. You guys simply just couldn't make it work for you and that's it

[@lolaldanee2743]

Huh, I saw that video from Memb, and I did think absolutely nothing of it. Very sad to hear that some overzealous people are borderline harassing you for something as silly as this. I hope this doesn't hurt your relationship with memb too much, would be really sad to see more unessesary drama there. Enjoy your time at home, and don't stream too much, even though it might feel like you have too. But in my experience streamers often greatly overestimate how much slowing down a bit hurts their channels. We all want to see a refreshed Hera who is enjoying what he is doing, not somebody grinding to survive!🤑

[@Taydris0]

please, enjoy your time with your wife and family

[@Dawoud_Shirin]

Bro take the time you need to be with your family. Fans who support you will understand.

[@RonnySnellman]

Family allways goes before work, go get them champ, no quarter given.

[@bensonrabe6728]

Have a good trip hera! Sorry you got put on the spot. Maybe i missed it, would u be casting the event?

[@AOE2Minis]

I think we should all just donate to Hera so he can take the week off and enjoy time with his family

[@Whomovedmycheese286]

Bro why are you explaining yourself? A lion does not care for opinion of a sheep. Ignore them

[@randomlegend631]

Fuck all the haters! People are way too overreacting to you not doing the tourney

[@fredrickserp5899]

Bro you’re a rock! All honestly Microsoft should have been able to move the timing for their #1 player and world record holder.

[@NapKingCole84]

You shouldn't have to justify your reasons to anyone. Especially to see your family. Sorry for the drama.

[@chizz0l2]

Understandable, have a great day.

[@pwelsh6501]

Family over everything

[@micahweaver4236]

Hey great video and humble response. Sorry it had to come to this, perfectly acceptable and healthy to keep your private life outside of the AoE scene. Will miss you in the event but enjoy time with the family.

[@sp4tz339]

Humans being Humans once again, judging but dont know shit. Sorry you have to go through this, much love from Germany.