Storytelling and Sports: Narratives & Microtransactions in Gaming & Esports

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This week on The Esports Edition, Mohawk College Esports Administration Coordinator Andrew Fedurko is joined by Taylor Crook and Harrison Myers for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges fantasy storytelling, esports content, and the evolution of sports video games.

Taylor Crook is a fantasy novelist and member of the Mohawk Student Association. His published work Path of the Eternal Sun and his current project Ashes of the Ascended on Substack reflect his deep world-building style and indie publishing approach. We talk with Taylor about how narrative shapes competitive gaming, the importance of storytelling in esports education, and how streamers, casters, and organizers all use story to connect with fans and build community.

Harrison Myers, Mohawk Esports student and returning guest, joins to talk about sports games past and present. We dig into the golden age of single-player franchise modes, compare that to today’s online-focused, microtransaction-heavy systems, and run through the big titles like NBA 2K, NHL, Madden, FIFA/FC, and MLB The Show.

Topics include:

• The overlap between traditional storytelling and esports branding
• The shift from story-driven franchise modes to monetized multiplayer systems
• Why microtransactions and player packs dominate the modern model
• What’s been lost, what still works, and what we want to see return
• Harrison’s preview of the REMATCH beta, and why he’s excited for it next week

Follow Taylor’s work:

• Substack: Ashes of the Ascended
• Instagram: @taylorcrookwrites

Whether you’re into fantasy fiction, esports content creation, or grew up managing a franchise in NHL 2004, this episode blends story, sports, and strategy with a human lens.