At just 33 years old, Irymarc “Tryke” Gutierrez has spent over a decade shaping the local esports scene. From a player to a pioneering shout caster, he is now the charismatic founder and CEO of Tier One Entertainment, Southeast Asia’s premier gaming and esports entertainment company.
What sets him apart isn’t just his deep love for gaming but his ability to turn a once-dismissed hobby into a thriving, professional industry. His journey from a competitive gamer to a business leader proves that passion, when coupled with vision, can reshape an entire landscape.
A Competitive Drive from the Start
Before esports, Gutierrez was already an athlete. His time as a varsity badminton player instilled in him a structured, goal-oriented mindset that later became his guiding philosophy in business. Gaming, however, became his true passion. What started as a childhood hobby evolved into a competitive pursuit, where he discovered not just entertainment but strategy and camaraderie.
His years in Japan further shaped his perspective. Immersed in a culture that values mastery over mediocrity, he embraced the mindset of perfecting a craft rather than dabbling in everything. This philosophy would later define his leadership style in esports.
Mastering Esports from the Ground Up
Gutierrez didn’t just enter esports—he worked his way through its many facets. As a shoutcaster, he learned how to engage audiences. His background in graphic design gave him insight into branding, while event organizing introduced him to managing large-scale competitions. These experiences gave him a 360-degree view of the industry, ultimately preparing him for something bigger: his own company.
Launching Tier One Entertainment
In 2017, Gutierrez, alongside Brian Lim and Alodia Gosiengfiao, co-founded Tier One Entertainment with a bold vision: turn gaming into a mainstream career. The company supports esports teams and content creators, helping professionalize an industry once dismissed as a mere hobby.
One of his biggest inspirations was Ronald Robins of Mineski Global, who pioneered esports infrastructure in the Philippines. Seeing how cyber cafes helped shape competitive gaming, Gutierrez realized that building a solid support system for esports professionals was the key to long-term success.
Breaking the Stigma of Gaming
In the Philippines, gaming was once seen as a waste of time. “Back then, people thought gaming led nowhere,” Gutierrez recalls. But with the rise of mobile gaming and professional leagues, the perception has changed. Today, gaming is a respected profession, and Tier One Entertainment is at the forefront of developing industry standards and nurturing talent.
Under Gutierrez’s leadership, Tier One has expanded into one of Southeast Asia’s largest esports agencies, managing over 1,200 gaming talents. The company’s esports team, Blacklist International, has made waves globally, proving that Filipino teams can dominate on the world stage.
For Gutierrez, esports is more than just gaming—it’s about character, growth, and professionalism. His commitment to elevating the industry has turned Tier One into a trailblazer, inspiring a new generation to dream big and take gaming seriously. From battling in online arenas to leading a global enterprise, his journey proves that passion, when paired with vision, can truly change an industry.
