It's not all about strats and smokes for PARIVISION's mastermind. Coach Dastan "dastan" Akbaev has opened up about his unorthodox approach to man-management, revealing that he deliberately switches between personas to keep the atmosphere light and the team's spirits high.

In a candid interview with OFFSTAGE, the Kazakhstani coach was asked about his previous admission back in June, where he stated he needed to stop treating his players like adults and ease up on the pressure. So, has anything changed?

"It's 50-50 now," Dastan laughed. "Sometimes I still talk to them like they're little lollipops: 'Vanya, hey, how's it going?' It's all about the images, you know? I'm not like that all the time, obviously. But since we're constantly living together, I don't want to be the grey cardinal who's always dead serious. Of course, I joke around with them, I mess with them, and to make the time pass more enjoyably, I use my different characters."

From Hardass to Entertainer

Back on June 11, Akbaev made headlines when he admitted he needed to dial back his intensity. He confessed that he was possibly overdoing it when pointing out mistakes, forgetting that his players simply lack the experience he has.

Now, it seems the 30-year-old tactician has found a middle ground — blending ruthless strategic analysis with locker-room humor to get the best out of his roster.

The EWC Rollercoaster Continues

PARIVISION's journey at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Riyadh has been anything but smooth. The squad stumbled out of the gates with a loss to B8 Esports, but quickly bounced back with a convincing win over 100 Thieves. Next up, however, is a massive test: MOUZ awaits on August 16 in what could define their tournament trajectory.

Can Dastan's "multi-character" approach keep his squad loose enough to pull off the upset? Or will the serious coach need to step back in?