Esports players often tire of constant comparisons to traditional sports, but the popular world of competitive gaming is a model for sports that have been around for a long time.
Although the gaming industry as a whole is still dominated by men, many organizations are launching initiatives in hopes of creating a more diverse gaming environment.
One example is the Valorant Game Changers program, which aims to provide a platform for young men and women to compete against each other and grow as professional players.
Valorant is a first-person shooter game developed by Riot Games, known for League of Legends, which has approximately 12 million monthly active players.
The Game Changers Series goes hand in hand with major competitions and aims to nurture young talent in a safe and non-threatening environment. Vera Wienken, senior brand manager at Riot Games, was very involved in the launch of the project, and said it was a success.
“It’s important to us to show the truth about the sports community among professional athletes, coaches and administrators,” he told CNN Sports.
“That’s why we started Game Changers, we really want to make a difference in sports in the future.”
“You Don’t Sing For The World”
Representation is key to attracting and retaining female participants in Valorant and esports, Wienken said.
Valorant is still a new game, and Wienken believes its setting and storytelling will appeal to a more diverse audience.
For example, Wienken said, the playable characters will never have the same gender stereotypes, which makes the game easier. When asked why there were fewer women in the industry than men, he said there were “no role models”.
“What we want, and what has happened, is for these experts to be role models for others and to share their journeys and stories so that women can understand and find their own entry.”
EMEA Valorant presenter Ince Collins is one of many people who have experienced online abuse while working in the sport, but says he is not ashamed of being ignored.
A journalist who has worked in traditional sports media said that “Valorant” will help people in the industry to understand the discrimination against marginalized groups.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game catch and invest in women this quickly,” she told CNN Sports.
“What Riot says is ‘putting women’s teams first.’ “We don’t have to wait three or four years to organize a big tournament. We did it from the beginning.
“I think when you look at Riot’s dedication and investment, it’s clear that Riot’s priority is diversity.
“And you don’t have to sing to the world, you do it by your own actions.”
What is progress? Although Collins has received negative comments on social media, she has also seen people consider her past actions.
She said she sometimes gets messages from men who want to apologize for something they said online or for their past behavior. “I hope in a few years, maybe 10 years from now, we won’t be talking about the appointment because that’s the way it is,” Collins said. Wienken said Game Changers has had a huge impact on the number of girls playing and watching games, and hopes to see more from the program and the launch of Game Changers Academy this year. year.
This new community format aims to be a stepping stone for young women who want to become professional athletes.
Wienken hopes that with the creation of these new portals for women, there will be no need for women’s programs like hers in the future.
“I hope we stop focusing on gender when it comes to professional players, and maybe we don’t need a game changer in the future because diversity in esports is what it means,” he said. he added. For Collins, progress is based on how the media and society portray women in sports. She knows it will take time, but she looks forward to the day when women in the industry don’t have to talk about their gender.
“Every time we announce a list of great players or we talk about game changers, I want to talk about how amazing the game is, how amazing these players are, what the stories are. crazy they have, like when we talk about men’s sports, we do,” he said.
“If we get to the point where women in sports and female talent are not talked about because of their gender, but because they are very good at what they do, I will be very happy.”
