The Emergence of Women in Esports

Esports, a realm traditionally dominated by men, is witnessing a significant shift as more women are stepping into the spotlight. The history of women in esports is a testament to their resilience and determination to break through the glass ceiling.

From pioneers like Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn, one of the top female esports earners, to the all-female team of Cloud9 White, women have been making their mark in the industry.

However, the journey has not been without its challenges. Women in esports often face hurdles such as gender discrimination, lower earning capacity, and harassment. Despite these obstacles, their passion for gaming and competitive spirit has led to remarkable progress in the industry.

The Challenges Faced by Women in Esports

One of the significant challenges women face in esports is gender discrimination. Many female gamers are subject to bias, leading to gender inequality in esports.

For instance, Marieke 'Miss Marie' Denise, a Rainbow Six Siege esports pro, has spoken about the need for women’s esports to be taken more seriously. She highlighted the assumptions made when teams find out they are playing against a women’s team, often leading to a lack of effort from the opposing side.

Another issue is the significant pay gap between male and female esports players. According to Esportsearnings.com, there are no female players in the top 300 all-time earners. The top female esports earner, Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn, ranks 378th worldwide.

This disparity extends beyond prize winnings, with few women in salaried player positions and only three of the top 100 paid creators on Twitch being female.

Harassment, toxicity, and abuse are also widespread in the esports industry, with women often being the target. These issues highlight the need for a safer and more inclusive environment in esports.

The Faces of Female eSports

The world of eSports, traditionally dominated by men, is witnessing a rise in female representation. Women are not only participating in games but also making their mark in the industry. Here are some of the most popular women in eSports, their accomplishments, and some of their inspiring quotes.

• Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn - Known as the "Queen of Blades," Sasha Hostyn is the first woman to win a major Starcraft II tournament. She was named the highest-earning female competitive video game player by the Guinness Book of Records in 2016, with over $362,000 in prize money. Sasha, a transgender woman, has never made gender a topic of discussion in her career, proving it was never needed. She continues to be an active presence in the Starcraft II scene, playing for Shopify Rebellion.
• Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere - Eefje Depoortere, better known as Sjokz, is a recognizable voice in eSports, hosting the League of Legends World Championship and the LEC. She has been recognized by The Game Awards and the Esports Awards as Best Esports Host for four years in a row since 2017. Sjokz has brought eSports hosting to a new level, backed by broadcast experience, game knowledge, and showmanship. She once said, "I managed to combine my love for gaming and journalism by becoming a freelance eSports journalist."
• Tricia “megumixbear” Sugita - Tricia Sugita, former FlyQuest CEO and current Cloud9 COO, started as an eSports host and personality for IGN. She has held various positions in the industry, including Director of Esports for streaming platform Azubu and Head of Partnership for Immortals. Under her direction, FlyQuest became active in promoting environmental initiatives and was one of the first eSports organizations to publicly support the Black Lives Matter movement.
• Maria “Remilia” Creveling - Maria Creveling, known as Remilia, was a former League of Legends pro player and streamer. She was credited as both the first woman and the first transgender to play in the NALCS schedule. Despite being a victim of sexual harassment, she thanked the fans that stood by her, saying, "When I lose confidence in myself, they believe in me and it makes me cry. Thank you guys."
• Jorien “Sheever” van der Heijden - Jorien van der Heijden, known as Sheever, is a Dota 2 host and personality who has appeared in countless Dota 2 tournaments throughout the years. She started her casting career in 2012 and continued to attend tournaments and events even after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. Sheever announced that she has won the battle and is now free from cancer, proving her resilience and dedication to the eSports industry.

These women are not just players; they are trailblazers, breaking barriers and inspiring others to follow their passion, regardless of their gender. They are the faces of female eSports, proving that gaming truly knows no gender.

Women in Esports and Online Betting

The rise of women in esports has also influenced the online betting industry, even the very best top 10 online casino sites. As more women participate in esports, the betting market is expanding to accommodate this change.

In this context, online gambling acts as the great equalizer, allowing women to take advantage of the interest in esports betting.

However, it's crucial to ensure that betting practices remain fair and responsible, considering the potential risks associated with gambling.

The Future Trends: Empowering Women in Esports

Despite the challenges, there are several initiatives aimed at empowering women in esports. Formula One, for instance, has introduced an F1 Esports Series Women’s Wildcard to encourage a more equal gender balance in the competition. Riot Games launched its VCT Game Changers programme exclusively for female players, aiming to create safe opportunities for women to compete without fear of gender-based harassment and toxicity.

Moreover, there is a growing call for gaming organizations to provide female players with the same level of support and resources as their male counterparts. Melanie Capone of Cloud9 White believes that if one team succeeds with the right support, it can pave the way for many more.

Conclusion

The future of women in esports looks promising, with more women breaking barriers and making their mark in the industry. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving gender equality.

It's crucial for the esports community to continue working towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all players. With the right support and resources, there is no doubt that women will continue to shape the future of esports.