Women in eSports

There is no denying the fact that esports is gaining momentum in Germany. More and more players are taking part in various competitions. But why are there almost only boys and young men among them? This question was asked by the Deutsche Telekom initiative, which advocates for greater diversity in the very vibrant world of esports. Together with two partners, Telekom launched an initiative called Equal eSports to help women and non-binary players.

Regularly about half of the game

If you look at German households, you will see that about half of the population plays video games or computer games in one form or another. About half of them are women. You might think that these games actually serve the population more or less equally. But the more competitive games become, the less women or non-binary people are represented in the competition. However, Telekom not only wants to be active at the highest level, results-oriented - activities in popular e-sports also need to be more open.

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Role models are in demand

For women to feel comfortable and recognized in eSports, one thing is first and foremost necessary. Role models should show potential gamers that esports isn't just for men. The community is currently doing too little to take diversity and inclusion of non-binary people seriously. At the same time, the days when boys played football and girls played Barbie dolls are gone forever. If you look at the women's football stadiums, you will see more and more people there.

To improve the diversity and engagement in esports, Telekom has brought in top-notch partners to collaborate. Oberhausen-based eSports organization SK Gaming helps offer young women a platform on which they can feel comfortable in eSports. For example, SK Gaming has a new women's team that participates in League of Legends. The participating players are not just on their own. You will receive professional support that will quickly take you to a high international level. Of course, SK Gaming has the necessary experience for this.

To face the doubters directly

Telekom's second partner in the Equal eSports project is the Esports Players Fund. This foundation is dedicated to promoting young talent in esports appropriately. After all, esports today no longer has anything to do with just sitting in front of a computer or console for hours and playing to the point of exhaustion. Getting the right education, focusing on school, and eating well are also essential ingredients if anyone wants to be successful in esports.

When girls or young women are interested in esports, they often face doubts and people who don't take them seriously. Too often, these are male players who want to protect themselves from female rivalry with inappropriate innuendo or even verbal abuse. But these guys shouldn't be offered a site. In Equal eSports, girls learn to react in such situations.

There is still a long way to go

It may be some time before women reach the same level of esports as men. If you look at the prize money rankings for women, you can see that there are even deeper areas than for men. Anyone who has reached the proud five-figure US dollar or euro amount is already very far ahead. While over a hundred players have surpassed the millionth male mark, women are still far behind.

One of the best players of all time is Sasha Hostin, who was called Scarlett in StarCraft II. In the end, the prize pool has already exceeded $ 300,000. Hosting has been in business for over a decade and is considered one of the role models for young women committed to esports. Katherine Gunn, known on stage under the pseudonym Mystic, has been there even longer. Her favorite games are Dead or Alive 4 and Halo: Reach. Swede Zainab Turki (zAAz) has been on stage even longer than Hostin and Gann. She has been involved in esports for almost 20 years, mostly when Counter Strike is about to rule the world.

Full concentration - but not only

In esports, of course, it's very important to focus on your goals in the game. But don't forget for the rest of your life. There are good reasons Equal eSports is also focusing on aspects such as nutrition and schooling. After all, esports athletes are like athletes in the wild. Such a career is not as long as a “regular” professional life. And the one who one day has to give up the controller, of course, does not want to face the great void in life.

There is widespread support, so young women in esports don't need to quickly humbly realize that they might not be making a really great career. Strong women in the business sector also help young women to be heard more. Like some famous players, you are part of the newly formed Equal eSports Council. Famous players of the German esports scene such as Melli or Miss Rage offer players and those who want to become a lot of support so that they do not have to feel alone.