Among the fast-growing industries within the realm of eSports, women-only teams have suddenly come to the fore as hard competitors, bursting barriers and thus setting a new mold for what has been regarded as professional gaming. Encouraging pushes from a number of organizations and platforms alike have been seen. Still, it is only now that women-driven teams have started breaking waves in popular leagues, inspiring a new generation of players and fans alike. According to GGBet, betting online on esports is also blooming, with fans placing bets more often on women-led teams.
Rise of Female-Led eSports Teams
In less than a decade, eSports has evolved from unknown gaming tournaments in obscure settings to globally followed high-stakes competitions. The gaming industry has been dominated by males over the years, with very few women-led teams or prominent female players.
Teams like CLG Red and Dignitas Female have blown this section out of the water recently, competing in major tournaments with skills that no one else can match. To so many, these teams represent so much more than just players: they’re a sign of empowerment to others, inspiring them and proving one thing – when it comes right down to it, it will be a skill and not gender that makes or breaks a career in eSports.
Why Women-Led Teams Matter in the eSports World
Women-led eSports teams encourage inclusivity in gaming communities and, as such, narrow the gap between the two genders to allow for more involvement. These women-led teams are sure to drive a point home with regard to the need for diversity within the gaming community by stressing the need for skill and teamwork. They are also important in combating stereotypes against women competing highly with their male counterparts.
Success Stories of Women-Led eSports Teams
Some of these women-led teams have shone super and have won accolades to prove that they belong in the main arena. A few examples of such teams that helped in changing the definition of the industry are as follows:
CLG Red
A professional CS: GO team reputed mainly for being one of the most resilient and skillful teams. Formed as early as 2002, CLG Red counts as one of the oldest all-female eSports teams. So far as their recorded performances go, they have been excellent while at CS: GO games. Even today, overcoming a lot of setbacks, they give high-level competition, thus inspiring new female entrants into the fray.
Dignitas Female
One of the powerhouse teams in the league, there have been record-breaking and prestigious wins within less than a year alone. Outside of gaming, they are very loud about bringing in more women and inclusion in eSports.
Cloud9 White
First-ever all-woman Valorant team to be extremely competitive and always challenge male or mixed teams at the highest level. This Valorant team has held their own in various major tournaments lately, including the recent VALORANT Champions Tour. They were skilled, enjoyed a devoted following, and competed with top-ranked teams in mixed events. It just goes to show that all-women rosters can be formidable competitors in achieving high rankings and prize pools that go against the grain in the industry.
Special Issues-Woman-only eSports Teams Face
Admittedly, with the development of eSports games day by day, women-only eSports teams are on the increase. At the same time, the following are several challenges faced by them, which arguably are unique from mixed-gender or just male-dominated teams, including:
- Gender-based harassment: Female gamers are mostly harassed the instant they come online. As such, many are demoralized in taking the topic seriously and as a professional career pathway. In 2021, there was a survey done by the Anti-Defamation League that revealed that 41% of the women in gaming had been harassed online simply because of their gender.
- Sponsorships and Funding: The stereotype in the industry makes it hard for women-led teams to get funding. Women-led teams receive less sponsorship when compared to male-dominated teams.
- Lack of representation in Major League: Most major eSports leagues consist of males, such disturbance causes them not to let women-led teams get in and be recognized.
Regardless, these team successes are a reminder that this is tough but attainable, with growing and increasing support from various platforms, organizations, and even online betting sites for women gamers. This will set the path for the next generations to follow.