How Is VCT Game Changers Combating Gatekeeping?

Time and again women have been told that they do not belong in the gaming and esports ecosystem and have always been treated as outsiders by the industry. According to the 2021 stats by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), in Europe, 47% of video game players are women. But this figure translates very poorly when it comes to the representation of women in esports, understandably so when women gamers get objectified and harassed online for playing competitive online esports titles like Valorant or League of Legends. Most women gamers, including me, have always felt the need to hide our identities online to avoid threats and harassment that are directed toward us on a near daily-basis

Women have proven that they can shine in esports when given the right opportunities. As a result of the lack of a support system, most women do not see esports as a career option. Even the few that manage to break barriers against all odds and emerge as successful esports players are not given their fair share of the limelight.

Sexism in the esports community seems to be deeply rooted and is often a subconscious reaction against women. Gatekeeping and sexism in esports has begun rearing its ugly head once again in 2022. We heard about how influential people in the industry like Motif Esports’ founder Jack “JawsYT.” actively undermined and prevented female players from stepping into the space.

The team had to disband its Valorant women’s team after members shared instances of alleged sexual harassment, racism, and verbal abuse during their time at the organization. And who can forget the mass exodus of Dota 2 and Smash talent in March 2020 after a slew of sexual harassment allegations came to light. Even Riot Games had a culture of sexism that was exposed during this same time-frame.

Former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) pro and Twitch streamer Jason "JasonR" Ruchelski was spotted deliberately avoiding female players, including pros, in his Valorant lobbies by allegedly faking technical difficulties. Incidents like these only serve to further distance women from gaming and esports culture.

However, it looks like change is in the air. Esports organizations are trying to bridge this evident gap by making esports events gender-inclusive and helping women perform without any added pressure or mistreatment. One such event that has evoked positive responses from the women gaming community is Riot Games’ Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Game Changers which has been lauded by many.

AFK Gaming had the opportunity to discuss VCT Game Changers with VLT Asteria’s in-game leader Shreya “ShreyUwU” Prasad and Valorant Caster and Host Daniela "Dryad" Herrera about how VCT Game Changers is actively enabling women to pursue competitive esports.