WE ARE ESPORTS
One person does not own an industry. One person does not speak for a community. One white man from the United Kingdom does not represent the entirety of a global phenomenon that continues to grow exponentially. A phenomenon that, in technicality, started before he was born with an in-person competition in 1972 at Stanford University revolving around the PDP-1 minicomputer multiplayer game Spacewar (History of Esports, CDW.com). One cannot simply state “I am esports” when even the term “esports” was coined by Park Jie-Won in 2000 while serving as the South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (History of Esports, CDW.com).
“But why does it matter that he’s a white man?”
Because, as the world has progressed, history is full of stories of racism, sexism, xenophobia and prejudice. Men have been seen as “the superior sex” due to their denigration of others, and even more so by white men over people of color. Recorded history can recount the colonization of indigenous peoples and slavery of others, but I won’t get into that here.
Consider again the comment “I am esports” in relation to the Korean culture where the word was coined. It was during that same time in 2000 that the Korea e-Sports Association was founded as a way to legitimize the events as official sports and to solidify the commercial aspects as well. The KeSP was also a part of the International Esports Federation when it was founded in fall of 2008 as one of the nine countries being represented. With the amount of global titles and professional players the country boasts, it seems as though they would have a better claim to the “I am esports” comment.
The fact that this entire situation happened because of some outrage over an all-women’s league for Counter-Strike: Global only provides further proof that the statement is unfounded. If you are so seemingly against a league that gives women an official place to grow and learn as competitors, then you cannot claim to be esports. Women have become an increasingly large part of esports as talent, journalists, observers, players, analysts, developers, and so much more. Many of these women have come to their positions even after being subjected to harassment and toxicity just because of their gender. Women are esports.
Playing video games is not a gender-specific hobby. Neither are sports, watching sports, or watching esports. Just because for the longest time it was mostly men doesn’t mean that women haven’t enjoyed them too. However, it is that same toxicity and harassment that has been a reason that women don’t often make it known in-game. Since I started playing first-person shooter and team-based games, I was lucky to have guys I played with that kept me free from toxicity. However, as I started watching more professional gaming and streams, I wanted to increase my skills and work on shot-calling. Between that and solo-queuing was when I really started encountering the sexist comments and toxicity.
Somehow it seems that women taking a stand against these behaviors is such a threatening prospect. Sometimes I would just like to play a game without hearing the inane comment that I should go back to the kitchen (which, honestly, haven’t we outgrown that?). Sometimes I just want to make callouts as to where enemies are in order to help my teammates without being told to shut up. I’ve had games where I’ve made callouts and tried working strategies only to have guys tell me to be quiet and not listen, and then “blame the girl” for the loss. I could be top frag in a game clutching every round and it would still be my fault when we lose one.
That is not the type of environment that is conducive to growth and improvement. I’ve watched female streamers playing ranked matches in the top tiers deal with sarcastic and sexist remarks. Geguri, prior to being the only woman playing in the Overwatch League, was constantly accused of cheating or using aim-assist because she was a girl who was good at the game. These accusations happened until she did a stream in a monitored facility showing it was actually her playing. These are just some of the reasons why having women-only leagues and tournaments are helpful.
However, the statement that we shouldn’t need these events is true to some extent. We wish that these types of events were not needed, yet we know that they will be beneficial. While some men may still hold onto that “video games are for guys” or “women aren’t good at video games” mentality, these events will give women and other marginalized genders the opportunities to learn and improve. As intended with the VALORANT Game Changers events, Riot is working to integrate these events in with their VALORANT Champions Tour to give even more exposure to the players in all regions of the world (Read more HERE).
The thing is, I don’t recall hearing such outrage when Riot Games announced their Game Changers program for both players and broadcast talent. Could it be because it is a newer game that already has a large fan base of underrepresented genders than CS:GO? Perhaps it is merely because there is less toxicity in the newer community than the long-standing one. Seeing such negative comments coming from talent and award-winning journalists in the community, especially comments that come from a place of ignorance, can only bring in more toxicity.
Instead of trying to demean the work being done, do your best to support new players and initiatives. Since the gaming industry has been male-dominated for so long, why does a female league seem so scary to men? It’s a great way to welcome in new players and fans. To welcome those who seek to help the leagues and games grow.
Above all, know that no one person makes up esports. There is no room for gatekeeping as we seek to improve and grow this industry that we love. I have met some of the most amazing and talented people through esports. Going to games at the Blizzard Arena for the Overwatch League led me to see how diverse and welcoming the esports community can be. We should always strive to make a welcoming community because esports is more than just one person.
Esports is China celebrating the win of EDward Gaming over DAMWON Kia in the 2021 League of Legends World Championship. Esports is Latin and South America cheering on KRÜ Esports during the 2021 VALORANT Champions Tour. Esports is an all-female league intent on growing more talent. Esports is fans cheering on their favorite players or teams. Esports is making friends with other fans on the other side of the world. Esports is global and genderless.
WE are esports.
