Barriers are dismantled and opportunities are more accessible for women in the VALORANT esports scene in the Philippines.
Once dominated by men, the VALORANT esports scene in the Philippines is transforming significantly. There has been a remarkable surge in the influence of women in the competitive gaming sphere.
Riot Games showed clear support for women in the competitive scene through the annual VCT Game Changers. They are doing much more than that. One collaboration that gave a huge opportunity to aspiring Filipina pro players to show their talents is the tournament “Girls Got Game”.
The said tournament was made possible through the collaboration with Gamer Girls Philippines, a community-driven organization that creates a safe space for all women who like gaming.
They recently raised 57,429PHP for Second Chance Aspin Shelter Philippines Inc. in their fundraising event called “Quest to Wonderland: Save the Strays | A Gamer Girls Philippines - Women's Month Celebration Charity Fundraiser Event”. In three years, GGP has raised over 150,000PHP for various charities.
Girls Got Game PH, a non-profit organization which aims to empower young Filipino girls through sports, is the beneficiary of the Girls Got Game tournament. Riot Games also did a workshop and introduced these young girls to gaming and esports.
GosuGamers did a quick interview with Courtney Sayson, one of the founders of Gamer Girls Philippines.
(Courtney “Courbs” Sayson, GGP Co-founder)
How did you land the opportunity to collaborate with Riot? What are the challenges you faced?
We never expected it. We did a Valorant tournament by ourselves during our first year and it was one of the most stressful and hardest things we have done. We vowed never to do it again. We just didn’t have the manpower, funds, and time to handle a tournament. But a few days later, one day, we received an email from RIOT Games themselves! They were looking to partner with our community for their upcoming tournament. Of course, we had to say yes because we know how much our community loves Valorant. It’s one of the most, if not, the most popular game within our community.
As a woman leader, how do you navigate challenges and opportunities related to gender diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry?
As a woman leader, Believe in yourself and your abilities. Do not be afraid to pursue opportunities even if they seem challenging or unconventional. Gaming does not require any gender - we are all equal here. Be confident in a way that you let them know you know what you are talking about. More often than not, that is one of the few ways to make them respect you. Be persistent in overcoming obstacles and advocating for your goals.
What advice do you have for aspiring women professionals looking to break into the gaming industry to inspire inclusion and drive positive change?
Just do it. Whatever you want to pursue, try and do it. If you failed the first time, try again. Try and fail as long as you can still afford to. Be the positive change that you want to see in this gaming industry. Because at the end of the day, change comes from within.
How do you think all-girls tournaments help empower women in the esports scene?
I watched esports tournaments growing up but back then, there were no all-girls tournaments, and honestly, it made me feel like I didn't really belong as a gamer due to the lack of representation. I had to quit gaming for a time due to gender expectations. Being a child, when I first started watching tournaments, it influenced me a lot, and I thought that women didn't play video games at all. I think all-girls tournaments are particularly helpful in empowering women in the esports scene as they provide representation for women of all ages and foster a sense of belonging in the gaming world. (Answered by GGP’s Moderator, Rika)
Yamyam Yui, Team Secret’s Philippines Country Manager and VALORANT General Manager, also shared her thoughts about being a woman leader in the esports scene.
“In my personal opinion, if you are too weak, sensitive, or dramatic, this is not for you. And if you don't know how to adjust and listen, this job is not for you. I know most of us have our reasons and interests to join esports, whether it's passion, love, fame, or even just for fun. Always remember that there are no easy jobs in any industry. Do what you love, enjoy what you are doing and what makes you happy. There will always be criticism. Stay true to yourself, be strong, and you will be able to overcome anything,” she told GosuGamers.
In recent years, the VALORANT esports scene in the Philippines has witnessed a surge in female participation, as talented players step into the spotlight and defy outdated stereotypes.
An unofficial statistic report shows that 30-40% of VALORANT players are women. This is deemed to be true as we see a lot of content creators and streamers are women. A group of friends who casually play the game usually have a couple of female friends who are part of their clique. This might not be true for other competitive games dominated by men.
Despite some cases of sexism and toxicity, VALORANT has created an inclusive space for women to hone their skills and take them to the next level. Women creating a welcoming community for other women is also a huge contribution to making this safe space possible.
Riot Games has also played a pivotal role, championing inclusivity and providing platforms for women to thrive in the esports scene. Riot Games has demonstrated its commitment to fostering a more diverse gaming environment through initiatives like all-women tournaments, diversity and inclusion programs, and partnerships with female-led organizations.
By actively recognizing and uplifting female talent, Riot Games is truly paving the way for a future where gender parity is not just a goal but a reality.
