The Major of Counter-strike, one of the most prestigious competitions on the planet of electronic sports (e-sport), arrives in Paris on Monday, but no woman is among the 24 teams qualified for the event, in theory open to all.
A mixed discipline, electronic sport, a term that designates video game competitions, remains a territory that is often hostile to women.
“It has always been a very masculine environment, and some have difficulty with the intrusion of women into their sanctuary”, Clément Coupart, alias Rasmelthor, coach for the game, recently explained to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Rocket League.
While they represent half of video game players according to the latest barometer from the France Esports association, very few women embark on a career in electronic sports, where they represent, according to estimates, only 5 to 10% of competitors.
Kayane, specialist in fighting games, Scarlett, Canadian player of Starcraft IIor even Karma, champion of Rocket League… Facing the men, only a handful of players have managed to forge a high-level record.
Entry barriers
However, “no natural predisposition prevents a woman from being the best player in the world one day,” says AFP Fabien Devide, the boss of Vitality, the leading electronic sports club in France.
But women face a number of “barriers to entry”, he explains, citing gender bias, name-calling and cyberbullying which deters many.
“There is a lot of educational work to be done, whether with the public or the actors,” he continues. “It’s a generation that was built with Twitter, Twitch [une plateforme de diffusion en direct] and all the excesses that go with it. So there are mindsets that need to be changed. »
“It’s sad to say, but thee-sport is still a very toxic and misogynistic environment, so it’s very difficult to find your place, ”adds Velouria Baty, alias Viki. “It’s a hindrance to be insulted just because you’re a girl. It’s super discouraging. »
At 25, this player of another flagship electronic sports game, League of Legendswas named last April captain of the “French Bees”, Vitality’s first all-female team.
“Education plays a big role in the fact that there are not many girls,” she continues. “If in basic education, we had taught that it’s normal for a girl to play video games as much as a boy, we wouldn’t be here today. »
So to encourage diversity, more and more players in the sector are taking the side of creating teams and competitions reserved for women. A paradoxical solution, but necessary, according to many players.
Recognizing that esports could be “difficult” for women, video game publisher Riot Games created an all-female circuit on the shooter in 2021. Valorant and announced the launch this year of an all-female competition on League of Legends.
Access to mixed competitions
“We have this desire to give women the opportunity to have competitions in which they can develop,” says Julie Jeanniot, team leader at Riot Games France.
“The fact that they have access to these women’s competitions allows them to be more confident to level up and then access mixed competitions,” she adds.
Because for all those who participate, the goal of the leagues reserved for women is that they end up becoming useless.
In a few seasons, the Majors of Counter-Strike will perhaps welcome women alongside the stars of the discipline, the French Mathieu Herbaut, alias Zywoo, or the Ukrainian Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev.
In the meantime, the Major 2023 starts on Monday with the “Challengers Stage”, the first qualifying stage, before the “Legends Stage” from May 13 to 16, then the final phase, the “Champions Stage”, which will take place in public at the ‘Accor Arena in Bercy from May 18 to 21.