Riot Games to Expand Tournaments for Marginalized Genders in 2023
Riot Games, the popular gaming company, is gearing up to host more tournaments for marginalized genders across its titles starting in 2023. While their latest game, VALORANT, will be immediately involved in this expansion, Riot’s long-standing title, League of Legends, will take some time to establish its own tournament ecosystem for marginalized genders.
VALORANT Game Changers: A Step Towards Inclusivity
Recently, G2 Gozen became the first world champions of VALORANT’s Game Changers scene, marking a significant milestone in Riot’s efforts to create opportunities for marginalized genders. This inclusive circuit, which was launched in 2020, has paved the way for future expansions across Riot’s titles.
With the success of VALORANT’s Game Changers, Riot has witnessed the potential that tournaments for marginalized genders hold. Building on the momentum of the past two years, Riot plans to expand the ecosystem in 2023, creating more opportunities for amateur VALORANT players.
Aiming for Balance and Sustainability
Ashley Washington, the Product Lead for Game Changers EMEA, shared insights on the expansion plans. Riot aims to strike a balance between creating a sustainable space for organizations and providing exposure and opportunities to as many women as possible. They plan to address specific needs of the VALORANT Game Changers ecosystem in a more efficient manner.
The EMEA region will be the first to experience the “more refined” version of Game Changers in the new year, as Riot has already announced upcoming changes.
The Future of League of Legends
While VALORANT immediately embraced an esports ecosystem for marginalized genders, League of Legends has yet to take a similar step, even after 13 years. Riot recently announced the launch of “Rising Stars,” a new women’s tournament for League. However, it is still a standalone competition and falls short of the comprehensive ecosystem built in VALORANT.
Nevertheless, Riot plans to include a circuit for marginalized genders in the future of the League of Legends esports ecosystem. Naz Aletaha, the Global Head of LoL esports, expressed excitement about the upcoming plans. This next year will see the introduction of programs in regional leagues, paving the way for further development.
Riot intends to learn from these experiences and continue building a thriving esports ecosystem. Fans might witness the introduction of a global circuit or something entirely unique to League of Legends esports in 2024. While the exact plans remain under wraps, Riot confirmed that they are actively exploring options to promote inclusivity in League.
In conclusion, Riot Games is committed to expanding its tournaments for marginalized genders across various titles. With VALORANT leading the way and League of Legends following suit, the future of esports looks more diverse and inclusive.
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