Earlier this month, I did a deep dive into the story of Geguri, and how sexism in E-Sports is rampant, especially in South Korea. I am a huge fan of fighting games and someone I have followed for a while now is Leah Hayes, AKA Gllty. She’s a 29-year-old pro Street Fighter player for Team GRAPHT, and a woman. So who better than her to grill on the issues faced by women in the E-Sports scene.

First things first, starting simple, what’s your favorite game of all time?

Cvs2 is probably the game that kept me hooked to fighting games

As a woman in esports, would you say you face more challenges than if you were a guy?

I think women have a lot of unique challenges with a small handful of advantages, but I think overall there’s more hinderances than advantages

Speaking of being a guy, what do you say to all the memes about you being a “trap”, do you think they’re rooted in sexism/transphobia or just people being trolls?

I have no real opinion on people bashing me

You are one of the only non-Asian people in Team GRAPHT, do you feel like there’s a stigma about being white in E-Sports, especially when you look at something like the Overwatch League.

I think a stigma against being white is a silly idea. I just think there are many more talented people of color in esports.

What’s one way you’d like to see the esports world change for the better?

I guess I would like to see more inclusion and general acceptance in society

In League of Legends, the average age for a player to retire is in their mid-20s, without being rude, you’re 29 now, is there such an age dropoff in the fighting esports scene?

I feel FGs are different than other esports. Legacy skill will always have a place. It almost seems like older more experienced players have a sort of advantage.

Which non-fighting games are you playing right now?

I don’t really play non-fighting games.

Of all the places you’ve traveled to, where is your favourite?

Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong were my favourites. I’m a foodie, and I enjoyed those locations the most for their food. (For evidence of this, follow Gllty on Twitter, her account is basically food porn)

Where is one place you’d like to visit?

I’m curious to travel to Europe

What advice would you have for women trying to get into esports?

If you’re female and want to get into E-sports, question your commitment. If your resolve is absolute, be prepared for it to be constantly challenged. Play for results, anticipate getting no approval along the way. Don’t trust easily.

Of all the matches you’ve played, which has been your all time favourite.

The one with Daigo was pretty memorable, I feel I showed I was close to hanging with the top

If you could face anyone, who would it be?

I’ll play and beat anyone, I don’t care.

Some have suggested that a “Women’s league” should be implemented in E-sports, do you think this would help or hinder progress?

I feel a separate division specifically designed to integrate into the main circuit is a good idea, but of course inane resistance is inevitable

In 10 years time, where do you see yourself?

I cant really tell you where ill be next month, much less 10 years. I want to segue into a tech/marketing career, I guess.

Where do you see esports in 10 years time

E-sports will only grow, younger generations seem to prefer video games over traditional sports, and competition is international

You primarily play Street Fighter, but what do you feel it has over most other fighting games right now?

SF has legacy and developer support, with the most well marketed professional circuit.

Capcom USA does a great job developing esports, which they don’t get enough credit for.

The example of Gllty shows that it is possible for a woman to progress in the world of E-Sports. However, there are some women who are still struggling, as shown by the number of hurdles Geguri had to face to finally compete with men who are on her level. Fighting games have a progressive viewpoint that unfortunately isn’t shared by many other games, and until we start moving past the view that FPS games are just for boys, then there won’t be change.

Sorry that this was something of a short article, but it was just something I felt like making as a quick follow-up to the first article. I hope you enjoyed reading it, and you can check out Gllty on Twitter and Twitch. Tell me what you think about sexism in E-Sports in the comments below or on Reddit.

Source(douken)s

gographt.com/

https://youtu.be/3_AimrYSj-4

Headline photo credit: Sho Nakamura