Launch of Queens Gaming Collective to boost females in esports
After securing $1.5 million in seed funding in a move led by BITKRAFT Ventures, the esports venture capital fund, the all-female gaming, and esports company Queens Gaming Collective (QGC) has been officially launched.
One of the most oft-cited issues from critics of the esports industry is that it is a male-dominated and in many ways, male-focused industry. The QGC has therefore been created to help try to address that issue and give the esports industry a better balance between the sexes.
Formed by a mix of female influencers, content creators, streamers, and gamers. The QGC will combine its strengths to offer female competitors, streamers, and content creators the chance to develop the skills they need, and access the tools required, to develop themselves a financially viable and sustainable career in the gaming, streaming, and esports industries.
Backed by Key Female Figures from a Range of Industries
The QGC has been backed by a number of female investors from a range of industries including Sugarfina co-founder Rosie O’Neill, former MTV and Sony Music executive Amy Finnerty plus the current president of Kappa USA, Dre Hayes.
The trio named above will serve as ambassadors for the QGC and they have been dubbed part of the new “Queens Court” which will feature several prominent females in an ambassadorial role. Karen Civil and NBA star Baron Davis have also been confirmed as being part of the group.
As of the launch date, a total of 18 content creators, streamers, and players were selected to represent the organisation. This includes esports gamer bunnymightgameeu, cosplayer and content creator Kiera Please, influencer Ava.gg, and the singer Cray. XMiraMira, a streamer who has been a spokeswoman for encouraging greater diversity in games like The Sims, is another who is part of the new group.
Alongside the team, QGC has also announced that the fledgling company has agreed to a deal with gaming hardware manufacturer Razer to be their official equipment partner.
“Half the World’s Gamers are Women”
When asked why the QGC was founded, CEO and co-founder Alisa Jacobs commented;
“Because it is wildly shocking that it didn’t exist. Nearly half of the world’s gamers are women.”
“Nonetheless, through the lens of representation, especially in streaming, where are all the women? For every Pokimane or Valkryae, there are a dozen men, Ninja, Shroud, Myth, TimtheTatman, Dr Disrespect, Dr Lupo, etc”
“There is a more resounding, industry-wide issue that we are adamant to address. It is an immediate call to action for all of us.”
“Our primary goal is to help create and equalize opportunities for women in gaming and gaming culture…We seek to inspire the next generation of culture-makers and young women in gaming.”
Other companies have also addressed the issue of a lack of equality of the sexes in gaming. League of Legends team Gen.G partnered with dating app Bumble to discover female gaming talent with the aim of producing a number of all-female teams. Cloud9 has created an all-female Valorant roster called Cloud9 White while Dignitas has launched FE, a platform designed for women within the gaming and esports community.
Along with the formation of the QGC, these initiatives can at least start to offer female gamers, streamers, and content creators the same level of opportunity as afforded to males in the industry and perhaps, decrease the toxicity that has often been a barrier towards female participation in these new and emerging industries.
Since: August 10, 2015
