19 Mar DotaValkyries launches to increase female presence in Dota 2 esports
A new project called DotaValkyries has been launched to promote female Dota streamers and to ensure representation at the highest competitive level.
DotaValkyries was founded by artist and gamer Ruby Boulter and Women in Gaming International (WIGI) ambassador, Emma Brown. It is currently run by volunteers.
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According to the organisation, DotaValkyries will be split into two divisions—one focusing on improving ‘reach and quality-of-life for Dota streamers’, and another that consults with competitive organisations to ‘ensure representation is kept’.
Boulter said: “There are no physical limitations that prevent women from competing in esports at the same level as men. We understand how significant the success of this project could be, and intend to work as hard as we can to make our goals into a reality. Our initial focus will be ensuring the success of our very first collaboration with a major tournament organiser, but we intend to expand our reach and the support we can provide 10-fold in time.”
DotaValkyries was revealed following a five-month incubation period. The announcement has garnered largely favourable attention, particularly from the existing Dota esports scene.
The initiative has no current plans to form teams and has not shared specifics in regard to how more women will be recruited onto existing ones.
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Dota 2 personality and interviewer Jake ‘SirActionSlacks’ Kanner, commented on Twitter, saying: “THINK initiatives like this are a great thing for dota. GO GET EM LADIES.”
Kelly Ong, CSO at Alliance, said: “This is an amazing initiative that has been much needed for a long time. Kudos to the team working on making DotaValkyries a reality. I cannot wait to follow and support this mission.”
Esports Insider says: People often compare the highest-paid male players with the highest-paid female players in esports, regardless of game or competitive scene. If fans truly want to see women make the same kind of riches that the top players in the world do, they need to play Dota 2 with the best. DotaValkyries will need to juggle representation and skill gaps in the game, so we wish them all the best. It appears they will gain a lot of support in this regard.
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