How to Engage Diverse Communities in Esports?

Esports is booming. Whether you’re catching fixtures of major esports tournaments or live-stream sessions from your favorite streamers blasting up Twitch, competitive gaming is sweeping the world. Yet for all of its excitement, there’s been a lot of challenges within esports, especially around diversity. One need not look hard to see that esports has been quite male-dominated for much of its history, and not always the most welcoming environment for certain groups. But wait till you hear what it’s coming from your gaming headsets — things are changing.

Now let’s take a look at ways initiatives and events are currently working to make esports less intimidating to underrepresented groups.

Women in Esports: Charging the Career Rocket

All right, let’s get this elephant in the room out of the way: where are the women? Though esports is less gender-segregated than some other sports, even at the highest levels of competitive gaming, there is a significant gender imbalance. Women have long been underrepresented, although there has been impressive progress in recent years.

The British Esports Association has already launched their Women in Esports program which is one larger initiative making great strides. The goal? To advocate and celebrate women in all aspects of the industry, from players to casters to developers. The initiative has recognized female gamers who are kicking ass in tournaments, and has worked to foster a more inclusive esports community. Women-only events, like the Intel Challenge at the Intel Extreme Masters, are also on the rise giving talented female players the chance to shine.

Female Legends: Beyond a Tournament — An International Community

Going back to the topic of women in esports, have you heard of Female Legends? This Swedish company has made it their goal to get more ladies playing in the competitive scene, specifically in League of Legends. They have tournaments just for women, boot camps, and even investment in order to make it work for female gamers.

So if you’ve ever thought esports was a “boys’ club,” think again. Female Legends is proving that women can be just as skilled, committed and tremendously passionate about esports as anybody else. It’s about time, right?

Any-Key: Promoting Diversity in Video Games

Another recent initiative that’s gaining ground is Any Key, a partnership between ESL and Intel. This program is focused on diversity of gender, race, and disability to ensure that esports is welcoming for all. Any Key collaborates with organizations such as Women in Esports and sponsors women-only tournaments, such as the Intel Challenge at ESL One.

Their mission? To create a place to game where players are played on their merits, not on their other attributes. So, if you’re a female player, an LGBTQIA+ gamer, or a neurodiverse competitor, Any Key got your back on your way to the top.

Accessible: Gaming for All

Speaking of diversity, accessibility is also a huge topic in the space of esports. Many disabled gamers face a unique set of challenges, but thankfully, initiatives like Special Effect and eTeam Brit are doing their best to smash those barriers down. These groups, from adaptive controllers to assistive technology, are enabling players with disabilities to compete at the highest levels.

From creating custom controllers for gamers with physical disabilities to supporting players who are neuro diverse, these efforts are showing that nothing should get in the way of gaming greatness.

Esports Events for Everyone

Now that we’ve addressed some key initiatives, let’s get to esports events. Long gone are the days when it was only the big boys, like League of Legends and Counter-Strike, that were showered in the limelight. You even have esports focused on making gaming more welcoming, headed by the likes of The Women’s Esports League and LGBTQ+ friendly tournaments.

And in terms of esports events for 2024, there’s plenty to be excited about. With esports tournaments lining up every year, it is high time that we embrace inclusivity and diversity in the world of esports competition. At either a massive esports competition or a nearby local esports live showdown, now everybody has a spot to compete.

The Land of Milk and Honey: The Future of Diverse Esports

Diversity is increasingly important as esports continues to grow and evolve. As more organizations, events and tournaments support underrepresented groups, the gaming community is beginning to mirror the real world we live in — one that champions people for their talent, not their history.

From the Hype around the esports world championship to your local esports tournament, the future of esports is that there’s a home for everyone. So, pull out your headsets (and not just the best gaming headphones on the market) and prepare for a calendar of esports events that’s packed full of inclusivity and showcases of skill from all backgrounds.

Game on, everyone. And the diverse gaming community is only getting begun.