Many individuals regard eSports to be a man’s game. What if, however, we told you that there are scores of successful female esports players who, like their male counterparts, have made gaming a lucrative career?
Female esports players are not globally renowned, and the gaming community almost regards them as backup-backup players, despite the fact that they kick major arse. Although there is no valid reason to discriminate against women in esports, they are still deemed unfit for the position. Regardless, women are becoming increasingly visible, particularly in the niche of eSports, so let’s meet some of them!
- Janet “xchocobars” Rose / $ 40,000
Rose is a Canadian eSports player who has played, among other games, Apex Legends, Fortnite, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Valorant. Her victory at the 2019 Twitch Rivals League of Legends tournament was one of her finest achievements. The prize pool was not particularly large, but $7,000 is certainly not insignificant. She placed second on the Fortnite Fall Skirmish Series Leaderboard, earning her an additional $10,000. However, her greatest prize arrived in week six of the Fortnite Fall Skirmish series: $13,750.
- Anna “ant1ka” Ananikova / $ 40,000
Anna became wealthy through CS: GO. She was a member of Team Secret, Lazarus, and Counter Logic Gaming, in addition to the Russian national team. Anna’s highest single-tournament earnings were $20,000 at the 2016 eSports World Convention while she was still a member of Team Secret.
- Sarah “Sarah Lou” Harrison / $ 50,000
Harrison played Dead or Alive 4 well enough to win the 2008 CGS championship. The tournament victory earned her $50,000. Since then, she has not competed in any additional tournaments. She is the sole British woman to appear on this list. Sarah Lou must have put in a great deal of effort to hone her abilities and win the tournament.
- Zainab “zAAz” Turkie / $ 53,000
Since 2002, Turkie, a Swedish player of Lebanese descent, has played Counter-Strike professionally. At age 14, Zainab joined her first computer science organisation. Today, nearly two decades later, zAAz relishes head-tapping noobs in CSGO, but she retired in 2020 after competing in thirty-two tournaments.
- Marjorie “Kasumi Chan” Bartell / $ 55,000
In 2006, Marjorie came in second place in the CGI competition for Dead or Alive 4, for which she received $5,000. In 2007, however, she triumphed, crushing the competition. This victory earned her $50,000, but she has not competed since then.
- Rumay «Hafu» Wang / $ 84,467
A year ago, Hafu could be found in virtually every decent Amongus Us lobby, harassing Sykkuno, Fuslie, Toast, and the rest of the OTV+ squad. But while broadcasting is entertaining, tournaments are where the real money is. Rumay used to play WoW, Hearthstone, and TFT frequently, winning the occasional tournament or ten until she accumulated $84,000 in winnings!
- Ricki “Ricky O” Ortiz / $ 81,000
In 2014, Ortiz began referring to herself as a woman for the first time. The earliest tournament she participated in was Evo 2006, where she placed second and won $2,000 in prize money. Since then, Ricki has participated in over sixty tournaments and amassed $ 80,000! The juiciest recompense she has ever received was at the 2016 Capcom Cup, where she demonstrated her Street Fighter V prowess. Second place earned her $60,000 in compensation.
- Siobhan “HaganeNoTema” Bielamowicz / $ 122,700
Bielamowicz is an Australian professional player who can readily defeat you in games such as Attack on Titan and Brawlhalla. She actually won the Attack on Titan World Cup. Siobhan has competed since 2014, but 2017 and 2018 were her most successful years. HaganeNoTema is regarded as one of the greatest Attack on Titans players of all time, as well as one of the greatest female players ever.
- Katherine “Mystik” Gunn / $ 122,000
The earliest record of Gunn’s competitive gaming accomplishments is from the 2007 CGS competition, in which she placed second in Dead or Alive 4. Already, $15,000 has been secured. The following year, Gunn received $ 7,000 for his third-place finish. Then, she defeated everyone in the second season of WCG Ultimate Gamer, earning $100,000.
10. Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn / $ 322,066
Currently, the greatest score for a woman in esports is $332,066.27. Hostyn’s professional tenure began in April 2011. She participated in the StarCraft II women-only online division and won two consecutive tournaments that year. A few months later, Scarlett won the Canadian StarCraft II National Championship with an impressive 12-1 record. Sasha also dominated the 2012 WCS North American Championship, earning $24,000, before dominating IEM XII, which earned her an additional $50,000. Sasha has competed in 178 tournaments throughout her career and is currently a member of the Chinese Brave Star Gaming team.