“Harassment and sexism still keep too many girls from getting into esports”

“I’m here to show that we have our place as players and that we don’t have a different DNA than men.” At 26, Velouria Baty aka “Viki” has big ambitions for her French bees, the name of the women’s team of which he is captain. You represent the competing Team Vitality, one of the most successful e-sports teams in Europe.

The tricolor club will celebrate its tenth anniversary in a few days. He took off his ‘bees’ (‘bees’) at the start of the year, an unprecedented and little-known hive of players when their male counterparts are now subject to a bitter transfer window between formations, such as the one that pushes the football professionals.

“I need to block messages”

The project wants to be “academic”, i.e. with the aim of developing the female scene. “As soon as the team advances, I win”, attests Velouria engaged in the hit video game League of Legends. If it is necessary to impose oneself, it is because the sector is still crossed by various evils. “There is still too much harassment and very sexist comments,” she regrets.

To the point of discouraging certain champion suits: “Unfortunately there are many girls who give up or hesitate to start because of this, hearing from other players that they should be in the kitchen instead. I have to block messages.” The remedy that “Viki” deems necessary and urgent: “education” to allow for greater inclusiveness.