Women and Wheels hopes to gather more female interest in Esports
While racing eSports competition were mostly solely targeted at males only, this new announced competition by the name of Women and Wheels hopes to change things up a little.
The new female-only tournament launch event will take place at the annual European Women in Games Conference in London this week, and the competition itself will go online in the next fortnight. Prizes include a €3,000 Racing Simulator Chair, two Fanatec Racing Wheel and Pedal Sets, a ‘life coaching programme’ and more. A percentage of revenues will also be donated to female-focused charities.
The event is being organized by developer SimBin Studios UK, who are working on racing game GTR3. They said in a statement that the tournament “aims to provide a supportive, female-friendly environment that encourages more women to play esports while drawing attention to the often hidden role of women in racing and automotive history”.
Almost half of all gamers are female according to statics, but only 15% of esports viewers are and a shocking 5% of players are from the other sex.
“It’s a shame we need women-only teams, leagues and competitions in esports but until the sector fully matures, becomes more gender balanced and takes steps to eradicate online bullying and misogyny, they represent a great way to get more women involved by building communities, confidence and skills.” Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO of advocacy group Women in Games added.
The move was welcomed by a number of big names including Mathias Lauda, Racing Driver for Aston Martin in the FIA World Endurance Championship who added: “I am delighted to be an advocate for Women and Wheels, it’s a fantastic and much needed innovation. As a professional racing driver, I’m all for getting more women into both esports and motorsports. The Woman and Wheels competition is a great way of encouraging females into a traditionally male dominated space”.
