In a groundbreaking move, Burberry, the renowned British luxury fashion brand, has announced a collaboration with Gen.G, a leading Korean esports organization. This partnership aims to foster inclusivity within the fiercely competitive world of esports. Unveiling their joint initiative on the 28th of July, the duo launched a four-part educational series as part of Gen.G's 'Network: Inspire' program.
Seeking to support emerging esports players, Burberry has pledged donations to the Gen.G Scholarship Foundation. The recipients of these scholarships, specifically chosen from underrepresented communities in the esports industry, will be announced in September.
This momentous collaboration marks Burberry's inaugural venture into the esports realm, driven by their commitment to creating more opportunities for women gamers. Recognizing that esports is a highly competitive industry with numerous annual competitions, Burberry and Gen.G aim to address the gender disparity prevalent in the field, where the majority of top earners are men.
Diving headfirst into the world of esports, Burberry has already embraced blockchain-based games. Their first foray into the gaming sphere came in 2019 with the launch of B-Bounce, followed by Ratberry and B-Surf. These games have garnered immense popularity among millions of gamers worldwide.
Central to the educational program presented by Burberry and Gen.G are a series of engaging videos hosted by accomplished gamer and creator, Emily Ghoul. Viewers can catch these episodes on Burberry's website, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch channels. The lineup of participants includes Gen Z content creator Jessica Kim, esports commentator Evan "Raynday" Raynr, and Cristina Amaya, the president and co-founder of Latinx in Gaming. Among Burberry's speakers, Geoffrey Williams, the director of diversity and inclusion, and Lucy Goodyear, the senior computer-aided design manager, will provide valuable insights.
Each episode of the program delves into topics that seek to redefine the prevailing "play to win" narrative in esports, actively promoting inclusivity within the gaming community. The aim is to address the common challenges faced by women in gaming, such as hostile online environments and underrepresentation.
Despite the immense potential in esports earnings, as reported by Esports Earnings, only a small number of women have reached the million-dollar mark. Out of thousands of gamers worldwide, only two women have surpassed this milestone. Sasha Hostyn, known as Scarlet in the gaming world, stands as the sole female gamer who has earned over $416,000.
A recent report from OLBG, a spectator sports organization, highlights the growing number of female esports fans, making up 22% of the total. However, the majority of players remain male, and the top 300 earners in esports are exclusively men. Scarlet is the sole woman on the list of top 500 earners, emphasizing the pressing need for gender balance in the industry.
According to the Forbes Global Gaming Gender Balance Scorecard, nearly half of gamers worldwide are women. Despite this, a staggering 84% of executive positions in the gaming industry are held by males. This stark disparity reflects the challenges faced by women seeking equal opportunities in the gaming industry, where gender bias still persists.
Burberry acknowledges that women gamers often encounter harassment and a toxic environment when pursuing careers in esports. Instances of individuals discouraging their involvement and suggesting a return to the kitchen, as highlighted by Devin Nash in his vlog, further underscore the importance of initiatives like Burberry and Gen.G's collaboration.
Through their joint efforts, Burberry and Gen.G are making a significant stride toward empowering women in esports. By providing support, education, and opportunities, they aim to level the playing field and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
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