Evil Genius made history for being the first premier gaming organization to feature two women in a squad. They recently revealed their Valorant squad, captained by Christine “Potter” Chi. Prior to her role as the team's captain, Potter has been involved in the CSGO scene as a broadcast analyst and a professional player. She is a 7-time CSGO champion in the women's scene.
You know we couldn’t sit this one out.
Introducing our official @ValorantEsports Champions Tour roster: @omgitspotter@aleksandarosa
@claudiache12@TemperatureCSGO@OsiasPHThe team will be kicking off their 2021 season TODAY in the VCT Open Qualifier. #LIVEEVIL pic.twitter.com/q5Ry4Ox4iU
— Evil Geniuses (@EvilGeniuses) January 27, 2021
Esports observer Rod “Slasher” Breslau revealed the reasons for EG CEO, Nicole LaPointe Jameson, for making her decision. According to Jameson, her intent was never centered on marketing purposes but rather on building champions.
EG's CEO on why not have both mens & womens teams
"Through this measured, empirical approach, a mixed gender roster was the best fit. This is not a all female marketing play for us…this is us putting our foot down in developing and bolstering champions from all walks of life." pic.twitter.com/CRcFX5N1jC
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) January 28, 2021
She further elaborated on her own Twitter feed. EG's latest Valorant squad likewise showed some cultural diversity with Ronan “Osias” Javelona carrying the Filipino banner. However as Jameson would point out, this isn't a diversity decision as she believed that she assembled the best of the best. This is further supported as its members have made some headlines in other tournaments. Potter isn't only known for her stint in CSGO as she and fellow EG member Claudia “clawdia” Che were able to push their team to a Valorant FTW Summer Showdown grand finals appearance. Both Aleksandar Hinojosa and Nolan “Temperature” Pepper made their names by helping their orgless team, Moon Raccoons, to make a statement in Valorant's First Strike: North America event.
To clarify for the people in the back that didn't catch it the first time…
I don't care where you come from. Nor your creed, gender, religion, class, past industry, or sexual orientation.
If you are the best of the best, you have a home here at @EvilGeniuses . https://t.co/zTRQtoUr6L
— EG Nicole LaPointe Jameson (@totheLaPointe) January 28, 2021
EG's decision is clearly a landmark moment in esports. Other teams tried to integrate women into their rosters, however they're only limited to one member. Others would deploy an all female roster that only competes in female based tournaments.
Slasher mentioned that EG's decision could signal a brighter future for esports.
Evil Geniuses are now one of the first major gaming organizations ever to sign a mixed-gender mens and womens pro team, competing as EG's main Valorant squad. EG Valorant is captained by Potter, 7-time women's Counter-Strike world champion
a great sign for the future of esports pic.twitter.com/xZlzRQRmkZ
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) January 28, 2021
It will be interesting to see how this team will progress. Their first test happened today in the VCT Open Qualifiers. Though they impressed by handling MROrgless a sweep, they were eventually eliminated in the next round by Team Serenity.
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