WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO ESPORTS?
I’m Monika “Grey Lynx” Schömer and I’ve been an avid League player since 2013. Back then, I started playing esports for fun with friends from school. But unlike them, I quickly got to like the competitive nature of the game. With time, I made a lot of new friends whose experiences were similar to mine.
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU AT THE EQUAL ESPORTS FESTIVAL?
It was really cool to meet other people in a similar situation to me and who also share my passion for the League of Legends game. Right from the start, I got on really well with them all and felt right at home. Of course, another highlight was meeting the big-name competitors – many of whom weren’t men – who shared their experiences and took the time to answer every question.
WHAT INSIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES DID YOU TAKE HOME WITH YOU FROM THE THREE-DAY EVENT?
We sure did take part in a lot of workshops on very diverse subjects, including nutrition, fitness, and in-game issues, and I was able to learn such a lot. A healthy lifestyle, in particular, is enormously important, and I have been trying to work on that since the Equal eSports Festival. One insight I definitely gained was that I still have my work cut out for me – both in relation to my game skills as well as in adjacent areas.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE ESPORTS AND GAMING WORLD – ESPECIALLY FOR NON-MALES
Perhaps I can answer that with a little anecdote. After I appeared at the festival, several players sent me friend requests. Naturally, I was anxious I might be on the receiving end of insulting comments – especially about my gender. But quite the opposite. The players wanted to tell me how good the festival was and that they supported the active funding of players. So, we’re already making good progress in this regard. Still, I wish that in situations like this we non-males didn’t need to have such fears. We have to change the image that others have of non-male players, but also the image that non-male players have of themselves.
WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES FOR THE FUTURE – FOR YOURSELF AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ESPORTS AND GAMING INDUSTRY?
Like with any other sport, I wish everyone would show fairness and respect, and that the eSports and gaming sector can continue to grow and flourish. For me personally, I hope I will always be able to find a place in the gaming industry where I am treated well, and also that gaming remains a part of my life.
