Minnesota-based Version1 has launched Minnesota’s first all-women esports team, VersionX, who will be competing in VALORANT through VCT game changers, a new program dedicated to creating competitive opportunities for women and other marginalized gamer communities within VALORANT esports. VersionX is owned by WISE Ventures, run by the Wilf family, who also own the Minnesota Vikings.
“Supporting diversity and inclusion in gaming has been an important part of our organization from our founding,” said Brett Diamond, Chief Operating Officer of Version1. “The investments being made in women’s esports by organizations and game publishers are laying the foundation for a bright future. VersionX will immediately access the support structure we offer all of our teams: housing in Minnesota, state of the art equipment and a world class practice facility, media and content resources, and compensation that enables the players to be full-time esports competitors.”
VersionX is fielding a stacked roster of gamers, who have lots of experience in competitive VALORANT as well as other games. They are as follows:
- Kiara “Milkyway” Blue Kukilakilaokalani Makua is VersionX’s in game leader and controller. The agents she currently plays are Astra and Reyna. Milkyway has been a professional competitor since 2016, starting in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and transitioning to VALORANT in 2020.
- Natalia “Natty” Jackson currently plays Jett, Raze, and Viper and is the duelist main on the team. She’s been a professional competitor since 2017 and also started playing CS:GO, moving to VALORANT in 2020.
- Rachel Lynn “Rush” Hang currently mains Sova and is the team’s initiator. Prior to switching to VALORANT in 2020, Rush competed in CS:GO and has also played Unreal Tournament competitively.
- Katherine “Karra” Lee currently mains Sage and in the past has served as the smoker for the team, playing Astra, Omen, and Brim. VALORANT is the first game she’s played professionally.
- Naomi “Naomi” Sauvola is the sentinel for the team, playing primarily Killjoy and Cypher, but also flexing Skye. She joined VersionX from CLG Red where she played from March to August 2021.
Version1 is also creating an environment where women gamers can connect, no matter their location or skill level through V1SIONARIES. V1SIONARIES organizes tournaments and gaming events and provides a space for women gamers to network, support, and play games together. V1SIONARIES has hosted multiple events for amateur and top tier competitors, including a Call of Duty tournament with eFuse, a VALORANT tournament, and a HALO tournament.
(All information was provided by Kare 11, Version1, and CNBC)
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