(GotFrag) - When looking at the marketing aspects of eSports, the 12-34 male demographic is the prize target. Although girl gamers are nothing new and have been around since the inception of professional video gaming, their presence has been more of a phenomenon and marketing ploy than that of real competitors. That may change after the stellar performance of team Orz and Rumay "Hafu" Wang at the 2008 MLG PC Circuit stop in Orlando this weekend.

Where the boys are.

Historically, females have mostly competed against one another or have taken a backseat to the boys in the winners circle. Although there are a few female eSports teams, players or organizations, those players have never been able to compete on a real level with the boys. A female presence in the finals of coed professional competitions have been non-existent. The girls have simply not been able to beat the boys despite some female organizations garnering impressive sponsors and endorsement deals rivaling the top male teams.

Show me the money.

For Orz and Hafu coming into Orlando, there were no lucrative sponsorships and endorsements. In fact there was no financial support at all. The trio paid their own way to the event after a falling out of sorts with Mob Gaming and that organization's owner and manager. The fact that the team received no financial or managerial support makes their feat in Orlando that much more impressive.

Once Orz reached Orlando, the road was even tougher than getting there. With a 19th out of 21 teams seeding, Orz faced good teams from start to end. Starting with NMNC in the first round followed by a 3-0 trouncing of SK in the second, it was apparent fairly early that Orz was there to give another impressive performance, as the team had done a month earlier in San Diego at the very first MLG PC Circuit stop.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Orz continued on, taking what could be construed as revenge on Mob Gaming's team for the rejection by the godfather. After taking down GotGame West in the upper bracket finals and handing them a 3-0 defeat, it was time to take on the reigning champions, EG. Orz made it look easy, routing the champions in another 3-0 victory. Impressive again considering the team had no practice after San Diego and prior to this event. "We actually didn't practice before this MLG, and hadn't played as a team since the MLG San Diego. However this time we had experience from our previous LAN, so I performed a lot better" stated Hafu.

Although the team did not get to practice coming into Orlando, Hafu did say that practice is the key to Orz' success. "Lots of practice on the Tournament Realm and on LAN pays off. We've played thousands of games together and a large number of them on the Tournament Realm under similar conditions to the MLG LAN event."

Standing their ground.

Orz stuck to one team composition throughout the majority of the tournament, choosing to go with what had worked for them previously instead of trying to counter teams. "Our only strong counter comp is retribution paladin, warrior, druid which we take out against teams we're expecting double melee. But we only really needed it once this event" Hafu told GotFrag after winning the tournament.

When asked about her vocal enthusiasm and excitement in game as opposed to her teammates, Hafu stated, "glick and rhaegyn are just naturally shy. The computers were much closer to each other this time, allowing me to actually hear rhaegyn during the matches. We didn't use headsets last time around."

One of the things that most gamers, male or female, struggle with when playing video games at this level is parent's perception or lack of understanding of the concept of competitive video gaming. Hafu would appear to have a slightly different problem in this area as she stated, "My mom and dad follow my gaming career a little too closely but their support is much appreciated. I love you mom and dad." Hafu called her mother on the phone immediately after winning the tournament.

The majority of pro gamers have played a variety of games at a competitive level before they find one they are exceptionally talented at and many play multiple games at that level. Hafu is a bit different as she states, "I don't play any other games". Hafu also apparently has no aspirations to play any other game beyond WoW as she continued, "Like I said, I don't really play any other game, so after WoW dies out I'll be done with gaming."

When asked if she had any advice for pro girl gamers, or boys for that matter, Hafu stated "Just practice a lot, work on your weaknesses, work on coordination and strategies."

Sorry Mr. Brown, it's no longer a man's world.

Now that a female has broken into the exclusive boys club of professional video gaming, the road should be paved for those talented enough to follow. Orz will be looking to pick up a sponsor who can set the team on a more professional path through financial support. Having the first female to ever win a major coed professional gaming tournament on the team should help that process along. It should also encourage other females to strive to compete at this level and maybe help add a wider range to the eSport demographic.


Orz wins MLG Orlando WoW
MLG Orlando WoW Team Preview
GotFrag TV MLG San Diego VoD's
GotFrag TV
GotFrag MLG PC Circuit Edition
Official MLG Pro Circuit Website
Official MLG PC Circuit Website
MLG Pro Circuit San Diego VoD's