Cape Town - When you think gaming, you think a bunch of guys with headsets, exchanging salty remarks right?
Although, gaming is a male-dominated sport, it should not take away from the fact that women also play games...and the kick butt at it as well.
It is 2017, and there is still this notion that women 'can't play' and are being undermined because it's a 'guy thing'.
Here are eight women who delve in the gaming world, competitively and casually and who are not going to step down from their passion any time soon.
Sharon “ShazZ” Waison
Waison is a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Player. She boasts three awards - she, along with her team, took 3rd place at the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) 2015. At the Copenhagen Games 2015 as well as the DGL Championships 2016, they nabbed 1st place.
"Keep at it - if its your dream, never give up. It could always become a reality!" she said in an interview with Mweb.
I don't usually play @RocketLeague but when I do.. they call me Manuel Neuer 😁😂 #goalie #RocketLeague #gaming #saved pic.twitter.com/b6juYjWWe1
— Sharon Waison (@ShazZkL) August 1, 2017
Julia 'BiSH' Robson
Like Waison, 'BiSH' also plays CS:GO competitively. She started gaming fairly young when her brother challenged her at home. She became hooked on gaming and delved in the competitive gaming world.
Outside university, she studies Bachelors of Oral health (division of Dentistry). "I think the most important thing is to know that when you are facing another team or
playing with your team, being a girl doesn’t affect the game. "
A post shared by Julia Robson (@jules_bish) on Jul 20, 2017 at 6:25am PDT
Megan "dammitZA" Hughes
Megan 'dammitZA' Hughes has been 'officially' employed in the local games industry for just over two years but has been part of the industry for 10 years.
She has participated in almost every Global Game Jam and have dabbled in games such as cards to AR.
"I’ve experienced all of the clichés associated with working or being closely involved in a male dominated field, from assumptions about my interests, skills and capabilities, to being interrupted and ignored."
Outside games, she is a Game Design Lecturer at Vega School of Brand Leadership In Cape Town.
Sam Wright
Wright does not play games competitively as most of the women on this list, but she is a casual gamer who likes the geek side of life. She is founder of Tech Girl, a blog aimed at the gaming and geek life as well as reviewing gadgets.
New YT video is up. Doing some gaming things. Asking for advice about streaming. Check it out: https://t.co/rdC1zsZR5A
— Sam Wright (@IAmSamW) August 2, 2017
Casual but serious:
Joané
Joané started when persuaded her to enter the world of gaming two years ago. She puts up a good fight on PS4 on most popular games.
The graphic design student enjoys the feeling of playing with her closest friends, who happen to be mostly guys.
"There are too few females that play games. Males like to play with female gamers. The would rather play with them than chase you out of the room."
Ashleigh
For Ashleigh, gaming is an outlet. It's a way to escape reality and her "haven and safe spot."
Other than escaping reality, Ashleigh feels that she can be herself completely, whether it be playing offline or online.
Outside the gaming life, she is a managing editor for a gaming blog that concentrates on X-box, Windows, accesories and hardware.
"It is a tough induty for females. Lots of us experiemce sexism and the fear of being called out online."
"There is an industry for us, but we just need to overcome the obstacles."
Ida
This fangirl and lover of everything geek loves the fact that gaming enables her to be in another world. "It makes you feel like a superhero for after a day of playing games."
"Gaming is a nice way to get away, you know, without drugs and the like. It's a non-judgemental place. A no judgement zone basically."
Kat
Kat dabbles in single player games and is certain that there is a game for everyone.
As many gamers, she agrees that it's a break and loves how gaming absorbs her everytime.
She plays Dishonour, Skyrim and Assassin's Creed.
Picture: Dylan Manasse/IOL
Outside gaming, this local gamer studies Prosthetics in Glasgow.
"I have never felt judged for gaming," she said.