Sjokz at IEM Cologne 2023

Sjokz has been a staple of the esports business for the final 10 years. As one of many very first ladies to be concerned in broadcasting in each League of Legends and CS:GO, she’s one thing of a legend round right here. From MSI to IEM, it’s been a busy 12 months thus far and now that Sjokz is again from her a lot wanted break, followers will probably be eager to see what’s subsequent on the agenda. We received the possibility to talk to Sjokz through the ENCE vs Vitality sport at IEM Cologne and talked about all issues gaming, ladies in esports and psychological well being.

Credit score: Adela Sznajder through ESL

You’ve been to a variety of Cologne occasions through the years. How does 2023 measure up?

Cologne has been unimaginable, it’s an occasion I stay up for yearly. If I can’t work it, I come as a fan as a result of it’s simply that a lot enjoyable. I misplaced my coronary heart to Cologne as a result of it’s the primary place I moved for esports so a few years in the past and there’s actually nothing just like the Lanxess. The hours have been fairly intense for the group stage and for the play in stage however it’s what it’s.

You will have, after all, been working for a few years in League of Legends in addition to CS:GO. Do you’ve a desire when it comes to crowds or occasions?

Properly, clearly I don’t have a desire between League and CS however I do have occasion desire, I’d say. For example, going to Paris is at all times superb. I wasn’t there for the BLAST.television Main. However I’ve been capable of do a variety of reveals there with League of Legends and it’s at all times superb. Lanxess is, after all, excessive up on that checklist as nicely. As a result of I feel that it transcends esports borders in that everybody is aware of how enjoyable it’s right here.

I at all times meet folks right here who don’t even comply with Counter-strike that a lot, perhaps they do different esports or perhaps under no circumstances however they at all times have a tremendous time. After which there’s Brazil after all, I feel it’s nice to go to Brazil and have Counter-strike occasions there notably. I imply, to observe CS dwell, there’s nothing prefer it.

You’ve been concerned within the esports business for 10 years now. How have you ever seen attitudes in direction of ladies evolve throughout that point?

Properly, I’ve seen it evolve fortunately in a superb course however I feel it’s going perhaps just a little bit too slowly. Compared to once I began 10 years in the past, I used to be the one girl on broadcast I feel for League, at the very least at that time. In fact, there was additionally Rachel and Zoe at instances however solely when it grew to become the LCS so to say.

And now it’s a lot better and that’s superior. Typically, I feel there’s extra understanding. Individuals do get referred to as out extra in the event that they do put down ladies for the traditional “do you even play video games?” and “why are you even right here?” and stuff like that. I really feel like that has occurred so much much less however I don’t know if that’s to me as a result of I’ve been there for therefore lengthy so folks type of know what I’ve accomplished. So I hope that that’s one thing we are going to go away prior to now quick sufficient. We’re moving into a superb course, we simply have to go just a little quicker.

You will have been fairly outspoken about experiencing psychological well being issues prior to now and lately. How have you ever discovered the neighborhood response in addition to esports organizers comparable to ESL?

Very, very supportive. That is additionally one thing that I feel is fortunately moving into a greater course general. As a result of I feel that in the previous few years, lots of people have been much more outspoken about it the place prior to now, or positively 10 years in the past, that wasn’t essentially the case. I really feel actually empowered to speak to the businesses that I work for.

Additionally, my administration firm and my followers or my followers so to say, about that too they usually have been very understanding. It’s very nice as a result of I see it not simply in me. Loads of my colleagues as nicely who’re going by way of robust instances. It’s simply been an insane couple of years for everyone. I really feel actually empowered in that regard.

With ESL, we’ve got an exquisite expertise supervisor Kinga. She’s been superb and the crew as nicely. They simply say hey, if it doesn’t work, tell us and we’ll determine it out. That’s been so nice.

Learn additionally: Spinx at IEM Cologne: It will likely be exhausting however I imagine we are able to win