Introducing the 2024 “Influential Voices in Gaming”!
Ally and Raidiant joined forces to honor individuals who have played a pivotal role in propelling the esports and video games industry forward. Join us in celebrating the contributions of key figures across various categories, including Creators, Pro Esports Players, Journalists, Gaming Execs, Artists, and On-Camera Talent.
Artists / Designers / Animators
BasiilLeaf
Basil, also known as “BasiilLeafs,” is an artist and content creator for Flyquest.
Fiona Nova
Fiona “Fiona Nova,” Piccoli is a content creator, production coordinator, streamer, cosplayer, and actress, notable for her recurring hosting role at Achievement Hunter. She was the showrunner and host of “This Just Internet” and “F-ing Around with Ify and Fiona”. Fiona was the voice of Agent One in Red vs. Blue: Zero.
Mina Hirano
Mina Hirano is a designer at KorroBox. Mina has worked for companies such as Riot Games, Twitch, Crunchyroll, Blizzard Entertainment, and 2K Games. Her portfolio shines with collaborations spanning across industry-leading games such as League of Legends, Fortnite, Minecraft, and Apex Legends.
Rose
Rose is one of the fastest growing esports designers. She has previously worked with TSM, Noble Esports, Dotexe, and Infinikey.
SydneyCreates
SydneyCreates is the Marketing Designer at the Sentinels. Previously gaining recognition at The Guard for her innovative approach to esports graphics, she now leads marketing design for the Sentinels, continuing her tradition of creating impactful visuals that resonate with their fans.
Creators
Kyedae
“Kyedae” is a hugely popular Twitch streamer, who rose to fame due to her exciting and entertaining VALORANT gameplay and co-streams. Kyedae was a former streamer for 100Thieves.
Ovilee May
Ovilee is a content creator, a host for various gaming and esports shows and the Executive Producer for OTK. Before her debut on the League of Legends stage, she served as a producer and technical director for collegiate and amateur league productions while in college. Following this, she became a host and producer for multiple shows on the television network G4.
Rosemary “Nekkra” Kelley
Rosemary “Nekkra” Kelley is a content creator and professional esports caster covering games such as Pokemon, Overwatch, TeamFightTactics, and Fortnite.
Tarik
Tarik started his road to fame as a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive streamer turned pro player, notably winning the famous ELEAGUE Boston CS:GO Major in 2018 – North America’s only CS:GO Major victory. Tarik currently is known for his VALORANT streams, both his own gameplay as well as co-streaming official VCT events. He ranks among the most viewed esports streamers in the world.
Xmiramira
Amira “Xmiramira” Virgil is a content creator known for founding the Noir Network. With 150,000 subscribers across various platforms and significant collaborations with companies like Google and Savage X Fenty, Xmiramira remains dedicated to promoting diversity and empowering women gamers in the industry.
Gaming Executives
Elizabeth del Valle
Elizabeth is the Global Creator Marketing Lead at YouTube. Her role involves driving innovation in gaming, live streaming, and developing initiatives to advocate for the brand. She leads marketing programs aimed at inclusivity and making a meaningful impact.
MissHarvey
missharvey is currently at FlyQuest, notably spearheading the organization’s two “RED” rosters that compete in ESL Impact and VCT Game Changers. missharvey is a multi-time Counter-Strike World Championship.
Nora Valletta
Nora Valletta is the lead software engineer on World of Warcraft Classic.
Rob Moore
Rob Moore is the CEO of Sentinels Corporation. He is also the former Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. Under Rob’s leadership, Sentinels has become one of the most popular and followed organizations in esports. Rob frequently appears on his players’ and talents’ streams, engaging with the community firsthand.
Victoria Horsley
Victoria Horsley is the Global Competition Manager for Valorant at Riot Games, and member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 2024 class.
Gaming Journalists
Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante is a Senior Editor at Kotaku, with a background in gaming journalism. Her coverage includes game reviews, news, and features. Before joining Kotaku, she spent over three years as an editor at GamesRadar, focusing on writing long-form features, previews, and interviews.
Bryony-Hope Green
Bryony-Hope is an award-winning esports journalist, specializing in Overwatch 2 and VALORANT. In 2023, Bryony was honored with the ‘Journalism Impact’ award at the Women in Games Awards.
Liz Richardson
Liz “mizliz” Richardson is a freelance journalist and editor who has become a prominent figure in Overwatch 2 and Overwatch League coverage over the past four years.
Reb Valentine
Rebekah Valentine is a Senior Reporter at IGN. Reb specializes in investigative reporting and stories about how games are made. Before joining IGN, she covered the business of gaming at GamesIndustry.biz. Rebekah has also contributed to USGamer, PC Gamer, App Trigger, iMore, Android Central, Wirecutter, and has made various podcast appearances.
Travis Gafford
Travis Gafford is a League of Legends interviewer and content creator. He is the host of the highly popular ‘Hotline League’ show, known for conducting some of the most-watched player interviews within the League of Legends community.
On-Camera Talent
aEvilcat
Mimi “aEvilcat” Wermcrantz is a VALORANT caster and analyst. You can watch Mimi at nearly every global and VCT Americas. Currently, she serves as both a commentator and analyst for tournament organizers across three different esports titles.
Goldenboy
Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez is an esports caster and personality. Alex began his journey in the esports world as a competitive Call of Duty player. Alex is known as a desk host for Overwatch League. Alex has also worked on various esports events such as the ELEAGUE, MLG, Call of Duty World League, Rocket League Championship Series, Fortnite, and more.
LemonKiwi
Jennifer “LemonKiwi” Pichette is a professional esports commentator and content creator known for her work in titles such as Overwatch, Rocket League, VALORANT, TFT, and others. Beginning her career as a Call of Duty player, LemonKiwi transitioned to commentary casting in 2012. She currently serves as broadcast talent for the Overwatch League (OWL) and Collegiate Rocket League (CRL).
Sierra Hunter
Sierra Dawn Hunter is a caster, host, and interviewer. Initially a full-time content creator on Twitch, she ventured into casting after being approached by Pokémon. Sierra focuses on casting and content creation for events such as Pokemon VGC, TCG, and VALORANT Game Changers, among others.
Soe Gschwind
Soe Gschwind-Repp is a caster and host. Soe started her career with shoutcasting beat-em-ups, then moving into titles such as Quake Live, Warcraft III, ultimately establishing herself as an expert analyst in Overwatch.
Pro Esports Players
Emily Wang.
Emily “emilyywang” Wang is an esports professional currently competing under Complexity Gaming as a Challenger TFT player. She streams her gaming adventures, piano sessions, and variety.
GooseBreeder
Mounira “GooseBreeder” Dobie is a professional Counter-Strike player. Goosebreeder is one of the most successful women’s Counter-Strike players in the past decade, winning multiple World Championships with CLG Red and now leading the top team in North America as part of FlyQuest RED.
meL
Melanie “meL” Capone is currently the in-game leader for the esports team Shopify Rebellion. Prior to this role, meL led Cloud9 White, where she gained recognition for leading one of the top Game Changers rosters in VALORANT history. meL’s recent triumph includes winning the VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2023.
Ricki Ortiz
Ricki Ortiz is a professional Street Fighter player for team EvilGeniuses. Ricki has remained a formidable force in the fighting game community, consistently achieving top 10 finishes at various tournaments around the world.
TenZ
Tyson “Tenz” Ngo is a professional VALORANT player currently signed to Sentinels. He is considered one if, if not, the most popular VALORANT player in the world. He also commands a large stream audience.
Community Choice
Storymodebae
Briana, or Storymodebae, has been gaming since the age of 5 and streaming since starting her Twitch channel in 2018. A fan of any game with a good story, she has hosted several shows on Twitch and concert shows through Live Nation, all while growing an engaged and inclusive community of her own.
Rising Star
MsAshRocks
MsAshRocks is a Twitch Partner and Ambassador who focuses on FPS and cozy games. With her diverse and welcoming community, the RockSquad, behind her, she has gained a large audience for her content outside of gaming as well, which emphasizes charity, cosplay, and makeup.
