Goodbye ESL Faceit Group

This is how the esports and video game industry has transformed my professional trajectory.

Dear LinkedIn Community,

Dear friends and esteemed colleagues at ESL FACEIT Group - EFG ,

As I bid farewell to my remarkable 20-year journey with ESL FACEIT Group - EFG , I find myself reflecting on the incredible ride we've shared and the significant achievements that have marked my time here. With profound gratitude and excitement, I now embark on new horizons, driven by my unwavering commitment to CSR and esports.

From a very young age, my passion for connecting people through gaming was evident. At the tender age of 6, I was already coding my own games and eagerly testing them on my younger brother. ??

By the time I reached 13, I took a big leap and launched my own LANparty series. But my journey didn't stop there. At just 16 years old, I found myself organizing LANparties that brought together hundreds, and sometimes over 2000, enthusiastic gamers from across Germany and the Netherlands (thank you, InnovaLAN and Drome). It wasn't just a hobby; it was my way of using technology to create expansive networks of like-minded individuals. ??

And, to add a delightful twist to this story, one of my dad's friends, who happened to work at IBM , made my birthday truly memorable. He didn't have a conventional present for me, so he gifted me a switch from his motorcycle's top case, as if it had been destined to be mine all along. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated my lifelong fascination with information technology and connecting people. ????

My journey with EFG (back then, ESL) kicked off in July 2003 when I joined as a freelancer, initially booked through GIGAHERTZ LAN Rental (a company I also freelanced for). In this role, I was tasked with setting up event booths and LAN areas for clients all across Germany, effectively promoting their software and products. With my passion for gaming and knack for connecting with people, setting up LANs to showcase software was second nature to me, and engaging with attendees came naturally. ????

Simultaneously, I pursued my passion for esports as a professional Unreal Tournament player, achieving the distinction of qualifying for the World Cyber Games and becoming the national Vice Champion in Germany. In 2004, I started Germany's first esports magazine (eMAG) with Tobias Scholz and we traveled to esports events (Games Convention, WC3L...) to hunt for interviews and stories.

Little did I know that this would be the inception of an extraordinary adventure. Don't forget how young I am in this photo: I graduated from high school in 2003.

In 2006, I took a significant step in my journey by officially joining ESL as their very first working student in the press department. This move coincided with ESL transformation from an office that looked like a storage facility to a thriving office complete with TV studios. My schedule was a whirlwind: I dedicated three days each week to studying international comparative culture and media at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universit?t Bonn , while the remaining two days were spent at the ESL office. In addition to this, I managed the press center at the Intel Friday Night Games. ??????

Also in 2006, I traveled to my first Intel Extreme Masters Event in Stockholm.

I'm convinced that a major factor in the success of my application, which even caught the attention of Ralf Reichert, one of Turtle Entertainment GmbH's (the company behind ESL) five founders, was the inclusion of a fabricated press release detailing stadium-sized esports events.

In 2009, I initiated a game-changing partnership between EFG and Activision Blizzard , a collaboration that has since flourished into enduring relationships. The first "Pack4Dreamhack" bus took us to Dreamhack, with talented Call of Duty players, where I took care of press, news, photos and social media.

Serving as the key liaison between ESL's product and sales teams from 2010 to 2014, I bore witness to the expansion of our organization and the burgeoning esports industry.

Another defining moment in my journey was my involvement in the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM - sponsored by 英特尔 ) events, commencing in 2007 (when Intel decided to make the Intel Extreme Masters an International tournament). I set up press areas around the globe, conducting multilingual press conferences, and delivering high-quality photography. I even had the privilege of contributing to a global billboard campaign for Intel processors, featuring renowned esports players, when creatives at Mccann Erickson Worldgroup spotted my photography on my flickr account.

This is the famous cook: X (Thank you Book of Counter-Strike! (aka Tobias Frey )

However, my journey was not confined to professional accolades; it was also about nurturing international press relations and elevating the stature of esports on a global scale. In 2009, I was entrusted with the role of department lead and Vice Director, overseeing a team of Game Heads tasked with cultivating esports around titles like Valve corporation 's Counter-Strike, Riot Games ' League of Legends, Hi-Rez Ventures ' SMITE, and VALVE's Dota 2. My role extended to mentorship, shaping the careers of individuals within our organization and the broader esports industry.

Throughout my tenure at EFG, my unwavering commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability remained palpable. From championing inclusivity in esports events to organizing tournaments that celebrated diversity, such as the Iron Lady Series (look up Scarlett's amazing career) for women and transwomen, I dedicated myself to fostering an inclusive environment. My journey led me to earn certification in Sustainability Management, actively participate in climate hackathons to address the climate crisis, and in 2020, conceive and execute a comprehensive CSR strategy. This dedication culminated in my promotion to Director of Corporate Responsibility, where I oversaw all of EFG's CSR activities.

In 2021, I initiated the GGFORALL initiative with several colleagues at EFG, a dedicated effort to combat toxicity, promote diversity, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability in esports. A pivotal component of GGFORALL was the ESL Impact tournament series, aimed at providing a safe competitive platform for women's teams, with the ultimate objective of normalizing mixed-gender teams. I was instrumental in closely involving the LOUVRE teams in the creation and communication of this significant league.

Between 2020 and 2023, with invaluable support from the International Paralympic Committee and the HiPerks Foundation , I conducted an extensive analysis of the inclusivity of esports events and explored avenues to enhance accessibility.

One of the primary challenges I addressed was communication. I focused on ensuring that fans can effortlessly access information regarding accessibility – from scheduling to ticket purchases – making it as user-friendly as possible for all attendees.

Additionally, I advocated for the integration of accessibility considerations into the scouting process for physical event locations. This entails systematically collecting and disseminating information about accessibility to enhance the overall event experience.

Furthermore, I proposed a vital measure to support those who require assistance from a professional carer, friend, or family member to attend events. These individuals should have the option to receive an extra ticket free of charge when purchasing their own ticket, with clear awareness of this benefit.

To promote these inclusive practices, I developed a comprehensive playbook for inclusion and had the privilege of presenting these insights to journalists and policymakers during an invitation from Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur in Berlin. Subsequently, I implemented numerous changes based on the research findings, contributing to more accessible and welcoming esports events.

In my role as Director of Corporate Responsibility at EFG, one of my proudest achievements was the implementation of cutting-edge software and streamlined processes, which not only improved our efficiency but also ensured that our CSR efforts were data-driven and results-oriented.

A significant milestone in our CSR journey was the comprehensive triple materiality analysis I conducted. This in-depth assessment helped us identify and prioritize the issues that mattered most to our stakeholders and our organization. It served as a compass guiding our CSR strategy.

I also had the opportunity to oversee and manage our CSR policies, ensuring that our ethical principles and commitments were upheld throughout our operations. Our Supplier Code of Conduct was a cornerstone of our sustainability efforts, and I'm pleased to say that we maintained strong partnerships with suppliers who shared our dedication to responsible practices (e.g. suppliers who supply our impressive stage effects).

Another exciting aspect of my role was collaborating with researchers, including notable figures like Professor Christian Montag whom we assisted in his research based on the World Health Organization's "gaming disorder" criteria. These partnerships allowed EFG to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and challenges in our industry, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.

My insatiable thirst for knowledge led me to complete a PhD in esports at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universit?t Bonn in 2021 on my parental leave (I had two daughters), and I embarked on a Master of Arts program in Sustainability and Responsible Ownership at J?nk?ping International Business School , slated for completion in December 2023.

Since 2009, I have had the privilege of co-authoring the eSports Yearbook with Professor Tobias Scholz from the University of Agder (UiA) , contributing to the advancement of esports education and research on a global scale. Our commitment to the eSports Yearbook continues unabated, and we are dedicated to furthering the academic discourse in the esports field.

Starting in 2021, in collaboration with Nicolas Besombes , Brian McCauley , Tobias Scholz , Joanne Donoghue PhD , YaeWon Jin , Tom Brock and Dr. Seth Jenny , I have been actively fostering esports research through the Esports Research Network . Together, we facilitate our own conferences and offer assistance to students and researchers in our Discord community, aiding them in identifying the best papers, building networks, navigating job searches, understanding grant applications, and more. It is of paramount importance to me to provide support to others in their research journeys, much like my esteemed Professor at Bonn University and game developer Sean Carton , among others, supported me in mine.

**Spoiler Alert: The next ERN Conference will take place in 2024! I cannot wait!

In the realm of publications, I have authored the Sustainability chapter for the forthcoming Routledge Education Handbook of Esports, set to be released in early 2024. Both Routledge and The Manchester Metropolitan University graciously invited me to deliver the keynote address at the Handbook of Esports symposium, where we explored the intersections of esports, gaming, and environmental sustainability.

With Prof. Dr. Jens Junge , Karin Falkenberg, Jochen Koubek, and ?? Rudolf T. Inderst ?? I am working on a book centered on ludology, with a focus on sustainability as my designated chapter.

Furthermore, my ongoing research project with Professor Tom Brock from the The Manchester Metropolitan University is concentrated on the sustainability of esports events.

For those seeking more information, you can find us on Instagram as @esports_ecology, and comprehensive details are available on our website, EcoEsports.net. Our website features a blog where we engage in discussions on sustainability and will soon publish our extensive study on sustainability at esports events. You can become a part of the research by uploading photos on your Instagram account and tagging them with #ecoesports and/or #esportsecology and/or #sustainablegaming and/or #greenesports. The photos will automatically also appear on our website. Please upload pictures from esports events that you attend. Take photos of all the things things you deem sustainable, or unsustainable. We will look into your findings and categorize all of the input.

For all of you and through your help, on EcoEsports.net, we will be working on creating rankings to spotlight the most sustainable esports companies, encompassing ecological, economic, and social sustainability, as well as esports governance.

My commitment to education and knowledge dissemination continues as I prepare to deliver lectures on sustainability and resilience to students at 瑞典乌普萨拉大学 this winter. Additionally, I eagerly anticipate engaging with sport management students at Hochschule Fresenius , where I hope to share valuable insights about esports governance and sustainability in gaming and esports this year as a guest lecturer and in the years to come.

At the Equal Esports Council of the esports player foundation , I remain readily available every week, serving as an advisor to the initiators and mentor to the players who receive scholarships from the esports player foundation . As long as they require my guidance, I am committed to being there. I am very grateful to joerg adami (EPF), Evangelos Papathanassiou (EPF) and Antje Hundhausen (Telekom) for this priceless initiative that makes a huge difference, fostering women and non-binary talents in the esports ecosystem.

As I embark on this new chapter of my professional journey, my dedication to excellence, leadership, and my profound passion for CSR, sustainability, esports, and research remain steadfast. My time at EFG has been an extraordinary chapter in my life, and I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have been part of this remarkable journey.

My overarching aspiration is to contribute to making the world a better place through every endeavor, just as we have collectively contributed to the growth of esports.

Thank you for being an integral part of my journey thus far, and I eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead. Feel free to reach out to me anytime you require assistance within my areas of expertise: CSR and Esports.

Warm regards,

Dr. Julia Hiltscher