“If I can make it, so can you,” Team Vitality Vivian on what it means to compete in esports

We can all agree that esports is dominated by male players, especially in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) scene. However, we’ve seen a growing movement in recent years that aims to change that narrative. More tournaments are now available, opening opportunities for female pro players. 

Some examples of these include the MLBB Women’s Invitational, which is part of the annual Esports World Cup event. Additionally, there is also the inclusion of a women’s esports category in major events like the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games.

These tournaments, on top of local events, give female players the platform to hone their skills and prove themselves on a competitive stage. These changes highlight the growing inclusivity in the esports scene. On top of that, it also inspired a new generation of women to see gaming as a legitimate and rewarding career path. 

This inclusivity convinced even more esports organizations to invest in and nurture all-female rosters. One of the standout examples of this progression is Team Vitality and their MLBB female team. They recently made history after winning the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) at EWC 2025 with a perfect win rate. 

In an interview with esports.gg, Team Vitality’s Roamer, Vivi "Vivian" Indrawaty, talked about this journey and how she believes women can compete on the same level as men in esports. 

Just like many professional players, Vivian’s journey began with her passion for gaming. She recalled how she used to simply play MLBB for fun and livestream just for the love of the game.

What started as casual gaming soon became a full-fledged career. She joined Belletron Era back in 2020, dominating multiple local events. Eventually, the team rebranded to Bigetron Era, where they won their first major international event, the MWI 2022, and came back with another win in the 2023 event. Just like that, she’s no longer staring at ringlights doing livestreams for fun. She is now on a big stage with spotlights highlighting their victories. That's when she realized things are not the same as it was.

“I realised it was no longer just a hobby when I started receiving a salary, living in a gaming house, and representing both my team and my country in multiple tournaments. That’s when gaming truly became my professional career.“

But the road wasn’t always smooth. As a woman breaking into esports, skepticism followed her early on. “Some of my friends and family didn’t think gaming could provide a stable income,” she admitted. “They encouraged me to use my diploma for a more conventional job. But I was determined to follow my passion and prove that gaming could be a legitimate profession.” 

Of course, roads aren’t meant to be smooth. The rough challenges she went through along the way shaped her into the standout pro player she is today. Every athlete faces their share of challenges, and for Vivian, there were moments that tested her resolve. “One of the toughest periods in my career was when my team disbanded,” she shared. “I had to put in a lot of effort to find new members and rebuild. And losing the EWC tournament in 2024 was another emotional blow.”

Bigetron Era was bought by Team Vitality for the MWI 2024. Most of the members stayed, but it was a new environment for them. Despite this, they persevered and managed to reach the grand finals. They were one step closer to a three-time championship title. Unfortunately, they lost to the representative of the Philippines, the fresh Cebuana prodigies of Omega Empress.

The loss was upsetting. Team Vitality dropped without winning a single round in the series. Team Vitality's disappointing performance hurt Vivian the most. Still, Vivian's response to adversity shows why she is one of the elites. “Those experiences taught me resilience and the importance of staying focused despite the setbacks.”

Vivian's hard work paid off. Her team earned its MWI trophy back in the EWC 2025. On top of that, she earned a nomination at the GamingonPhone Awards, where she stood proudly as the only female nominee in the Mobile Esports Player of the Year category. It’s a milestone not just for her, but for women in esports everywhere. She considers this recognition as one of the best of the best, a huge honor.

Her team and family’s reactions mirrored her own sense of pride. “They were both surprised and proud of me,” she explained. “It meant so much to have their support.”

While she did not win the award, Team Vitality Vivian sees her nomination as a step forward for representation. “It shows that female esports athletes can compete at the same level and be recognized alongside male players,” she explained. “I hope it inspires other women to see that they, too, can achieve recognition and compete at the highest level.”

When asked about the qualities that define a great esports player, Vivian was quick to point out that it’s not just about stats or trophies. “A great esports player is someone committed and willing to adapt. It’s about constantly learning and improving,” she said.

Her admiration for legendary players also reveals her humility. She cited Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno, one of the most decorated MLBB pros, as a major inspiration. “What inspires me about him is how he continues to play at a high level even after winning everything. He’s the perfect example of dedication and passion.”

When told that KarlTzy admitted he doesn’t often follow the MLBB women’s scene, Vivian thinks it's understandable. “That’s probably because he’s super focused on his own career,” she said. “But he’s definitely missing out. Our [women's] tournaments are just as intense and entertaining. I’d encourage him to check them out when he gets some free time!”

It’s a lighthearted response that sums up her confidence: the women’s scene doesn’t need much validation — it just needs visibility.

As the female esports scene continues to evolve, Vivian believes things are finally moving in the right direction. “The ecosystem is starting to support women in esports more, especially with major tournaments like EWC and the SEA Games, including MLBB Women as a competitive category,” she noted.

However, she thinks it needs more improvements. “I hope to see more tournaments, because not all top teams currently have female players,” Vivian said. “With more opportunities, I believe more teams will be motivated to create women’s rosters, which will help the scene grow even faster.”

She also sees awards and formal recognition as key to legitimizing esports as a profession. They are a great way to recognize the efforts of various key figures in the sports scene.

If Vivian weren’t a professional MLBB player under Team Vitality today, she imagines herself in a more traditional role. “I’d probably be working in some kind of corporate or business-related job,” she mused. But as fate would have it, she found her calling in esports. And the best part, she’s using it to inspire others.

“To anyone who wants to follow this path, I’d say: keep your spirits high, never give up, and always believe in yourself,” Vivian encouraged. “If I can make it as a professional player, so can you!”

And to the fans who have supported Team Vitality through every win and loss, she had one final message: “Thank you for always staying loyal and cheering us on. We’ll continue to give our best in every match. Please keep supporting us!”

Stay tuned to esports.gg for more MLBB news and updates.