Female CSGO veteran Juliano quits for Valorant

The female Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competitive landscape faces a substantial setback as esteemed competitor Julia “juliano” Kiran confirms her strategic transition to Valorant’s emerging scene.

While few women have reached elite competitive levels in Valve’s tactical shooter, Juliano distinguished herself as an exceptional talent through years of dedicated performance. Her move signals a broader pattern of talent migration affecting both established and rising female competitors.

After extensively streaming Valorant content in recent months, the professional gamer has formally announced her platform shift. Juliano concludes her CSGO competitive career following more than a decade of commitment to Valve’s flagship FPS title.

CSGO’s esports environment currently faces multiple challenges, with veteran players attempting to maintain its relevance. The women’s competitive division has particularly suffered recently, with Juliano’s exit representing another significant blow to its stability. According to her social media announcements, she will now lead XSET’s female Valorant squad as captain.

Juliano’s competitive history in CSGO features more championship achievements than any other female professional, establishing her as an invaluable asset to the game’s legacy.

As one of CSGO’s most experienced female competitors, Juliano has created pathways for emerging talent while setting remarkable standards for women in competitive gaming. The 27-year-old began competing in secondary CSGO tournaments during her youth, eventually joining XSET’s prominent female lineup in 2020. Her career includes tenures with multiple organizations: Bad Monkey Gaming, Team Secret, Dynasty Gaming, Beşiktaş Esports, Team Originem, and XSET.

Under Juliano’s strategic guidance, her teams secured Intel Challenge Katowice championships consecutively in 2015, 2016, and 2017. However, her performance with Besiktas created an enduring legacy within women’s CSGO, where the squad overcame CLG Red at DreamHack Valencia Showdown, claiming $50,000 in prize earnings and qualifying for DreamHack Open Rotterdam.

Why Valorant’s Ecosystem Attracts More Female Competitors

Valorant cultivates an exceptionally diverse participant base, drawing professional gamers from various shooting titles including Fortnite, Overwatch, and CSGO. Similar to male professionals, female competitors from diverse gaming backgrounds are migrating to Riot’s tactical shooter, creating a richly varied competitive community. Crucially, Riot-supported Valorant initiatives like the VCT Game Changers circuit guarantee that women competitors experience security, empowerment, and acceptance within the competitive space.

While male participants traditionally dominate esports landscapes, increasing numbers of female gamers are entering Valorant’s developing competitive scene. In contrast, Valve’s CSGO has experienced difficulty maintaining its female participant base, with conditions worsening throughout 2021. Riot has implemented comprehensive measures to advance underrepresented genders, whereas Valve maintains minimal programs assisting female competitors.

Beyond professional competition, Valorant’s voice communication restriction system proactively addresses online harassment and bullying behaviors. Meanwhile, CSGO continues grappling with fundamental cheat prevention, without effectively managing toxic behavior targeting women during matches. These combined elements contribute to the declining state of women’s CSGO competitive play in 2021.

The absence of structured development programs represents CSGO’s primary limitation for female competitors seeking professional advancement. Unlike Riot’s methodical approach to ecosystem building, Valve’s hands-off methodology creates accessibility barriers for women pursuing competitive careers.

Community management disparities between the two platforms significantly impact participant retention. Valorant’s reporting and moderation systems demonstrate rapid response to verified harassment incidents, while CSGO’s community tools remain reactive rather than preventive.

Security concerns further complicate CSGO’s appeal, with cheat prevention requiring constant attention rather than proactive community cultivation. This fundamental difference in platform priorities directly influences female gamer experiences and long-term engagement.

Riot’s investment in dedicated women’s circuits demonstrates commitment to sustainable competitive pathways. The VCT Game Changers initiative provides visibility, resources, and professional development opportunities specifically designed for female competitors.

Valve’s traditional tournament model lacks equivalent support structures, relying on third-party organizers to bridge development gaps. This structural difference creates tangible advantages for Valorant in attracting and retaining female talent.

Long-term ecosystem health depends on structured inclusion rather than organic community development. The contrasting approaches explain the divergent trajectories of female participation in both titles.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Female CSGO veteran Juliano quits for Valorant Understanding the key factors driving female player migration from CSGO to Valorant's inclusive ecosystem