The esports world has never been more vibrant—or more inclusive—than it is today. Two remarkable stories have emerged from the 2025 competitive season, each highlighting a different facet of the ever-evolving landscape: the trailblazing journey of Vivian and Team Vitality in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) women’s scene, and Virtus.pro’s historic triumph as the first world champions of Marvel Rivals. Together, these narratives showcase not just the thrill of competition, but also the shifting tides of opportunity, representation, and ambition in esports.
For Vivian, the road to the pinnacle of MLBB women’s esports has been anything but straightforward. Once a casual gamer and livestreamer, she’s now a central figure in a movement that’s breaking down barriers for women in a scene long dominated by men. Her journey began in earnest in 2020 with Belletron Era, a team that would soon evolve into Bigetron Era. Under both banners, Vivian and her teammates racked up victories at local events, but it was their international breakthrough at the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) in 2022—and a repeat win in 2023—that truly put them on the map.
"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," Vivian shared in a recent interview with esports.gg. The transition from hobbyist to professional wasn’t always smooth. Skepticism from friends and family, who questioned the stability of a gaming career, loomed large. "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."
The challenges didn’t end there. After Bigetron Era was acquired by Team Vitality for the MWI 2024, the team faced a new environment and, ultimately, disappointment. Despite reaching the grand finals, they lost to Omega Empress from the Philippines without winning a single round. The loss stung, especially for Vivian, who had her sights set on a historic three-peat. Yet, it was these setbacks that forged her resilience. "One of the toughest periods in my career was when my team disbanded," she revealed. "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."
But champions are defined by their comebacks. In 2025, Team Vitality stormed back to reclaim the MWI trophy at the Esports World Cup, completing a perfect win rate run that left no doubt about their dominance. Vivian’s individual achievements were also recognized: she was the sole female nominee for Mobile Esports Player of the Year at the GamingonPhone Awards. Although she didn’t win, the nomination itself was a watershed moment. "It shows that female esports athletes can compete at the same level and be recognized alongside male players," Vivian explained. "I hope it inspires other women to see that they, too, can achieve recognition and compete at the highest level."
Vivian’s perspective on what makes a great esports player goes beyond statistics and trophies. "A great esports player is someone committed and willing to adapt. It’s about constantly learning and improving," she said. Her admiration for Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno, a legendary MLBB pro, underscores her humility and drive. "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."
Vivian is quick to note that the women’s scene doesn’t need outside validation, but it does need visibility. "Our [women's] tournaments are just as intense and entertaining. I’d encourage [male pros] to check them out when they get some free time!" she quipped. She believes that the growing ecosystem—bolstered by events like the EWC and the inclusion of women’s categories in the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games—signals progress, but more is needed. "I hope to see more tournaments, because not all top teams currently have female players," she said. "With more opportunities, I believe more teams will be motivated to create women’s rosters, which will help the scene grow even faster."
While Vivian looks to the future with optimism, the 2025 Marvel Rivals season delivered its own brand of drama and history. Virtus.pro’s rise to the top was anything but assured. After a promising start—winning the EMEA’s Marvel Rivals Invitational and DreamHack Atlanta—the team stumbled, missing out on the Mid Season Finals due to an early tournament exit. Yet, when it mattered most, Virtus.pro delivered. They topped the Group Stage at the Ignite Grand Finals, then dispatched heavyweights like 100 Thieves and FlyQuest en route to a decisive 4-1 victory over Natus Vincere (NAVI) in the final on November 2, 2025.
The significance of the win wasn’t lost on anyone. "We’ve put so much work and effort into winning this Grand Finals," said Arthur ‘dridro’ Szanto to Esports Insider. "I think it’s safe to say that we are all proud of ourselves for becoming World Champions." The $320,000 prize was a tangible reward, but the real prize was etching their names into esports history as Marvel Rivals’ inaugural world champions.
The Grand Finals themselves weren’t short on surprises. The early exit of ENVY, considered a powerhouse, shocked many. Virtus.pro’s own social media didn’t mince words, calling the performance of Americas teams the "worst representation" of the region. "I was a little disappointed with the other team’s performance," admitted Finnbjörn ‘Finnsi’ Flosi Jónasson. "I think they played good, but most of them got outdrafted. They are obviously all very good players, and they deserved to be there, and now they can understand and see what they need to work on for the next tournament. I don’t think the next one will be as easy for us."
Preparation and adaptability proved key. "We’ve scrimmed them plenty [of times] in Europe before, so we had a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses and we capitalised on that with the bans and draft," explained coach Josh ‘eqo’ Corona. The introduction of Daredevil in Season 4.5 added a new wrinkle to the meta, with Virtus.pro’s Philip ‘phi‘ Handke leveraging the new character to great effect. "Daredevil fills the same role that Psylock/Starlord do. So just him existing changes the draft meta in a way that just banning one dive DPS doesn’t do anything. The wallhack and burst damage make him really strong at setting up and breaking bunkers. You could argue he’s a top-three DPS right now."
Standout performances abounded, but William ‘SparkR’ Andersson stole the show, earning MVP honors after a spectacular triple elimination with Namor and cementing his place in Marvel Rivals lore. "Obviously very happy," SparkR said. "I’m glad I was able to cement myself in Marvel Rivals history as the first Grand Finals MVP."
With a $3 million prize pool across the season and more events like the Season 5 Championships and the Vtuber Cup on the horizon, Marvel Rivals esports is riding high—though not without uncertainty, as organizations like Sentinels exit the scene. For now, Virtus.pro’s players are taking a well-deserved break, recharging for what promises to be an even fiercer 2026.
Whether it’s Vivian’s relentless pursuit of representation and excellence or Virtus.pro’s methodical march to a world title, 2025 has proven that esports is a stage for both inspiration and innovation. As the year draws to a close, fans and players alike are left with one certainty: the next chapter is just beginning, and the stakes have never been higher.
