In 2023, a Circana and PlayerPulse study of gamers found that nearly 50 percent of those polled were female. While that number may be shocking to some, gaming, media, and lifestyle organization XSET is no stranger to the female gaming scene thanks to the XSET Queens, a group of female gamers and content creators–including names like Avori, Bella, Minna Stess, Solai, ParallaxStella, and Peachietech–who have been “embracing excellence, individuality, and boundary breakers” since 2022.
Now, in partnership with Samsung Galaxy, the XSET Queens are about to launch Next Level, a program specifically tailored for women to showcase their skills and creativity, all while creating new opportunities. We spoke to XSET CEO Greg Selkoe about the new initiative and how Samsung Galaxy is supporting female empowerment through the XSET Queens and the Next Level process.
An intro to XSET Queens
If this is the first time you’re hearing about them, you may be wondering what the XSET Queens are all about. According to Selkoe, the program is defined by its members. “Each of them brings something unique to the table, and together they represent various aspects of gaming culture,” Selkoe explains. “For instance, Avori has grown into a star on the Netflix show The Mole, Bella is also an up-and-coming DJ, and Mina is an Olympic skateboarder. All of them are authentically gamers, but they also have a big impact beyond gaming.”
The main mission statement of the XSET Queens, as Selkoe tells it, is to “break barriers that have historically existed in the gaming industry” and create “real opportunities” for women. It’s not simply about “change,” though–Selkoe says XSET Queens are “actively building a platform where talented women can thrive, compete, and inspire the next generation of gamers.”
The Next Level initiative fits right into that mindset, as it’s designed to redefine what female creators can do inside the gaming space. “By combining cutting-edge technology from Samsung Galaxy with XSET’s cultural influence, we’re creating new pathways for female gamers to showcase their talents and push creative boundaries. It’s about empowerment through technology.”
Going Next Level
When searching for partners for this new Next Level initiative, Samsung Galaxy was a natural fit for what XSET was trying to achieve. “What sets Samsung Galaxy devices apart is their commitment to innovation that actually serves a purpose,” Selkoe says. The plans for Next Level, for example, called for tech that could “keep up with our creators’ demanding workflows while pushing creative boundaries.” The Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, as Selkoe tells it, “delivers exactly that,” with tools that “empower our Queens to excel in every aspect of their content creation and gaming careers.”
Galaxy Z Fold6 has already made waves within the group–Selkoe himself says the “excitement around this device has been incredible, and it’s already becoming a game-changer for our creators.” The core design has helped the team create content through practicality–”they can just fold the phone and use it as its own stand for recording videos or taking photos, no stand or extra equipment needed,” Selkoe explains. The on-board feature set of Galaxy Z Fold6, meanwhile, has been just as impactful.
Multi-Window View has been essential for multitasking thanks to the device’s ability to run three windows at once, while Interpreter with Galaxy AI has made key strides in allowing the Queens to communicate with their worldwide audience. “All of the Queens have a global audience, and they often create content while traveling, so the 16-language translation feature is incredibly helpful,” Selkoe says.
Perhaps the most impactful, considering the content creation work at the heart of the group, is the state-of-the-art camera, coupled with Photo Assist with Galaxy AI. “Having those professional-grade camera capabilities right in their pockets means they can capture high-quality content on the fly, whether they’re at gaming events, practicing their craft, or creating behind-the-scenes content,” Selkoe says.
Balance is key
There’s multiple balancing acts involved in the life of an XSET Queen, whether it’s switching between gaming and general content creation or trying to maintain a healthy work/life balance, these women have a lot going on all of the time. According to Selkoe, the Galaxy ecosystem has played a key role in helping the Queens in this regard as well.
Galaxy Watch6, for example, has played a highly supportive role in keeping that work/life balance at healthy levels. “These talented women aren’t just gamers—they’re multi-faceted creators involved in everything from dance to basketball to skateboarding and music,” Selkoe says. “The ability to track their health data has become crucial for maintaining healthy habits while juggling their busy schedules.”
Galaxy Z Fold6, meanwhile, has allowed the team to juggle all of those talents and continue to succeed. “The ability to seamlessly transition between creating content and gaming on the same device has really streamlined their creative process,” Selkoe explains. “Our creators are always multitasking between streams, social media, and content creation, so having this flexibility in one device is huge for them.”
What’s next for Next Level
The Next Level initiative is but one facet of the XSET Queens’ goals of empowering women in the gaming space, and the group will continue to use their voices and content to accomplish this. For Selkoe, he sees the partnership with Samsung Galaxy as a key piece of the puzzle.
“Samsung perfectly aligns with our long-term vision for XSET Queens, as their commitment to innovation and breaking down technological barriers matches our mission to empower women creators,” Selkoe says. “Whether our Queens are gaming, producing music, or creating content, Samsung’s technology is helping them push boundaries and reach new heights. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve together.”
As the number of female gamers worldwide continues to grow, the XSET Queens will continue to do their part in making sure they feel empowered. With Samsung Galaxy along for the ride, XSET is ready to take this goal to the Next Level.
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