ThePeachCobbler Discusses Fortnite, The Milk Cup, and Women’s Future in Esports (Exclusive Interview)

Renowned streamer ThePeachCobbler has carved a niche for herself within the Fortnite community, recognized as a wholesome content creator and a competitive player. As a woman flourishing in the gaming industry, she serves as a role model for up-and-coming female gamers, demonstrating that with the right blend of talent and passion, anyone can achieve significant success in the gaming realm. Her influence is pivotal in promoting the growth of women within esports, making her a notable figure in the competitive Fortnite scene.

Currently, she’s preparing for one of the most eagerly awaited tournaments of 2024, Fortnite The Milk Cup. Co-hosted by WOTE, GonnaNeedMilk, and ThePeachCobbler herself, this tournament aims to empower female competitors by providing a safe and inclusive platform. Scheduled for October 5, 2024, it boasts an impressive prize pool of $250,000, positioning itself as one of the largest prize distributions in the history of female esports.

ThePeachCobbler Discusses Fortnite, The Milk Cup, and the Empowerment of Women in Esports

Q) Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! For those unfamiliar with you, please introduce yourself.

ThePeachCobbler: I appreciate the opportunity! My name is ThePeachCobbler, and I’m a NYC-based family-friendly Fortnite streamer, content creator, and tournament host.

Q) We know you’re an exceptional player in Fortnite, but what other games do you enjoy when you’re not playing Fortnite?

ThePeachCobbler: I really enjoy cozy games! After my streaming sessions, I like to unwind with my Nintendo Switch and play Suika Game. I’m always open to new gaming experiences and enjoy games like Lethal Company, Stardew Valley, and any of the Mario titles, although Fortnite remains my favorite.

Q) The Fortnite community is buzzing about The Milk Cup Finals. Can we expect you to host tournaments for other games in the future?

ThePeachCobbler: My love for Fortnite runs deep, and I see endless opportunities for hosting both competitive and creative events centered around the game. However, we’re actively seeking ways to expand, create new opportunities, and remain open to the titles that the community wishes to see featured. I am thrilled to announce that more ‘Gonna Need Milk’ tournaments are on the horizon after The Milk Cup!

Q) Your commitment to advancing female esports is remarkable. What challenges have you faced while organizing these tournaments, and how did you overcome them?

ThePeachCobbler: The gaming community can pose challenges for women, often accompanied by harassment and exclusion in esports tournaments and casual gaming. Gaming’s history bears the mark of inequality, and while I still face negativity and toxicity, I strive to transform that energy into something constructive. Every event I organize is thoughtfully curated, aimed at fostering a space where fair play is celebrated, and toxicity is unwelcome.

Partnering with Gonna Need Milk has been a dream come true. We share a united vision, and The Milk Cup builds upon Gonna Need Milk’s ongoing dedication to recognizing and empowering women and girls in sports. This tournament represents a significant opportunity to compete at the highest level in Fortnite, with a record-breaking prize pool in North American women’s esports history of $250,000.

Q) The competitive gaming community can be both uplifting and highly critical. What has been the community’s response to The Milk Cup thus far?

ThePeachCobbler: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong support from both male and female Fortnite content creators, streamers, and professionals. Women, in particular, are starting to recognize how impactful The Milk Cup is in facilitating change. They realize they have long been denied the visibility and acknowledgment they rightfully deserve. Even at this stage, women are being signed by top organizations because of their impressive gameplay.

We’ve seen over 600 women compete in our qualifiers, with 33 trios successfully qualifying for the LACC The Milk Cup Finals. The Milk Cup has broken viewership records for professional women’s Fortnite with over 2 million views across three qualifiers and is likely to do so again during The Milk Cup Finals.

I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from the community, and I’m honored to be part of such a historic event.

Q) What long-term impact do you hope this event will have on the esports industry?

ThePeachCobbler: I hope that aspiring gamers recognize that we are here to celebrate them and provide the spotlight they deserve. Women have been sidelined for too long, and we are determined to change that by creating a safe space and increasing visibility in the gaming community.

We aspire for this tournament to inspire other brands to step up in creating more opportunities for women in gaming and encourage greater participation among women and girls in esports. To gaming peripheral companies, we hope you’re taking note.

There are women gamers competing using equipment designed for men. It would be a monumental leap to develop controllers, mice, and other peripherals specifically tailored for women.

Q) While duos have traditionally been the preferred format in Fortnite tournaments, The Milk Cup has opted for a trios format. What influenced this decision?

ThePeachCobbler: The decision for The Milk Cup format was heavily influenced by feedback from our community; trios were a high demand from our gamers. When I teased the tournament, I solicited input on the desired mode, and trios were consistently requested. Since duos have been featured in FNCS, we aimed to provide something fresh and exciting that our player base genuinely wanted to contend in.

Q) All 33 qualified trios deserve their spots in the finals. Are there any teams that have particularly caught your eye?

ThePeachCobbler: Team AlinaRose certainly caught my attention, particularly Velxen, who surprised me with her extraordinary gameplay and mechanics. I hadn’t heard much about her before, but her performance is truly exceptional.

This is exactly why events like The Milk Cup are crucial for providing women gamers with the exposure they deserve—it creates a level playing field where every player competes in qualifiers to earn their slot. AlinaRose, CutieAma, and Velxen form an incredible trio.

Other outstanding teams like Team Moxie (Movie, Registta, Dieyuhs), Team Smylie (Smylie, Sophiaa, Marii), and Team FemaleClix (FemaleClix, Kanary, CeceNuggets) won their respective qualifiers and have undeniably earned their places in the finals. Each player is remarkable, and we can’t wait to witness who will be crowned champion.

Q) What are your thoughts on the current state of Fortnite? What do you love about Chapter 5, and what don’t you like?

ThePeachCobbler: I believe Fortnite is in an excellent position at this time, and I genuinely think this year has been their best yet. They have been responsive to the community, enhancing the aspects we enjoy and delivering a more dynamic gaming experience. I’m particularly fond of the shields, jetpacks, and the new Marvel skins, which introduce a fun and fresh element to the game. Honestly, I have no criticisms for this season—it’s undoubtedly one of my favorites.

Q) Fortnite features a variety of game modes nowadays. Do you prefer Build Mode or Zero Build? Additionally, what are your thoughts on the newly introduced Fortnite Reload Mode?

ThePeachCobbler: The beauty of Fortnite lies in its diverse modes catering to all types of players. For The Milk Cup, we opted for Build Mode, which promises an exhilarating event as builds introduce a captivating three-dimensional dynamic that’s exciting to engage with and watch. I also appreciate Zero Build for lowering the skill barrier and making the game more accessible.

Reload mode is fast-paced and serves as a great warm-up, but its intensity can make it challenging for streamers to interact with their audiences. Personally, I’ve been enjoying Reload, and with Epic announcing plans to enhance its competitive side, I’ll definitely stick with it.

Q) Fortnite boasts a vibrant community of professionals and content creators. Who are some of your favorites to watch or play with?

ThePeachCobbler: The women’s Fortnite scene is filled with vibrant personalities and incredibly talented individuals! I’m grateful for the chance to compete alongside them and am excited for a future where we can all be in the same arena, sharing that energy.

I’ve enjoyed watching all the competitors. While I don’t have specific favorites, I have particularly appreciated Maddynf’s performances; she was among the first competitive Fortnite women players I discovered, and her positivity really shines. I also love watching Fraanticc, Moxie, Regs, Sommerset, and many others.

They all exhibit outstanding skills while exemplifying how to compete intensely without embracing toxicity, which makes them refreshing figures in the community.

Q) Thank you once again for your time. Before we conclude, do you have any advice for aspiring female content creators and gamers?

ThePeachCobbler: The Milk Cup isn’t just a tournament; it’s where change begins. We’re here to celebrate you and provide the spotlight you deserve. Women have been overshadowed for too long, and we’re focused on altering that by creating a safe and welcoming space. Join us in tournaments and become part of our Discord community; we’ve got your back!

Fortnite The Milk Cup will be hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 5, 2024. This event is anticipated to be the last significant Fortnite tournament of 2024.

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