Article by GSP – Published Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:56 p.m. / Updated Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:57 p.m.
For six years, Gaming Marathon has become the place where gaming communities in Romania meet, support each other and transform the passion for video games into a shared experience. As every March, the event puts the spotlight on girls and women who are part of this world, but also those who want to build a path in the industry. On March 28, starting at 10:00, at the Gaming Marathon hundreds of thousands of gamers are expected on www.gaming-marathon.ro to a special edition about courage, belonging and the power of a community where everyone can find their place.
For over 15 hours of streaming, 30 content creators, together with their communities, will build together an edition that goes beyond competition and entertainment. Gaming Marathon becomes, this year, a space where young women passionate about video games can see more clearly what a career in gaming means and how many forms it can take, from streaming and esports, to roles in the video game development industry.
One of the special moments of the edition will bring together Gabriela Bucur, Loore, OanaVT, Roxana, Sevena, Umbrița and Ștefania Popescu, in an open discussion about their gaming experiences. They will talk about how friendships are made in this community, but also how it feels sometimes to be the only girl in a lobby full of boys.
The conversation will also touch on the differences in gaming experiences when they choose to use their voice or, conversely, remain anonymous. The discussion will also touch on important topics such as online and offline safety, everyday challenges, the need for support and how more girls can be encouraged to enter a space that needs their voices, talent and perspective.
“Women are no longer an emerging category in gaming, but already represent almost half of players globally. The same in Romania. On the other hand, in esports, they remain below 10% of all professional players – a gap that is not related to interest or talent, but to access, visibility and opportunities. Gaming Marathon exists precisely to reduce this imbalance and to transform a reality already present in the community into a visible one in the performance area.”, he specified Tudor Dăescu, Gaming Marathon co-organizer.
At the same time, the edition also conveys an important message about the culture surrounding video games. Often times, toxic online behaviors cause some girls and women to avoid in-game communication, which falsely feeds the impression that they don't belong in this community. In reality, they are active, playing, participating, building and contributing. Gaming Marathon aims to bring this reality closer to the public and support a more open, healthy and inclusive culture for all who love gaming.
“At this edition, we're excited to talk openly about what it's like to find your place in a gaming community still often perceived as predominantly male, about the first experiences that shape you as a gamer, and about the moments when you end up surprising yourself precisely because you were underestimated. Beyond the personal stories, I think the most important message is that video games have the power to bring people together, regardless of gender, and that the most beautiful communities are built when there is respect, trust and the sincere joy of playing together,” he stated Antonia Nuckle, Content Creator.
Female voices in gaming
The event also brings to the fore a series of special guests: women who contribute to the gaming universe in different but equally important roles. From the development of video games and the organization of competitions, to new forms of esports and formal education in game development, the audience will discover stories that show how varied and alive this ecosystem is.
Tudor Butan will talk to Alexandra Grigorie about how he contributed to the involvement of the Dinamo club in the eSuperliga and how he brought the virtual competition closer to the public, through its integration on the VOYO streaming platform. SylvaticStone will have Irina Popa as a guestLead Level Designer at the Romanian studio Amber, for a discussion about the role of women in the development of video games and how important their presence is in this creative process.
Andu will talk with Ilinca Hoinic about the complexity of organizing esports competitions such as eSuperliga or DraculaN. Paul2M will have a guest at Echo Schoolthe first faculty in Romania dedicated to the development of video games, which will tell about how you turn your passion for games into the desire to create them.
At the same time, Roxana will bring to the fore the story of one of the first Romanian women which competitively explores a new type of esports, practiced in virtual reality, at EVA VR in Bucharest.
Board game communities at Marathon
Starting with this edition, the Gaming Marathon universe also expands beyond the video game space, through the presence of three large board game communities. TCG Arena will mark the release of new products from the One Piece series through unboxing sessions, competitions and special prizes. 1UP Gamers Hub prepare a mini-marathon of Monopoly: One Piece in the frame Anime & Manga Daysagain Bucharest Geek Hub will bring a Dungeons & Dragons session with an all-girl team to the program, in a moment that naturally complements the theme of this edition.
Many competitions, challenges and prizes
In addition, at the Gaming Marathon, there is no shortage of competitions and challenges. AlexaTV and SylvaticStone will put their communities to the test in a special moment built around the idea of game switch. The two creators will change their favorite game and challenge the audience to an experience full of energy, surprises and competitiveness.
AndreiRO will enter a special adventure in the universe GTA Vwhere he will have to pass numerous challenges to find the gaming monitor lost in the game. Along the way, his community will play an essential role: those who guide them most effectively in this mission will have the chance to be rewarded with a Philips Evnia gaming monitor.
In turn, BTN, Alin Mocean and Wertythree of the most well-known content creators in the area of Counter-Strikewill enter matches alongside members of their communities on the Money Strike map, created by Raiffeisen Bank. In a format that combines competition with learning, participants will have the opportunity to better understand how the in-game economy works and practice, directly with experienced players, crucial strategies for decisions that can change the fate of a match.
As with every edition, the Gaming Marathon experience will also be completed by numerous prizes for the participants. Counter-Strike skins, Philips Evnia gaming monitors, HyperX and Lenovo Legion gaming peripherals and accessories, Steam Gift Cards, free sessions at the EVA VR arenas in the Capital and many other surprises await the most involved members of the community.
