Lilian Chen

Lillian Chen has carved a unique and influential path in the world of gaming, blending her talents as a former professional gamer, web designer, and advocate for women in eSports. Known by her online alias “Milktea”, she first entered the competitive Super Smash Brothers scene as a shy teenager in 2004. Within a year, she was travelling across the United States, competing in tournaments and gaining recognition—not just for her gameplay, but eventually for her voice as a pioneer challenging gender norms in gaming culture.

Chen’s personal experiences with gender bias in the male-dominated world of eSports became the catalyst for her activism. After receiving a message from a fellow female gamer on social media, she was inspired to speak out. Her viral blog posts candidly described the discrimination she faced as one of the few women in the competitive Smash scene. Instead of turning away from the community, Chen chose to foster change from within, focusing her efforts on advocacy that didn’t vilify men, but rather encouraged inclusive conversations.

In 2014, she co-founded The New Meta, a panel of prominent female voices in eSports who discussed the challenges and progress still needed within the industry. Two years later, she launched Smash Sisters, an organisation dedicated to hosting all-female Super Smash Brothers competitions. The debut event took place at Genesis 3 in 2016, where over fifty women participated, marking a significant moment for female visibility in competitive gaming. Through these initiatives, Chen has aimed to create safe, empowering spaces for women in eSports.

Lillian’s work has been widely acknowledged, both within and outside the gaming community. She delivered a powerful message at TEDYouth in 2014, urging gamers to confront and dismantle exclusionary behaviours. She also featured in the 2013 Smash Brothers documentary, which highlighted her role in shaping the scene. Most recently, she has taken her talents to the tech world, now working at YouTube as an Interaction Designer. With her approachable speaking style and sharp insight, Chen continues to be a driving force for positive change in gaming, ensuring that the industry becomes a more welcoming space for everyone.