Remilia

Early Life and Gaming Beginnings

Maria Creveling was born in Portland, Maine, on February 2, 1995. She came out as a transgender woman at the age of 15, a decision that led to her being disowned by her mother. Before discovering League of Legends, she was an avid player of other competitive games, including the real-time strategy title Age of Mythology and the third-person shooter GunZ: The Duel. These early gaming experiences laid the foundation for her competitive drive and mechanical skill.

Rise Through the Challenger Series

Remilia began her professional career in the North American Challenger Series (NA CS), the secondary league to the NA LCS. She first competed under the name Yuno as the support for Curse Academy in July 2013. It was here that she built her reputation, becoming particularly known for her mastery of the champion Thresh. Her precise and impactful play earned her the nicknames Thresh Queen and MadWife, the latter a reference to the Korean support player MadLife.

After leaving Curse Academy, she played for several teams trying to qualify for the NA CS, including No Big Deal, Necrofantasian, Team Dragon Knights, and Roar. In early 2015, she changed her in-game name to Remilia and joined Misfits. This team, which later rebranded to Renegades in June 2015 after qualifying for the NA CS, became the platform for her greatest competitive success. With Renegades, she won the 2015 NA CS summer finals against Team Coast, securing a spot in the premier NA LCS for the 2016 spring split.

Historic LCS Debut and Sudden Hiatus

In 2016, Remilia made her historic debut in the NA LCS, playing under the shortened alias Remi for Renegades. This made her the first woman and first transgender person to compete in the league, a fact recognized by Guinness World Records. However, her time in the spotlight was brief and difficult. Just a few weeks into the season, she stepped down from the starting roster.

She cited anxiety and self-esteem issues worsened by the pressure of performing on stage. Furthermore, her debut was marred by significant online harassment, including sexist and transphobic comments during live streams and on related content. This combination of factors forced her to take an abrupt hiatus from professional play.

Later Career and Shift to Streaming

After an eight-month break, Remilia returned to competition in October 2016, joining the South American team Kaos Latin Gamers under the name Sakuya. Her stint was short, as she played only one event before leaving in January 2017 to return to the United States for surgery on a paralyzed vocal cord. Later that same month, she joined NA LCS team FlyQuest as a substitute player but departed the organization by August.

Following her departure from FlyQuest, she shifted her focus away from professional competition. She began streaming gameplay on Twitch, primarily playing League of Legends and its auto-battler mode, Teamfight Tactics, connecting directly with her fanbase.

Legacy and Death

Maria Creveling died in her sleep on December 27, 2019, at the age of 24. Her death was announced publicly the following day by esports journalist Richard Lewis, a close friend and roommate at the time. Fans around the world paid tribute online, leaving messages on her Twitch and Twitter pages. Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, also released an official statement mourning her passing.

Remilia's legacy is that of a pioneer who broke significant barriers in esports. Her skill, particularly on Thresh, proved that talent knows no gender. Her difficult experience also highlighted the intense pressures and toxic environments that can exist at the highest levels of competition, sparking ongoing conversations about player welfare and inclusivity in gaming.