Kayane Explained

Id:Kayane
Marie-Laure Norindr
Upright:0.9
Birth Date:17 June 1991
Birth Place:Paris, France
Nickname:Kayane
Nationality:French
Team:Red Bull
Career Start:2001

Marie-Laure Norindr (born 17 June 1991 in Paris), also known as Kayane, is a French esports player and journalist. She specializes in fighting games, in particular in the Dead or Alive, Soulcalibur and Street Fighter series, and has been playing competitively since 2001. Since then, according to Guinness World Records in 2011, she has been the most successful female participant in fighting game tournaments, especially regarding the Soulcalibur games. She is currently sponsored by Red Bull.[1]

Biography

Marie-Laure Norindr was born on 17 June 1991 in Paris and grew up in Argenteuil, a north-western suburb.[2] She is of Laotian and Vietnamese descent[3] and her nickname Kayane comes from conjunction of the names of Dead or Alive characters Kasumi and Ayane.[4] [5]

Kayane has played video games since her early childhood, interested in a variety of genres.[6] In 2001, she won the second place in France's vice-champion in Dead or Alive 2 at an age of nine; it was the first tournament that she has ever participated in.[7] Since then, she has competed in scores of gaming competitions in France and around the world (over 80 in total by 2012[8]), winning many of them;[9] her Major League Gaming record includes second place in Soulcalibur V in 2012.[10] She has been a member of the Mad Catz pro gaming team[11] and was sponsored by eLive.pro.[12] In 2014, Kayane became the first electronic athlete from France to be sponsored by Red Bull.[13] [14]

Kayane has co-organized various gaming events (including charity events[15] and "Kayane Session" events[12]), became a brand ambassador for the French Soulcalibur V launch event and advertisement campaign,[16] [17] and worked as an esports writer and journalist. Since October 2013, she has been co-hosting the TV show Game One e-Sports on French television channel Game One.[18] [19] [20] As of 2012, Norindr has been studying business; she said she sees herself in esports for ten more years "before starting a family."[8] In 2020 she started a series of French Soulcalibur VI tournaments titled Kayane Cup.[21] In April 2021 she co-hosted the WePlay eSports Ultimate Fighting League Soulcalibur VI event, a high-profile invitational hosted in Kyiv.

Accolades

In 2012, Kayane entered Guinness World Records in the categories "First Female Super Street Fighter IV World Champion"[22] [23] [24] (EVO 2010, playing as Chun-Li, regarded by Kayane as a personal role model[8])[25] [26] and "Most Podium Placements in a Fighting-Game Tournament for a Female (2001–2011)".[27] According to Guinness, she has been ranked top three in 42 fighting games tournaments by 2011. Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition also awarded her the title of "Most Successful Female SoulCalibur Player" for her 48 Soulcalibur series podium placements between 2002 and 2012.[28] [29]

In 2009, Namco created a tribute AI named "Kayane" for the character Xianghua (Kayane's favourite Soulcalibur character[6]) in , imitating Kayane's playing style.[7] [30] A character named "Kayane" appeared in 2012's Soulcalibur V. In 2012, Forbes called Kayane "the most consistently successful female fighting game competitor of the 21st century,"[31] and French magazine Le Point called her the "queen of fighters";[8] in 2013, Complex included her beating members of the audience without looking at the screen[32] among the "most incredible performances in video games".[33]

Tournament record

Year Tournament Game Location Place
2019 North East Championships Soulcalibur VI Lancaster, PA, United States 13
2019 Ultimate Fighting Arena Soulcalibur VI Saint-Denis, France 5
2019 Celtic Throwdown Soulcalibur VI Dublin, Ireland 1
2019 Soulcalibur VI Las Vegas, United States 7
2018 Soulcalibur VI Las Vegas, United States 5
2014 Ultra Street Fighter IV Jönköping, Sweden 9
2013 Xbox One Tour Killer Instinct Paris, France 1
2013 Japan Arcade Team 3v3 Soulcalibur V Tokyo, Japan 3
2013 EVO 2013 Side Event Soulcalibur V Las Vegas, United States 7
2012 Stun Academy Dead or Alive 5 Paris, France 5
2012 Dead or Alive 5 Los Angeles, United States 5
2012 Super Arcade USA Tougeki Qualifications Soulcalibur V Los Angeles, United States 1
2012 Bar Fight Soulcalibur V Philadelphia, United States 2
2012 CEO Soulcalibur V Orlando, United States 2
2012 Major League Gaming Summer Championship Soulcalibur V Los Angeles, United States 2
2012 Major League Gaming Spring Arena (TOP8 Tournament) Soulcalibur V New York City, United States 3
2012 Soul Arena #6 Soulcalibur V Paris, France 2
2012 Soul Arena #4 Soulcalibur V Paris, France 2
2012 Stunfest (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur V Rennes, France 2
2012 Major League Gaming Winter Championship Soulcalibur V Columbus, United States 7
2012 World Game Cup (World Team Tournament as Team France) Soulcalibur V Cannes, France 1
2012 World Game Cup (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur V Cannes, France 1
2012 World Game Cup (Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur V Cannes, France 5
2012 SoulCalibur V Launch Event Soulcalibur V Paris, France 1
2012 SoulCalibur V Official Qualifier Tournament for French Finals Soulcalibur V Paris, France 1
2011 World Game Cup 3v3 Super Street Fighter IV Cannes, France 2
2011 World Game Cup (Solo Master Series) Super Street Fighter IV Cannes, France 3
2011 World Game Cup 3v3 Soulcalibur IV Cannes, France 2
2011 World Game Cup 5v5 Soulcalibur IV Cannes, France 3
2011 World Game Cup (Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur IV Cannes, France Top 8
2011 Beat By Contest World (Solo Tournament) Super Street Fighter IV Lausanne, Switzerland Top 11
2011 Beat By Contest World (Team Tournament) Super Street Fighter IV Lausanne, Switzerland Top 16
2010 Bushido Impact XIV Team 2vs2 Super Street Fighter IV Paris, France 3
2010 Super Versus Battle Team (European Tournament) Soulcalibur IV London, United Kingdom 2
2010 Super Versus Battle Team (European Tournament) Super Street Fighter IV London, United Kingdom 3
2010 EVO Women Invitational (World Tournament) Super Street Fighter IV Las Vegas, United States 1
2010 Stunfest Soulcalibur IV Rennes, France 4
2010 Gnouz Ranking 1 Saison 3 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 8
2010 World Game Cup Soulcalibur IV Cannes, France 9
2010 Bushido Nibaï Impact 3 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 1
2010 Bushido Impact 2 Saison 1 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 4
2009 Bushido Impact 1 Saison 1 Team Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 1
2009 Bushido Impact 1 Saison 1 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 7
2009 Gnouz Ranking 6 Saison 2 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 9
2009 Gnouz Ranking 5 Saison 2 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 1
2009 Cup Console Sports League Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 1
2009 Game in Chelles Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 4
2009 Gnouz Ranking Resurrection Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 5
2009 Evolution (World Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur IV Las Vegas, United States 9
2009 Nationals (World Tournament) Soulcalibur IV Denver, United States 17
2009 Internationals (World Tournament) Soulcalibur IV Denver, United States 7
2008 Gnouz Ranking 3 Saison 2 Team Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 1
2008 Gnouz Ranking 3 Saison 2 Solo Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 3
2008 Gnouz Ranking 2 Saison 2 Team Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 2
2008 Gnouz Ranking 2 Saison 2 Solo Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 5
2008 Gnouz Ranking 1 Saison 2 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 9
2008 Soulcalibur IV Paris, France 2
2007 Gnouz Ranking 5 Saison 1 Soulcalibur III Paris, France 3
2007 Gnouz Ranking 4 Saison 1 Soulcalibur III Paris, France 3
2007 Gnouz Ranking 3 Saison 1 Soulcalibur III Paris, France 5
2007 Gnouz Ranking 2 Saison 1 Soulcalibur III Paris, France 1
2007 Gnouz Ranking 1 Saison 1 Soulcalibur III Paris, France 1
2007 E-games Soulcalibur III Toulouse, France 1
2006 World Game Cup World (Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur III Cannes, France 3
2006 World Game Cup World (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur III Cannes, France 2
2006 Gnouz Calibur Contest Soulcalibur III Paris, France 2
2005 World Championship Soulcalibur II Paris, France 1
2004 World Game Cup (World Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur II Cannes, France 4
2004 World Game Cup (World Team Tournament As a Team France member) Soulcalibur II Cannes, France 2
2004 Japan Expo Soulcalibur II Paris, France 2
2004 World Cyber Games Soulcalibur II Paris, France 2
2004 Event Soulcalibur II Paris, France1
2004 Esiée Soulcalibur II Paris, France 1
2003 World Cup Soulcalibur II Paris, France 2
2003 Cartoonist (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur II Paris, France 1
2003 Japan Expo Soulcalibur II Paris, France 3
2002 Salon de l'imaginaire Soulcalibur Paris, France 3
2002 World Championship (Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur Paris, France 1
2002 World Championship (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur Paris, France 1
2002 Fan Festival (Team Tournament) Soulcalibur Paris, France 1
2002 Fan Festival (Solo Tournament) Soulcalibur Paris, France 2
2001 Epita Dead or Alive 2 Paris, France 2
2001 BD Expo Dead or Alive 2 Paris, France 2

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kayane revient sur l'EVO et le sacre de Luffy - Actualités - 14/07/2014 . JeuxVideo.com . 2014-07-14 . 2014-07-20.
  2. Web site: Words: Alex Nassar / Photos: Olivier Metzger . Kayane: Born to Win . The Red Bulletin . 1991-06-17 . 2014-07-20.
  3. Web site: Videogame/ Bella e "cattiva": Kayane, campionessa mondiale di picchiaduro, si racconta ad . Affaritaliani.it . 2013-10-04 . Italian . 17 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190917010724/http://www.affaritaliani.it/mediatech/videogame-kayane100212.html . dead .
  4. Web site: Kayane Interviews DOA5 Team . Put That Back . 2012-08-17 . 2013-10-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220336/http://www.putthatback.org/kayane-chats-with-doa5-dev-team/ . 2013-10-04 .
  5. Web site: Kayane: le Pro Gaming au féminin | Kayane's journey in US #1 : E3 with IGN Pro league and my Dead Or Alive experience ! . Kayane.fr . 2012-06-13 . 2013-10-05 . 2 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191202195805/https://kayane.fr/2012/06/13/kayanes-journey-in-us-1-e3-with-ign-pro-league-and-my-dead-or-alive-experience/ . dead .
  6. Web site: Marie-Laure "Kayane" Norindr - fightingfenomenet . Skillpoint.se . 2013-09-15 . 2013-10-04 . 4 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221728/http://www.skillpoint.se/text/marie-laure-kayane-norindr-fightingfenomenet . dead .
  7. Web site: Interview: Kayane . Iplaywinner . 2010-07-26 . 2013-10-04.
  8. Web site: Kayane, reine des combats - Le Point . Lepoint.fr . 2012-03-31 . 2013-10-04. French.
  9. http://kayane.fr/tournament-results/ TOURNAMENT RESULTS
  10. Web site: gamespotesports. Keev and Kayane Soul Calibur V 1st and 2nd place Interview . YouTube . 2012-06-11 . 2013-10-04.
  11. Web site: Marie-Laure "Kayane" Norindr . Mad Catz . 2014-07-20.
  12. Web site: Derek Boleware Jr. . Old Interview with Kayane (January 2013) . Rokthereaper.com . 2014-02-18 . 2014-07-20 . 20 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150120093512/http://www.rokthereaper.com/2014/02/old-interview-with-kayane.html . dead .
  13. Web site: Ian "iantothemax" Walker . Marie-Laure "Kayane" Norindr Announces Red Bull Sponsorship . Shoryuken . 2014-02-14 . 2014-07-20 . 11 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811073623/http://shoryuken.com/2014/02/14/marie-laure-kayane-norindr-announces-red-bull-sponsorship/ . dead .
  14. Web site: Hall of Games . Hallofgames.ch . 2014-07-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812053153/http://www.hallofgames.ch/index.php?content=guests&id=&lang=3 . 2014-08-12 .
  15. Web site: A Golden Opportunity | Fight For Relief . Fightforrelief.wordpress.com . April 2011. 2013-10-04.
  16. Web site: Namco Bandai team up with Gamespot to bring UK fans a SOULCALIBUR V launch event - Namco Bandai Games Europe . Uk.namcobandaigames.eu . 2012-01-13 . 2013-10-04.
  17. Web site: SoulCalibur V - Le Making-Of De La Publicité . YouTube . 2012-01-26 . 2014-07-20.
  18. Web site: Kayane rejoint l'équipe de Game One . Vsftv.com . 31 January 2013. 2013-10-11 . French.
  19. Web site: Kayane: le Pro Gaming au féminin | Kayane devient animatrice E-Sport sur Game One . Kayane.fr . 2013-01-31 . 2013-10-11 . French . 3 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130203073527/http://kayane.fr/2013/01/31/kayane-devient-animatrice-e-sport-sur-game-one/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Kayane: le Pro Gaming au féminin | Kayane & Genius animent la nouvelle émission 100% E-sports de Game One ! . Kayane.fr . 2013-10-11 . French . 14 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014084300/http://kayane.fr/2013/10/07/kayane-genius-animent-la-nouvelle-emission-100-e-sports-de-game-one/ . dead .
  21. Web site: Kayane Cup Online #1 - TOP 8 SoulCalibur VI - YouTube . .
  22. Web site: Kayane and Ryan Hart Added to the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2012 . Shoryuken . 2012-01-19 . 2013-10-04 . 5 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004210/http://shoryuken.com/2012/01/19/kayane-and-ryan-hart-added-to-the-guinness-world-records-gamers-edition-2012/ . dead .
  23. Web site: Feature: The Greatest Gaming Guinness World Records - Gaming News . Digital Spy . 2012-01-22 . 2013-10-04.
  24. Web site: MSN Games UK | Best video game world records . X.games.uk.msn.com . 2013-10-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011632/http://x.games.uk.msn.com/galleries/best-video-game-world-records . 2013-10-05 .
  25. Web site: aAa Kayane Wins Evo 2010 Women's Super Street Fighter IV Invitational . Kineda . 2013-06-16 . 2013-10-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005021134/http://www.kineda.com/aaa-kayane-wins-evo-2010-womens-super-street-fighter-iv-invitational/ . 2013-10-05 .
  26. Web site: Video: World's largest video game controller touches down in London . Guinness World Records . 2012-01-20 . 2013-10-04.
  27. Web site: 'Guinness Gamer World Record' Winner . Ibtimes.co.uk . 2012-01-20 . 2013-10-04.
  28. Web site: Kayane, une ambassadrice de charme et de choc pour . Japon Facile . 2012-12-21 . 2013-10-04 . French . 5 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005155159/http://www.japonfacile.com/blog/kayane-ambassadrice-charme-choc-pour-japon-facile/ . dead .
  29. Web site: Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition – Gamer Girls Records . Nulliparaora.com . 2013-10-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235058/http://nulliparaora.com/fgg/?p=6726 . 2013-10-04 .
  30. Web site: Versus FightingTV. VERSUS FIGHTING TV#5 feat. Kayane & Daishi Odashima (producer of Soul Calibur V) . YouTube . 2011-09-24 . 2013-10-04.
  31. Web site: Sex and the Street Fighter: Pro Gaming's Image Problem . Forbes . 2013-10-04.
  32. Web site: Watch 'Soul Calibur V' Pro Kayane Dominate Without Looking at the Screen . EmpireStateGamer.com . 2013-02-28 . 2013-10-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020434/http://www.empirestategamer.com/watch-soul-calibur-v-pro-kayane-dominate-without-looking-at-the-screen/ . 2013-10-05 .
  33. Web site: Big Mama Kayane — The 12 Most Incredible Performances In Video Games . Complex . 2013-03-16 . 2013-10-04.