For those who may not know you — tell us a little about yourself and how you found your way into gaming and content creation.
Hello, I’m Chantal, Chan or better known as ItzChantall online. Just a 4'11 Vegemite in a content creator world. Gaming for me started the same week Halo Combat Evolved came out, and I haven't looked back since. Gaming brings me a space of comfort, a place that feels like home, no matter how much I may be losing the match and missing those shots. I started streaming for 8 months in 2022 to try it out, took almost 2 years off, and came back in 2024. I’m so proud of where I am today and privileged to have the community, the friends, and the support of those around me! I wouldn’t be anywhere without you all. Thank you for giving me these opportunities!
Prior to streaming and creating content full-time, I worked for 10 years as a Medical Imaging Assistant, primarily with cancer patients. Being in that industry helped build that passion to make a space that is cozy, yet sometimes pure chaos. A place that is warm and feels like a home when the world feels a little bit too heavy. No matter if you stop in for 5 mins and don’t come back for 5 months, to make it always welcoming and always there for you when you need to escape, just game or laugh while you lurk in the dark. Working in the medical field showed me so much. I’ve seen the pure and happiest moments in life, joy that makes the whole room cry; however, I’ve also seen the dark, the devastating and pure heartbreak. With that, it did make me feel lonely, cold, even in some aspects of life. I’d finish a 12-hour shift and sit in my thoughts, gaming alone. I didn’t have IRL friends who gamed. That’s where streaming saved me, honestly.
I started streaming in hopes of making friends to game with, in hopes of brightening someone's day as much as they brightened mine. While also bringing support and vocalisation to the importance of helping those around us and giving back to things I’m passionate about, like The Bungie Foundation. You never know what anyone's going through, so if I can bring a little bit of brightness, a little bit of laughter, that’s more than I’ll ever be able to hope for.
Marathon is finally here! What’s been your experience so far?
I’ve truly been loving Marathon, it’s so dynamic and requires a whole new skill set, every single run is unique, from the solo, duo to trio experience is all so vastly different. Although I don’t enjoy the solo play as much. It stresses me out, I’m on edge, but I’m addicted! Nothing has come close to this feeling of loading in with the crew, free kit or our best loot. Just no fear and fully sending it, those are the runs you never forget, win or lose, the vibes are 10/10! My favourite memories will always be the #WIG (Women in Gaming) Crew, Ilse and VioletShade! These two incredible women are two of the most wholesome, funny and intelligent Women I’m so privileged to call my friends! Every loss, tense moment or extraction, these women have my back while also having me in tears from laughing! From alpha testing to server slamming and through to full release, it's pure chaos! Like jumping into the opposition's extract and leaving Violet behind.. at least she got to get all the loot to herself, our kindness.. Right?
Which Runner shell is your favorite? What do you love about it
Originally, I was a Recon diehard. The ability to track and be more situational aware, not just for myself but for my team, to help support and coordinate team play, was really appealing, but since the server slam into release, I have been loving Assassin, and I’m hard stuck. Something about stealth, backline infiltration and being able to escape while avoiding detection to get those revives, or that rotation to repush for the team win has just been so satisfying!
Why is fundraising for the Bungie Foundation important to you?
Fundraising for The Bungie Foundation gives us the ability to help bring a sense of normalcy during distressing situations for patients going through the toughest moments of their lives. It's an incredible opportunity for us to share awareness, visibility, and support those in need on a larger scale. It's an honour to be chosen to represent the Bungie Foundation on a formal level, but it's even more gratifying to be able to see first-hand the vital role we can play in the mental health and happiness we can bring.
Supporting the Bungie Foundation symbolises my commitment to creating awareness while fostering a proud community that is also as committed to helping and joining as we shine a spotlight on the mission at hand and make a positive impact, extending an open embrace to all communities. Being in the position to help, I’m able to offer a different perspective, an insight into the medical field, and how important it is for us to help support those who need it so much more than we do. As a Medical Imaging Assistant working with cancer patients for the last 10 years, from infants to the elderly, navigating through their journeys with them from the day of diagnosis, performing and/ or being their support person during all procedures, up until their last appointment with me, whatever that may look like. Fundraising with the Bungie Foundation has deepened my appreciation for people, life, and the diverse paths we all travel. It’s shown me just how important emotional and mental well-being is, and gives us the opportunity to make a difference together!
What does being a Lightkeeper mean to you?
To me, being a Lightkeeper means stepping up to support those in need, being the keeper of hope, and using my influence and platform to make a positive difference. If I have the opportunity to help change someone’s life for the better, to feel heard, to be seen and bring a smile, a laugh to someone who may be going through the worst time. To bring warmth and comfort, creating a safe space where they feel supported and always welcome. I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen. It’s truly an honour to be part of something so meaningful and to help spread that hope with all.
Is there a particular focus of the Bungie Foundation’s work that you feel especially close to or passionate about? What stands out to you about the Bungie Foundation community’s commitment to giving back?
Working in Medical Imaging for the last 10 years, I feel a strong passion for all three core mission pillars that the Bungie Foundation supports: Children's health and well-being, Humanitarian aid and Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. Helping raise funds and bring a sense of normalcy to the lives of those who need it most, and creating an inclusive and strong environment, are very important to me. It feels so incredibly rewarding to know how much of a difference we can make and help bring even the slightest bit of normalcy to sick kids by fundraising and, in turn, providing children's hospitals worldwide with joy and laughter when the world feels heavy. It’s more than just fundraising events; it’s a true testament to Bungie’s community, to our communities, and to our ability to rally together and make an impact where it matters most. That's what shared passion is, and bringing something we’re all passionate about, like gaming, that's where we have the opportunity to turn into something bigger, together. Gaming is a place where we can escape for a short while. Where we can form a bond and create a space that is beyond “the people online”, it's a family. I’m passionate about helping those in need and bringing hope and a brighter day to those who need it most, with the community right beside me.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you personally?
Women’s History Month is a time for reflection and gratitude to the women who came before us, the women who stand with us, and those who help uplift and inspire us. It’s about honouring the past by actively working together to achieve our own goals. We celebrate the achievements of all women across all fields, races, and backgrounds. To me, personally, Women’s History Month serves as a reminder of progress made in gender equality while reinforcing the ongoing need for representation, inclusion, and the continuous growth and celebration of each other!
As a woman in gaming, what has your journey been like?
I grew up in a male-dominated household with 6 brothers. Gaming was bonding, and if you died in the game, that's your turn done, so you had no choice but to get good at the game or wait until it’s your turn again if you threw. We rotated between the Nintendo 64 and Gameboy, Xbox, and later, around the time the Sims came out, we got a Windows 95, and I haven’t looked back since. Gaming brings me so much joy and peace. Although being a woman in gaming and livestreaming, it can be very cutthroat; you’ll have days where you’re told to get in the kitchen, and that same day you’re celebrated for 1v3 and bring the whole team back in a Marathon run. It can be incredible, but you also need some tough skin. I have loved my journey. As a kid, I lived for Kung Fu Chaos, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Halo, Pokémon Red and Blue (Charmander always), Warcraft and Sim, just to name a few. I have always been fascinated by the gaming world. I went from working a very demanding, very consuming yet rewarding job for 10 years, from seeing the best and worst sides of life and people. To full-time gaming and fully loving what I do. I feel privileged to call my passion my job. I started streaming because I wanted to make like-minded friends. I hated gaming alone, I didn’t want anyone else to feel lonely either, and I just want to bring as much laughter and joy to everything I play, even at my own expense. Life is tough, so if I can help uplift your spirits for just 5 mins, that's all I can ask for. I’ve seen a very sad and dark side of the medical industry, but on the other hand, it has helped shape me, along with gaming, into the woman I am today.
What barriers do you think still exist for women in gaming, and how can communities help break them down?
While women make up nearly half of the gaming population, significant barriers do unfortunately still exist. Online harassment, sexism, and stereotypes regarding competence are still a regular occurrence, and we, along with all of our communities, can help break down these barriers by coming together and actively fostering inclusive environments. Enforcing standards for how we speak to women, showing all women the same respect, encouragement, and celebration in an industry that can sometimes feel very lonely and unnecessarily competitive to be that “top woman”. With our community's backing, we create change and pave the way for women for generations to come.
What advice would you give to young women who want to get into gaming or content creation?
You are incredible, just the way you are. You don’t have to act like someone else to fit in. You don’t need to prove anything. Just show up, set firm boundaries where needed, and do not put up with harassment. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and uplift you. Play what you love and what excites you. Make and post the TikTok, flood those Reels, stay goofy. Create what you want; there’s a place for everyone and all of us, together. You are not less than anyone else, don’t compromise and make yourself small, you are worth all of your dreams and more! The best way to learn is to do it. Try everything that inspires you, fail, learn, and try again. Keep going! Your vibe will attract your tribe! We are so privileged to have women in this industry, just like you. Remember, you can be both clever and kind. Thick skin isn’t built overnight, and we’re all human. I could say, "Don’t let those opinions affect you," but if you’re like me, some will, and it’s okay to feel that emotion. However, remember that those harsh, horrible opinions don't define you! You know who you are, and if you make a mean BLT, own it, and add that pineapple on the pizza! Together, we can provide a safe environment for women and help amplify the support of other women in the industry.
Anything else to add? Together, we set the standards for all #womeningaming. Happy Women’s History Month!