Wayne State to level up with new gaming lounge
Students will soon have access to state-of-the-art technology via the Wayne State Esports Gaming Lounge, powered by Dell. Construction is underway, and the lounge is anticipated to open in fall 2020, (dependent on university operations) as a shared, reservable space that is open to all students.
Located in the lower level of the Student Center Building, the Wayne State Esports Gaming Lounge will provide an open space for students to engage in today’s most popular video games, including Fortnite, League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., Overwatch and more. Short for electronic sports, Esports is a blend of competitive, skill-based talent with video games that is growing in popularity on college campuses nationwide.
The lounge will house three console gaming stations with televisions, plus configurations to support 20 individuals at a time, with ergonomic esports desks and gaming chairs, as well as Alienware Aurora R9 computers and accompanying monitors. The lounge will also be able to accommodate 6-on-6 or 5-on-5 tournaments.
Students seeking to learn more about Esports are invited to tune in virtually to the Esports Invitational, set for June 12-14, in which WSU students will compete with students from other Michigan universities. A full schedule and stream is available via WSU Esport’s Discord.
“This lounge will give us an area where people can communicate and practice in a collaborative environment, and it will also encourage the community to learn more about Esports,” said Misbahul Hoque, president of the Wayne Esports student organization. “Promoting accessibility will help aid to eliminate the stigma around gaming as a whole.”
An interest in esports already exists on campus, according to a survey of student interest conducted by C&IT. The Dean of Students Office currently has numerous Esports-related student organizations, including Wayne Esports, which has more than 400 members. Additionally, Esports leagues are available through the Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center, and gaming computers and related technology are popular features in the University Library System’s Tech Bunker and Vault. A university-wide Esports committee has recently been established to discuss future opportunities and collaborations on campus.
“Esports are a great way to connect with others through the art of gaming. It brings together all tastes and styles, and incorporates competitiveness with team building,” said Rameesha Shaheen, who is an Esports liaison with the student organization. “Anyone from any background can take part. With an Esports lounge coming to Wayne State, it provides our teams with an extra edge on team performance, while allowing a place for meeting, socializing and spending quality time together.”
To learn more about the Esports Gaming Lounge, please contact esports@wayne.edu or visit their Discord.