Edited Oct. 6

On Sept. 29, the Yellow Jackets esports team had its official ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the 2023-24 roster of players along with the unveiling of the new esports lounge and competing arena in Loomis Hall.

Assistant director of esports and 2023 Great Lakes esports Conference Director, Jake Grasso, said the sport will provide a valuable addition to the campus community.

“We live in a world where people just don’t understand each other, and they just don’t talk with one another,” Grasso said. “With this you’re able to do that…you’re able to see where people come from and their background, ethnicities, cultures…this is about understanding the people that you are with so when you leave here you can communicate effectively and problem-solve.”

Timeka Rashid, the vice president for student affairs, said that the popularity of esports has exploded over the years, citing that 557 million people have participated in them since 2020, and Rin Kramer, junior student and president of the esports club, said the industry was valued at $1.4 billion in 2022.

“I think within the last few years video games have spiked, and a lot of people have been super introverted before,” Kramer said. “And now this gives them the time to go and find people and also gives them the opportunity to compete in college and make a career.”

Not only will the team be competing with other in-person universities, but also virtually in national tournaments.

“Esports offers a unique opportunnity to build connections across diverse populations,” Rashid said.

Along with the launch of the new team came also the opening of the new facility. It is equipped with brandnew computers, monitors, Nintendo Switches, loungegaming chairs and couches.

“Now that we have our own space, we can practice whenever we want, and it’s awesome to have a great sense of community and really talk to the other teams for the first time,” Kramer said.