In the fall of 2016, UC Irvine will be debuting their first official e-sports arena. The 3,500 square-foot facility will provide a stage for competitors, 80 personal computers, and a studio for live broadcasting. Backed by iBuyPower and Riot Games, this arena will serve as a major social hub for the student body and Southern California.
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“UCI eSports will be built on four pillars: competition, academics, entertainment and community,” said Thomas Parham, vice chancellor for student affairs. “We hope to attract the best gamers from around the world, and our academic programs in computer gaming science, digital arts, computer science, engineering, anthropology, law, medicine, neuroscience and behavior create a strong foundation for research and inquiry related to gaming.”
UC Irvine has a strong following for e-sports, and sees potential for this community to grow. With the new gaming arena UCI will become a popular destination for young gamers. Other colleges should make note of this new wave of gaming due to the increasing number of players. With scholarships being given out, it gives students a different way to engage and compete against each other.
“It has been a dream for many of us on campus that UCI recognize the importance of e-sports and create a space and a program that cater to the large community of gamers at the university,” said Jesse Wang, president of The Association of Gamers. “The eSports team and the arena will ensure that UCI continues to be a leader and trendsetter in collegiate e-sports.”