Since September 2021, the conception of the Esports Living Lab (ELL) has been underway, it’s expected to be established after this semester’s spring break.
Esports, comprising of multiplayer video games like League of Legends and Valorant often played on a competitive level,gained popularity throughout the pandemic. The lab will facilitate students in playing video games together in a communal space.
At the onset of COVID-19 in the fall of 2020, USF initiated its esports program aiming to unite students at a time of physical separation as per Andrew Ross, esports program coordinator.
Related: The Tampa campus opens a provisional esports lab with a permanent one set to launch fall 2024
These initiatives have led to 11 esports clubs, 23 esports competitions, and the new ELL — all of which are open to all interested students.
Computer science student, sophomore Avi Kaur, expressed enthusiasm for a space where he can game with his friends who lack appropriate equipment.
“My friends and I normally swap turns during matches since there aren’t enough controllers to go around,” Kaur noted. “A space providing free controllers permits us all to play simultaneously.”
Initially slated to open in spring 2022, the ELL was indefinitely shelved in November 2022 due to escalated product costs. Progress restarted in October 2023.
Related:The Esports Living Lab project cost nearly doubled, causing indefinite delay
The 2,500-square-foot lab located in Room 005 of the Campus Recreation Center (REC) will be equipped with 40 PCs, two TVs, and a range of consoles such as Xboxes, PlayStations, Wiis, and Nintendo Switches according to Ross. In comparison, the temporary esports lab houses just 16 PCs.
The lab priced roughly at $1.1 million covers the cost of the area’s revamp as well as the gaming gear necessary to accommodate as many students as possible. There are talks of setting aside money annually to renew equipment every 4-5 years, says Ross.
Statistics major, junior Eric Yang, conveyed his excitement to test consoles he hasn’t explored before.
“I haven’t had the chance to try a Nintendo Switch before. I’m eager to assess whether it’s decent and if I might be intrigued to acquire one,” Yang said.
The ELL plan includes three sections: a leisure area with computers and TVs accessible to all students, a private gaming room specifically for esports competitions, and a broadcasting and production studio designated for streaming esports events live, shares Ross.
Operational hours have yet to be confirmed according to Ross.
Facilities can be booked via the ELL’s online reservation page, with a maximum usage of two hours per reservation. Only two bookings per day are permitted to prevent overutilization. When the permanent lab is open, the reservation process is expected to remain the same according to Ross.
Ross emphasized an ELL consideration is to enhance the accessibility of esports for all students and pave the way for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to partake in their favorite games. He said,
“From the onset, the goal of [the esports program] was to dismantle financial hurdles encountered in esports as gaming isn’t affordable,” Ross said.
Gaming computers and consoles come with a steep price tag and are inconvenient to transport especially for international students or those coming from out-of-state. Ross noted that a local gaming facility provides an opportunity for students unable to afford certain consoles or bring them from home to partake in their favorite hobbies.
A team of 15 students employed at the temporary ELL facility will transition to the permanent location upon its opening, according to Ross. The students are responsible for managing online platforms like the esports program’s Discord, broadcasting gaming matches, and overseeing facilities.
Ross disclosed that the ELL is receiving its final touches and staff are being trained in anticipation of its unveiling later this spring.
“Students will have the opportunity to engage with their peers on campus, in a safe environment indulging in what they love to do- playing video games. We want this to be a haven for such students,” expressed Ross.