AU unveils eSports arena with benefits beyond gaming

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta University has unveiled its new eSports arena.

It was a packed room for the highly anticipated opening.

Augusta University has had a team in the Peach Belt for years. After five years, they are finally ing only seven other schools in the state of Georgia that have a home turf.

“It’s surreal, being here is a dream, I feel like I’m dreaming,” said Jordan Moratin, Augusta University student and Rocket League coach.

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Moratin went to the university with the idea in 2021 with more than 70 other students wanting an eSports Arena.

Now, Moratin and other students came to celebrate an arena ready for gamers.

Conner Sartain, a student, said: “The nerdier side of people don’t often get to congregate like this so it’s cool.”

Students say the arena will also help students get involved in more activities on campus.

“Students will start socializing more. A lot of us are antisocial. We don’t play sports. We don’t pick up anything that looks like a ball, so it gives everyone a chance to socialize and make great connections,” said Sartain.

It also goes beyond gaming.

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“It’s a space that creates opportunities for leadership and teamwork. Our students log hours and hours to hone their skills,” said Dr. Colin Stewart, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. “This is a doorway to the profession. There are eSports competitors making full-time jobs out of this, production, shout casting, and analytics. This is a multi-billion dollar industry.”

It includes working to evolve the gaming industry through the university’s new animation program.

A.B. Osbrone, Director of the Animation Program, said: “We’re just nerdy people making creative things, so most of my students want to make video games as a career and our future is tied to eSports.”

Hannah Adams, an animation student, said: “This allows you to go watch people playing games and see what they like, who they like to play as, what they’re looking for and even come to the event and ask ‘What other games are you looking for?’ and for us as students it allows us to work on games that people want to play more.”

In the future, AU said they are looking to make an eSports minor for students. In the arena, they want to host tournaments and even bring in teams to play.