Page 32 - Campus Technology, January/February 2019

:: eSPORTS
RETHINKING HOW TECHNOLOGY IS USED IN EDUCATION
amount of “hitching, lag or tearing” that takes place on the screen. While ordinary players might not see the difference, professionals “notice the little things — the slightest tear or hesitation.” Gaming monitors must also be matched up against the graphics card. Those running an NVIDIA will be happier with certain monitors vs. those with an AMD GPU.
Finally, esports also requires keyboards, mice and headsets. For those, said Stover, “Everybody is going to have their preferences.” While controllers may be standard fare for home players, competitive esports typically uses the keyboard and mouse. Where a game does require a controller (such as Street Fighter or Super Smash Bros.), noted Stover, players are accustomed to bringing their own.
The equipment investment doesn’t just serve the needs of esports, added Stover. “This type of hardware can be used for more than just gaming. It works for all the other digital content-related software needs schools have too.” That includes pop-up computer labs that are needed for temporary events and academic needs.
DEVELOP YOUR RTS
The real-time strategy for growing your operation has multiple dimensions, Stover said.
Get students involved in putting on day-long competitions and then let them go at each other in front of an audience for prizes and glory.
Develop a custom Twitch team channel through
the company’s student program, to promote campus esports efforts. Customize with school colors and logo; include a stream schedule, team photo and roster; archive for videos on demand; and broadcast special events. This presence will provide an interactive way
for outsiders to get to know the school and learn about its esports initiatives virtually. Eventually, the school
can look at making the club an official Twitch partner, which includes monetization opportunities, access to event swag and ever greater numbers of custom channel emoticons that could help players and fans meme your school to fame.
Go moneyball and promote research projects. After all, esports involves a lot of science and specifically data analytics, Stover pointed out. “Because you can track the movements of the players, you can track all the stats on a more intricate level than you ever could with physical sports. All that data will continue to play into how this grows.”
Fuel the fire. The traditional flavor of college sports became a big moneymaker for higher ed when savvy radio networks began broadcasting the games, heralding the start of corporate advertisers, the sale
of broadcast rights and big-time merchandise vending. Could esports be on the cusp of something comparable? Stover believes so. “Seeing the passion among the folks who attend and watch these events, it’s like going to a college basketball or football game. You have that same feeling. You inherently get into it. You may not know everything going on, but you feel that intensity and that excitement. You can see why it’s growing.”
For more information, please visit: www.lenovo.com/legion
PRODUCED BY: SPONSORED BY: