In case you missed it: FIU and Alienware open the doors to the future of FIU Esports

Sofia Bellon | Staff Writer

In a celebration of esports on National Video Game Day, FIU came together with computer hardware company Alienware on Sep. 12 to unveil a state-of-the-art flagship esports lounge at MMC.

In Thursday’s grand opening ceremony, students were invited to get a first look at the new gaming lounge located in the Graham center. The newly inaugurated space is currently “the largest flagship Alienware esports lounge in the country,” according to Assistant Vice President of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Sanyo Mathews. 

The event was complete with music, a raffle and speeches from several guests including FIU leadership and representatives from Alienware and professional esports organization, Team Liquid.

This lounge opening marks the beginning of a new era in esports for FIU.

FIU is the proud home of a varsity esports league and a growing esports department. With the addition of this new gaming lounge, FIU hopes to grow the program and invite both gamers and non-gamers alike to explore all the opportunities that an involvement in esports has to offer. 

“Our school is finally doing something bigger and better for esports,” said Computer Science senior and esports fan Shelly Penichet. 

Penichet was part of a large crowd that gathered in GC to be among the first to see the completed lounge. The launch of the gaming center has been highly anticipated among students and the high-energy opening ceremony attracted a large and diverse crowd all excited to see the technology in the lounge. 

“For students that want to get into esports this is a chance for them to actually play on campus and get better,” said Patrick Cornejo, the esports coordinator for FIU.

The gaming center welcomes newcomers and the industry-standard Alienware technology makes it easy for beginners to learn and for pros to practice. To complete a reservation, students can follow this link and select the “Alienware FIU Esports Lounge.”

“Students will naturally gravitate towards the space we created and gaming has been such a part of our culture now that it can attract anyone,” said Cornejo.

However, the FIU esports department goes beyond casual gaming. Its three pillars are community, competition, and academics. 

These three foundations are staying strong as the new lounge provides a space for FIU varsity esports players to hone their skills and establish FIU esports as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive world of professional play.

Mathews says that he sees FIU leading the future of collegiate esports and that the lounge is “the epicenter to this vision, providing a space for students to practice, compete, and collaborate.”

With the addition of this lounge, FIU will now have a bigger and better space to foster a love of gaming while encouraging friendly competition among students. The lounge will serve as a meeting place for a growing community where gamers can come together to create positive experiences. 

For serious gamers, the FIU esports lounge will offer bootcamps and it is equipped with special areas for the esports league and students interested in trying their hand at professional streaming.  

“It’s a launchpad for students interested in careers within the esports industry,” said Mathews. 

“A place where students can have hands-on exposure to a professional-level gaming environment and gain real-world experience that is crucial for roles such as game designers, streamers, event managers, and more.”

FIU currently sponsors multiple collegiate competitive teams, including varsity teams nationally ranked in Valorant, Rocket League and Smash Bros.

Students who want to to learn about opportunities with FIU esports, community events and other activities can check the esports homepage and Instagram.