Tucked away inside the Armory’s Innovation Lab lies a small community whose members share an interest in one thing — gaming. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 5-9 p.m., students are welcome to utilize various gaming-related equipment free of charge.
Students can use desktop computers, gaming consoles or tabletop board games. Open gaming hours are open to anyone, regardless of their skill level or previous experience. Students looking for more competitive spaces for various games can join the official Illini Esports Discord server or visit their website for more information.
Gamers can also partake in small tournaments. Fighting games are particularly popular for these, and fighting game tournaments are generally held each week during the open gaming hours.
Mathew Hagee, senior in LAS, is the competitive coordinator for the Illini Esports Fighting Game Community. Hagee got involved in the tournament scene two years ago and helped run events, but this year is his first as the official coordinator.
Hagee has played games competitively for four years and enjoys running small tournaments during open gaming hours.
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“I like just talking and hanging out with people,” Hagee said. “I like the community here; it’s really chill. Everyone is welcoming, and it’s a good group to be around.”
Advay Basavaraju, senior in ACES, is the social gaming coordinator for Illini Esports. Basavaraju became involved in the esports scene during his freshman year. As the social coordinator, Basavaraju helps run the open gaming hours.
Basavaraju said his favorite part about open gaming hours is the variety of people you can meet every year and the positive atmosphere that welcomes all gamers.
“We’re all pretty friendly here,” Basavaraju said. “Reach out, talk to us, try to find people who have common interests and definitely join the Discord because there are people there that you can talk to.”
Sean Tandra, senior in LAS, is the director of event logistics. He joined the fighting game community as a sophomore and helps plan esport-related events for the community.
The fighting game scene at the University is relatively new, only beginning in Tandra’s sophomore year. Despite its short existence, the community has formed strong bonds between players.
“It’s a very tight-knit community; everybody kind of knows everybody,” Tandra said. “Because of that, it’s less about the competitiveness of fighting games; it’s more about just getting to know people.”
Open gaming hours are not just for video games. On Thursdays, there is a special emphasis on board games. However, computers and electronic gaming-related equipment are still available for anyone to use.
Basavaraju encourages players looking for a more competitive scene to look into the Idea Labs at Grainger Engineering Library.
“For people playing competitively, there are other spaces on campus,” Basavaraju said. “With the Idea Lab, you can actually reserve rooms, and that’s much better if you’re trying to do a competitive game.”
