Game on: UT-Austin launches first-ever esports room, with intentions to invest further
The University of Texas has opened its first-ever space dedicated to competition video game playing — commonly known as esports — in the Texas Union.
The Alienware Longhorn Esports Lounge is about 700 square feet and holds about 10 Alienware gaming stations, gaming laptops and an X-Box. Alienware, which is owned by the Round Rock-based technology company Dell, also will be supporting UT’s esports arena that plans to open next year. All students and anyone with a valid university ID can use the lounge.
“We work a lot of ways to build community and this is another way that these sports can bring people together to provide a way that people feel like they belong to a group and know that they're supported,” UT President Jay Hartzell said at the ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday.
Kristen Nolte, Dell’s senior vice president of Global Consumer and Small Business Marketing, said one of the reasons Alienware decided to sponsor the lounge is because esports is one of the largest growing sports in the world.
A recent report by Newzoo, a gaming data analysis company, predicts esports’ viewership will grow by nearly 8% from 2020 to 2025, while the sport’s revenue is expected to grow by over 13% and reach $1.86 billion globally over that same time period.
“It’s the fastest growing sport period across the world,” Nolte said. “It's the great equalizer. Anyone can play. It's open to all people.”
At UT, esports competitions are generally led by the student organization Longhorn Gaming, which boasts about 4,000 members and is sponsored by University Unions, which run the Texas Union and facilitate other aspects of student life.
Daphnee Grignon, president of the organization, said she and other members were involved in helping create the space. She said it will offer a sense of community and stability for anyone in the UT community who has an interest in gaming — something she said many people need after the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to isolate.
“Anybody can use it, doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter what race or sexual orientation, gender,” Grignon said. “We're all gamers, and that's kind of how I see it. And that's how this space is going to be advertised as well.”
She said the group plans to use the space after hours to practice and may also use it during some of their competitions. Longhorn Gaming competes in over 20 different games.
However, UT does not offer scholarships to gamers such as other universities like UT-Dallas.
James Buckley, director of facilities and operations for University Unions, said he hopes UT can offer gaming scholarships in the coming years.
In fall 2023, a 3,300 square foot esports arena, which will cost about $3.5 million to $4 million, is expected to open in the lower level of the Texas Union building. The arena will feature 50 Alienware battling stations, a console area and a viewing area among other things.
“Esports on the UT Austin campus, we probably can't even imagine in five years what that's going to look like,” Buckley said. “I think it's going to evolve and develop very quickly.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: UT opens esports gaming room in student union
