Drury’s esports team brings fun and games to campus
Campus News September 6, 2019, Comments Off 434The rise of the digital age
Esports (electronic sports) is finally getting the attention it deserves. Competitive gaming started in the 1970s, but really took off in the late 2000s and has only grown since then. Counterstrike, Super Smash Bros., Melee and League of Legends have some of the largest and most passionate fan bases, while Overwatch and Fortnite are modern favorites. Gaming has become so popular, even Buffalo Wild Wings now shows Fortnite tournaments on the big screen?
Join the club
The club is also separate from the Drury’s esports team, which has been created since DUES. N. Pourmand stated, “We have no affiliation with the Drury Athletic Esports division and exist as a separate entity. Compared to DAE, DUES Club isn’t an official team but rather a community for students who enjoy playing video games together.” They stayed away from integration to encourage more involvement from gamers of all skill levels and dedication. Anyone from a professional to an ameteur is welcome at DUES.
As a form of encouragement for a casual experience, membership is entirely free. The club meets once a week for around four hours, and “are very casual and don’t demand routine attendance,” according to N. Pourdmand. Anyone interested in joining should email Dr. Chris Branton at cbranton@drury.edu to join the mailing list. Otherwise, go to Springfield Lab 102 for more information.
If you’re interested in something more competitive without the commitment the team requires, there is a “Game-a-Thon” at the end of each month for anyone in the student body. The fee is $1 for club members, and $2 for everyone else. Moreover, there are occasional competitions hosted by the club. Check for posters around campus, join the mailing list, or email Bijan Pourmand at bpourmand@drury.edu or Nargiss Pourmand at npourmand@drury.edu.