LET THE #localandproud GAMES BEGIN!
Esports festival taking place at university
GAMING fans have been invited to take part in a free three-day Esports Expo at Staffordshire University next week.
The event – organised by BA (Hons) Esports students – runs from May 9-11 across multiple venues at the Stoke-on-trent campus.
It includes multi-game tournaments, expert talks and charity fundraisers.
The exhibition kicks-off on Monday with a sports day, run in partnership with Stoke City’s Community Trust.
It will combine traditional sports and esports, with a FIFA 22 and Rocket League tournaments.
Visitors can get a virtual workout by playing Just Dance, VR boxing and Nintendo Switch Sports games or take part in sporting activities on the 3G Astroturf pitches.
A charity raffle will also raise money for the community.
The Stoke City Community Trust and sponsor noblechairs have noth provided prizes.
Final year student Alex Moutrie, one of the sports day organisers, said: “Our aim is to try to bridge the gap often seen between esports and traditional sports, and work on breaking the stigma about health and esports by promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
On Tuesday, the militarythemed Operation Overlord event includes a Warhammer III tournament in the Beacon building and the chance to compete in the over-18 gaming zone in the LRV where a prize will be on offer for the player who wins the most ‘war bonds’.
Games for all ages, like Splatoon and Worms, will also be available to play in The Catalyst building.
Staffordshire University’s BA (Hons) Esports is a unique degree which focuses on the business, broadcasting and events of esports. Students have access to industry standard equipment and have worked together in groups to organise the Esports Expo for a final year module.
Ryan Merrick, one of the Operation Overlord organisers, said: “Being able to take part in a large-scale event like this and see where I need to improve from a manager’s perspective has been really nice.”
Beyond the Machine takes place on the final day and provides the chance to go behind-thescenes of a live of broadcast in the University’s state-of-the art Esports Hub.
There will be a multi-titled esports tournament in the Beacon building with cash prizes for the top four teams provided by sponsor Into the Breach. The LRV will host a gaming fight zone including VR games and a Beat Sabre competition, plus there will be industry talks in the Science Centre with speakers from ESL Gaming, university esports organiser NUEL, and Guardians of The Maiden Tower esports team.