- April 26, 2024
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As Ringling College of Art and Design student Viktor Niksdorf nears the end of competition, his heart is pounding.
He’s reminded of a steep hill near the end of a cross-country race he ran while in high school.
But for this contest, he hasn't left his seat.
Niksdorf is a member of the "Super Smash Bros." division of the Ringling Rollers, the varsity esports team at Ringling College. Video game competition may not involve physical exertion, but the effects on his brain feel similar, Niksdorf said.
“It's the feeling that you've just finished a five-hour race," he said. "And, you have just finished a really tough battle."
The college, which is increasingly recognizing esports, or electronic sports, established a varsity esports program in 2021, with its efforts now culminating in the gift of a dedicated arena.
Currently under construction on the ground floor of the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Hall residential building, the arena will be housed in the space of a former conference room. The arena is expected to hold its grand opening on June 18.
“Even though we didn't necessarily ask for this, this arena is probably one of the best things that could happen to our program," said Hanz Ago, a captain of the Ringling Rollers’ Super Smash Bros. team.
Consisting of 600 square feet, the arena will feature a minimalist design aesthetic with sealed concrete flooring, dark walls and a dark ceiling. It will feature 10 PC setups, four gaming console setups and an XBOX station, as well as a lounge viewing area with modular upholstered seating. A Ringling College press release describes the gaming equipment as “state of the art."
It was in 2020 that esports rose to prominence on campus. The pandemic increased the demand for the activity, which gave students a way to interact with one another remotely.
Recreation and Wellness Coordinator E Ramey said when he started with the college in 2016, he was surprised to find limited social opportunities related to gaming, which led him to help establish the varsity esports team, the Ringling Rollers, in 2021.
Centering on teams for the games "Overwatch," "Super Smash Bros.," and "Valorant," with an eventual goal of six teams, the Rollers are coached by Nick Deangelis, whose history includes 10 years of professional coaching, including semi-pro tennis.
Esports competitor Ana Payro said, as a result of the program, she finally discovered a community of other video game players, including players of "Valorant."
“I didn't really grow up with video games, so a lot of people around me didn't play video games. So, getting here and being able to find people that are in the same place as me, was really fun.”
Students called esports a respite from the demands of school work.
“The work culture of the school can be very exhausting sometimes,” said Jaehee Kim, calling the arena a place where students can "think about something else other than school and not have to feel anxious about something.”
With esports being a relatively new concept, selling the idea can pose a challenge, Ramey said. Nonetheless, he said the school, including its senior leadership, has grown in its understanding of what esports can offer the students.
The team's win of the Varsity Plus Fall 2022 East Coast Divisional Championships in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," which saw the Rollers finishing with a perfect 18-0 record, helped obtain momentum for the arena, Ramey said, as did the presence of Deangelis as coach.
“We're really lucky to have someone as supportive as E is, because he's very willing to fight for us and supply us with the resources that we need to continue competing,” Ago said.
In addition to providing a designated space in which the Ringling Rollers can host in-person competitions with varsity esports teams from other colleges, members of the Ringling Rollers said the arena would change the school's approach to gaming.
Kim said sharing a space would help team members form closer bonds than they do playing online.
“I feel like I'm a lot closer to my Smash team, because I met them in person,” said Kim.
Currently, "Super Smash Bros." is the only game that can be played in person, because it utilizes a portable device, the Nintendo Switch.
Kim also said the arena has the potential to draw students who might otherwise be unaware of esports. Bennett Hanus, a member of the Overwatch team, echoed Kim’s comments.
"I kind of lucked into competitive gaming," he said, stating his interest in esports began when he discovered an on-campus club for "Overwatch," one of his favorite games.
Another benefit of the competition room will be improved internet connectivity, students said, noting that presently sporadic delays and even disconnection can take place.
The arena will also ease the workload of students involved in setting up gaming equipment, allowing them to focus on the games and their studies. Student workers will monitor the room and configure equipment prior to a competition.
Ramey said in creating the project, he strives to never stray from the needs of the students.
“It's like going to buy a golf set; you can buy a $1,000 set of golf clubs, but you could pay $500 and have better.”
Everything, he said, is about giving back to the Ringling Rollers.
“Scott, Nick and even the senior leadership here have realized how much they've given to us, and so now it's time for us to give back,” Ramey said. “And we're giving back in a massive way."
