As LSU eSports shifts to in-person events, its staff reflects on how the club continues to function despite the pandemic and how the club plans to engage the active and tight-knit community it fostered.
Due to the many competitive games already possessing online functionality, LSU eSports found itself uniquely equipped to function as normal. Despite the reliance on online events, the community has remained active, and the LSU eSports Discord averages about 650 people convening online each day.
The club not only uses the Discord server for competitive events, but the server also acts as a casual hub for those who wish to discuss video games.
“It’s just a welcoming atmosphere to everyone, so anyone can be comfortable there no matter what,” LSU eSports Tournament Director, Grant Lopez said.
Lopez has participated in the club since its birth on campus in 2016, but he ramped up his involvement in August 2021 due to his desire to take advantage of free time during the pandemic. He explained how the club initially struggled with its transition to functioning online.
However, Lopez expressed optimism for upcoming events for this semester. He plans to organize more events as well as introduce more niche games to the scene, and he feels grateful that the club’s executive board supports his efforts.
Club Vice President of eSports at LSU, Stephanie Hines, also discussed the club’s adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic and their plans for this semester. Despite eSports’ unique situation allowing it to continue online, Hines said the club struggled to involve new members.
“This semester, things are ramping back up,” Hines said. “Goals this semester for the organization include more community events to bring people together and a return of the club’s main event, TigerLAN.”
Additionally, the club’s Call of Duty team plans to participate in an exhibition match with Nicholls State University’s team. The club also plans to take part in DreamHack, which is a national eSports event.
While the club continues to support its competitive scene, it also plans to do casual events both online and in person. Hines said the club aims to bring together casual players with events, while tournaments bring out more competitive players.
Hines also said she looks forward to more in-person events because it allows members to actually meet each other rather than remain behind a screen name. That social interaction remains one of the more important aspects of the club, according to Hines.
“For the club, the goal is to get people to meet others and find friends that they can play friendly matches with on their own time in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable and safe,” Hines said.
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