Inside the Innovative Esports Lounge at Michigan State University

An E&I 2-Minute Read

Step inside the Esports Competition Hub at Michigan State University and you’ll discover a bustling space filled with students from a variety of backgrounds who all share one thing in common: a love for video games.

It’s where the school’s three varsity esports teams meet to practice and compete in matches against other Big Ten schools. It’s also home to the MSU Esports Club Association, whose 2,000-student roster makes it one of the school’s largest student organizations. You’ll see students interviewing athletes and streaming matches as a way to explore potential career paths. Most importantly, you’ll find young people gathering to game, study and be part of a community.

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Agati     Demco     Hightower     Humanscale     Irwin Seating     Southwest Contract     Staples Business Advantage     Steelcase

The gaming hub has quickly become a haven for digital athletes and students across campus. Whether they’re coming for the competition, work experience or companionship, students only need to bring one thing: themselves. A few years ago, there was a rapidly growing group of digital athletes and student gamers who didn’t have a central space to congregate. The solution: an empty classroom inside of Hubbard Hall, a student dormitory on the east side of campus.

Partnering with Steelcase, Michigan State selected furniture and equipment that would transform the former classroom into an innovative gaming hub. Battle stations were outfitted with work surfaces large enough to fit keyboards, peripherals and adjustable monitor equipment. Comfortable, ergonomic seating was added to support a variety of body types and postures during long hours of play. Students can be in front of a monitor gaming for hours, so having equipment that provides the right support can help keep bodies safe.

Couches, large tables and comfortable stools give students areas to hang out, connect, watch TV and study. The hub also offers a film study and review room, so student athletes can learn and talk strategy with their coaches and discuss opponents’ play. A glassed-in competition booth provides sound dampening to limit distractions from cheering onlookers. There’s also a heavy educational component to the esports program at MSU. As part of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, students can explore professional interests, such as broadcast media, graphic design, photography and marketing, and participate in activities that start building their portfolios.

The gaming hub’s broadcast studio gives students a place to execute every aspect of the competitions’ broadcast production. They promote upcoming matches on social media, provide live commentary during play, produce commercials, and conduct post-game interviews with athletes and coaches. Students love the community they have in the Esports lounge, created to be a place for students to connect. This is just an article summary, click here for the full case study by Steelcase.

 

👉   With your institution's E&I membership, you have procurement contracts with the top higher ed furniture companies. 
Agati     Demco     Hightower     Humanscale     Irwin Seating     Southwest Contract     Staples Business Advantage     Steelcase