Everyone, including your parents, have played some sort of video game sometime in their life. Over the years, video games have risen in popularity, especially among kids and teenagers. As video games evolve, there is also an emerging culture among competitive video games, which contains determined players who want to win.
Some students here at Ayala (and even teachers), have transformed this competitive hobby into their passion, so much so that the esports club was founded. Ayala’s esports club meets in biology teacher Mr. Ullmann’s room S205, and is co-advised by neighboring classroom teacher, Mr. Vuong. Founded by Nathan Phung (10), the club aims to start up an esports competitive organization one day.
“What I [want to do] with this club is to raise enough money to where we can have our own esports organization and beat other schools,” said Phung.
esports mainly focuses on competition, yet with the tense atmosphere that can evolve, it mostly remains a fun environment for all. Every Wednesday after school, the club plays a variety of games that everyone loves – ranging from many genres.
“We host tournaments, most of the time ranging from mobile games like Brawl Stars to Minecraft to [fighting] games like Super Smash Bros,” marketing manager Adrian Fernandez (9) said.
These tournaments often have prizes for the winners, but no student should expect it to be easy. Many students often spectate and learn some brand new techniques and skills of the games played. These competitions are inviting and tense, and even the co-advisors of the club feel that exciting atmosphere.
“I like learning about new games and being exposed to some games I’ve never even seen,” said Ullmann. “The best part is I jump in once in a while and play some games with them. It’s a good excuse for me to play some video games.”
This club is open to all students, not just for those who have the competitive nature to win prizes, but even for people who share a common interest or aspiration in gaming. Many of the members here enjoy the hobby of gaming and the energy it gives off when it comes down to the competitiveness of a tournament.
“Esports [has] always been a fun thing to get into,” said Fernandez. “And to watch and to be there [to] live it, to experience it, and to win an event is always a great thing, that’s why I signed up.”
The community that esports has formed has expanded from within the club, as they also bring out personal consoles and video games and allow anyone to play. The esports club is also open to connoisseurs of video games, who may not be as fortunate or lucky as others.
“Some people don’t even have consoles at their homes,” said Phung. “So, going to this club will allow them to try [these consoles].”
As the group evolves, so do the aspirations for a bigger tournament, with bigger prizes and a bigger atmosphere. The hopes for a plan to introduce eSports as an actual competitive team hosted by Ayala is on the table. With high hopes and dreams, Phung aims to create an organization to compete with other schools.
“Going forward with the club, I hope to attract more members that come in for competitions and I hope that we can expand. As we get more numbers, we can begin to challenge other schools and look at other tournaments outside of the normal club hours,” said Ullmann.
