State-of-the-art Esports Club Room to open in the heart of the Biddeford Campus

The University of New England’s Esports Club is getting a space to call its own in the heart of the Biddeford Campus.

The club is holding a grand opening event for its esports room inside Campus Center on Oct. 11 from noon to 1 p.m.

The new space marks a key moment for the club, which was established at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020.

“In the past, we would have to set up all the equipment in either The Hang or the Commons just for a one-night intramural event,” said Patty Williams, associate athletic director for club and intramural sports. “It's a lot of work that goes into it and now we'll be able to do that more frequently, get more students in the space than just the club team, and get more students hopefully joining the club as a result.”

The room features 12 PC gaming stations designed to go head-to-head with other collegiate esports teams across the state, region, and country. The room is outfitted with modern equipment like high-refresh rate monitors, state-of-the-art wireless mice, and chairs to provide maximum comfort for extended sessions. Gamers are able to bring their own gear to play, if they choose, or use the equipment that is available in the room. There are also three console stations, each with an Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

Club President Radfar Zohori, a senior biological sciences major, said the biggest upside to the new space is establishing an environment for the club to feel like a team.

“It is so satisfying to be able to see my teammates' expression when they walk into the room and they're like, ‘Whoa, this is so cool,’” Zohori said. “This is the best part of playing esports, being in an environment that the players actually want to play in.”

Currently, the club has about 15 members, but Zohori hopes this new space will inspire others who are thinking about joining the team to sign up.

“This club is about camaraderie, teamwork, and community building,” Zohori said. “Esports requires dedication, participation, and effort just like any other club sport. With the opening of this space, our club aims to shine in the coming years at UNE."