3! 2! 1! Students work to bring esports to Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy’s new esports club is using video games to create a community for Titans, and battle against other colleges and universities. 

The club, which started last year, allows students to casually play a variety of video games, regardless of their skill level. It is attempting to build off University Recreation’s intramural esports programming to operate as both a community and competitive club team. 

“Students can compete against each other or they can just have game nights and have a good time,” said Logan Manor, a third-year Computer Science student who serves as the club’s president. “It’s not meant to be just competitive; we’re just playing games in general and building that type of community to have fun with games.” 

Video games and esports have experienced immense growth and revenue in recent years, with the Washington Post calling the 2010s the decade of esports. This boom has led to competitions akin to traditional sports, including at the professional and college levels. 

Detroit Mercy’s esports club helps students collaborate, develop as leaders and make friends, said Nathan Blume, faculty advisor for the club and instructional designer for the University’s Office of Digital Education. 

“While organizing and participating in competitive events, students develop social and technical skills that can be applied throughout their Detroit Mercy experience and beyond graduation," Blume said. “Esports can also inspire students to explore careers in related fields, including computer science, data analysis, communications, software development and cybersecurity.” 

“Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” for the Nintendo Switch is a popular game within Detroit Mercy's esports club. It hosted a tournament for the game on the McNichols Campus in early October, which attracted more than a dozen students competing to win a Respawn gaming chair. 

When it comes to esports competitions against other institutions, Manor says the club is focusing on “League of Legends,” “Valorant” and possibly “Rocket League.” The club is currently playing virtual reality games “Beat Saber” and “Echo Arena” in the Collegiate Virtual Reality Esports league. 

“It’s pretty simplistic using the VRs,” Manor said. “We don’t have to use the lab computers.” 

As for additional games and genres, Manor is open to suggestions from the Detroit Mercy community. 

“Anyone who wants to compete, if they bring it to me, I’m willing to try to find it for them to compete,” he said. 

Manor said Detroit Mercy’s esports club is focused on building its foundation and growing its community this year. The club has received support from several employees at the University, including College of Engineering & Science Dean Katherine Snyder, who is providing space and equipment in the Engineering Building for members to use. 

Students interested in joining Detroit Mercy’s esports club can find more information and links to social media platforms and a Discord channel on its Detroit Mercy Live webpage.

— By Ricky Lindsay. Follow Detroit Mercy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Have a story idea? Let us know by submitting your idea.