Esports Roundtable
Tuesday, April 14, 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET
Facilitated by Laura Klein, Garrett Larson, Dylan Wray, and Matt Grimm
Chat Transcript
Tom Giles
Hello everyone!
Matt Dunigan
What's good everyone!!!
Crystal Durham
hello friends!
Jason Darby
Hey all!
Jami Brossette
Hi everyone!
Joshua Brunson
Hola
Tony North Jr
hello all
Jamaal Rhodes
Hey everyone!
Civon Thomas
Hello Everyone!
Shana Kessler
hi friends!
Sterling Ivany
Hey Shana
Tina Mascaro
hello from Fairmont State University (WV)
Thomas Peters
Hello From Claflin University SC
Ian Brown
I really like that idea of taking the 'stigma' out of it, and looking for reactions.
Sandra Ondracka
Hello from Sandra Ondracka - University of Windsor - Canada
Civon Thomas
Good tips for starting a program at a small school
Sandra Ondracka
Are here any risk management issues?
Sterling Ivany
Joining from Georgian College- Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Natosha Harris
Hello to everyone, Natosha Harris from University of Kentucky
Jason Darby
We have struggled getting engagement in our esports intramural offerings currently. Obviously we realize that IMs are probably the farthest thing from their mind, but is anyone else struggling with this and how are you working to fix it?
Tyler Artley
we had a club start and fail but a big hurdle was the equipment necessary to compete on the club level. did anyone else have run into the same issue? besides funding does anyone have a good way to clear that hurdle?
Tina Mascaro
@ Jason.... me too. I'm offering a couple of virtual programs and no one is participating
Hannah Burrichter
Can we talk about the feasibility / pushback of FPS (first-person shooter) games and where some people’s campuses stand on that?
Natosha Harris
At University of Kentucky, the only risk management issues with Esports are if we host on campus in a building or a facility on or near campus...we would have to update our waiver if we host in a facility
Drew Devore
@Darby where are your marketing efforts going? Like who are you marketing to?
Sean Graninger
@Jason, we're running into the same issue. Had a few signups but struggling to get people to issues challenges and report scores.
Shana Kessler
@Darby - I sent out a message through IMLeagues to all our participants from the last 6 quarters letting them know we were there for them and inviting them to our discord channel. within 2 hours we went from 0 members on the discord outside of our staff to 30, which to me is a win and a good starting point.
Tom Giles
I 2nd Hannah's question!
Jason Darby
@Drew using our usual marketing tactics (social media, IMLeagues blasts, and discord for our on-campus esports student org)
Sam Lowry
At Kennesaw State we have been told we cannot support first person shooter games in an intramural capacity. We do have Club Sports group/RSO group that support this type of gamming.
Max Miller
My approach to esports in this first iteration of the formal programming is that nothing is a struggle since it is new for my campus (Swarthmore College). Any and all participation is a success!
Jacob Walker
Instead of doing ladder leagues and having teams issue challenges I am sending emails out to schedule games. like an intramural season and then giving teams 72 hours to play and report the score.
Matt Dunigan
RT Hannah questions + adding UFC onto the list of games
Shana Kessler
I also 2nd Hannah's question. students in our discord are already asking for COD and I'll have to get approval to run it.
Ian Brown
Jason, we just ran a virtual marathon and a Madden tournament. The marathon had over 200 participants. while the Madden had less than 20. The 20 participants we do have our linking up and reporting scores on time though.
Shana Kessler
I like that attitude, Max!
Natosha Harris
UK at this time will not do shooter games for our model follows our high school association Esport set up so best practices in the state of Kentucky
Shaneisha Weir
I'm currently running an online FIFA 20 tournament. We promoted through our social media sites. Reporting scores have been ok, but our students don't understand a double elimination tournament.
John Schwarte
At Wayne State College, we do allow any games that are FPS. As long as it is not like a GTA, we are good with any game.
Shaneisha Weir
How do you guys run a Fornite or Call of Duty tournament?
NAU - Crystal Durham
We are doing the same method that Jacob mentioned. It's already unusual for our participants to set up a time to play on their own and report the score. I didn't want to add the new feature of ladder leagues into that mix. It has been fairly successful
Matt Brazier
How is everyone integrating Twitch and streaming into their tournaments??
Ty Verdin
What is GTA?
Jason Darby
Our campus has competitive esports teams and they include COD and Rainbow 6, but we haven’t tackled those in IMs.
Shana Kessler
Grand Theft Auto
Jason Darby
Grand Theft Auto
Shana Kessler
bleh
John Schwarte
@Ty Grand Theft Auto
Bob Gough
Natosha, that is a great point. Many state HS federations have expanded to include eSports. We can look to them for some best practices regarding FPS.
Parker Anderson
@Darby I used my staff first. Go them stoked for leagues. Then moved on to the fraternities. We’re sitting at close to 100 total people in now and leagues started on Friday.
Max Miller
A general suggestion… When talking about “typical” sports terminology such as “double-elimination” or “round-robin”, it’s important to demystify the jargon and explain everything so that people are aware of what the terms.
Mike Wozniak
Community days organized through our discord. Just getting a bunch of people together to play a game they like, then creating impromptu private lobbies, etc. Builds community and friendly chat!
Anthony Almeida
How do you guys handle game settings for games like Madden or 2K? Do you require a certain difficulty level (All Madden)?
Natosha Harris
@ Bob tried not to reinvent the wheel in trying to figure it out
Travis Yang
for A&M San Antonio and Ashland University (former), we were fine with FPS. It's more so about structuring of practices and how the marketing is done to show that strategy and teamwork are the main points, not the violence
Brian Beam
Hey Laurie, I have encountered some hesitancy in getting into eSports because of its sedentary nature which some think is the antithesis to fitness and wellness... What would you recommend to get the message across to someone of the old school Rec Sports mindset to positively incorporate this into our programming?
Drew Devore
I have started working and starting conversations with student involvement
John Schwarte
I spam our socials and email
Tyler Artley
@anthony we looked up the competitive rules on the pro leagues and went those
Jeremy Fritz
hey everyone. Jeremy Fritz at Christopher Newport University in VA. I just ran a bunch of tournaments (2K, Madden, FIFA, NHL on both Xbox & PS4) using IMLeagues. I had 60 students create 82 teams. The communication part was tough but I just created our first CNU Discord channel so Im hoping that will help. Does anyone use a combination of IMLeauges and Discord? Also, how does everyone set up leagues for team games- Rocket League, COD, League of Legends, etc?
Parker Goss
Id liken discord to Slack if anyone is familiar with Slack
Greg Durham
^
Jacob Walker
Is there anyway to manage discussions in Discord? I.e. language
Giancarlo Provo
Something we have to realize is that a lot of these people in the gaming communities aren't engaged with campus recreation at all. (that was the case with me when I was a student) I don't think you can just reach out to gamers through IMLeagues or your social media.
Greg Durham
@jacob there are tools that canhelp you manage that;
Parker Goss
^ bots can be coded by those smarter than myself!
Chris Keough
has anyone used Microsoft teams instead of discord?
Dan Wrenholt
How do we get students that aren’t normal gamers to participate?
Steven Walton
@Anthony we have our participants set the settings to the highest level in games like 2K and FIFA
Natosha Harris
@ Dan, great question definitely struggling with this
Sandra Ondracka
Beyond out current situation - how many schools actually have equipment for rent to students, or an esport room that can be used in the rec centre
NAU - Crystal Durham
our president has been giving video updates regarding COVID19 and she gave us a shout out which was great but it was after registration ended :(
Easton Henrikson
How are they reporting scores? Through IML, email, google form, etc?
Scott Lotze
We set up GroupMe
NAU - Crystal Durham
@Easton we have our folks sending a photo of the final score to our IM email address
Max Miller
Mirroring from what Scott Flickinger is working to create, I am creating a Words with Friends League on campus.
Jason Darby
Not the traditional tactic but shoutout to those programs utilizing Game Pigeon and other phone game apps. Very creative!
Scott Lotze
We set up Groupme for each league. Commication has been very easy.
Logan Kahler
At the University of Nebraska, we have leagues made for FIFA,Madden,NHL, Rocket League and 2K. We have added them to league specific GroupMe chats so they can report scores and find times to play each other in an open play format
Sean Graninger
@Easton we are using the self report score feature on IMLeeagues
Jamaal Rhodes
@Easton self reporting on IMleagues or email our office
Steven Walton
@Easton I allow them to enter their own scores on IMLeagues, but if they cannot figure it out they email us and we post the score
Tyler Artley
we have our students report scores on imleagues and take a pic of the score and post in our discord so there is no argument of honesty
Jacob Walker
We did leagues as well with reporting through a google form
Natosha Harris
@ Sarah, no renting of equipment...UK is building a gaming facility so that's a huge help for us...scheduled to open in the Fall 2020
Jake Wells
We are doing Bingo, Euchre, and Family Feud next week. In addition to Jackbox games which were already mentioned
Parker Goss
At Eastern Illinois we partnered with GGLeagues as they are offering free 6 week leagues on their platform, but with mixed results in terms of sign ups
Travis Yang
@Brian, to piggy back an answer, the way I've described it and discussed with traditional sport coaches, there's always going to be sports that people don't consider "traditional". Golf, cheer, bowling, etc. I try to focus more on the ability for esports to reach out and engage students that would not otherwise have that in their time at school.
Natosha Harris
@ Jake love this
Hannah Burrichter
USF system has been using Battlefy to report scores, it sets up brackets and players can upload a screenshot of their final score
Chris Keough
does anyone have rules that they use for game settings on their websites that I could access?
From Jake Wells to Everyone: 03:17 PM
We are doing Bingo, Euchre, and Family Feud next week. In addition to Jackbox games which
Crystal Dooley
For those using IMLeagues, did you all create your own game settings for participants to follow?
Jason Darby
I know our coordinator here at Southern Miss is working with Ole Miss and Mississippi State to try and set up some competition across the state with our individual campus IM winners
Jared Charnas
@Parker, my University UNI has been in touch with GG Leagues as well.
Mitch Wiltbank
At Oregon State, we are offering Madden, NBA 2k, FIFA, Rocket League (1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3, and 4 v 4), and Smash Bros as leagues. Fortnite as a weekly tournament. We are also running weekly trivia, virtual running groups, and a step competition. We have over 600 teams and close to 400 unique participants. No FPS and have limited games to Teen rating. Looking to add a few more games in the coming weeks. We set game setting standards across all the sports.
Jamaal Rhodes
At Univ. of Miss. we utilize online games through Game pigeon (checkers, 8 ball, etc)
Sandra Ondracka
Does anyone have a waiver they could share on sportsmanship and behaviour for this sort of activity and how do you administer this virtually - through IM leagues?
Giancarlo Provo
Mitch that's awesome
Jake Wells
so similar to how they do the march madness brackets?
Max Miller
I know that a lot of state associations are creating state leagues for esports.
Max Miller
I’ve seen this with PIRSA and MARS
Matt Brazier
How many schools stream their tournaments on Twitch? School run or let students stream themselves??
Steven Walton
Nebraska is working on a state tournament for esports. If we get a good turnout I would love to set up a regional tournament for region V
Cindy Wright
at Gettysburg would love a national Rec w/o Borders competition (really like quarantine quiz show)
Ethan Godfrey
Anything going on for Region 1? Sorry I just logged onto this call
John Schwarte
@Steve, I have not heard this... Wayne State College here. Can you give me more details?
Jacob Walker
Region IV has an esports tournament for NBA 2K, Madden and Fifa
Travis Yang
@Matt definitely recommend having an official channel, creates opportunities for students to be involved in areas like production, casting, etc.
Max Miller
PIRSA - https://www.imleagues.com/spa/intramural/502a8e6f25094206b402f766322aae7a/home
Travis Yang
We also let students stream freely to their own channels as well from the facility, sometimes limited during practices or events that don't allow it.
Aaron Brooks - The University of Akron
Dylan, it is really hard to hear you
Jami Brossette
Louisiana schools have joined together and are currently going through our esports League through mission control. Shout out to Jason Templet for getting that together!
Tom Soria
Looking forward to regional/state competition for esports by NIRSA. From state of Florida
Matt Dunigan
@travis we are also supporting students to host on their own channels
Matt Dunigan
we are working with other school in the UC system here in California for tournaments
Mitch Wiltbank
We are working with our on campus TV Station to potentially broadcast select games and have their staff do play by play
Scott Lotze
Anyone looking to continue this type of programming over the summer?
Shaneisha Weir
Has anyone tried to do a MLB tournament?
Jared Charnas
There is a esports student org that has been streaming and commentating the games if we do have them
Jeremy Fritz
How is everyone! How is everyone having their students submit their scores for leagues or tournaments?
Parker Anderson
Mountain West is looking into a tournament. Call this week. Shoutout Craig at Fresno State for setting that up!
Matt Dunigan
@scoot we are attempting for year round
Jacob Walker
@scott Lotze we are doing online recreation for the summer as well and blended programming for the future
Ethan Godfrey
@shaneisa
Jeremy Fritz
yes Im planning on offering it over the summer
Travis Yang
Twitch has a student/university program where you can get in touch to get a team page setup and they even offer an academic component to work with other departments on your campus
Shaneisha Weir
@jeremy they have to submit a picture of the score to me via email within 24 hours.
Ethan Godfrey
Running an MLB tournament starting tomorrow at Fairfield. Same game rules as the MLB Players Tournament
Parker Goss
^ love that
Shaneisha Weir
@ethan thanks.
Sandra Ondracka
What are the basic requirements to have a functioning "facility" for esports?
Chris Keough
Does anyone have rules that they use for game settings online for FIFA, NBA2K, NHL, Madden....
Travis Yang
@Sandra dedicated space with equipment available for students to play/practice
NAU - Crystal Durham
yes my student employees have been a life saver with esports
Sean Graninger
@Chirs I have FIFA, 2K and Madden if you want
seangran@uoregon.edu
Ethan Godfrey
Does anyone have suggestions on how to determine who is Home/Away for MLB, NBA, NFL?
Matt Dunigan
Same @chris
Chris Keough
if you can email to Chris.Keough@dal.ca that would be awesome
Chris Keough
thanks everyone:)
Colin Allison
For the rules- I was shared this resource at a previous roundtable- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19zzZpOAUJFaD4vu6xboXK3A4-NpRRkW8?usp=sharing
Jacob Walker
@ethan we run leagues like normal intramurals and schedule games like traditional intramural leagues. That way you can have an equal number of home and away for a season. For playoffs, higher seed is home.
Ethan Godfrey
@jacob ah makes sense. We are experimenting on whether or not we would want to do a short season for each game or a double elim/style.
Mitch Wiltbank
@Ethan we use the IMLeagues schedule to determine home/Away for the first game of each match and then alternate every game. Matches are best 2 of 3 or 3 of 5 depending on the actual game.
Jacob Walker
@ethan for straight tournaments by suggestion is a best of series were teams alternate home. Then if it goes to a third of fifth game it is random
Ty Verdin
What are strategies to handle issues with students entering tournaments not affiliated with the current student org or club? For example, a group of individual students entering in a Rainbow 6 tournament but not currently part of the Esports club and listing themselves as a collegiate team.
Ethan Godfrey
@jacob @mitch thank you both!
Hannah Burrichter
Can we talk about the feasibility / pushback of FPS (first-person shooter) games and where some people’s campuses stand on that?
Shana Kessler
RT Hannah I'd love to see that discussed next
Matt Dunigan
@Hannah and Shana - Same!!
Parker Anderson
At SDSU we avoided FPS games. The kids all want Warzone right now, but it’s not a good look for the university.
Colin Allison
For FPS- we've been told that's a hard no. As a Jesuit Catholic university, the admin doesn't want any type of affiliation with those games. A recent survey we sent out, over 150 students requested versions of FPS games but that wasn't enough to convince our admins. (Santa Clara University)
Matt Dunigan
@Parker - Same here at UCR. Yet we have had a lot of questions about UFC.
Lane Goodwin
Although we haven't offered any yet, we have talked about allowing FPS because we're only programming for those 17+ and that's the requirement for M rated games. That could change but that was our initial discussion at UW- Madison
Matt Dunigan
Would like to see what everyone else thinks on this since technically it's a "sport"
John Schwarte
No excessive violence games (ex. GTA)
Greg Durham
Creighton will certainly not support and photo-realistic FPS games.
Dale Russell
I think FPS is always the hot topic issue but the data shows that FPS doesn't increase violence can might even decrease it.
Tina Mascaro
for someone who is not a gamer...which games are FPS games?
Greg Durham
First Person Shooter
Shana Kessler
Do some campuses allow Fortnite but not games like Call of Duty due to the difference in "realism"?
Colin Allison
think call of duty
Civon Thomas
We developed a Rubric to help select which games are appropriate for our campus at OSU
Mitch Wiltbank
@Shana, we are not allowing COD, but have Fornite based on realism and game rating
Tina Mascaro
I understand the concept but just don't know what the games are: what is League of Legends and OVer Watch, Rocket League?
R. Chris McCollum
We are not allowed to offer shooter games.
Jami Brossette
What programs are yall using for your esports for small/big schools? Or what was your preference on deciding which program to use?
Erin Sanders
@civon can you share that rubric? sandersec1@appstate.edu
Andrea Snead
We have Overwatch, CS:GO and R6
Andrea Snead
UCF
Civon Thomas
Sure Erin
Matt Dunigan
UFC
Mike Wozniak
We feel the students are going to play those games anyway, and we want them to feel included and that they belong at our university.
Alison Fisher
@civon can you also share the rubric Alison.fisher@uregina.ca
Mike Wozniak
plus they are all over 18, so they are free to explore those game options.
Matt Brazier
I think with how popular Call of Duty is becoming, especially Warzone, it will be hard to ignore from students soon, as far as demand, no?
Shana Kessler
I'd also like to see that rubric please! kesslersh@cwu.edu
John Schwarte
@Mike -- Same thought
Ian Brown
Agreed with @Mike
Jason Darby
Our competitive student org fields Overwatch, Rocket League, COD, Rainbow Six, and League of Legends. For IM purposes we programmed Madden and 2K this year but will be expanding and offering an IM Esports schedule this next year but likely steering away from the ones that the org offers to not take away from them.
Mike Wozniak
Also, studies are inconclusive stating whether it makes players more violent outside of games.
Tiffany Lane
@civon I'd like to see the rubric as well tiffany.n.lane@lonestar.edu
Andrea Snead
UCF - Those are run at the competitive sport club level
Chad Van Dyk
How are folks funding the creation of a new e-sports portfolio? Pay-to-play, getting equipment donated, simply making an investment?
Civon Thomas
I will get the rubric out to everyone who inquired
John Schwarte
@chad - investment. Our President found the resources (100K)
Sean Graninger
@Darby we are in the same boat, sticking to sports games for intramurals and directing our students to the student org for those titles
Mario Rios
University administration may be a good source. Our VP of IT had funds to use for our eSports program at Texas State.
Tiffany Boone
@civon I would love a copy of the rubric as well! tiffany.boone@pop.belmont.edu
Tom Verrico
I would love to get that rubric as well tverrico@sprinfieldcollege.edu
Ian Brown
@Dylan, could you mention those orgs that facilitate/approve tourneys in the chat please? Also, if you're just running one-offs or smaller tournaments, is it necessary to reach out to them - like when you get a license to show a movie?
Mario Rios
Funds were for computers, accessories. Our student center provided space and chairs.
John Schwarte
What was the rubric for again? - must've missed it
Jill Krantz
Pitt is also interested in the rubic please
Jeremy Fritz
@civon- Ill take a copy of that too if you don't mind
Jeremy Fritz
@civon- Jeremy.fritz@cnu.edu
Alexandra Sanchez
@civon can I have a copy of the rubric too absanchez@uky.edu
Crystal Dooley
@civon, same please crystal.dooley@colorado.edu
Bob Gough W&M
How many computers for an open-to-the public vs. team practice?
Sterling Ivany
$250K??? Lol - that is like 5x my entire Rec budget! Lol
Steven Walton
For schools that are not allowed to offer FPS. Using discord to at least connect students who are wanting to play those games may be the next best thing
Tom Soria
@Civon, me too please tsoria@miami.edu
Mario Rios
If i recall, we had 12 computers for practice in a dedicated space for a club and 6-8 or a public space.
Hannah Burrichter
@Steven, thank you! good suggestion!
John Schwarte
civon - i'd be glad to look at it as well.
joschwa1@wsc.edu
Shana Kessler
yeah we're kind of in a financial crisis and I'd imagine most schools are expecting to not be able to build a 200k facility in the next year.... what can we do now to support our students in egaming and in building programs in this new age?
Mike Wozniak
Any suggestions for noise cancelling? We have a very tight space without much movement flexibility...
Jared Charnas
@Civon - I would be glad to see this rubric as well - charnasj@uni.edu
Mike Wozniak
Like portable barriers?
Morgan
anyone have success setting up sponsorship to start up a program
Jim Powers
Same here as far as a financial commitment from the school - we need basics
Rebecca Seguancia - Cal State Long Beach
@civon, would love to get a rubic too, please? Becca.seguancia@csulb.edu
Chris Keough
can I get the rubic to chris.keough@dal.ca
Dale Russell
@garrett what did 10 cost?
John Schwarte
Does anyone use Geex?
Sandra Ondracka
Has any school tried to attach a physical activity incentive to these gamers - considering the amount of time sitting for this "sport".
Wendy Motch-Ellis
We’d like the rubric too - wmotchel@unca.edu
Jill Krantz
@Civon - I would also like to see this rubric as well - jill.krantz@pitt.edu
Mike Wozniak
I have been told that Razer is developing a gaming laptop checkout station that could be a more affordable option. Allowing them to find their own space in the facility or build a very basic room where people can take these laptops and play
Trevor Brunet
@Garrett Larson, How many SQ FT is your Facility?
Kevin Linker
EIU dropped 70K to update meeting room into Esport Arena with 13 computers including the coaches.
Mike Wozniak
Probably for a cost of $20,000 or less
Garrett Larson
The total cost without a special promotion we got would've been $35,699. We got it for just north of $20,000. Equipment
Chad Van Dyk
Same here for the rubric, Civon. cvandyk1@mtroyal.ca
Jason Darby
Southern Miss - We have a dedicated space currently in our union that we will be renovating into an arena. For the time being they have been able to use the space though to bring their own equipment, but we saw that they preferred to stay in their rooms and play than to haul their equipment over for practice. We did also brand the space as the Esports Lounge so they felt some ownership in the area.
Shaun Rutherford
Adelphi University has a game development major run through the Math department so they are updating a room through academic grants so we are trying to piggyback some of the things we need through that grant and collaborating with the Math department
Tyler Artley
has discord fixed the voice channel issues? they have been extremely unreliable for me in the past
Lazaro Fuentes
We are just getting started are there any fundraising suggestions?
Matt Brazier
What about club teams that win? You take $ as well?
Andrea Snead
UCF - club teams keep their money as long as we did not allocate student funds for that specific tournament
Sue Weaver
thanks for the dialogue, gotta scoot to another mtg.
Giancarlo Provo
Gotta head to another meeting. I hope you guys do a part 2!!
Ty Verdin
I would like to see part 2 as well.
Sam Lowry
At Kennesaw State, we permit clubs to participate in tournaments/leagues that have cash winnings or items of value. We collect 10% of winnings that comes back to the Club Sport program. The remaining 90% is given to the club and can be dispersed as they see fit.
Andrea Snead
Tespa is really good with working with and responding to administrators as well
Shana Kessler
I have to jet but see you all at RecWithoutBorders Trivia tomorrow night!
Sandra Ondracka
Great information for a newbie! Thank you
Andrea Snead
esports or Esports rather than eSports or e-sports is a good start correct?
Jared Charnas
yes the dash is not as accepted
Lazaro Fuentes
Thanks so much for sharing the information and experiences for us novices. :) Can we do this weekly lol
Jim Powers
I really appreciate all the help! I am brand new to all of this! I think our administration is also looking at using the e sports as a way to bring several academic depts together
Jared Charnas
esports or Esports is more widely accepted
Ian Brown
Thanks y'all!
Natosha Harris
Thanks everyone
Jason Darby
Thanks!