Jacks Esports Lounge new amenity for students on campus

Parents never thought they would be sending their kids to college to play video games, but with the rise of esports on campuses worldwide, this trend is becoming increasingly popular among students. That includes at SDSU, which just opened an esports lounge this semester.

The Jacks Esports Lounge, free to all students, had its grand opening in February. Located in the lower level of the Enrollment Services Center, it is accessible via the north entrance of the building.

The lounge uses software called Metactix, where students can create a login account with their university email address. Once logged in, students can choose from a wide variety of games to play. Students are also able to request games the lounge does not already have by adding it to the list document located on each computer.

The new space gives students access to the newest games and equipment for what can be an expensive hobby. One game for an Xbox can cost anywhere from $60 to $90.

“Keep in mind that’s just one game,” said Courtney Forrette, competitive sports coordinator for the Miller Wellness Center, which oversees the lounge. Many games come out as part of a series, with a new game released each year.

“We want them to know that cost is on us,” Forrette said.

The staff will continue to do their best to get the most up-to-date games rather than students having to pay for them out of pocket.

“Considering a lot of other universities across the United States are starting to invest in esports, it shows that we care just as we would with having a wellness center. Since video games are pretty universal across the board, being able to have a space that encourages that on campus is really special to us,” said esports club member Alexa Kuske.

The lounge has top-notch features including Xboxes, Nintendo Switches, Oculus VR and 12 Alienware PCs located in the competitive gaming room that offer an incredible gaming experience when it comes to screen visibility and clarity. They have a fast refresh rate that ensures a game will be up to date as soon as possible. Accompanying each PC are Secretlab chairs designed for long hours of gaming in comfort. Also included are several big screen TVs and plenty of spots to sit down with a personal laptop to game on your own.

South Dakota State's esports club, which has around 150 members, is especially excited about the new lounge, which allows members to practice and play beside their teammates. It’s a luxury the team did not have before the lounge’s opening.

“To me, the lounge is a sign that both the club and the school are committed to the growth of the club and its future success,” said Alex Mastalir. This will be his fifth year playing for the esports club, and he currently serves as the club’s treasurer.

Spring hours for the esports lounge are 5-10 p.m. every Thursday through Saturday and 4-7 p.m. Sunday.

More information about the lounge.