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After a couple of short delays, we’re back on track! Saw cutting for the final HVAC components will wrap up this week. Final touches to the HVAC system will be installed shortly after and the remaining ceiling tiles will be added. Power outlets in the space are now live and we’re ready to plug in our six new digital displays. New carpet will arrive and be installed by mid-February. It will be a whole new room!
Chairs have arrived! We’re keeping you comfortable in the Vertagear PL4500 racing-style gaming chair! The PL4500 is designed to give a wide range of adjustability, including an adjustable tilt that can be locked in 4 different positions. The chair also provides gamers with the best comfort and ergonomic support, including adjustable 3-D armrests that contour to the shape of the arm. The backrest and seat is padded with high quality Coffee Fiber, providing odor control and quick drying technology. The ultra-high resiliency foam stands up to 4lbs per cubic foot, inching it near the realm of memory foam. We got your back(side)! Learn more about the PL4500 at vertagear.com.
GeekWire
University of Washington building esports arena and lounge to tap into huge gaming movement
Kurt Schlosser
January 15, 2019
University of Washington building esports arena and lounge to tap into huge gaming movement
Kurt Schlosser
January 15, 2019
The Stranger
UW is for nerds
Nathalie Graham
January 15, 2019
InvenGlobal
Esports Arena & Gaming Lounge to open at University of Washington
David “Viion” Jang
January 15, 2019
Esports Insider
Esports Arena & Gaming Lounge set to open at University of Washington this spring
David Hollingsworth
January 16, 2019
Nerd Talk – 107.7 The End
One Washington University is building its own esports arena!
Gregr
January 16, 2019
Computers have arrived! On top of being pretty (check out that purple and gold glow), they’re custom built to provide you with the optimal gaming experience. In the coming weeks, the computers will be imaged and prepped for installation. A very special thanks to the Student Technology Fee for funding the equipment in the Esports Arena & Gaming Lounge.
As the build out continues, we’ve also been hard at work behind the scenes. On of our team’s favorite projects has been working with students to identify which games they want to play. Our initial list of games includes:
- ARK
- Battlefield 1
- Call of Duty: WWII
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
- Dead by Daylight
- Don’t Starve Together
- Doom
- DOTA 2
- Fortnite: Battle Royale
- Friday the 13th
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- Hearthstone
- Heroes of the Storm
- League of Legends
- Minecraft
- Overwatch: Standard Edition
- Path of Exile
- Payday 2
- Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds
- Rocket League
- Smite
- Starcraft II
- Team of Fortress 2
- Warframe
- World of Tanks
- World of Warcraft
Do you have a game you love that’s not on the list? Email hubgames@uw.edu and let us know!
The new downlights were in installed this week with dimmers to allow control of lighting in three quadrants of the arena. Final duct work will be installed shortly followed by replacing the ceiling tiles. And then…we’re ready for inspection! Next up on the project list is the installation of the entry doors. And then the really fun stuff! We’ll be installing artwork, mounting digital displays, and bringing in furniture. We’re getting close!
Step by step, we’re getting closer! The grid work for updated lighting was installed this week…on stilts! The new lighting will be installed next week followed by the remaining duct work for the HVAC system. Wiring and outlets have been added for new security cameras. In preparation for our artwork installation, the room was painted a base white. But don’t worry Dawgs, we’ll be bringing back plenty of purple!
Moving right along! Wire drops to support the PCs in the middle of the room were added at the end of August. The existing lights have been removed and the new downlights with dimmers will be installed shortly. Ducts for the HVAC system are beginning to be installed and will be completed after the lighting installation. The walls have been patched and primed and will be painted in preparation for the new artwork. Tables are scheduled to arrive mid-September and new glass doors will arrive and be installed mid-October. The arena is beginning to take shape and we’re getting excited for students to see all our progress in the coming weeks!
We’ve been hard at work crunching the numbers and are excited to share our rates! Students are at the heart of everything we do and we believe our pricing structure reflects our mission to enhance community, provide dynamic spaces, and foster student engagement. We will continue to do everything we can to increase access for students and eliminate barriers to participation, such as cost.
| 1 hour | 10 hours | |
|---|---|---|
| UW Students | $3.50 | $30 |
| UW Fac/Staff | $4.50 | $40 |
| General | $6.00 | – |
As we compared local PC gaming rates, we aspired to provide UW students with the least expensive experience in the Seattle area. And we did! GameWorks charges $5/hour, $20 for 5 hours ($4/hour), or $25 for a half-day pass. And compared to other collegiate esports arenas, we are among the least expensive. The University of California, Irvine charges $4/hour or $36 for 10 hours ($3.60/hour).
The backbone of our arena are the power, Cat 6a high-speed internet access, and HVAC systems. Majority of our initial renovation work will be creating the infrastructure that will support casual and competitive gamers. Electricians have begun to add power and Cat 6a cables throughout the arena. Cord racks have been added above the ceiling panels to manage and route the Cat 6a cables. We are committed to providing the best gaming experience for our community and it starts behind the walls!
This Spring, we hosted a design competition for the Esports Arena & Gaming Lounge. We’re excited to announce that Alexandra Souter was selected as the winning artist! Alexandra is a senior studying Environmental Science: Resource Management and has been involved with the Washington Gaming Association (WGA) since her freshman year. The selection committee fell in love with Alexandra’s nostalgic design and its connection to UW. We’re keeping Alexandra’s design under wraps until our grand opening, but we will share a teaser…a nod to our favorite Dawg, Gamer Dubs.
Today we “broke ground” on the Esports Arena and Gaming Lounge! Construction began slowly, with the removal of wall bumpers, but every small change is a step closer to our goal of creating a space to build and enhance UW’s gaming community. Most of the early work will be behind the scenes, building the infrastructure to support the space. Ceiling panels are being temporary moved to allow electricians access for new power lines and Cat 6a high-speed internet cables. In the coming months we’ll be adding a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system which will maintain cool and clean air for the computers and servers. Here we go!
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