Ferris State University eSports Arena
Case Study
To stay at the forefront of the eSports revolution, they recognized the need for a dedicated facility to foster the ongoing growth of their program.
As one of the first 50 teams in the U.S., Ferris State University is among the pioneering institutions to embrace eSports.
Inside the newly built Center for Virtual Learning is Michigan’s first purpose-built eSports facility. The eSports team has almost doubled after opening the facility with about 400 students in the club.
The arena is impressive with multiple camera angles and advanced streaming capabilities, enabling seamless hosting of virtual or in-person eSports tournaments.
The large video walls in the eSports facility serve multiple purposes. During tournaments, they display games for the audience, creating an immersive experience.
Additionally, for practice sessions, the eSports coach can make coaching decisions more efficiently by utilizing the video wall instead of trying to observe each player’s computer individually.
The arena can be transformed from a singular classroom into a larger space with room for spectators and other challengers. The facility’s large windows invite onlookers to watch eSports tournaments from the hallway, and the large video wall on the building’s exterior provides an additional viewing experience for eSports events.
One of the most notable parts of the eSports facility is the ability to broadcast eSports tournaments the same way as traditional sports. The arena, the production room, the shoutcasting room, and the judge’s room are all separate.
This allows the producers and directors to be able to yell their cues, the shoutcasters to call the games uninterrupted on air, the eSports players to focus on their game in the arena, and the judges to view the game without bias from the crowd or players.
The eSports facility provides opportunities for students to be involved in a team on campus, but also provides the opportunity to grow in their professional careers with hands-on experience.
With the recent introduction of the eSports production major, those students can gain experience running production for events or create content for various platforms.
Other students in the School of Digital Media can also have their hand at content and editing opportunities, boosting their skills for their post-grad resumes.
The eSports director actively recruits students for production and content creation roles, forming dedicated teams for editing, social media, and eSports production.
The growth of the eSports team has enhanced recruiting. Ferris State was already well known in the world of eSports, but after having the new arena, students are reaching out and asking to be recruited to the team.