If you add the elements of collaboration and communication to gaming, gaming transforms into esports. The economic, creative, and cultural impacts of this shift have been seismic as esports has rapidly ascended to be one of the world’s most popular forms of entertainment.
Designed for faculty, students, and all who are interested, this two-day, free symposium offers a platform to investigate the academic implications and practical opportunities of esports, which foster competencies in a wide range of areas such as communication strategies, journalism and sports commentary, curation, broadcast production, game design, physical training, psychology, leadership, computer programming, business, marketing, event organization, and pedagogy.
The symposium will also delve into the history of popular video games and conclude with a Video Game Tournament of Champions that anyone can sign up for. Drop in for specific events or join for the entire symposium.
RSVP not required but appreciated!
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2
The Ecosystem and Business Surrounding Esports
Lecture by Tobias Scholz, Associate Professor, University of Adger, Norway
3:30 - 5:00 pm • DMC 5.102
What is the relevance of esports on work and why is it so suited for training in jobs that have little to do with esports themselves?
Video Game Theater
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm • CMB 4.126 Studio 4D
In this special theatrical presentation with accompanying commentary and discussion, visit key moments in competitive video game and esports history.
Facilitated by Radio-Television-Film Associate Professor of Instruction Ben Bays, Visiting Assistant Professor Marina Fontolan, and friends.
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Keynote Lecture by Rune Andersen, University of Agder, Norway
2:00 - 3:30 pm • CMB 4.122 (Studio 4C)
Why is esports important and how does it fit in with the academic approaches already in existence? Rune Andersen, Head of Program for Academic Esports at the University of Agder, Norway, will demonstrate the structure and possibilities they have created with their academic esports program, how the program has been received, and the potential for future developments in that area.
Panel Discussion: Making Play Pay: Empowering Students Through Esports
3:45 - 4:45 pm • CMB 4.122 (Studio 4C)
Join a conversation with faculty and students as they identify the key skills that video game players already possess that can empower and enhance their professional profile.
The Moody Video Game Tournament of Champions
5:00 - 9:00 pm • CMB 4.126 - Film & TV Lab 4D
Participants will play a variety of video games to vie for the title of Moody Video Game Champion. Many will fall, some will rise, all will have fun, but in the end . . . there can be only one.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
RSVP
If you would like to compete in the tournament, please RSVP with your name and contact information.
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Rune Andersen is the Head of Program for Academic Esports at the department of ICT at the University of Agder, Norway. His research is in Academic Esports, Games and Game-Didactics and Multimedia and E-learning. He has worked with game-based learning since 2001.
Tobias Scholz is an associate professor at the University of Adgers (and support player). Author, scholar, journalist, and regular contributor to the conversation around esports and gaming, Tobias specializes in bringing HR and esports together to enable people to find their passion in the working world.
Marina Fontolan Is a visiting professor and scholar from Brazil whose research focuses on localization modding, decolonial and postcolonial game studies, history of games and gaming, and science and technology studies. She teaches various courses in game studies in the RTF department.
Ben Bays is a native Texan and associate professor of instruction in the RTF department. Before entering academia, he worked as a background artist, animator, concept and video game production artist. His current research focus is the cultural spaces around comics and cartoons.
Details
Occurrences: 2
Occurrence 1:
Start Date: November 2 @ 3:30pm
End Date: November 2 @ 6:30pm
Occurrence 2:
Start Date: November 3 @ 2:00pm
End Date: November 3 @ 9:00pm
Event Categories: Guest Speaker Lecture Panel Discussion Screening
Other
Target audience: Faculty , General Public , Staff , Students