Three-Day Gaming Showdown
Controllers ready, headsets on Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) is set to launch its Fall Esports Tournament, bringing three days of fast-paced action to campus.
This year’s lineup will feature Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Street Fighter 6 and NCAA College Football 25, with prize pools of $25,000, $ 250 and $250 respectively.
TAMUK Esports president Nicholas Vazquez said the club narrowed its focus to the titles students were most excited about.
“At our last event, we featured four games, but we realized Smash was by far the main draw it had nearly Hundred entrants. We saw how popular Street Fighter and NCAA were becoming, so we cut the side games like Mortal Kombat and Tekken to focus on what people enjoy most and what they want to compete in,” Vasquez said.
Esports is the fastest-growing entertainment industry in the world, and TAMUK is reflecting that momentum on campus.
The program finished last spring in the top three nationally in multiple games through the Play fly League, a performance that has drawn new members and wider recognition. Tryouts for the fall season are expected to take place later in September.
But with growth comes new hurdles, Director of esports Steven Peterson, said organizing an event of this scale is no small task.
“Logistics are always a challenge with something in this big. At our Spring Showdown we saw more than 400 people between spectators and competitors. This semester we’re already ahead of those numbers a week out , so making sure we’re prepared is key,” Peterson said.
The action won’t just stay on the screens it will also be felt across campus.
The TAMUK Fall Gaming Expo is scheduled for Sept. 13 and 14 in The Jones Auditorium, with a kickoff event set for Sept. 12 on the James C. Jernigan Library lawn.
The outdoor kickoff will be free to attend and designed as a casual way to welcome fans before the main tournament begins.
Those interested in watching the competition can visit tamukesports.com for tickets and additional information.