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Esports for the Pack

esports

Jair Valenzuela, left, plays Super Smash Brothers Ultimate against Dean Jim Pfaendtner and Kaleb Decker in the new Esports Lab.

Jul 26, 2024

GG with Dean Pfaendtner

For many College of Engineering (COE) students, playing video games is a popular way to unwind. It’s also a favorite pastime of Jim Pfaendtner, Louis Martin-Vega Dean of Engineering. 
Arnav Jhala

Jul 26, 2024

Q&A: Questions for Arnav Jhala

How did you get involved in esports research and program development? As a graduate student at NC State, I was a teaching assistant for the game development class in 2004. This was just before our official game development concentration was established. I joined the faculty in 2016 and have been managing the curriculum for the game… 
NC State Esports Program Director Cody Elsen plays a game alongside Mr. Wuf in the NC State Gaming and Esports Lab.

Mar 21, 2024

Meet the two-time world champion leading NC State Esports

As NC State’s first esports program director, Cody Elsen looks to build NC State Esports into a hub for student success and institutional collaboration. 
Students play video games on computers inside the new NC State Gaming and Esports Lab in Hunt Library. Photo by Mattison Domke-Latz

Jan 19, 2024

Esports Lab opens in Hunt Library

The lab will support the NC State Esports program, but it is also open to other students, faculty and staff interested in gaming. 
Illustration of a group of gamers standing in the middle of an esports arena.

Dec 7, 2022

Esports for the Pack

In 2021 and 2022, NC State received $12 million from the North Carolina General Assembly to build an on-campus esports arena and $4 million to develop a mobile arena truck that brings esports competitions and activities to other parts of the state.