TAMIU Hosts Upcoming Esports Tournament Saturday
Video gamers from across the region are invited to take part in the upcoming, “Hidden Flame” Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Gaming Tournament Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.
“Participating in these types of events can foster the competitive spirit of gamers in South Texas. Esports are becoming more popular and some competitors are starting to make a living off competitive gaming. Laredo itself is becoming a stronghold for Super Smash Bros.,” said TAMIU Smash member Luis Arriaga, reiterating, “TAMIU Smash hopes to cultivate the hidden gaming talents of Laredo.”
Registration is available at smash.gg/hiddenflame. While there is no age limit, participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent.
The tournament is hosted by the TAMIU Smash Club and sponsored through the support of LVL 2 Gaming, a local gaming lounge and Meta Vali Designs.
Those who wish to take part in the event must pay a $20 fee for the Singles tournament, with a complete game setup including a monitor, GameCube adapter, game and downloadable content. A $5 discount will be offered to individuals who bring their own gaming setups. For the Doubles tournament, a $10 fee per team is required.
The Doubles tournament begins at 11 a.m. while the Single tournament begins at 1 p.m.
Also, carpools with four or more people from 60 miles away or further will be given a $20 gas incentive. Vehicles traveling from Austin and Houston will receive a $30 incentive, while carpools from Dallas will be given a $40 incentive.
Entrants will compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the latest entry in Nintendo's crossover fighting game that features popular gaming icons.
There will be a selection of maps that players can choose. From there, every player is given three lives and has eight minutes to complete the stage. The tournament will be the best two out of three sets. If a player loses two sets, they are automatically out of the tournament.
The grand prize split among the top five finishers.
An international phenomenon, eports is competitive video gaming often organized through leagues or teams facing off against each other. A reported total of 454 million viewers watch gamers through popular online streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Revenues from these ventures are expected to increase over $1 billion, according to a Reuters report.
For more information on the upcoming gaming tournament, please contact Arriaga at luisarriaga@dusty.tamiu.edu or visit the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TAMIUSmash.
University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more of the University’s story, visit tamiu.edu or its social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
TAMIU offices will close in a State-authorized holiday Monday, Dec. 23 - Thursday, Jan. 2.
Offices and the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library will reopen Friday, Jan. 3 at 8 a.m. The final day of full campus operation is Friday, Dec. 20, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Read additional information on TAMIU holiday schedule and Spring Registration.
