Houghton Student Enterprises (HSE) held its first annual League of Legends tournament on Saturday, November 21. There were 20 students involved in this event, 16 of whom were present and four who played from a separate location. The event was a team tournament where students teamed up in teams of five to compete in a 5v5 double-elimination tournament.
Two of the teams that competed were communicating through earpieces to teammates that were unable to attend the tournament due to technical difficulties and distance. Ryan Bowers ‘19, a competitor in this tournament, stated that he loved the location of Big Al’s, because of the easy access to food, refreshments, and the accessibility for spectators to watch and cheer on the gamers as they competed and strategized. Justin Livergood ‘18, another competitor, stated that he liked the location because the teams were separated by appropriate distances so that the other teams would not be able to hear them strategizing before and during the match.
HSE is planning to continue this event next year, making it an annual activity. HSE plans on making next year’s tournament a Riot, the company that made League of Legends. sanctioned tournament so they will provide in-game prizes. HSE anticipates that the event will grow next year, as they hope to include the gamers of the Houghton community, as well as more students. Bowers and Livergood both expressed they thought this tournament “should definitely be held again.”