Recent visitors to 满帆’s campus may have noticed some unusual activity in and around the sound stages located in Building 2. The area formerly occupied by the 电影 Production MFA is undergoing a major conversion from a film set to a brand new esports arena.

该设施, 被称为“堡垒”,” will be the new home of 满帆 Armada, 满帆’s collegiate-level varsity esports team. 11,200 square-foot arena will feature room for 500 fans, making it the largest esports arena to date to occupy a college campus.

“Not only will it be the largest collegiate esports arena, but the Fortress will also house incredible technology aimed at delivering the best esports experience, including the latest generation live video equipment by Ross Video, Sony video monitors and cameras, giant high-resolution LED screens by Absen, multi-zone loudspeaker systems by L-Acoustics, media servers by Green Hippo, and high-bandwidth dedicated internet connectivity to guarantee the best game-playing and viewing experience for our audience,路易斯·加西亚说, Vice President of Emerging Technologies at 满帆大学.

满帆 began the design phase for the project in early 2018, breaking ground at the beginning of the summer. The space has a projected completion date of early 2019. Although The Fortress is the first space of its kind on campus, 满帆 has hosted a number of esports events in the past, including the Major League Gaming (MLG) Fall Invitational (2013), 《使命召唤2.S. 冠军(2014), the Madden NFL 15 Ultimate Team Championship Featuring NFL Quarterback Cam Newton (2014). The 满帆 Live venue currently serves as an official Hearthstone Fireside Gatherings location. 学生 were also recently treated to a visit from the Florida Mayhem, Florida’s only team to compete in the Overwatch League as a member of the league’s Atlantic Division.

除了 to the Fortress, a separate dedicated practice space will offer student athletes a place to commune and prepare for upcoming tournaments. 总的来说, 满帆 is dedicating over $6 million of direct capital investment to the esports initiative.

“We are excited about these additions to our campus as we continue to strive to make 满帆 the premier destination for students who want to pursue careers in gaming and the various aspects of the live events industry; ranging from the business aspects of sports management, and the IT behind synchronized gaming within esports, 对shoutcasting, 生活生产, 游戏创建, entertainment business and more. 除了, these efforts support a leading global destination for students who want to participate in the esports lifestyle as part of their college experience, be it as a top competitive player, 休闲玩家, or a social follower and fan of esports,肯·戈德斯通说, Chief Operating Officer, 满帆大学.

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