INTRODUCING THE
Esports Arena
AF TER
By RANDY REID
Photos courtesy of PureTek Group
It's 1999, and I'm having a conversation with my son and his three middle school friends, all intensely focused on their video game controllers. Eminem blares from the Dell computer, courtesy of a Napster file. Me: Too bad you can’t earn a living playing video games. Kids: (No response, only intensified button mashing and more concentrated gyrations.) Me: Yep, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get a degree in video games? Kids: (Still no response, eyes glued to the screen.) Me: I think the house is burning, perhaps we should all leave. Son: Get a life, Dad!
My son has always enjoyed proving me wrong. Fast forward to today, and much to my amazement, high schools are implementing something called esports arenas, which are high-end venues for video games. And yes, gaming is now considered a sport.
A Technological Marvel by PureTek Group
24
designing lighting