Carpe Ludum Issue 2

CARPE LUDUM

JUNE 2021 ISSUE 2 EGF SEASON 2

W&M Esports Newsletter

THAT'S THE GAME W&M finishes its first official season with EGF with resounding success, making history at the university and solidifying

SENIOR INTERVIEWS Players' perspectives on their time with W&M Esports and what's next

PIONEERING THE FUTURE Introducing the newest Esports Pioneers, W&M Esports' behind-the-scenes

the future of esports on campus

powerhouses

Table of Contents FIFA ..... pg. 2

NOTE

FROM

Smash ..... pg. 3

Rocket League ........ pg. 4

Overwatch ........ pg. 5

League of Legends ........ pg. 6

THE

EDITORS

Timeline ...... pg. 7-8

A Season In Review ...... pg. 9-10

Awards, Credits, Links ...... pg. 11

Senior Interviews ....... pgs. 12-14

Meet the EPs ........ pg. 15

Welcome to Carpe Ludum!

We are proud to present this newsletter for W&M Esports. Over the past semester, students from all across the William & Mary community have converged on this brand new enterprise which has demonstrated on a nationwide scale the prowess and promise that the university brings to 21st century higher education.

Carpe Ludum is the official postseason newsletter of W&M Esports featuring player rosters, team stats, and recaps of the most exciting moments from the split.

Max Simon and the EPs

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4-11 Seniors

Coach

Captain

Matt ‘Witty’ Wittyngham

Hannah ‘Lefty’ Smith

Roster Ignas ‘ignas’ Vismantas

Seth ‘Sbliley7’ Bliley '23

Garrett ‘Bucketing3’ deFisser RJ 'Alm1ghtyRubix' Hewitt

40 GOALS SCORED Carpe Ludum | 2

14-2 Seniors

Roster Coach Caleb ‘Dizzy’ Rivers '22

Barrett ‘Barrett’ Ratzlaff '22 Gabriel ‘Spectre’ Slate '24 Sean ‘OuterRim’ Lindell '23

Jefferson ‘Jeffaldo’ Wise

286 TOTAL POINTS

18 3-STOCK GAMES

Bryce ‘S Rice’ Peiper

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3RD IN CONFERENCE

5-11 Seniors

Roster Coach John ‘Omarius’ Drummond Coach Terry ‘t >playlist’ Trojak

Bryce ‘Sunshine’ Whitney '22 Josh ‘Ladsterr’ Laderer '23 Matt ‘Chimney-28’ Wydra '23 Matthew ‘Legacy’ Villca-Rocha '24

Clay ‘Yellowjacket’ Shafer

Tom ‘Mr. Burger’ Cook '23

67 GOALS SCORED

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7-9 Roster Coach Dillon ‘Voyager’ Coppersmith '20

Allen ‘Gavant’ Ngo '23 Alondra ‘Alondriii’ Burton '22 Andrew ‘Rachenite’ Protiva '23 Ethan ‘TF2IsBetter’ Van Valkenburgh '24 Max ‘Maxftw26’ Jaquint '24 Paris ‘UN1Q’ Bredehoft '24 Paul ‘NukeLlama’ Harris '24

49% INCREASE IN WIN PERCENTAGE

100% MAP 5 TIEBREAKER WINRATE

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8-7 Seniors

Roster Coach Tim 'UndefeatedOne' Cho '22 Analyst Marvin Fu '24

Carlos ‘Woodenrush’ Pernas '25 Cole ‘Coleslaw’ Granger '24

Sung Joon ‘Kiyomi’ Won

Jack ‘Arkon’ Howell '24 Jerry ‘AuroraYue’ Hu '24 Long ‘yesimlong’ Luu '22

3.62 AVERAGE TEAM KDA

Richard ‘Thicc American’ Robles '22 Taylor Junha 'tjk' Kim '22 Tyler ‘Crowfeather’ Schroeder '22

7.3

11.1

(AURORAYUE)

(COLESLAW)

AVERAGE KILLS PER GAME

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AVERAGE ASSISTS PER GAME

Time

October 20th 2020 Registration opens for the first Esports class at W&M

The Fall split begins

October 4th 2020

November 13th 2020

W&M Esports vs. UDel Homecoming Challenge

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W I N T E R B R E A K

January 21st 2021

The first issue of Carpe Ludum is electronically published

line

March 4th 2021

March 25th 2021

The Spring split begins

Registration opens for the Esports Level-Up Summer Program

February 1st 2021

March 19th 2021

The Esports Training and Resarch Center (ETARC) is unvelied and jerseys are handed out

June 2nd 2021

W&M Esports hosts the Rise to the Prize Rocket League Tournament

TRYOUTS!!!

April 17th 2021

Pepsi becomes the first sponsor of W&M Esports

Postseason Awards Ceremony

TBA

A SEASON IN REVIEW

Awards Griffin Spirit Award The Griffin Award is bestowed upon the individual who embodies the W&M Academic & Applied Esports program values and mission of "community." The recipient exemplifies team spirit through words and actions by encouraging fellow varsity gamers, promoting Tribe Pride, and initiating opportunities to bolster the program.

Hannah 'Lefty' Smith

Green & Gold (GG) Leadership Award The Green & Gold (GG) Leadership Award is bestowed upon the individual who is an excellent role model for the W&M esports community. The individual inspires others to work creatively and collaboratively by promoting a positive, respectful, and supportive environment. The recipient demonstrates initiative to organize events and champion the values, goals, and mission of the W&M Academic & Applied Esports program.

Barrett 'Barrett' Ratzlaff Coppersmith Citizenship Award The Coppersmith Citizenship Award is bestowed upon the individual who advances W&M esports through strong character, courage, and commitment to community. The recipient possesses passion and initiative to serve fellow esports gamers through diversity, equity, and inclusion to strengthen the W&M Academic & Applied Esports pillar of belonging.

Dillon 'Voyager' Coppersmith

Website W&M (Fan Portal Coming Soon!)

Articles Daily Press

WMSportsBlog The Flat Hat Check out some of the W&M Esports media coverage!

Social Media @esportsatwm

Photo Credits Andrew King Chai Hibbert Dillon Coppersmith Matt Wittyngham Sarah Noelle Photography (@sarahnoellephoto)

@esportsatwm

@esportsatwm

twitch.tv/esportsatwm Carpe Ludum | 11

Senior Interviews Following the conclusion of William & Mary's first season in competitive gaming, we caught up with the graduating players of W&M Esports to hear about their future plans and takeaways from this one-of-a-kind experience

How was your season? " I thought the season went really well! I improved a lot from where I started, especially this spring split, and felt myself play much better as the season progressed."

- Jefferson 'Jeffaldo' Wise " My season was pretty good, I definitely made a lot of personal improvements over the course of the season."

- Clay 'Yellowjacket' Shafer "I wanted to get the team off the ground and set a foundation and I felt I did that. "

- Matt 'Witty' Wittyngham (FIFA Coach)

What are your plans after graduation?

"I am getting ready to begin a 6-month Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion internship at Epic Games!"

- Hannah 'Lefty' Smith (FIFA Captain) "After graduation I'm planning on going on the job hunt while also helping my dad around the farm."

- Jefferson 'Jeffaldo' Wise "Currently I'm looking for a job that utilizes my skills in biology, chemistry, or research."

- Clay 'Yellowjacket' Shafer "I’ve accepted a job with Celonis as a Senior Consultant. I’m incredibly excited to begin this new career.

I will... be involved where I can with W&M Esports."

- Matt 'Witty' Wittyngham Carpe Ludum | 12

How did your time with W&M Esports help in your path there?

"W&M Esports really put the competitive gaming industry into perspective for me and truly reminded me to follow my passion to work towards breaking the glass ceiling in the male-dominated industry."

- Hannah 'Lefty' Smith "My time in... W&M Esports helped me a lot with finding dozens of new friends who I shared a common interest with... These are some of the best friends I've ever had."

- Jefferson 'Jeffaldo' Wise W&M Esports was a blast and served to greatly enrich my college experience. I definitely found a welcoming community through all of the discord events and many game titles."

- Clay 'Yellowjacket' Shafer

What advice do you have for your team in the next season or any new additions to the team?

"Play YOUR game. Don’t let the competition throw you off of your course. Set your play style, focus on your goals, and play the best way you know how."

- Hannah 'Lefty' Smith "Don't be afraid to take a break from the game for a bit if you start to feel burned out... I've found that when I took breaks from the game... I came back with an improved mentality and that my skill at the game hadn't gone anywhere in the meantime."

- Jefferson 'Jeffaldo' Wise "You'll be... a much better player by working as a team, and never underestimate the power of a pass."

- Clay 'Yellowjacket' Shafer "Learn the meta. There’s a reason why metas exist... Who can find the best way to play the game and then play that better than others."

- Matt 'Witty' Wittyngham

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What words of encouragement would you provide to those interested in esports?

"If you’re interested in esports there is no better time to join this amazing group of passionate individuals. If you... believe that esports fosters a strong, safe, and diverse community, then W&M Esports is definitely for you."

- Hannah ‘Lefty’ Smith "There's plenty of opportunities to get involved in esports, and there are many ways to participate outside of just playing the game, such commentating or coaching, that are all valuable. "

- Jefferson 'Jeffaldo' Wise "Esports is truly a unique opportunity... you can't pass up if you have any interest."

- Clay 'Yellowjacket' Shafer "Don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re playing video games. Embrace that culture. Be goofy.... Enjoy every second of it."

- Matt 'Witty' Wittyngham

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OUR GRADUATES IN THE NEXT LEVEL!

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MEET THE EPs THE ESPORTS PIONEERS ARE HAND-SELECTED INDIVIDUALS CHOSEN TO AID IN AND ASSIST THE FOUNDATION OF THE APPLIED COLLEGIATE D1 VARSITY ESPORTS, THE ACADEMIC ESPORTS PROGRAM, AND BUILD A COMMUNITY ENCOMPASSING BOTH ASPECTS OF GAMING AT WILLIAM & MARY

Caleb Rivers

Tim Cho

Nick Kaufman

Mental Health Specialist

Varsity Esports Coordinator

Esports Analyst

Chai Hibbert

Max Simon

Jonathan Newby

Media and Communications

Media and Communications

Academic Specialist

Tyler Standfield Financial and Organizational Outreach

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