There are many different types of video games ranging from action to strategy. Esports club allows students to explore their passion for such games.
Modern world history teacher and club sponsor Brandon Bishop said there are two branches to the club: competitive and casual. Members of the competitive aspect have the opportunity to compete in three KSHSAA sponsored games as of this year.
“When I first took over the club, we were playing through the High School Esports League. There were a lot more games available, games were pretty casual. You would usually play once a week, and you could choose which time you play. They had multiple queue times, and you’d match you up with an online opponent,” Bishop said. “This year, with KSHSAA, there’s been a bunch of big changes with a new platform called PlayVS.”
The LEVELUP Esports Area at the Advent Health Sports Complex allows the club to play games in person with a set time once a week. Junior Rylan Riley has been a part of the club since his freshman year, and said he likes to get to the center early in order to practice before he competes.
“There is not really a losers or winners bracket. It is one system and it’s based on how other people play and you play. So if you play really good, if you’re undefeated and other people are undefeated, you’ll go against each other,” Riley said. “If you lose twice, you’re probably out depending on if other people have a consistent losing streak. So, I think it pushes you to be better than other people around you to really keep up the practice, so you don’t fall behind.”
There are three esports seasons, only one being KSHSAA sponsored. The team concluded their winter season last week with a 4-2 record, finishing 10th in the state. Bishop said the spring season will start back up in February.
“The only KSHSAA sponsored games are Super Smash Brothers, Rocket League and Mario Kart,” Bishop said. “There’s a handful of other games that are not KSHSAA sponsored, even chess, … those are all from home.”
Currently, the main game is Super Smash Bros., with the team competing in matches weekly. Senior Kaleb Reynolds is a part of the team, and said it is a fun game to compete in.
“[Super Smash Bros. is] a 2D platform fighter. Its big gimmick is crossovers,” Reynolds said. “You got all these different franchises mixing together all these characters. It’s a competitive-ish fighting party game.”
Riley described his peers as friendly, open people. He said he enjoys teaching them his tips and tricks in the games he plays.
“I’m pretty good at Smash, so I teach other people how to play, how to get better, along with my teammates,” Riley said. “There are team games, solo games. If you are really good at one thing or with a group of people, you can play that way.”
Meetings take place after school on Mondays in room 604. Bishop said he enjoys seeing club members connect and bond over the video games they enjoy.
“Our club meetings are usually for casual meetups,” Bishop said. “Students who are going to have games that week, we’ll show them, we’ll talk, we’ll strategy, we’ll plan out schedules and put teams together. A lot of times, though, as kids, we just hang out and play Super Smash Brothers. We talk [about] our favorite video games, and that’s it.”
There are quite a few club members, some more dedicated than others. Bishop said the club hosts a schoolwide Super Smash Brothers tournament at the end of the school year open to other Blue Valley schools which is a big hit.
“Our membership is very diverse, so we have very active competitive members who want to play as many games as possible. We have members who are really more interested in just the hangouts,” Bishop said. “And most of our kids are involved in so many different activities and other things that esports maybe isn’t their primary focus. So, I don’t necessarily see those kids all the time, but it’s always nice when they show up.”
Reynolds said he enjoys competing in some of his favorite video games with friends.
“I don’t regret joining it, I have had a lot of fun. It’s been a great experience. I’m glad that I can do something fun with my friends,” Reynolds said “If you have friends, and you like playing video games together, and you want to be a little bit competitive, it’s a fun way to do that.”
There is an informational meeting in the beginning of February for interested students. Riley encourages others to give the club a chance, as it is a chill environment to play games with friends.
“[The biggest challenge is] keeping up with everybody, because, I mean, you have to make a commitment to practice if you want to be good at that game,” Riley said. “Me personally, I like to be competitive about it. So, I do have to commit that time to playing, but for me, it’s less of I have to, and [more] that I want to get better.”
