Designing Esports Spaces in Higher Education: Key Considerations

Since 2014, esports have promoted inclusion in higher education. Unlike traditional sports, esports is highly accessible, requiring no specific physical abilities, and provides opportunities for students who may be less likely to engage in campus activities due to mobility limitations, neurodiversity, or other barriers. Further, college esports programs today often complement game design, computer science, and media studies majors for students who are looking to translate their gaming experiences into a career.

The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) was founded in 2016 to support esports in higher education. Since then, many schools have developed competitive esports programs, focusing on popular games – Valorant, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rocket League, among others – that resonate with both club players and varsity competitors. For example, the University of California Irvine, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas at Arlington field esports teams, among dozens of other schools in the US that participate in major collegiate leagues and tournaments.

Designing dedicated esports facilities in higher education is crucial to the success of college esports programs. Intelligent esports design facilitates a professional, immersive environment where students can hone their skills, compete, and collaborate. Facilities should not only provide state-of-the-art gaming equipment and infrastructure but also foster a sense of legitimacy and community. These spaces should be equipped with high-speed internet, ergonomic furniture, and broadcast capabilities to support both players and spectators. Additionally, designing with inclusivity in mind, such as providing ADA accessible workstations and communal areas, ensures that all students can participate and engage. A purpose-built facility can enhance recruitment efforts, attract talented players, and position the institution as a leader in the growing esports industry.

SMARTdesks® designs innovative, technology-integrated spaces for higher education, offering customizable solutions that adapt to evolving needs. When it comes to designing esports labs and arenas, facilities managers often face unique challenges. Below, we address some of the most common questions, from ergonomic design to budgeting for a new esports facility.

What are the key infrastructure requirements for building an Esports facility (e.g., space, electrical capacity, internet bandwidth)?

An esports facility needs sufficient room for gaming stations, spectator seating, and coaching huddle areas. Depending on the size, it may also need areas for team meetings, broadcasts, and production. High-performance gaming requires a robust electrical setup, with enough outlets and surge protection for multiple gaming PCs, consoles, lighting, and AV equipment. For an emerging esports program, 30 PC stations and three or four console gaming spaces is a manageable objective.

Each gaming station typically consists of a high-performance PC, 24-32” gaming monitor, multi-output graphics card, microphone, keyboard and mouse, webcam, headset, and institutional-grade furniture. Powerful gaming PCs generate significant heat, so effective cooling and ventilation are essential to keep equipment and players comfortable. Place two intake fans at the front of the CPU and at least one exhaust fans on top or behind to vent the heat away from players.

Fast and stable internet is crucial for competitive gaming. A dedicated, high-bandwidth fiber connection with low latency is ideal for both players and either broadcasting to in-person spectators or streaming to online viewers. 25 to 100 Mbps download and 5 to 20 Mbps upload speeds per PC station is the baseline speed required to run gaming software smoothly. Redundant connections for backup are also advisable. SMARTdesks® recommends raised access flooring such as SMARTflor® for esports facilities to aid with cable management and distribution of power and data connections. SMARTflor® can easily be installed over existing flooring and has the capacity to route electrical and fiber optic sources to where they are needed most.

Finally, proper lighting for gameplay and recording, along with soundproofing or controlled acoustics, can enhance both player focus and the quality of any live streams or recordings.

How can we ensure the Esports facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology that will stay relevant as the industry evolves?

Design the facility to allow easy upgrades. Modular desks and benching systems and flexible seating arrangements, such as those offered by SMARTdesks® will allow an esports facility to reposition furniture in the room for different competitions as the need arises. A scalable network system is the most important consideration as new games may use additional bandwidth. AV systems should be able to keep pace with upcoming gaming systems several years into the future to reduce the need to switch technology infrastructure frequently.

In addition, consider leasing gaming equipment, including computers, gaming peripherals like monitors and keyboards, and IT infrastructure such as data enters and cloud storage space. Leasing is often less expensive than outright purchasing and allows for easier upgrades as new hardware is released. By establishing partnerships with technology brands and sponsors, universities with emerging esports programs can access emerging technology or even co-branded upgrades. Leasing is a potential solution to beta-test an esports program before making the full financial commitment to purchasing computers and related esports technology.

What are the most important considerations for designing a space that enhances both player performance and spectator experience?

Ergonomically designed seating and workstations for comfort during long hours of play are two important factors. Height-adjustable workstations can increase player mobility and reduce risk of repetitive motion injuries, a common negative health impact of esports.

In terms of technology, high-quality monitors and gaming peripherals optimize performance for players. For spectators, consider adding large screens for live viewing, tiered seating for clear sightlines, and interactive elements like real-time stat displays or VR experiences. Large digital leaderboards also help everyone see match and tournament winners. Internet speed is again a critical consideration, so broadcast screens and streaming ability do not suffer from laggy playback, decreased graphics quality, or interruptions from buffering.

High-quality sound systems can enhance both the player and spectator experience, with soundproofed player areas to avoid distractions and immersive audio for spectators. Lighting and color schemes that evoke excitement, with themed designs based on popular games or teams, can create an engaging environment.

Some schools have computers reserved for team members and others open to anyone in the community. It is important to define clear practice times for varsity teams as well as open practice hours for newer gamers to hone their skills under the guidance of coaches and seasoned players.

How can we create an Esports facility that supports inclusivity and provides opportunities for students across various skill levels?

Offer a variety of games to attract different skill levels and interests, from casual to competitive. While collegiate tournaments focus on major esports game brands, by offering lesser-known games, colleges can ensure the game library offers something for every student interested in gaming. Accessibility considerations such as hardware for players with physical disabilities are also important, as well as settings that cater to different gaming preferences.

Existing esports teams at colleges and universities across the US also provide team-building activities for members of clubs and varsity teams. By organizing group gym workouts, study sessions, and career counseling opportunities, universities can foster teamwork and healthy habits outside of the esports arena.

Colleges with new esports programs should also consider joining organizations such as the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF) to promote esports within the university community. Nonprofits such as NASEF offer free scholastic competition opportunities for faculty and students throughout the academic year.

What are the ongoing maintenance and operational costs of running a competitive Esports facility, and how can we budget for them?

The main operational categories for an esports facility are technology upkeep, utility costs, staffing, and software licenses. Build a budget that accounts for these fixed and variable costs, with contingency plans for unexpected repairs or technology upgrades. Recurring costs like electricity and internet should be closely monitored and optimized. Regular hardware upgrades and repairs, including PCs, monitors, consoles, and network equipment should also factor into the budget. Account for high energy consumption due to the large number of PCs and cooling systems, along with substantial internet bandwidth usage. Outside of physical infrastructure costs, personnel costs are required to run tournaments, maintain equipment, provide tech support, and offer team coaching. The last main budget category should include costs for game licenses, server hosting, and broadcasting software if the facility hosts events.

Core Takeaways for Building an Esports Lab on Campus

Launching an esports program offers universities a range of significant benefits, although financial costs to implement an esports program should not be overlooked. Esports attracts a diverse group of students, including those with a passion for gaming, technology, and digital media, which can enhance student recruitment and retention. Additionally, these programs create opportunities for community building and school spirit, drawing in spectators and alumni engagement through tournaments and events. By launching an esports program, universities position themselves at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry, preparing students for a range of future careers while enriching campus life. Book a free SMARTdesks consultation today to learn more!

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