Esports hosts tryouts for two new games

CHAD FANCHER

Staff Writer

UMW’s esports team is hoping to expand its library of competitive games for the fall 2023 season with the addition of Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. Approximately 20 new prospective players attended tryouts for either of the two new games on Thursday, Feb. 2 in the esports lounge located in the Cedric Rucker University Center.

“The program at large we’re looking to eventually grow to about upwards of 150 students across multiple competitive teams, but also casual members,” said Mark Link, director of esports. “We are looking to continue to expand the casual side. Whatever people want to play ranging from Minecraft to Guilty Gear, we will try to incorporate it.”

UMW currently has two competitive Rocket League teams and one competitive Valorant team. 

“We’re also looking to expand with Overwatch, Call of Duty, Apex Legends and Fortnight,” said Link. “Pretty much the sky’s the limit since we base all of our decisions on what to add based on student feedback.”

At the tryouts, players were equipped with two rows of professional computer setups including webcams and headsets. Those who tried out could band together with others to play the games while Link observed the matches, noting individual players’ strengths and weaknesses as well as teamwork—all of which are used to determine who would be a good fit for the team.

“Me and my friends got sick of playing public matches because it was so toxic,” said Mateo Gutierrez, a junior cybersecurity major who tried out. “I’m thinking I just might as well give it a shot.”

While casual players won’t have regular practice times or competitions, competitive players will have weekly practices and skirmishes to prepare for the season. 

“I thought it’d be fun,” said freshman Jake Lipinski. “I just need things to do and so I was like, this will be fun. I’ve been playing games since I was 6 when I first got Pokemon SoulSilver.” 

Overwatch 2 is a first-person shooter game where players compete on teams of five. Team members select a role from three options: tank, damage and support. The overall goal is to eliminate the enemy team’s players in order to complete a variety of objectives.

With a similar team-oriented and first-person shooter format, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2  offers a remastered version of some of the classic aspects of the original game, including hard point, search and destroy and command. The teams will consist of four players each.

Those interested in joining can find more information on the University of Mary Washington Esports Discord and @umw_esports on Twitter.

“Don’t be intimidated,” Link said regarding potential players. “A lot of people in esports think it’s all about the rank and stuff like that. But really, I’ve seen quite a lot of teams that are lower ranked beat higher ranked teams. It’s not just about individual play, it’s about how you communicate and how you work together.”