On March 04, students arrived at Corey Union to participate in an event held by the Cortland Video Games Club. The event was comprised of a 32-person bracket with a handful of spectators as well. The winner was awarded a $30 voucher to spend on campus, while $20 and $10 vouchers were awarded to 2nd and 3rd respectively. While the tournament was a fun time for all in attendance, it was not without heated competition.
Speaking with OJ Sanchez, President of the Video Games Club, he expressed his thoughts about the event and other happenings within the club.
We started the club as personal game enthusiasts, but also with the hope of creating a unique community on campus. With all sorts of clubs ranging from cultural to sports to academics, we wanted the club to be social, safe, and fun for all students.
The tournament consisted of single elimination rounds, in which participants would choose one of the 89 playable characters to control and battle to squash their foes by knocking them offscreen three times. Ranging from Mario to Pac-Man to Sephiroth, a wide variety of characters were seen giving their all in competition. Matchups were randomized to ensure complete impartiality. Smash Bros is loved by both casual and competitive players alike, so anyone who wished to partake could enjoy it. OJ spoke about these decisions:
We’ve always done our best to cater to the requests of our members. We’ve taken recommendations and suggestions very seriously, resulting in really consistent membership turnout. We hosted the tournament this semester and with a great turnout, we were happy about the positive impact we had on campus as well as the newfound attention to our club.
In the end, Jack Lee, a Sports Management major, conquered the competition and claimed victory using his ace, Palutena. Jack is no stranger to the winner’s podium, having relative success in the Smash Bros competitive scene back when he attended tournaments in Florida. However, when asking him about his win, he conveyed his thoughts rather candidly:
Honestly, I just play for fun. I grew up playing the game whenever I was at my friends’ houses and I just think any chance people can get together and share a common interest is great.
Overall, the main drive for those who have joined and regularly engage in club activities is to have a shared sense of enjoyment, while their attitudes have remained humble and sportsmanlike. During the tournament, OJ encouraged friendly conduct following each match, such as a handshake or fist bump to display no ill will between combatants. Spectators were also witnessed as being respectful to the participants, cheering for the victories of their friends and offering them some words of encouragement even in defeat.
The Video Games Club meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00pm in Corey Union’s Fireplace Lounge. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to OJ through email (ojilvy.sanchez@cortland.edu) and be sure to follow the club’s Instagram for any updates! @sunycortlandvideogamesclub