{"id":157482,"date":"2025-08-12T09:37:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/eu-en\/?p=157482"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:37:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T08:37:23","slug":"gathering-to-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/eu-en\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/gathering-to-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Gathering to Game"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Step inside the Esports Competition Hub at Michigan State University and you\u2019ll discover a bustling space filled with students from a variety of backgrounds who all share one thing in common: a love for video games.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s where the school\u2019s three varsity esports teams meet to practice and compete in matches against other Big Ten schools. It\u2019s also home to the MSU Esports Club Association, whose 2,000-student roster makes it one of the school\u2019s largest student organizations. You\u2019ll see students interviewing athletes and streaming matches as a way to explore potential career paths. Most importantly, you\u2019ll find young people gathering to game, study and be part of a community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re committed to esports as more than just competition. One of the biggest goals we were trying to accomplish with this space was to create a place for students to connect, to find others with similar interests and passions,\u201d says Christopher Bilski, director of esports at Michigan State. \u201cYou can come here and instantly find a family, find a home you\u2019re a part of. Having spaces here to provide that support has been a very powerful force in our students\u2019 lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"social-embed-container video-container\">\n<p class=\"post-video\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"vex-video vex-open has-button\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/WySdLzzggXI\/maxresdefault.jpg\" alt=\"Learning in Action \u2014 MSU Case Study\" class=\"video-thumb\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"play-video\" src=\"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/content\/themes\/steelcase\/img\/play.png\" alt=\"Watch the video\"><\/button><script type=\"text\/html\"><\/p>\n<header>Learning in Action \u2014 MSU Case Study<\/header>\n<div class=\"content-well\">\n<div class=\"video-wrap\"><iframe \n\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"700\" \n\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"400\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WySdLzzggXI\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The gaming hub has quickly become a haven for digital athletes and students across campus. Whether they\u2019re coming for the competition, work experience or companionship, Bilski says students only need to bring one thing: themselves.<br \/>\nWhen Bilski arrived at MSU, he found a rapidly growing group of digital athletes and student gamers who didn\u2019t have a central space to congregate. The solution: an empty classroom inside of Hubbard Hall, a student dormitory on the east side of campus.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_857571\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_857571\" class=\"wp-image wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 1024px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-157488 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1737577323\/25-0246286.jpg\" alt=\"Article Gathering to Game\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" \/><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_857571\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Supportive seating, roomy work surfaces and easy-to-adjust monitors create comfortable battle stations for esports athletes to practice and compete.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cHaving a multi-functional, multi-purpose space was at the top of the list. I didn\u2019t just want rows of computers or a dark room with lasers. I wanted a balanced and comfortable space, where students wanted to come and connect,\u201d says Bilski.<\/p>\n<p>Partnering with Steelcase, Bilski\u2019s team selected furniture and equipment that would transform the former classroom into an innovative gaming hub. Battle stations were outfitted with work surfaces large enough to fit keyboards, peripherals and adjustable monitor equipment. Comfortable, ergonomic seating was added to support a variety of body types and postures during long hours of play.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe things you may not be thinking about are all the little things that are happening while you\u2019re gaming. Your posture, your hand and arm placement, the level of your monitors. All the little things that having the right equipment and furniture can support. Those go a long way when they add up. Students can be in front of a monitor gaming for hours, so having equipment that provides the right support can help keep their bodies safe and healthy,\u201d says Bilski.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_857578\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_857578\" class=\"wp-image wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"width: 1024px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-157485\" src=\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1737578100\/25-0246292.jpg\" alt=\"Article Gathering to Game\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" \/><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_857578\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Battle stations were created without barriers so that gamers and coaches can easily collaborate, connect, and play as a team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Couches, large tables and comfortable stools give students areas to hang out, connect, watch TV and study.<\/p>\n<p>For student Kiley Slevin, the space gave her a place to make friends and explore her creative passions. \u201cEsports has given me a support system. I found a community that not only loves activities that I like, but also is willing to uplift the creative aspects that I love in esports,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>The hub also offers a film study and review room, so student athletes can learn and talk strategy with their coaches and discuss opponents\u2019 play. A glassed-in competition booth provides sound dampening to limit distractions from cheering onlookers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I saw this place for the first time, I thought it was a dream. It\u2019s so much more comfortable with the chairs and monitors. When I play here I feel so much better,\u201d says Rodrigo Arce, a student and esports athlete at MSU.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_857576\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_857576\" class=\"wp-image wp-caption alignright\" style=\"width: 1024px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-157486\" src=\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1737577890\/25-0246291.jpg\" alt=\"Article Gathering to Game\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" \/><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_857576\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The space was designed with a variety of seating options for varsity esports athletes and student gamers to play, do homework, and broadcast competitions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There\u2019s also a heavy educational component to the esports program at MSU. As part of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, students can explore professional interests, such as broadcast media, graphic design, photography and marketing, and participate in activities that start building their portfolios.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote pull-quote-center \"><p>It\u2019s not just about their four years here. It\u2019s about the next 40 years of their life. We\u2019re really excited about what this space helps to provide to our students, whether that\u2019s from a community aspect, competitive aspect or career aspect<\/p><cite>Christopher Bilski, Director of Esports, Michigan State University<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<p>The gaming hub\u2019s broadcast studio gives students a place to execute every aspect of the competitions\u2019 broadcast production. They promote upcoming matches on social media, provide live commentary during play, produce commercials, and conduct post-game interviews with athletes and coaches.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_857575\" aria-labelledby=\"figcaption_attachment_857575\" class=\"wp-image wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"width: 1024px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-157487 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1737577816\/25-0246289.jpg\" alt=\"Article Gathering to Game\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" \/><figcaption id=\"figcaption_attachment_857575\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MSU students promote, produce and host the club\u2019s live-streaming broadcasts and post-match recaps directly from the gaming hub.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI like that the space we have engages the competitive and fun aspect of the games but also the academics of MSU. It provides a space not only for students to practice but also a place for them to learn,\u201d says Slevin.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been transformed into this vibrant space buzzing with energy and excitement. Come in, play, and meet new people. It doesn\u2019t matter how much or little you\u2019ve gamed in the past. We have a place for you,\u201d says Bilski.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"u-shaded u-shaded--light\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Learn more about our Steelcase Learning research on esports and the four essential considerations for creating optimally effective gaming spaces.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"link-highlight\" href=\"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/just-game-designing-esports\/\">More Than Just a Game\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Michigan State University, students from diverse backgrounds unite over their passion for gaming in a vibrant space<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37261,"featured_media":157484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"topic":[651],"class_list":["post-157482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-learning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Inside MSU\u2019s Esports &amp; Gaming Lounge | Steelcase<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"See how Steelcase partnered with Michigan State University to create an innovative esports lounge that supports digital athletes during long gaming competitions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/eu-en\/research\/articles\/topics\/learning\/gathering-to-game\/\" 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