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It has been an undisputed fact for many years now that the video gaming sector is growing in economic significance. Indeed, many institutions see the multi-billion-dollar gaming sector as a viable career path, so it is no surprise to see that the University of Colorado Boulder offers several classes on game design, ranging from basic design to the implementation of mixed reality into online experiences.

Of course, one of the most fundamental ways for budding game developers to foster an interest in the sector is by becoming a gamer, and we know that there are millions of people across the US who identify with this category. For those avid gamers on the university campus, they have had access to world-class facilities at CU Boulder since January 2024. The Alienware Buffalo Esports & Gaming Lounge can tell us a lot about how gaming has become one of the most central pastimes in the lives of young people, but it also reveals a great deal about gaming as a viable career and CU Boulder’s push to be at the forefront of that.

About the Esports & Gaming Lounge

The gaming lounge is located inside the University Memorial Center. The space cost an estimated $1.2 million. It was a joint venture between the university and the manufacturer of specialist gaming PCs, Alienware/Dell. It is one of the first of its kind in the USA (the University of Texas opened one in 2022), and it’s part of a broader push to create esports campuses across the country.

World-Class Facilities

Gaming is accessible everywhere these days. As long as you have an internet connection, you can flip out a phone or laptop and start playing everything from AAA titles to casual puzzle games to social casino slots. Yet, the lounge offers a professional setting, including 17 purpose-built desktop gaming stations, 3 specialist gaming laptops, consoles, and a varsity and broadcast room.

The Game Choice

According to the university website, there’s a choice of 190 games on offer. The vast majority are focused on PC hits, including Red Dead Redemption 2, World of Warcraft, Silent Hill 2, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. For casual gamers, there is a host of Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Party and Just Dance. PS5 games include EA College Football 25.

The Esports Angle

A lot of the options are esports titles. That probably tells you a lot about the reason for the lounge itself and the fact that Alienware has been keen to fund these ventures at college campuses around the US. The esports industry is growing globally, and the economic growth is expected to accelerate as competitive gaming evolves beyond a niche sector. Another interesting aspect is the broadcasting room, which highlights the importance of gaming as an entertainment medium on streaming platforms like Twitch.

Access and Opening Times

The lounge is open to the public, not just CU Boulder students. However, the latter does get special discounts, as well as an option of a free 10-day gaming pass when they visit the lounge for the first time. The university website has plenty of promo offers for discounts on semester passes. The lounge opens 12-9 Monday through Saturday during the summer months. During the fall and spring semesters, the lounge is open 12-10 Monday-Wednesday, 12-11 Thursday-Saturday, and 12-8 Monday.

For inquiries, contact [email protected].

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

[email protected]