USC Games, the No. 1 game design program in North America according to the Princeton Review, is bolstering the program’s esports roster with newly-formed varsity teams for Hearthstone, Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The new teams join a previously-created League of Legends team as part of the school’s Esports Union (ESU), a cross-discipline, pan-university initiative that provides support for teams to represent USC in official esports competition.
“We are excited to increase USC Games’ commitment to our students’ passion for competitive gaming with an upcoming Esports curriculum, key industry partnerships, and brand-new teams,” said Director of USC Games, Danny Bilson. “The USC Esports Union gives student teams across campus the support of the university’s official Esports organization, to ensure fun and inclusive gaming experiences at all levels of competitive play.”
USC Games is supporting the USC Trojans Varsity esports teams with a dedicated training facility where varsity players can socialize, share their love for gaming, and lead focused practice sessions ahead of competitive matches with other schools around the country.
Team tryouts for Hearthstone, Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are currently on-going and official varsity rosters for the 2019 and 2020 school years will be formally announced and celebrated during USC Games Expo 2019, on May 8, 2019. This year’s USC Games Expo also features a set of intense USC versus UCLA grudge matches happening live onstage during the event. Teams from both universities will throw down in Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and League of Legends in true college rivalry fashion.
The USC Games Expo was originally created as a platform for student-made game demos and continues to expand its offerings. This year will feature industry keynotes, notable alumni and additional information about the USC ESU, demonstrating how esports is an integral aspect of game development with panels regarding current issues in esports and exhibitions planned.
