ESPORTS
Georgia State University offers varsity Esports in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Here, personal development, communication and cohesion define a great team member. Unlike other sports, gaming has no physical restrictions such as size, strength, or speed, save for the essential hand-eye coordination, endurance and reaction time. Organized collegiate tournaments provide access to competitive play and a global gaming community.
Major game producers such as Hi-Rez Studios and Blue Mammoth Games, based in Atlanta, are part of an electronic gaming business that pumps anywhere from $500 million to $3 billion into the local economy.
The Games We Play
League of Legends
League of Legends is a team-based strategy game where two teams of five powerful champions face off to destroy the other’s base. With over 140 champions to choose from, players can make epic plays, secure kills and take down towers as you battle your way to ultimate victory.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play, team-based action game set in the optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Play as a time-jumping freedom fighter, a beat-dropping battlefield DJ, or one of over 30 other unique heroes as you battle it out around the globe and enjoy the ultimate gaming experience.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey and more.
What Does it Take?
Varsity players are selected for the teams in an open tryout at the beginning of every fall semester. The only requirement to try out is being a student at Georgia State University. Varsity players must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. If you are interested, more information is available on the GSU Esports Discord.
League Affiliations
National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE)
Georgia State is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and its 240+ affiliated varsity eSports programs. NACE offers both numerous competitive leagues through NACE Starleague as well as a governance framework to ensure varsity esports players remain academically focused and on-track to graduate.
Georgia Esports League (GEL)
Georgia State is also among Georgia universities starting the Georgia Esports League (GEL), which began tournament play in the fall of 2017. Along with Georgia State, students from Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, the University of North Georgia and others will compete in the games “Rocket League."
Insights & Articles
As the Panthers’ first esports teams plug in, Georgia State leads the charge among national universities in bringing one of the world’s fastest growing sports to campus: competitive video gaming.
- Esports Insider, 2023