New Tech eSports

Jayden Hallett

10/17/2023

Over 97% of teenagers play video games, but recently the idea of a competitive league for high schoolers to play against each other has gone beyond imagination. New Tech is participating in an ESports league going against other high schools in Texas with prize money for the grand winners. 

But what is ESports? ESports generally refers to tournaments completely based on video games. Teams are put against each other in competitive games like Fortnite, Overwatch, Apex Legends, and more, with one objective; to be better than the other teams and advance in the tournament. 

Some of the more popular game tryouts got over 20 students to participate, with only a certain number of students officially making a team. “Scholarship money is involved and I already play these games so why not,” said one student when asked why they joined. “I want to find new teammates to play with and be able to stay late at school,” said another student. 

Scholarships and cash prizes are a big reason for people joining. If the teams make it to finals various prizes are available, similar to other real sports events. But a big thing also is the opportunity to meet new people who play the same games as you and have them as your teammates. This is a big opportunity to find new people at school that you enjoy talking to, and even gives a chance to meet people in other grades because there is no grade limit to who can join. ESports is available to everyone in the 9th-12th grade.

Although tryouts are closed at this time, now is a good time to talk to people currently in ESports and look into joining next year. There are expected to be more students joining ESports every year due to it combining a lot of people’s favorite hobby with prizes and friends at school. Tryouts are at the beginning of each school year and don’t require any previous experience.

Photos By Jayden Hallett