By Mathew Shaw/se news editor
After SE student Robert Ridley’s last class ends at 10:30 a.m., he heads toward the Bistro to set up his PS3, TV monitors and Wii, enabling other students to play video games until he starts packing up at 8 p.m.
“Most of the stuff is mine,” he said, referring to the gaming equipment set up inside the Bistro.
Ridley said he has nothing to do at home most of the time, hence why he’s on campus all day.
“Mainly when I get home, I just study,” he said.
Ridley’s favorite game to play is Super Smash Bros. on Wii.
Koji Linx, president of SE Campus’ Anime and League of Legends clubs, said around 10 to 15 people are actively gaming at any given time.
Linx’s game of choice is League Of Legends.
“There’s not an end to [League of Legends],” he said. “You’re always playing against someone new.”
Other games frequently played include Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Project M/Super Smash Bros.
Students began to play video games in the Bistro in the spring 2011 semester after SE student Clayton Baskerville noticed a rule posted on the bulletin board in the Bistro forbidding students from bringing in TV monitors had been taken down.
“We just never knew what happened to it,” he said. “But then again, we never questioned it.”
Baskerville said the first game that was brought to play was Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike.
As more people came to play, more games were brought, he said.
SE student Ryan McElhaney said he’s been gaming on campus since last summer.
“I found out people were playing video games, and I was like, ‘Oh, sweet!’” he said.
McElhaney said having a love for video games in common with his fellow gamers has helped him become acquainted with others in the Bistro.
“By now, I could get the name of almost anyone in here,” he said.
According to SE student activities director Doug Peak, the campus currently has no policy against students playing video games in school as long it does not disrupt the academic environment.
Peak said the recent expansion of the Bistro made it a more versatile environment for students, and it is not uncommon to see students studying on one side and playing video games on another.
“Now that the Bistro’s larger, it allows for more people to enjoy the space than in previous years,” he said.
SE student Larenzo Maxwell said they are always conscious of the noise level so as not to disturb the surrounding students.
“We try to keep the noise down,” he said. “It doesn’t bother them. Everybody’s happy.”
Maxwell added there have been no complaints so far all year.
“Video games are fun,” he said. “They bring people together.”
