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Post by aldewitt on Aug 22, 2018 8:32:21 GMT -6
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 22, 2018 12:34:13 GMT -6
That article grossly mischaracterizes what is going on at Akron. I can't say that I am surprised, given that it is Breitbart. The idea that they are cutting 20% of their degrees in order to save money to build esports is putting two unrelated things together as a cause-and-effect that supports a narrative. I won't comment on the esports phenomenon, because I don't understand it. They got the degree part wrong, by leaving out some important details. Here is an article from a local paper that better explains the reason for cutting 80 degrees: www.ohio.com/akron/writers/katie-byard/ua-sheds-80-degree-programs-plans-to-beef-up-others-including-cybersecurity-polymer-science-engineering-dance-and-businessThey aren't saving any money and aren't firing any staff. In fact, they are "beefing up" some existing programs with an additional 31 faculty members in growing fields like polymer engineering and cybersecurity. They are simply modernizing their offerings with the times, and cutting the chaff. Fewer than 5% of students were enrolled in the programs cut, and they will be allowed to finish their degrees. Most universities would benefit from periodically evaluating offerings and adjusting their emphasis based on trends. Akron is just being a little more agressive with it due to declining enrollment.
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 22, 2018 12:54:49 GMT -6
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Post by Yotes on Aug 22, 2018 17:05:01 GMT -6
Friends don't let friends read Breitbart...
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Post by JWKunzman on Aug 23, 2018 9:40:06 GMT -6
How has Dakota State not done this yet?
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Post by kiyoat on Aug 23, 2018 11:02:19 GMT -6
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Post by Yotes on Aug 23, 2018 19:06:53 GMT -6
As a mid-20s individual who has been big into video games since my first memories, I really don't understand e-sports. I can appreciate the crazy highlights of the games that I like playing, but I'm bored to tears watching other people play a full match of something that I could easily be playing myself.
Personal opinion aside, if a school finds that fielding a program would generate enough publicity to offset the costs then go for it. I seriously doubt that it would be worthwhile though.
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Post by aldewitt on Oct 14, 2018 8:49:54 GMT -6
"The idea that they are cutting 20% of their degrees in order to save money to build esports is putting two unrelated things together as a cause-and-effect that supports a narrative." Read more: usdcoyotesports.proboards.com/thread/2392/any-esport-competition#ixzz5TurwBCfvI was getting a little worried because of the political direction the thread was taking but had to laugh. It sounded like you were talking about global warming! My nephew lives in Flordia. He makes money moderating on-line games. His setup at home is quite impressive. He has access to everything in the world as far as entertainment goes too. He can watch whatever is in the theater or has ever been. Same for TV shows, sports or whatever. All at no charge. His volume of participants in any particular game is huge. A small percentage would fill the arena at Akron. What fun to go to the arena, do some studying and watch the game. Used to do that at the metrodome when twins second deck outfield seats were $4. On line games sound perfect for that too. As an observer they don't need your constent attention.
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Post by aldewitt on Oct 15, 2018 4:49:04 GMT -6
Exports are big: “A major role of professional sports is to create an atmosphere in which fans can be avid supporters of their favorite team. eSports have proved that its following is huge. In 2013, League of Legends brought in the 2nd highest amount of views in a single event with (27 million) viewers, beating out every sporting event except for the Super Bowl.[11]” A good primer for esports: factmyth.com/factoids/esports-are-real-sports/
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Post by aldewitt on Apr 9, 2019 3:53:07 GMT -6
That article grossly mischaracterizes what is going on at Akron. I can't say that I am surprised, given that it is Breitbart. The idea that they are cutting 20% of their degrees in order to save money to build esports is putting two unrelated things together as a cause-and-effect that supports a narrative. I won't comment on the esports phenomenon, because I don't understand it. They got the degree part wrong, by leaving out some important details. Here is an article from a local paper that better explains the reason for cutting 80 degrees: www.ohio.com/akron/writers/katie-byard/ua-sheds-80-degree-programs-plans-to-beef-up-others-including-cybersecurity-polymer-science-engineering-dance-and-businessThey aren't saving any money and aren't firing any staff. In fact, they are "beefing up" some existing programs with an additional 31 faculty members in growing fields like polymer engineering and cybersecurity. They are simply modernizing their offerings with the times, and cutting the chaff. Fewer than 5% of students were enrolled in the programs cut, and they will be allowed to finish their degrees. Most universities would benefit from periodically evaluating offerings and adjusting their emphasis based on trends. Akron is just being a little more agressive with it due to declining enrollment. It doesn’t mischaracterize anything. Akron has eliminated a huge number of unpopular educational programs and is replacing them with an esports arena as well as beefing up some popular existing educational programs. As you and Breitbart say They are modernizing. They are building a huge esports stadium and doing some beefing up academically too. esports are a reflection of what kids do with their time. It used to be neighborhood sports like football and baseball. Now those games are dying. They are building esports arenas rivaling the size of football and basketball stadiums that sit mostly empty. Akron is pandering to market drivers hoping an emphasis on esports will drive enrollment. The money is coming from the unpopular segments of their curriculum. It was an enrollment decision not based on the higher ideals of a higher education and the needs of society. They are trading educational dollars for recreational and promotional benefits. Don’t forget though some of the money will be spent in the chemistry department on something too.
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Post by aldewitt on Apr 9, 2019 4:00:02 GMT -6
With the win at Rift of the North St Ambrose is emerging as the dominate esports program in our region.
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Post by kiyoat on Apr 9, 2019 7:42:05 GMT -6
With the win at Rift of the North St Ambrose is emerging as the dominate esports program in our region. I think the word you were looking for is "dominant", not "dominate". One is an adjective, one is a verb. It's a very common mistake, and I usually don't point it out (even though it irritates me). I'm not going to comment on an 8-month-old conversation about the intent of a Breitbart article to twist facts into a false narrative. If you can't see the twist, that's likely why you read Breitbart in the first place. I don't feel like having an argument about media bias and propaganda today, thank you. Good for e-sports. If there are people out there willing to watch other people play video games as entertainment, then I guess there is a market for it. I personally don't get it, but my 12-year-old son does like to watch endless YouTube videos of other people playing Fortnite, so there you have it.
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Post by Yote 53 on Apr 9, 2019 8:02:29 GMT -6
With the win at Rift of the North St Ambrose is emerging as the dominate esports program in our region. I think the word you were looking for is "dominant", not "dominate". One is an adjective, one is a verb. It's a very common mistake, and I usually don't point it out (even though it irritates me). I'm not going to comment on an 8-month-old conversation about the intent of a Breitbart article to twist facts into a false narrative. If you can't see the twist, that's likely why you read Breitbart in the first place. I don't feel like having an argument about media bias and propaganda today, thank you. Good for e-sports. If there are people out there willing to watch other people play video games as entertainment, then I guess there is a market for it. I personally don't get it, but my 12-year-old son does like to watch endless YouTube videos of other people playing Fortnite, so there you have it. If that is the target market then good luck, not a whole lot of purchasing power in that demographic.
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Post by 3rdgencoyote on Apr 9, 2019 9:42:52 GMT -6
If that is the target market then good luck, not a whole lot of purchasing power in that demographic. 12 Year olds grow up and will spend money. It's not about what we can do now, it's about where we need to be 5 years from now. We saw an opportunity in Triathlon, other schools see an opportunity in beach volleyball. I'm not suggesting USD start a varsity Esports team, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it. It's a huge emerging market. You should see the sold out arenas across the nation. It's crazy.
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Post by aldewitt on Apr 9, 2019 12:16:03 GMT -6
Yes 3rdgencoyote, I think it is huge too. My Nephew is a national moderator. I'm not familiar with any games but I have watched his monitors. You can scroll through participants and see the profiles of selected ones. You could communicate through live comments as you watch the fairly realistic, but cartoonish action on the screen. If I had done this as a youngster I would probably be doing it now, maybe even watching. The good players have a following, like skateboarding or snowboarding but I think its much bigger. Heres a recent view of an esports arena in Seattle: The place is packed. I did a duck duck search for esports arenas. a lot came up including the article that picture is taken from: www.bdcnetwork.com/gamers-paradise-rise-esports-arenas
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