UW Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation Launches Statewide Esports Discord Server

In an effort to boost the state's growing esports scene, the University of Wyoming's Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation (CBDI) has created a new Discord community aimed at fostering gaming programs statewide.

The "Wyoming Esports Discord" server is designed to be a central hub for educational institutions looking to develop or expand their esports initiatives, says Joey Marchan, CBDI staff assistant. This platform will serve as a virtual meeting ground for schools, colleges and universities to share ideas, organize events and collaborate on projects related to competitive gaming.

Discord is a free app accessible on PCs, laptops, smartphones and tablets, allowing users to communicate with one another in real time through text, voice or video, by joining virtual communities called "servers" to chat with others who share similar interests. Servers can include chat rooms and voice channels that are accessible via invite links.

"Our goal is to create a thriving ecosystem for esports in Wyoming," Marchand says. "This Discord server will allow us to break down barriers between institutions and build a strong, supportive community for both educators and students interested in gaming."

Marchand says the Discord server's objectives include facilitating collaboration among educational institutions; sharing best practices and lessons learned in esports program development; organizing student tournaments across the state; coordinating scrimmage partnerships between schools; sharing sponsorship opportunities; and providing a forum for esports program advice and support.

The CBDI plans to host monthly town halls on the Discord server, Marchand says.

"These virtual meetings will cover topics such as the current state of esports in Wyoming; expansion projects for high schools, community colleges and universities; and exploration of funding and sponsorship opportunities," he says. "The town halls also will serve as a platform to organize tournaments and educational events for both students and staff."

The initiative comes at a time when esports is seeing rapid growth nationwide, with many schools recognizing competitive gaming as a valuable addition to their extracurricular offerings, Marchand says.

"By creating this statewide network, Wyoming aims to position itself at the forefront of this trend, potentially attracting more students and investment to its educational institutions," he says.

Steve Lupien, the CBDI Ada Lovelace Director, encourages educational institutions across Wyoming to join the Discord community and invite their colleagues to participate.

"Esports is one way to involve students already interested in aspects of innovative technology to learn about educational and career opportunities in areas such as blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, robotics, data analysis and the metaverse, for example," Lupien says. "The CBDI sees the Discord server as a way to connect students with programs and people at the University of Wyoming, community colleges and high schools."

Those interested in learning more about Wyoming esports and the CBDI, or joining the Wyoming Esports Discord, can email Marchand at [email protected].