Beyond the controller

Due to the popularity of digital sporting events, highlights shares the journeys of some of the school’s esports gamers

BY NATALIE FALLS, STAFF WRITER

From the popularization of new technology around the world, to having an outlet for competition, the 38 million fans worldwide according to CNN, gaming is so much more than the interactive and bold graphics, boss battles sport of gaming allows players to enter new and ranking in the MVP system for earning realities as they take the faces of avatars and the highest score; it is about the drive and combat new challenges. With an estimated thrill that they feel in the real-life adventures that happen beyond the controller. For junior Katherine Blanco and seniors Rafael Martinez and Daniel Marrero, gaming has not only instilled a competitive drive but also the opportunity to engage with their peers virtually.

Rafael Martinez

Courtesy of Rafael Martinez

Hungry for competition, senior Rafael Martinez loves all things competitive gaming. With a motivation to better his technique and develop his own unique gaming strategy, Martinez devotes his time and dedication to the sport daily.

Games such as League of Legends (LOL) and Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) are what quench his thirst for competition because they allow him to put his skills and original strategy to good use. Martinez enters each round of a game more determined than the last, as learning from his mistakes and developing a new game plan on the fly is what keeps him eager to put his skills to the ultimate test.

Gaming has not only helped Martinez keep his hand-eye coordination up to par, but his individual skills and capabilities as well. Being heavily involved in the sport has not only sparked Martinez’s creativity but his confidence as well, for now he finds himself able to conquer any task, whether it be online or offline.

“I enjoy these games because of what they bring out of me. Through these games I’ve grown as a person, I’ve become more confident in my own skills overall. They bring out my creativity and as a writer that is a massive thing for me,” Martinez said.

Gaming has also impacted Martinez’s life by helping him branch out in terms of confidence and improve his skills, while also allowing him to connect and bond with others. For him, there is much more to competitive gaming than the rush of defeating your opponent, for gaming is community driven and allows for people to come together.

“Gaming has affected my day to day by being the thing that has connected to me with my friends,” Martinez said. I’ve had the same tight-knit friend group since first grade. As time has passed we’ve grown apart slightly but our shared love for games as a pastime still keeps us together and it really does help build friendships and communal feelings.”

Martinez’s love for competitive gaming has helped equip him with confidence not only in the world of gaming, but in more areas he is passionate about, like creative writing and acting.

Katherine Blanco

Courtesy of Katherine Blanco

Fascinated by the immersive story lines, fantasy landscapes and dream-like settings, junior Katherine Blanco started gaming at six yearsold. Blanco is captivated by the new reality that video games create and it is this reality that keeps her coming back for more rounds.

Blanco finds that gaming is never boring because there is always a new adventure on the horizon. Games like Animal Crossing, Pokemon, the Legend of Zelda franchise, as well as Persona 5 and Stardew Valley are her favorite because she finds them to be casual, engaging and the perfect way to wind down after a long day filled with homework. In addition, gaming gives her an outlet to develop her reflexes and be recognized for her virtual achievements.

“I enjoy playing esports since it allows me to show off my skills in a team-based setting and usually at the end of the game it shows a sort of MVP system and a good play and if you can get one of those it feels very rewarding,” Blanco said.

Apart from being a great escape to her rigorous school schedule, Blanco finds that gaming has truly opened many doors for her.

As Vice-President of the school’s Wizards Club, she enjoys interacting with fellow gamers and views the club as her second family. Blanco’s love for gaming has led her to do some experimenting of her own and begin thinking about her future in terms of potential career paths.

“In [middle school], I tried making a game by myself for my friends. It was horrible. Since then, I’ve taken multiple programming and graphic design courses here at Gables and I’m planning on finding a career within the Computer Science-ComputerSoftware Engineering spectrum,” Blanco said. “While I don’t think I’ll ever [pursue a career in gaming] it has definitely led me to my love for programming and creating things.”

With an undying love for the sport, Blanco’s dedication to the gaming has led her to be creative and branch out into her passions.

Courtesy of Daniel Marrero

Daniel Marrero Inspired by the world of esports and drawn in by the thrill of winning, senior Daniel Marrero has had a love for all things video games since he first picked up a computer.

Games in the Smash Bros series are just a few of Marrero’s favorites, because he grew up playing them and they were what first sparked his love for video games. Gaming brings him a sense of joy because when he is playing he is doing what he loves most. Marrero’s love for gaming has also allowed him to connect more with his peers as the President of the Wizards club at school. He enjoys being surrounded by fellow gamers and being able to interact with people who have similar interests as him.

“Daniel is the perfect example of an All-American rags to riches story. He began as our Pizza wizard and was able to work his way up, through dedication, to the archmage! He has been a tremendously assertive leader and was instrumental in creating our e-meetings this year via Discord,” club sponsor and history teacher Oscar De Armas said.

Not only has gaming instilled in him an undying love for the activity, but it has also helped Marrero learn how to think quickly and it has improved the speed of his reflexes.

“I have brought my love for gaming into other parts of my life by learning to multitask, think ahead of certain situations and be a fast decision maker which all comes back into my school life,” Marrero said.

Marrero hopes to give back and create the same video game magic that once fascinated him as a child, through pursuing a career in game technology or computer engineering.

“I would love to go into a career for game technology or computer engineering because of the fact that they bring me so much joy when I play them that I want to bring the same joy to people,” Marrero said.

Marrero’s passion for the gaming world has provided him with happiness and a motivation to be better.