Ashland University in Ohio is looking to recruit top Fortnite players for its eSports team and is willing to spend the required money in order to do it. The University is looking to bolster its competitive eSports program with the red-hot Battle Royale game in order to make it even more appealing.
Starting out as a game that was just one of the unpopular free games being offered on consoles, Fortnite has really come a long way. The game has outshone PUBG and has become the most popular online game out there right now. The game has received so much popularity that it has made its way to multiple platforms, even smartphones and many people are even making money off of playing Fortnite. Youtubers and streamers such as Ninja are earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per month by making streaming Fortnite on a daily basis.
Being an online game, Fortnite has all the tools required to be a competitive game. The main attraction is a 100 player Battle Royale mode which is a fight to the death, Last man standing match, it can’t get more competitive than that. It has team battles too. Therefore, Fortnite would make a worthy inclusion in any eSports competition/event.
eSports itself has become a giant in recent times as people who call themselves “professional gamers” are earning a hefty sum by playing video games professionally. Some of the widely renowned games such as League of Legends, Dota and Counter-Strike are featured in eSport events and given the competitive nature of Fortnite, it’s only a matter of time before the Battle Royale game makes its way to the eSports scene.
University recognizes the Fortnite Hype
The Midwestern Ashland University is about to launch a new competitive eSports program this fall and with the addition of Fortnite, it seems like multiplayer heaven. The program already includes the likes of League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rocket League and now Fortnite will also be joining the fray.
“Fortnite appeals to both the core and casual gaming audience,” the school’s esports head coach Josh Buchanan said in a release. “We’re excited to provide this platform for gamers who want to showcase their skills in a more competitive space. Fortnite facilitates an environment that allows players to get creative, innovate and show off their mastery of their skills.”
People looking to enroll in this program alongside room and board on the Ashland campus can expect a cost around $32,000. The University is also offering a $4000 scholarship which is a nice incentive for players who have put in the time and effort in becoming good at a particular game.
The university’s eSports program shows that eSports can be considered a proper sport where professionals are at work. It also helps in removing the negative image that is associated with gamers as people generally don’t appreciate the time and effort it takes in order to go pro. It’s also understandable from a business point of view as the eSports scene is worth millions of dollars now, many professional gamers below the age of 20 are millionaires thanks to putting the hours behind their computer screens.
Furthermore, it shows that the University is not just willing to put the program out there for the sake of appealing to more people by putting an extra program. It shows that they’re wholeheartedly supporting it with the addition of newer games like Fortnite. Although, as popular as it is, the game may have been added sooner or later anyway.
However, its great news for Fortnite enthusiasts as there are quite a few people who are becoming very good at Fortnite due to its addictive nature. They can perhaps pursue their dreams in program fully dedicated to eSports at Ashland University Ohio. For those interested in applying, they can apply here.