Sixth-annual Esports Egg Bowl set for Saturday [Jan. 27]

Contact: Carl Smith

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A group of Mississippi State student-gamers are eyeing a digital win over their rival Ole Miss counterparts in Saturday’s [Jan. 27] Esports Egg Bowl.

The Esports Egg Bowl Trophy is pictured.
The Esports Egg Bowl Trophy is the prize of Saturday’s [Jan. 27's] sixth-annual Esports Egg Bowl, held at McComas Hall Theater. (Photo by Megan Bean)

This year’s event, the sixth iteration of the competition, will be held at the McComas Hall Theater. Doors open at 10 a.m., and the first competition begins at 11 a.m. A livestream of the event hosted at www.twitch.tv/esports_msu begins at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend the free event, and parking is available outside of the venue.

The day’s competition will feature approximately 35 MSU Esports club members playing seven games: Overwatch 2, Smite, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Valorant and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

“Video games are competitive to begin with, but then we’ll be playing our rival, too. Being in person adds an extra dynamic to it,” said MSU Esports President Colin Klein, a senior software engineering major from Milan, Tennessee. “It’s going to be intense.”

Esports’ popularity has risen dramatically across the globe in the last decade. In 2021, the industry generated approximately $243 million in revenue in the U.S., according to data company Statista. Locally, the MSU Esports club provides not only an avenue for competitive video gaming for those interested, but also fellowship with likeminded students.

“Our club is open arms to anyone that enjoys playing or just watching video games. There’s a community aspect to gaming, and a lot of it has to do with being online with friends,” said MSU Esports Treasurer Ethan Carey, a senior electrical engineering major from Brandon.

Follow @esports_msu on X for live updates from the Esports Egg Bowl.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 3:15 pm