University Libraries levels up learning with new Gaming Studio

This fall, University Libraries’ Newman Library is leveling up its offerings with an exciting new addition: the Gaming Studio. Located on the fourth floor at the beginning of the semester, this innovative space promises to be a hub for digital and analog gaming enthusiasts alike. The space opened on Sept. 12.

Game on

The Gaming Studio is the latest in the University Libraries' network of creative spaces, designed to support the burgeoning game design program and eSports team at Virginia Tech. Beyond serious gamers, the studio aims to welcome all students interested in exploring game design and development, providing them with hands-on experience and industry insights. 

"We've wanted a Game Studio for years," said Jonathan Bradley, assistant director of studios innovative technologies, who oversees all studio spaces in Newman Library and will be the acting manager of the Gaming Studio. "Game studios are not uncommon in library spaces, and games and game development mesh really well with our other studio offerings, like media creation, immersive environments, and our makerspace."

The new studio will capture all aspects of gaming, boast an array of gaming equipment and resources, and allow students to congregate and make connections. Visitors can play solo or with friends and will find six high-end gaming PCs loaded with popular eSports titles and games used for teaching in the game design program. A cozy console gaming area with an oversized couch will feature the latest systems alongside retro consoles, offering a journey through gaming history.

For those who prefer analog gaming, three tables of varying sizes will accommodate board games and tabletop role-playing games, with an extensive collection available for use. A list of the available games can be explored on the Gaming Studio’s website. 

Beyond play

But the Gaming Studio isn't just about play – it's also a space for learning and creation. The PCs will be equipped with game development software, and the studio will provide prototyping materials for aspiring game designers to build their own physical games, learn more about the industry, and be better prepared for the job market. "We need to support the students who are preparing to enter this industry,” said Bradley. “There are specialized resources on campus, but the libraries will be able to offer the space to the entire Virginia Tech community, regardless of departmental affiliation or level of prior experience, which allows us to support the university’s educational mission as broadly as possible.”  

Patrick Tomlin, associate dean for academic and creative engagement echoed the sentiment. “With its growing presence in education, technology, and entertainment sectors, among others, gaming and game design can offer vital opportunities for real-world student learning,” said Tomlin. “From storytelling to graphic design, from coding to user experience studies, game design allows students to harness and hone a variety of skills. We simply want to create a space that will eliminate as many barriers to access to these technologies and tools as we can.” 

Synergy in action

The studio's proximity to other creative spaces in the library is a key advantage. "Someone could pop over to the Prototyping Studio to work on a game piece for the board game they're building or stop by the Virtual Environments Studio to do some motion capture for a video game they're developing,” said Bradley. “This move puts us one step closer to fulfilling one of the goals of the modern library — to bring together all of these emerging technologies and make a playground for students to be able to move around in and have all the tools to finish any multimodal project.” 

Flexible spaces

The Gaming Studio will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. However, the space will be available for study or computer use whenever the library is open, showcasing the University Libraries’ innovative approach to maximizing valuable campus space. The studio will be one of the first experimental, hybrid spaces the team is trying out in the library. 

“We know that study space is at a premium on campus, but we also know it is important to provide these sorts of learning opportunities to campus, so we’re trying a new system in which the space can be used for study when it isn’t acting as a studio,” said Bradley. 

The studio is also looking to build partnerships with others on campus working on projects related to video, board, or role-playing games, and their history and impact on society and culture. 

Overcoming industry barriers

While excitement for the new studio is high, the project hasn't been without challenges. "By far the biggest challenge has been digital games acquisition," said Bradley. "Like many industries, the gaming industry has a tendency to overlook the education market, instead focus on those areas that are more profitable. The tools for purchasing and managing large collections of games aren't designed with this sort of service in mind."

Despite these hurdles, the team behind the Gaming Studio is passionate about its potential impact. "The games industry is gigantic, far larger than other media industries," said Bradley. "Some of the most impactful and emotional moments of storytelling I've experienced in my life have come from games I've played."

Bradley is an avid gamer himself. “I think games are a medium of storytelling that other media can’t match in that they can be very immersive and malleable. I love that style of storytelling and engagement,” said Bradley. “I’m also a programmer and the development of video games is something I have been interested in for years. I think it is often overlooked because for so long games were considered ‘immature’ and lacking substance but that interpretation has really shifted in recent years, which is exciting.”

The next level

As the Gaming Studio prepares to open its doors, it stands as a testament to the evolving role of University Libraries in the digital age. “The research and learning needs of Virginia Tech students and faculty continue to change, and to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the present moment,” said Tomlin. “Likewise, University Libraries is always looking for new and more effective ways to meet those needs, and to support the university’s goals. Technologies may change, but the mission of the library remains the same.”