Mario Kart racing, Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and an entry-level Magic: The Gathering bracket-style tournament. This wasn’t E3 in Elgin, this was the very first event of the fall semester for Gamers United and the first of many.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, any and all students/gamers were invited to B182 to either spectate or be a part of a tournament involving the strategic, turn-based card game Magic: The Gathering. Of the 24 people in attendance, 12 gamers competed in teams of two. Brand new “rookie” players were given a free deck they got to keep afterward and were teamed with experienced “veteran” players to keep the tournament fair and enjoyable.

“I just wanted to give everyone the chance to get into the game free of charge,” Gamers United President Alec Chapwesk said. “[They’d be] taught by someone who knows the game, and as a little incentive, the winners will get boosters and cards. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

More advanced players were looking for other players to begin a more competitive-driven Magic: The Gathering league. Despite having a lack of knowledge on the game itself, rookie player Manny Huecias still found fun in the learning experience.

“I keep losing track of when it is our turn and when it isn’t,” Huecias said. “It’s wonderful.”

Chapwesk was very enthusiastic about getting students into the room, inviting anyone who happened to poke their head through the door to come and either watch or sign up for the tournament. If someone wasn’t interested in the card game, there were campaigns of Dungeons and Dragons taking place as well as three Nintendo Switches available to play the newest Mario Kart.

“Video games are more than just sitting around, wasting your time,” Chapwesk said. “The importance is [in] building bonds with people, having fun and escaping from life. It’s an outlet for people.”

Dylan Soborowicz, who was playing Mario Kart at the tournament, has been playing video games since he received his first Game Boy at the age of four.

“It’s what I’ve been doing my whole life,” Soborowicz said. “So being able to talk with other people, and having them understand my language, is just great.”

Gamers United is working hard to bring more events on campus and is striving to create an atmosphere that would make anyone comfortable the moment they walk in.

“We want this to be a committee over a club,” Chapwesk said.

Chapwesk mentions that if any students have suggestions for other events or would like to simply check out the club, they should come by B182 during their meetings every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. The meetings will also feature a new game to play every Wednesday as well as Dungeons and Dragon every Friday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Anyone who wishes to keep up to date can check out the Gamers United Facebook page for updates on games and events.

“If you sign-in regularly, you’re part of the club [already],” Chapwesk said.

Gamers United is taking this semester by storm with many more events already in the works in collaboration with other clubs on campus. A Mario Kart tournament will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13 in partnership with Phi Theta Kappa, an NBA 2K tournament will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19 in partnership with the Black Student Achievers, a Mortal Kombat X tournament will be held towards the end of September, a Dragon Ball Fighter event will be held sometime in November in partnership with Anime Club, and to top off the semester, Gamers United plan on holding a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate event about a week after the game comes out.

“What inspires us to put these events in place is [wanting] to make a connection with other people who like to play games,” said Kristen Rose, secretary of Gamers United. “Whether it be video, [Trading Card Game], card, board game or anything in between.”

“No matter how far into the semester we get, everyone is welcome to jump in Gamers United,” Chapwesk said. “We want everyone to feel like they have a place. We just want to focus on gaming, honestly. It’s something to take the load off.”