DePaul University is hosting a pair of panels at this year's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). Topics will include careers in esports, and how to build a gaming computer. The university will also co-host the expo's gaming zone. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)CHICAGO — This year’s Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo — C2E2 — will feature a pair of DePaul University panels that focus on careers in esports and how to build a gaming computer. Additionally, DePaul will co-sponsor C2E2’s Gaming Zone and support opportunities for attendees to play Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. during the three-day expo set for Feb. 28-March 1 at McCormick Place, South Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive.
DePaul will host the first panel, “Careers in Esports & Gaming,” at 11:15 a.m. Feb. 28 in Room S502A. It will feature Courtney James, director of student involvement at DePaul; Kevin Fair, CEO, I Play Games!; Kurt Melcher, executive director, Esports at Intersport; and Kevin Ryan, a secondary education teacher in Chicago Public Schools; and the program development lead for the DePaul High School Esports Program. Samantha Close, an assistant professor in DePaul’s College of Communication, will serve as moderator. The panel will explore options for those seeking to incorporate gaming and esports into their career and hear from panelists who are involved in education, event management, competitive gaming and game design.
The second panel, “Demo: Learning to Build a Gaming Computer,” will start at 10:45 a.m. Feb. 29 in Room S504. It will feature Phil Wisniewski, a senior operations engineer, and Manny Grewal, an associate systems administrator, both from DePaul’s Information Technology Operations. The panel will show attendees how to plan, select and purchase parts, and assemble a PC used for gaming.
In collaboration with I Play Games, DePaul is co-sponsoring C2E2’s Gaming Zone, which will boast six Alienware gaming computers available throughout the weekend featuring the games Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Representatives from DePaul’s Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. student organizations will be on hand to teach attendees how to play each game. Both tournament and free play will be available throughout the weekend. The gaming zone is open during regular convention hours.
“DePaul is doing a lot of exciting things in the field of esports and gaming, and we are looking forward to again participating at C2E2 and share our academic programs, culture of inclusion and championship-winning teams that make our esports and gaming programs special,” said James.
“On another note, it’s a really powerful experience for our students to get to volunteer and be part of the energy of the convention,” she added.
Started in 2010, C2E2 is the largest pop culture convention in the Midwest, welcoming 90,000 attendees to the 2019 convention. The expo features booths, panels, entertainment and influencers from the world of comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, TV shows, movies, books, wrestling and comedy.
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Media contact:
Russell Dorn
rdorn@depaul.edu
312-362-7128