Minority Serving Institutions Esports Classic & Conference

The 1st Annual Minority Serving Institutions esports Classic & Conference (MSIeCC), aka "The Classic" exposes and engages MSI students, alumni, and the gaming and cosplay communities across the country to the entry points into and pathways through the esports and video gaming industries.

The Classic will be held over two days, April 7 & 8, 2023, at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in celebration and observance of National Minority Serving Institutions Month.

Get your tickets for The Classic today!

The Classic will feature the following areas:

1. Tournament Play: Attendees can play and compete for a chance to win various prize packages including scholarships, grants, dream trips, etc.  Twenty-five MSI teams have been invited to compete for scholarships and grants including: Morris Brown College, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), Tuskegee University, Savannah State University, Southern University, Hampton University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University (NC A&T), Paul Quinn College, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Georgia State University, Clayton State University, Arizona State University, University of Arizona, San Jose State University, Miami Dade College, University of New Mexico, City University of New York, Texas A & M University, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, College of the Muscogee Nation, Comanche Nation College, University of Hawaii.

2. Industry-Focused Panel discussions and Workshops: These immersive experiences are designed to expose attendees to industry professionals, chronicling the journey of their career and the pathways they took to get there. Ranging from topics like competitive gaming, shout casting, streaming, and game development to hardware/software innovation these experiences are uniquely hands-on and engaging.

3. The Technology Talent Recruitment Pipeline (TTPR) Expo: This exposition is designed to grant attendees a first-hand look at the industry at work, explore the business structure, and will feature some very specific activations:

• Gamer’s University – Learn about the region’s top colleges and universities that offer post-baccalaureate degrees and certification programs within the digital entertainment and tech industries.
• Industry Office Hours - Engage with regional and national esports and tech companies in a one-on-one dialogue around potential co-op, internship, and employment opportunities.
• Tournament Trail – Play and compete in Pop-up Tournaments for a chance to win various prize packages including scholarships, grants, dream trips, etc.
• Caster’s Corner – Observe and interact with the nation’s top-level streamers across a variety of digital platforms.
• Comic Strip – Calling All Creatives interested in Super Heros/Sheros, sci-fi/anime art, and animation! Check out what's new and start your own Hero's Journey.
• Developer’s Row – An engaging collection of mainstream and independent developers demonstrating and playtesting the next generation of video games.
• Tech Town – Explore the latest and greatest in technology innovation (i.e. virtual and augmented reality, custom high-powered computer rigs, modified liquid and air coolant delivery systems, and other technology) designed to move the world into the future.

4. DoorDash Game Design Contest - College and high school students designed and implemented video games based on food. Those games were judged by professional game designers and developers. The top games in each division will be showcased.