Hockey and eSports Collide in East Lobby
In the east lobby of home games you can find a crowd of ecstatic children hovering around three big screens between each period. Integrating the world of eSports and hockey to evolve fans’ game night experience, the Peterborough Petes are collaborating with Retro’s eSports to bring video games to the rink.
Set up near the visitors change room are two arcade and one computer based game, custom-built by Retro eSport’s Bar. Retro’s is a themed eSports lounge and bar located on Simcoe St. in Peterborough.
Mike Hannigan, an employee with Retro’s, assembles the gaming consoles and units at the rink and supervises those playing. In response to its inaugural season Hanningan stated, “Kids are absolutely loving it, Smash Brothers is a huge hit, probably all the iconic players. It’s really great to see the kids introduced into video games even at an early age, which is really cool.”
Have you been to the @retros_esports lounge in the East Lobby? Check it out! pic.twitter.com/LcnuyTu3SR
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) December 15, 2017
Although the arena appears to be a foreign location to have Smash Brothers, it should be unsurprising that the eSports industry is infiltrating stadiums beyond their own tournaments, when the industry broke 1 billion dollars in revenue in 2017. As the popularity and increased competitiveness of eSports grow, the stereotype of who is playing and any negative stereotypes continue to dwindle, “Being good at video games, there shouldn’t be a stigma.”
As if you needed one more reason to come to the Home Opener…
READ IT ALL>> https://t.co/lth50btiiS #ohlopeningweek #RISE #Ptbo pic.twitter.com/3Dh4WRGFGl
— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) September 21, 2017
The games are available to be played for free by Petes fans twenty minutes before puck drop, as well as throughout each period and intermission. Although Smash Brothers is a permanent fixture in Retro’s setup, the two games featured on the arcade machines rotate each Petes game to expose fans to a variety of eSports.
Retro’s eSports Bar, which opened in 2017 by the bus terminal on Simcoe St., is open for gaming enthusiasts of all ages. Over 200 members enjoy their classic and modern gaming options, with food and drinks available as well. Click here to learn more about the team at Retro’s.
If you would like to see the men in maroon tear it up on the ice and get in on the eSports action yourself, game tickets are available starting at $8 through the Collins Barrow PMC Box Office, online, or by phone at (705) 743-3561.
