Charges for FSU’s Garnet Gaming Lab spark controversy amongst avid avid gamers

Florida State University’s Garnet Gaming Lounge (GGL) held its grand opening on Monday, Sept. 22 after a smaller-scale launch over the summer season. The lounge is open to all college students, college and most people day-after-day from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and until 12:00 a.m. on Fridays. As the house of the FSU Esports workforce, the fashionable facility incorporates 41 high-end gaming computer systems in addition to a devoted tabletop gaming space. 

The GGL’s mission assertion says they’re “dedicated to creating a fun and welcoming space where all types of gamers can come together and enjoy what they love.” Whether attendees are professionals or taking part in for the primary time, the lounge ensures all visitors will really feel welcome within the house.

The gaming lab was free over the summer season for anybody to make use of. However, the GGL made an announcement on their Instagram that beginning within the fall time period, college students and neighborhood members should pay for entry.

Some college students have speculated that the rationale for the brand new gaming charges is as a result of gaming lounge actively dropping cash due to extreme operational and upkeep prices.

“I’ve heard from a couple people that the lounge was spending a lot more on maintaining their equipment than they were getting back,” environmental science and coverage main Holly Thorpe stated to the FSView. “If that is the case, I understand why they would have to introduce new prices, but I still think there should be more transparency so students know where their money is going.”

According to their web site, college students will now be charged $3.75 for one hour of use, $9.50 each three hours and $15 each 5 hours. There can also be an choice to buy an $8 day go and a $175 semester go. Faculty and the general public are charged barely increased charges. The web site additionally mentions that sport time is non-refundable and non-transferable, however that unused hours do roll over right into a purchaser’s subsequent session.

Students seem to carry blended reactions to the speed change. Some imagine the costs are affordable and haven’t any downside paying, but others are upset that the leisure facility now presents a price along with tuition and dwelling bills. 

“I understand that the computers are expensive and need upkeep, but I don’t think students should have to pay to use them,” accounting main Hailey Scott stated to the FSView. “I feel like it kind of defeats the purpose of having a gaming lounge on campus if it’s not accessible to everyone. I would rather save my money and spend it on something else, since I can play games at home or at the other free computers on campus.” 

With the mix of ASLC occasions and state-of-the-art computer systems and gaming tools, the GGL has shortly grow to be some of the visited leisure areas on campus. Although not as full when college students are often in school, as courses begin to wrap up, the lounge transforms into an area the place college students might be social and unwind. 

“We have better monitors and equipment than the rest of the computers on campus, including the cyber cafe, which is why I think students choose to game here despite the rates,” GGL technician Mary Hull stated to the FSView. “Honestly, I don’t think our prices are unreasonable at all, given the amount of games and the quality of our monitors and keyboards. For the type of experience you’re getting, it’s actually a pretty decent deal.”

The lounge continues to host tournaments, themed occasions and gaming nights, solidifying its place on campus though the brand new charges have sparked debate amongst college students. 

Mia Rodriguez is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, unbiased on-line information service for the FSU neighborhood. Email our employees at  contact@fsview.com.