By Jade Thornton, OMAHA, Neb. – Competitive video gaming, better known as esports, is gaining momentum worldwide, and Omaha is no exception. From college programs to community events, Omaha esports is growing fast.
Esports has transformed from casual play to organized competition. Universities like the University of Nebraska Omaha and Midland University have invested in teams, giving students opportunities to compete with schools across the country. Local tournaments and gaming events are also drawing in participants, highlighting how much interest in the sport has grown.
For coaches, streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube have played a major role in that rise.
“There is investment from it all around the world, and it is not just the companies making teams, it is YouTube and Twitch and Google and all these huge tech giants who are sponsoring the streams,” said Omaha esports coach Josh Griswold. “You have gaming companies, you have tech companies, you have individual countries and regions… it’s an investment from everywhere, and I don’t see it going anywhere.”
That investment has helped esports move into the mainstream, with young players leading the way.
Former Omaha esports competitor Aidan Wendt said gaming was always a way to connect with others while growing up.
“I think a lot of it is the demographic,” Wendt said. “It is appealing a lot to younger generations. A lot of kids, myself included, spent a lot of childhood playing video games. It was too hot outside, your friends lived too far away and your parents couldn’t make the drive… a good way to connect with them and play with them would be video games.”
For Omaha’s players and programs, that connection is part of what makes esports meaningful. Whether it’s in a university arena, a tournament setting, or simply through a livestream, esports is building community in new ways.
As the industry continues to grow, Omaha’s role in it is also expanding, allowing more and more players to compete and more opportunities for these players.
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