The City of Aiken will soon be dipping its toes into the waters of esports.
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department has partnered with GGLeagues, a platform that allows gamers to compete in leagues in various games, to bring video game leagues to the Aiken community.
There will be four games offered that participants can play: “Madden NFL 21,” “Fortnite,” “Rocket League” and “Super Smash Bros.” Players will register for season passes, which cost $30, to compete and can access the leagues for each game from the comfort of their own home.
The competitions, or season, for each game will last for six weeks: a five-week regular season and then a one-week playoff. Prizes for the top teams include in-game currency for the various games, as well as a GGLeagues champion shirt and medal.
Participants must own a console or PC, the game and have an internet connection to participate.
Bret Howell, athletic supervisor for the City of Aiken PRT, said this is a good opportunity for which the city to be involved.
“It’s a natural progression of things becoming more and more online, so we want to be able to offer something in that community for Aiken at large,” Howell said. “That way, we can get more kids involved that maybe aren’t (looking) to play athletic sports.”
There are three different divisions that can be entered into: youth, which is for those aged 8-12; teen, which is for 13-18 year-olds; and adult, which encompasses anyone over the age of 18.
For those looking to register who have never participated in activities through the City of Aiken PRT, they must register at Citizens Park, located at 651 Old Airport Road, at the Complex 2 baseball fields 6-10. A birth certificate and proof of residency is required to register. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
For those who have registered for an activity through the City of Aiken PRT before, registration can be done online at cityofaikensc.gov/etrak.
Registration closes on Sept. 22, and the leagues will begin the week of Oct. 4.
For more information about the leagues, visit app.ggleagues.com/organization/aiken or call the City of Aiken PRT at 803-643-4663.
