ASUS & XMA are working together to help bring Computer Science to Universities
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Computer science and related computer design subjects are more important than ever in the world we live in, and a top-class educational institution needs the very finest facilities and hardware to support this. That’s why The University of Lincoln teamed up with gaming hardware giant ASUS and UK-based IT-solutions company XMA to create a state-of-the-art computer suite affectionately known as ‘The ROG Lab’.
Besides the more conventional computer science courses, more universities are recognising game design as a legitimate career choice, whether it be jobs related to the programming or the artistic direction. In recent years there’s been a huge growth in specialised games computing courses to support this goal. Involving key industry brands to partner with universities and the talent they wish to foster is hugely important, and there are few brands bigger than ASUS.
The ROG range is ASUS’ premium gaming sub-brand, which produces many great products: from PC components like graphics cards and motherboards, to peripherals like gaming monitors, and also gaming laptops, frequently ending up in our ‘best of’ guides for each of these categories every year. As a result, it makes perfect sense that XMA would use the ROG range to power their setup.
The University of Lincoln ASUS ROG Lab
The new ROG Lab at The University of Lincoln is designed not only to cater to game designers, but to support the institution’s computer science programs, AI development, robotics, programming, cyber security courses and more.
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Prior to the creation of the new suite, the university had a mix of different computer tech systems with different specifications, some of it fairly outdated. It became apparent that to attract the best talent and to maximise efficiencies across the system, the whole Lab was in need of a refresh, updated to the latest industry standards.
The new framework consists of over 140 high-performance PCs; 52 of these are high-performance ROG systems in branded glass cases with RGB fans for a great gaming aesthetic.
Indeed, the theme of the whole room was designed around a somewhat 80s-themed, vaguely neon-wave design, centred around a piece of art on the main feature wall with custom vinyl wrapping. The intention was to make something that’s more than just a standard, white-walled computer lab; something that’s much more photogenic, with strong branding to help drive marketing campaigns for the university. The space can also now serve as the perfect venue for events like game jams and hackathons, further enhancing The University of Lincoln brand.
Studying Games Development & Esports in the UK
As mentioned, in recent years gaming has started to be taken seriously by UK educational institutions, and there are a whole host of games development and Esports-related programs available.
The University of Lincoln offers a BSc (Hons) in Games Computing, or Games Computing with Virtual and Augmented Reality, as well as an MSc in Games Development, plus an active ESports society.
Other universities around the country offer specific Esports courses at BA (Hons) level which focus around the production element, including event management, broadcasting, and content creation, or the business side, covering digital marketing, branding, and business strategies. If you’re just interested in gittin’ gud as a player, then we recommend joining an Esports society at your chosen university, playing a lot, and immersing yourself in reading/watching videos about different strategies.
Who is XMA?
XMA Limited is a family-run UK business that’s been going for over 35 years; it’s an award-winning IT reseller that specialises in setting up frameworks for different organisations, including various government departments, the health services, and in defence. XMA eSports, as the name would suggest, is a sub-brand which focuses on building gaming-focused setups, but which can also be used for creative design and scientific use as well.
The brand partners with the best brands in the game, like ASUS, to bring the cutting edge in tech to educational organisations, sport brands (like the recent Sheffield United Community Foundation eSports gaming lab), and more!
The company offers a four-phase structure to their projects, identifying the clients’ needs, creating and then deploying the framework, and finally to raise awareness and interest in the new setup:
Discovery: ‘Let’s lay the groundwork for your eSports success’
The first stage is all about identifying exactly what the client wants to achieve with their new setup. The creative vision must be made hand-in-hand with a realistic assessment of the resources available, including a look at the physical space, power infrastructure, and the available budget. Alongside these considerations, the ambitions of the client in terms of the capabilities of the hardware as well as the aesthetic design of the space are taken into account.
Solution Design: ‘Where your vision takes shape’
A team of experts uses all the above information to produce a tangible design. 2D and 3D representations of the setup are created to allow the client to visualise the framework, and allow them to make any modifications.
Deployment: ‘Turning your dream into reality’
Using the available infrastructure, the XMA team implements the new hardware – including the PCs, monitors, and other peripherals – as well as other supporting elements of the setup, including aesthetic designs and necessary furniture.
Marketing: ‘Boost sponsorship and student engagement in eSports’
Once the framework is operational, XMA can work with the organisation to promote it using its suite of marketing tools. These include creating video case studies, promotion across social media and other digital platforms, online webinars, and running open days to give interested members of the public/prospective students a look at the facilities. On the gaming side, the brand can help set up game nights using the new setup, liaising with gaming conventions, and developing contacts with international leagues that can help aspiring students looking to break into eSports.
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