AWS grant supports Trine University esports partnerships

Trine University has received a $33,000 grant from AWS Foundation to support and enhance its community partnerships with disability-serving organizations through the shared connection of esports.

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, AWS Foundation works to help children and adults with enduring intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community and function at their highest potential.

“We’re grateful for the generous support of AWS Foundation and many other community partners as we seek to provide opportunities that benefit this region as well as Trine University students,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “In particular, we’re proud to assist those with disabilities in enjoying an equitable, inclusive experience while giving our students the opportunity to develop friendships and make a positive impact.”

Esports management software

The grant will support the continued use of software to manage the university’s new Mark and Sarah Music/Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena.

In particular, the software will support Trine’s esports partnerships with Easterseals Northern Indiana and other community organizations.

The software, ggLeap, will allow esports arena staff to create guest accounts for each individual player, allowing them to track their individual progress.

It also allows the arena to integrate security measures into the login process, including the ability to lock and unlock specific games, programs and parts of the computer, personalized for each player.

Participants will be required to watch educational safety videos about cybersecurity, phishing scams and appropriate and inappropriate behaviors pertaining to in-game chats before gaining access to their game.

Esports partnerships

Trine has partnered with Easterseals Northern Indiana in Angola as that organization has become a national leader with its esports program.

Besides the interest youth have in gaming, the esports environment offers equity, inclusiveness and opportunities for disabled gamers, and is a powerful conduit to foster education and inclusivity. Trine University, which has offered esports since 2017, was a natural partner as Easterseals Northern Indiana developed its program.

In addition to opportunities through community partnerships, the esports arena supports Trine University’s minor in Game Design and Esports, offered through the Allen School of Engineering and Computing.