When you think of gaming in Las Vegas, what do you think of? Maybe something involving loud noises, brightly lit machines, or a green velvet table and cards to go with, all for the thought of possibly gaining or losing your money.
But would you associate video games in the Las Vegas area as an answer for that question? Yes, video games. The things parents tell their maybe too young children to stop playing. The things teenagers can't stop doing, and the thing that has been around since the 70s.
Las Vegas has become a powerhouse in the video gaming industry. With its newest arrival downtown, the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel, gaming is soon to change it's definition in the flashy city that receives over three million tourists a month.
The 30,000 square foot arena is directly on the main level in the Luxor Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard and has been created for any gamer's personal haven. Made for an entire professional eSports competitoin, your group of friends who want to have a LAN party without the hassle of hauling parts, or even for an individual looking for a quiet place to stream. The arena has provided anyone and everyone with top gear needed for an excellent experience in the best environment for it. When you walk into the place, you'll be in what I like to call the "casual gamer room". A few of the things I myself noticed was the gigantic screen streaming live competitons or streamers from the popular website Twitch. Second thing I noticed, the incredible lineup of high tech computers and towers all in rows. Their official partner HyperX have provided each station with headphones, keyboards, and mouses. But don't fret, if you prefer your own equipment, you're more than welcomed to bring it. The third thing I noticed was the front desk with friendly employees passionate about the arena and gaming in general.
Management has filled the atmosphere with staff not only both male and female (which coming from a twenty year old female, I appreciate the diversity) but also with people who know what they're doing. All employees in the main area are responsible and there for catering to each guests needs and if it comes across - which all tech nerds know will and is inevitable - each member is capable of solving any computer issues. If you don't remember your Steam password or gamer ID, they will also provide you with one of their own safe accounts which has downloadable games for you to use. It also won't take the 9 hours to download there, since they have a gigabyte of internet speed for the venue.
A couple cool things that aren't thought of immediately when hearing about this venue is that eventually, there'll be a small area for VR available to the public and they do allow you to livestream at your station. They even have a specific booth closed off FOR streaming as they plan on having popular local streamers play there. The set up includes a stand microphone, three monitors, a TV above in case needed, and overall just looks really rad.
After examining the room, to my amazement there was even more... far more. After what seems to be just the "casual gaming room", there is what they call "the retro game cocktail bar", which is a smaller circular room beyond the entrance with all kinds of consoles ranging from the classic Xbox, an Atari, a Wii, NES, and the good ole GameCube. The room is small enough that you can jump from console to console in a leap, but large enough that everyone can play at their station contently and play that game of tennis on the Wii as Serena Williams would want.
If you look up in this circular room, you'll even see a chandelier made from old monitors and dangling underneath is the history of gaming controllers (one of my favorite decors in the entire place).
Continuing even further beyond this room, is the arena itself. With a fifty foot LED screen, theater style seating, three foot stage beneath, fun lights, and even MORE computers (more than doubled what was in the "casual gamer area"), you're sure to be locked here for at least a couple hours at this point. Its design is to hold crowds for major events and both local and professional tournaments. All computers are set up on each side of the "bleachers" in multiple rows for team communication optimization, but can also have the ability to be designed for an individual going solo in competitive gaming.
With its first major event not even a month after opening, NinjaVegas18, where 26 year old Tyler "Ninja" Blevins played Fortnite in a huge LAN style party where $50,000 was at stake for any player competing or charity of choice from Ninja's party, sold out completely. The event alone broke Twitch's viewing record with over 667,000 people watching live at peak point. Fun fact: streaming at this arena beat his past record that featured rap legend Drake... DRAKE.
Think it'll get crowded with all of these fun events and how cool it sounds? Don't fret, this arena is also multi-leveled. The stairs leading to the second floor feature more space for viewing the stage and 50 foot screen, along with a couple closed off VIP sections for private events and a caster booth.
Don't feel like gaming? Don't worry. The arena holds casual tournaments for locals with prize money, but also has community events such as local streamer parties, where fellow streamers can meet one another and talk about mutual hobbies and interests, Cosplay contests with featured themes, and viewing parties for major professional competitions like League of Legends, CS:GO, and Overwatch.
With a few tables spread out around for anyone to relax and chat, there's also drinks and eating options from the two bars located INSIDE the venue on each side and from their unique restaurant menu brought to you by Jose Andres. As an "avid gamer", Jose Andreas created the dining experience for gamers in mind. He wanted it to be efficient and practical for any gamer to enjoy a bite to eat in between games and also satisfy their stomach cravings. From Asian inspired dishes like Maki, savory rice bowls, and vegetarian options, you can also get a classic with a hint of Vegas flare like a four-cheese grilled cheese or even a chicken fried sandwich.
There's so many cool features about this venue that just can't be summed up by words. Whether you're a tourist or a local (which get 15% off gaming passes), grab your friends or go solo. Anyone who is a fan of gaming can enjoy this venue thoroughly and go back again and again. With it on the rise for even more popularity, bigger events, and better gaming experiences, Las Vegas is about to be have the most popular home for everyone to game at, and its at the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel.
But would you associate video games in the Las Vegas area as an answer for that question? Yes, video games. The things parents tell their maybe too young children to stop playing. The things teenagers can't stop doing, and the thing that has been around since the 70s.
Las Vegas has become a powerhouse in the video gaming industry. With its newest arrival downtown, the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel, gaming is soon to change it's definition in the flashy city that receives over three million tourists a month.
The 30,000 square foot arena is directly on the main level in the Luxor Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard and has been created for any gamer's personal haven. Made for an entire professional eSports competitoin, your group of friends who want to have a LAN party without the hassle of hauling parts, or even for an individual looking for a quiet place to stream. The arena has provided anyone and everyone with top gear needed for an excellent experience in the best environment for it. When you walk into the place, you'll be in what I like to call the "casual gamer room". A few of the things I myself noticed was the gigantic screen streaming live competitons or streamers from the popular website Twitch. Second thing I noticed, the incredible lineup of high tech computers and towers all in rows. Their official partner HyperX have provided each station with headphones, keyboards, and mouses. But don't fret, if you prefer your own equipment, you're more than welcomed to bring it. The third thing I noticed was the front desk with friendly employees passionate about the arena and gaming in general.
Management has filled the atmosphere with staff not only both male and female (which coming from a twenty year old female, I appreciate the diversity) but also with people who know what they're doing. All employees in the main area are responsible and there for catering to each guests needs and if it comes across - which all tech nerds know will and is inevitable - each member is capable of solving any computer issues. If you don't remember your Steam password or gamer ID, they will also provide you with one of their own safe accounts which has downloadable games for you to use. It also won't take the 9 hours to download there, since they have a gigabyte of internet speed for the venue.
A couple cool things that aren't thought of immediately when hearing about this venue is that eventually, there'll be a small area for VR available to the public and they do allow you to livestream at your station. They even have a specific booth closed off FOR streaming as they plan on having popular local streamers play there. The set up includes a stand microphone, three monitors, a TV above in case needed, and overall just looks really rad.
After examining the room, to my amazement there was even more... far more. After what seems to be just the "casual gaming room", there is what they call "the retro game cocktail bar", which is a smaller circular room beyond the entrance with all kinds of consoles ranging from the classic Xbox, an Atari, a Wii, NES, and the good ole GameCube. The room is small enough that you can jump from console to console in a leap, but large enough that everyone can play at their station contently and play that game of tennis on the Wii as Serena Williams would want.
If you look up in this circular room, you'll even see a chandelier made from old monitors and dangling underneath is the history of gaming controllers (one of my favorite decors in the entire place).
Continuing even further beyond this room, is the arena itself. With a fifty foot LED screen, theater style seating, three foot stage beneath, fun lights, and even MORE computers (more than doubled what was in the "casual gamer area"), you're sure to be locked here for at least a couple hours at this point. Its design is to hold crowds for major events and both local and professional tournaments. All computers are set up on each side of the "bleachers" in multiple rows for team communication optimization, but can also have the ability to be designed for an individual going solo in competitive gaming.
With its first major event not even a month after opening, NinjaVegas18, where 26 year old Tyler "Ninja" Blevins played Fortnite in a huge LAN style party where $50,000 was at stake for any player competing or charity of choice from Ninja's party, sold out completely. The event alone broke Twitch's viewing record with over 667,000 people watching live at peak point. Fun fact: streaming at this arena beat his past record that featured rap legend Drake... DRAKE.
Think it'll get crowded with all of these fun events and how cool it sounds? Don't fret, this arena is also multi-leveled. The stairs leading to the second floor feature more space for viewing the stage and 50 foot screen, along with a couple closed off VIP sections for private events and a caster booth.
Don't feel like gaming? Don't worry. The arena holds casual tournaments for locals with prize money, but also has community events such as local streamer parties, where fellow streamers can meet one another and talk about mutual hobbies and interests, Cosplay contests with featured themes, and viewing parties for major professional competitions like League of Legends, CS:GO, and Overwatch.
With a few tables spread out around for anyone to relax and chat, there's also drinks and eating options from the two bars located INSIDE the venue on each side and from their unique restaurant menu brought to you by Jose Andres. As an "avid gamer", Jose Andreas created the dining experience for gamers in mind. He wanted it to be efficient and practical for any gamer to enjoy a bite to eat in between games and also satisfy their stomach cravings. From Asian inspired dishes like Maki, savory rice bowls, and vegetarian options, you can also get a classic with a hint of Vegas flare like a four-cheese grilled cheese or even a chicken fried sandwich.
There's so many cool features about this venue that just can't be summed up by words. Whether you're a tourist or a local (which get 15% off gaming passes), grab your friends or go solo. Anyone who is a fan of gaming can enjoy this venue thoroughly and go back again and again. With it on the rise for even more popularity, bigger events, and better gaming experiences, Las Vegas is about to be have the most popular home for everyone to game at, and its at the Esports Arena in the Luxor Hotel.
About the Author:
Anna Egeland is a self-professed tech girl and enthusiastic gaming follower, writer, and co-host of a podcast. She attends professional eSports competitions and gaming conferences, allowing her to write with a first hand experience from a female perspective about the Las Vegas gaming scene. Contact her for interviews, product/event reviews and article ideas.
Anna Egeland is a self-professed tech girl and enthusiastic gaming follower, writer, and co-host of a podcast. She attends professional eSports competitions and gaming conferences, allowing her to write with a first hand experience from a female perspective about the Las Vegas gaming scene. Contact her for interviews, product/event reviews and article ideas.
