A dozen computers pushed together on tables with wires strewn about stood on the humble stage at the University of Kentucky Esports Lounge. The race was about to begin.
Right out of the gate there was a stumble, and all hands were called on deck to solve the technical issues plaguing the start of the 35-person Mario Kart event, but for the passionate competitors who came from across the country, nothing could dampen their excitement.
Friends traded travel stories, told jokes and shared smiles as they patiently waited for the virtual starting flag to wave.
Few were strangers to one another in the crowd that consisted of players anywhere from elementary school to college, but any that were would be welcomed with open arms to share in their love of the competition and the game itself.
“The competitive scene is small, but very passionate,” said Kevin Puckett, a professor at UK who helped connect the Esports club with members of the United States Offline Mario Kart community. “We’re just super happy about this place where this crew can come together.”
The crew in question travelled from several different states. Players from Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and even as far as Wisconsin made the trek to Lexington, Kentucky, for the qualifier, something that Esports President Alex Valdivia was excited about.
“It’s always a great thing to develop these communications and (the) community, not just locally, but also across the nation,” Valdivia said.
Before long, the moment the assembled racers had been waiting for had finally arrived.
Groups of 12 players would compete in six race sets, with the top six players advancing on to the finals. A second-chance bracket ensured everyone had two chances to crack into the final bracket.
Just as things kicked into high gear it would seem technical issues were still lingering as audio from the game wasn’t playing through the speakers for the spectators to hear.
Not to be deterred, the crowd came together to start vocalizing the musical theme of Mario Kart while the race unfolded before their eyes. As passionate fans of the game, they, of course, knew it by heart.
Eventually the chorus faded into a solo performance. But as the final note rang out and the audio issues finally subsided, the racers crossed the finish line to uproarious applause.
From there on out the event carried on without a hitch and turned into a barn burner that would rage until well past midnight.
With the success of the night, the Mario Kart community is looking forward to more opportunities and events at The Cornerstone in the future with the hopes that it can grow into something bigger.
Those hopes are shared by the UK Esports Club, which wishes to take the experience from collaborations like this one into future events.
“The events we have here are really good to have so we can continue growing and building and take the expertise from others, what they know, what they have and kind of bring it here,” Valdivia said.
That expertise will be implemented soon enough as Esports action will return to The Cornerstone next weekend for a Rainbow Six Siege tournament on Jan. 25.
