Gamers rise up: Student hopes to create a Nintendo Switch club this semester

Gamers get ready, a Nintendo Switch club is coming to the University of Alberta.

Jose Ramirez, a fourth-year software engineering student, is hoping to ease the tensions of school life by bringing a Nintendo Switch club to campus.

Ramirez is currently going through the administrative processes to set up the club with the university. He plans to have the club up and running by the end of reading week in November, but he hopes it can be ready before then. Ramirez posts regular weekly updates on how the club is doing registration-wise through their Facebook page: U of A Switch Club. In the meantime, he can be found around the university promoting the group.

“I literally have a poster that I carry around, it’s like those tri-fold posters, and I just set up in CAB or HUB,” Ramirez said, “And it has a challenge on it saying, ‘Can you beat me in Mario Kart? If you do you win a $5 Tims card’ and I talk to whoever comes up about if they’re interested in the club.”

As the club picks up, Ramirez hopes to host tournaments every two to three weeks. The tournaments would be more structured and include prizes for the winners. He hopes the club will bring together students that have similar interests they didn’t realize were there.

“It gives them competitive spirit but at the same time, there are people with similar interests, maybe I can make more friends here,” Ramirez said.  “At the same time, they are doing something that they like, something that eases tensions off of school.”

Though there are similar clubs involving gaming, Ramirez found that they have been quiet for some time. He wishes for the new club to become a legacy that carries on after he leaves the university. Consoles change, and Ramirez hopes that the club will evolve with them.

At the moment, the leadership group consists of himself and a friend. Ramirez said he welcomes those that are interested in any of the leadership positions. He also wants to reach out towards past gaming clubs if they are interested in joining.

One reason Ramirez kept the club specific to the Nintendo Switch is that it can be played on the go. This accessibility is one of the selling points for the console.

“You don’t have to have a TV or a huge setup,” Ramirez said. “You just have a Switch and that’s it.”

Ramirez wants the club to be open and available for anyone to come in when they need a place to de-stress and release the built-up tension. He hopes that gamers and non-gamers alike will find something to enjoy in the club.

“I feel like it’s important because people need an outlet to relax,” Ramirez said. “It’s important for everyone to have a location to go to.”