UNCW Advances in Esports Competition and Research

UNCW Esports is off to another strong season! The Valorant team brought home the championship at the 5th Annual Florence Esports Festival in South Carolina in November, and UNCW’s Rocket League team placed third. The wins follow back-to-back conference titles for Valorant in Division IV of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) in 2024.

“It has been exciting to see our Esports club grow over the past few years from just a few recreational players to regionally – even nationally – recognized competitive teams,” said Ray Pastore, faculty advisor to UNCW Esports. “I am really proud of our players this season.”

Dr. Pastore is a professor of instructional technology in UNCW’s Watson College of Education and coordinator of WCE’s Esports Certificate program. His research focuses on emerging technology and esports, with particular attention to the growing influence of AI on the industry.

In November, he presented at the Esports Research Network Conference, an international gathering dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary esports studies and examining esports’ global, digital and innovative impact. His session, “AI in Collegiate Esports: Enhancing Practice, Play, and Competition,” explored how AI is shaping training and competitive performance.

Dr. Pastore is also investigating long-held assumptions about video games and aggression. A recent study conducted with Ed Tomasi and Owen Caprioglio of PLAYHRDR Advisors compared collegiate esports athletes with non-competitive gamers to determine whether structured competition affects aggressive behavior.

Their report, Aggression of Competitive vs. Non-Competitive Gamers, found that competitive players consistently reported lower levels of physical, verbal and reactive aggression—suggesting that structured, team-based gaming may promote healthier competitiveness and stronger emotional regulation than casual play. The findings were published in October.

“As the esports industry grows, it’s important to understand the perceptions that surround it and counter false assumptions with facts,” Dr. Pastore said. “The industry is huge. More than 190 million Americans play video games at least once a week, and while only one in 10 students plays a high school sport, nine out of 10 play video games.”

“At UNCW, esports has been successful at engaging a broad audience,” he added. “The club gives students a place to connect—whether they’re interested in competitive play or not—and our certificate program helps them gain industry knowledge, build skills and create a portfolio that can open doors as they begin their careers.”

About UNCW’s Esports Club

Launched in 2019, UNCW’s Esports Club gained varsity status in 2022 and now operates from a dedicated on-campus esports lab. The club fields 10 competitive teams and supports a Discord community of more than 800 members. It is open to all students, welcoming both competitive and recreational gamers.

About WCE’s Esports Certificate Program

The Watson College of Education’s esports certificate program is designed for individuals interested in gaming, streaming and careers in the esports industry. The curriculum covers four central roles in esports—strategists, organizers, content creators and entrepreneurs. New classes start each semester. For more information, visit the UNCW Instructional Technology website.