RAF Halton News

VIDEO GAMES AND ESPORTS OPENS ITS FIRST ARENA

RAF Halton is proud to officially announce that it’s Esports Arena is open for use.  Conforming to CV-19 guidelines the arena boasts 10 highly specialised gaming PC’s and will later adopt 2 brand new Xbox X consoles allowing a full spectrum of gameplay across multiple platforms and genres. 

RAF Halton's Esports Arena is open!
Image by: RAF Halton Photographics Section

The arena seeks to combat isolation and increase mental resilience through an interconnected network of gamers known as the RAF Video Games and Esports Association (RAFVGEA).  Within seconds users are connected to over 1000 other gamers across over 40 games and able to compete at UK level Esports events through a digital arena. 

The Arena was partly funded by both the Nuffield Trust and the RAF Central fund and the RAF Central Fund CEO, Ross Perriam, said: “As the charity that safeguards the health and wellbeing of serving personal through sport and physical activities, we recognised e-sports as an opportunity to engage a group of personnel that are often overlooked. Through our funding the RAF Video Games and E-Sport Association is now the quickest growing activity in the RAF and the new centre at RAF Halton is one of several opening over the coming months thanks to our support”.

Halton’s Station Commander, Group Captain Dan Startup formally opened the facility and had a go at competing against the Halton War Thunder Team and said: “It is just fantastic to open this facility. I can see all the benefits and it has real high level backing and support, it’s been a long time coming. I think it will provide people to connect with each other while doing something they love in safe and modern surroundings.  Well done all”.

He later went on to compete at Augmented Reality Dodgeball known as HADO against Wing Commander Young, but we will leave you guessing who won but it is no surprise to say there will be a rematch during the next CO’s cup event.

Halton’s Station Commander, Group Captain Dan Startup
Image by: RAF Halton Photographics Section

Now that the arena is officially open it can be used by the whole force family based at RAF Halton and the access will later be expanded to dependants as COVID restrictions lift. Over 1000 military personnel already play and this arena is unrivalled within the Royal Air Force.

Flt Lt James Palfrey, the driving force behind the facilities generation, said: “I am excited that it is now officially open to be used by the whole force family based at RAF Halton, with a later expansion to dependants as COVID restrictions lift. Over 1000 military personnel are already connected through a digital space and this arena is the first of many other planned arenas within the Royal Air Force under the RAFVGEA”.

 

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