Since August of 2024, the OU Esports & Gaming Complex has been the premier space on campus for gamers of all interests. Located in Cross Village, Building B, the Complex consists of two spaces—the Developmental Clinic for use by the Creative Content and Esports teams, and the Lounge, which is open seven days a week for casual play and exciting gaming events.
“The complex serves the whole of the University of Oklahoma’s gaming community and beyond,” said Mike “Moog” Aguilar, Director of OU Esports and Co-Curricular Innovation.
The Lounge is OU ECCI’s best tool to maintain its core message: gaming is for everyone. Dedicated student staff keep the welcoming energy alive and ensure that every guest has the best experience possible. This attention is essential during birthday parties and events such as the Sooner Dojo Series. With over 20 MSI battle stations, consoles, and virtual reality setups, the logistics of running the Lounge can be daunting.
Thankfully, there’s SENET, a comprehensive software that can help manage networks from cozy cyber cafes to megaplex esports arenas. SENET allows staff to provide a seamless experience for Lounge guests through personal account creation, Cloud-based game downloads and total security for their private information.
“We’ve had SENET since we started,” said Jacob “Oculus” Ross, Senior Coordinator for Community & Labs at ECCI. “A lot of other universities use other, generally more polished alternatives for their management software, but we’ve built up a great relationship with their team in the last year and a half.”
SENET’s parent company, Enestech, is passionate about providing solutions for gaming spaces and contributing to the growth of gaming communities. The impact of these efforts is felt at every level, from the team managers to the players.
“We have a 24/7 chat with them on Discord, so anytime we need something, we can reach out,” said Ross. “I’ve been able to talk to the head of product, the CEO, and the customer service team. They’re all just very nice people.”
When managing high volumes of attendees for events like the Sooner Dojo Series, keeping control over the systems and troubleshooting quickly is vital for success. Equipment usage is included with event registration, but during normal hours, SENET allows users to manage personal accounts, purchase additional hours and curate their gaming experience.
Due to recent budgetary concerns, Ross was forced to consider the possibility of switching to a different service for the academic year.
“They really valued the partnership and the relationship that we built over the past year and a half,” Ross said. “So they straight up offered a full year of their software while we’re still trying to figure out how we can improve our budget moving forward.”
SENET has become a core feature of the Lounge’s iconic style. The custom theme on the SENET interface gives the space a cohesive, professional look. The staff is thrilled to maintain that style, while also not having to reinvent the wheel while running the space.
“I’m so happy we won’t have to switch to a different tool,” said Michelle “Taikadesa” Cao, Lounge staff member and Captain of the OU Mario Kart team. “We really didn’t want to have to learn a whole new system.”
Thanks to Enestech’s generosity, the Esports & Gaming Complex will continue to function at its highest level and provide a fun and safe environment for all gamers.
On behalf of everyone at OU Esports, thank you to Segiy Purish, Olga Burko, Kateryna Yushchenko, Talha Muhammad, Maryna Lutsenko, and everyone at Enestech for helping power our future! We couldn’t do it without you!
