The Creative School’s Red Bull Gaming Hub launch brings together Toronto’s gaming industry
The Creative School officially launched the Red Bull Gaming Hub, a one-of-a-kind space that will host classes, esports tournaments and extracurricular activities, encouraging students to immerse themselves in the world of video game design, esports broadcasting and virtual production.
To celebrate the opening, the industry launch event on September 15, 2022 attracted professionals from various industries and organizations, including Toronto Mayor John Tory, Mohamed Lachemi, Toronto Metropolitan University President & Vice-Chancellor, Charles Falzon, Dean of The Creative School, Kristopher Alexander, Director of the Red Bull Gaming Hub and video game and esports professor, Chris Overholt, president and CEO of OverActive Media and Salil Gupta, CTO of Waveform Entertainment. Attendees also included individuals from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), FaZe Clan, Breakfast Television, CityNews, MobileSyrup and more.
From left to right: Geoffrey Lachapelle, Chris Overholt, Salil Gupta, Dr. Kristopher Alexander, Mayor John Tory, Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, Charles Falzon. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Students from The Creative School with Sabastian Diamond, founding member of esports giant FaZe Clan, at the Red Bull Gaming Hub Launch. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Chris Overholt, president of OverActive Media, shared reflections on the growing esports industry in the city and how essential it is to have a community space for students to learn and hone their skills, followed by remarks on employment opportunities for students in the gaming industry by WaveForm Entertainment CTO Salil Gupta.
The event began with opening remarks by Dean Charles Falzon, who discussed the growth of esports and gaming in the faculty as well as the benefits of transdisciplinary collaboration with the local community. TMU President Mohamed Lachemi then spoke about university programming and TMU’s commitment to playing a leadership role in shaping the gaming and esports industries in Toronto. Dr. Kristopher Alexander shared his expertise on his exploration of innovative methods for hybrid classroom instruction, with a primary focus on imbuing others with personal technical competence with tools and procedures. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the Gaming Hub’s primary function as a focus on video game design, virtual production, and esports broadcasting, while building educational, curricular, and extracurricular activities.
Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of TMU. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Dr. Kristopher Alexander and Toronto Mayor John Tory. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Salil Gupta, CTO of WaveForm Entertainment. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Chris Overholt, Founder and CEO of OverActive Media. Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
To end off the program, Toronto Mayor John Tory spoke about the growing gaming industry in Toronto and the role of academic institutions in supporting the growth of innovative education in the city. He also expressed his pride in TMU and his gratitude for the university’s impact on Toronto.
Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Image courtesy of Andy Nguyen
Following the speeches, guests had the opportunity to tour the Gaming Hub, interact with students, explore the capabilities of the technology and network with other professionals.
Contributing to the gaming industry
The Red Bull Gaming Hub will push for deeper investment and growth of the video game industry in Toronto as gaming continues to surge in popularity around the world. In partnership with Red Bull Canada, the Red Bull Gaming Hub at The Creative School, Toronto Metropolitan University focuses on innovation and new applications of video game design, virtual production, and esports broadcasting, while building educational, curricular, and extracurricular activities.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.