Futures First Gaming’s Pandamonium esports expo was more than fun and games

As the name says: Futures First Gaming (FFG) is concerned with more than just gaming, but its students’ futures, too.

The esports education startup’s inaugural esports expo, Pandamonium 2020, featured hours of gameplay and entertainment during its a two-day duration earlier this month. It also featured three panels full of information on the career possibilities of esports — from building a brand as a player, to esports as workforce development for multiple career paths, to esports as a tool to curb teen violence.

The event was initially planned to be a hybrid event, including masked in-person tournaments at Theatre N. Due to rising COVID-19 cases in Delaware, it pivoted to an all-virtual event.

It was the first fully virtual FFG event of its size.

“We had done a fully virtual Fortnight event in the summer, but it was less intensive,” said Emily Zbyszynski, esports expansion strategist for FFG who plays a major role in running the tournaments behind the scenes.

You can check out all of the panels in full on the FFG Youtube channel, or you can experience the full event (about 14 hours) on the FFG Twitch channel.

The first panel, “Esports as a Profession,” included Hot 97’s Gerard Williams (aka HipHopGamer), Dale Harvey and RSN Esportz’s James Whitner:

The second panel, “Esports to Help Curb Teen Violence,” featured HipHopGamer, Dr. Darryl Chambers, Social Contract’s Alisia Drew, and reps from RSN Esportz and Training Grounds.

The third, “Esports & Education to Build a Workforce,” featured with Black Collegiate Gaming Association’s Keshia Walker, Southern University and A&M College coach Christopher Turner, REACH Riverside’s Logan Herring, Delaware College of Art & Design’s Tad Sare, NerdIT NOW’s Markevis Gideon and Code Differently’s Tariq Hook.

Next up for FFG: League play starts on Jan. 1, and more events are coming in 2021. If you’re interested in joining a league or getting involved with FFG, go to FuturesFirstGaming.com.