FORT COLLINS – For the members of FRCC’s Games Club, it’s less about the games and more about the people. “It’s my social space for this college,” said Korben Reinhart, the club’s vice president.
The club’s president and sponsor, Will McFarland, views games as an important social outlet to combat disconnection. In an interview with The Front Page, he stated that games present opportunities for people to form community relationships, which in turn “improves our world and our societies.”
McFarland is highly committed to the club, and shared that everything he does revolves around “getting people together, to have fun together, to not take life so seriously.”
Although popular culture often paints gamers as introverted social outcasts, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Between their on-campus open game days, 24/7 Minecraft server, numerous social events, and more, our Games Club is shattering this stereotype.
The club also has a server on the social platform Discord, allowing for students to connect across campuses. Members use the server to play video games online and to discuss their favorite games, movies, and books in a welcoming space.
“Gamers and geeks, we just unify with each other to express our love for what we enjoy,” Reinhart said. “We can all agree to disagree and always just appreciate what everyone else likes.”
McFarland and Reinhart have noticed that their activities help some students with social anxiety, public speaking, and stage fright. Reinhart personally shared ways that running D&D games helped improve his confidence. As the one narrating and describing the world which the game takes place in, he “had to show authority.”
McFarland mentioned that D&D has become more mainstream in recent years. In order to facilitate the game’s growing popularity, the club is proud to host weekly D&D games for new and experienced players alike. Drop-in games happen every Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Larimer Campus Student Organizations Suite.
Make no mistake, though; Games Club isn’t only for geeks and nerds. “We’re the Games Club. If it’s a game, we will play it,” said McFarland in reference to sporty games like pickup basketball. He pointed out that some sports fans will “nerd out just as hard” about baseball statistics or football runtimes.
Furthermore, the club offers opportunities for students to grow their skills in advertising, graphic design, social media management, and more. McFarland mentioned that the club particularly needs a marketing person.
For those with a creative streak, the club hosts monthly Workshop Wednesdays. For a modest admission fee of $5, attendees get access to an array of art supplies and snacks.
While the event is open to anyone who would like to work on arts and crafts in a group setting, it has a focus on teaching people how to paint miniature figures for the game Warhammer.
Warhammer, which Reinhart estimated is one of the most popular tabletop games in Colorado, is a miniature wargame played using highly customizable figures. Even if they don’t play the game, participants can take their painted figures home – think Crackpots.
Workshop Wednesdays are held from noon to 5 p.m. in Larimer Campus room RP153. They take place on the last Wednesday of every month.
When asked how they’d like to improve the Games Club, club officer Kyle Ortiz replied that he would like a higher turnout for their Warhammer events. All club leaders present for the interview acknowledged that the cost of materials – often around $300 for just one player – is a barrier to entry for many people who might otherwise be interested in the game.
They were pleased to share that, due to a generous donation to the club, potential new players can now borrow game sets and rulebooks in order to try the game without making a financial commitment. They can also help students 3D print game pieces. Warhammer events such as tournaments (some with cash prizes) occur frequently in and around Fort Collins.
The Games Club is the first student organization at FRCC to accept donations through ColoradoGives.org. Donations enable the large club to continue offering food and prizes at their events, with special events at certain donation milestones. If the next milestone is met, McFarland will dye his beard any color the club votes on.
“It’s important to have some fun in your life,” he remarked.
