## Nintendo Bolsters E-Sports in Education with Extended PlayVS Partnership for Middle and High School Competitions
Nintendo of America has taken a significant move to advance competitive gaming among young students by renewing and enhancing its partnership with PlayVS, the foremost competitive gaming platform in North America. This strategic alliance not only renews their commitment but grows upon it by introducing e-sports to middle school students as well as continuing support for high schoolers in the United States and Canada.
### The Aim for Inclusive Competitive Gaming
The collaboration between Nintendo and PlayVS opens up avenues for students in grades 6-12 to immerse themselves in popular Nintendo Switch titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Splatoon 3, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With the upcoming Fall season, schools are encouraged to consult their state associations for the specific Nintendo games that will be part of their state leagues.
To ensure fair access to these gaming opportunities, Nintendo and PlayVS are dedicated to providing free Nintendo hardware and software to schools that require assistance. They have already displayed significant generosity, distributing over $2.1 million in gaming equipment and titles since 2021. In a landmark move to further lower the barriers to entry, PlayVS announced in November 2023 that it would offer its platform free of charge for students, effectively eliminating the cost barrier to competition.
### The Impact and Reach of the Partnership
Since the onset of the partnership, PlayVS has been instrumental in orchestrating over 73,000 matches and 10,500 teams spanning all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Canada. These events have culminated in 253 championships. The participation numbers are impressive, with over 70,000 students having engaged in PlayVS-facilitated Nintendo Switch competitions. With the extension to middle schools, these numbers are poised to rise, granting access to competitive gaming to an even broader student demographic.
### Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership
Both organizations recognize the mutual benefits and potential growth this partnership encourages. Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS, emphasizes their mission to broaden accessibility to competitive play across North America. Bill Trinen, Vice President of Player & Product Experience at Nintendo of America, echoes this sentiment. He highlights the joy and community spirit fostered through organized team competitions, underscoring the increasing avenues for young players to partake in e-sports.
### Future Initiatives and Opportunities
Looking ahead, PlayVS and Nintendo are dovetailed in their aim to initiate new endeavors and events that will engage the educational community even more. By continuing to work together, they aspire to foster opportunities for students to participate in competitive gaming, learn valuable team-related skills, and forge lasting friendships and connections.
Coaches at the middle and high school levels who are considering integration of their teams into competitive gaming circuits can find more information and details about joining the upcoming season at PlayVS.com.
### About PlayVS and Nintendo
PlayVS, North America’s leading e-sports platform, strives to make e-sports available for players of all levels by providing a unified community platform for players, coaches, educators, and parents. As the official e-sports partner for various scholastic organizations, including the NFHS Network and Special Olympics, PlayVS is a beacon for officially sanctioned scholastic e-sports leagues.
Nintendo, a global giant synonymous with pioneering gaming franchises, continues to create iconic entertainment experiences through its integrated hardware and software products. From the foundational Nintendo Entertainment System to the contemporary Nintendo Switch family of systems, Nintendo has always aimed to deliver unique entertainment options. Its subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., functions as the central hub for all operations within the Americas.
For both budding gamers and schools, this strengthened collaboration between Nintendo and PlayVS presents an exhilarating prospect, merging the worlds of education and competitive gaming while nurturing the next generation of e-sports enthusiasts.
