Though most members of the student body might not be aware of them, two devoted, tightly knit video game communities exist in the far corners of campus. These underground groups don’t advertise at Festifall — one isn’t even officially recognized by the University as an organization. Yet, because of the competitive appeal of the games, both groups have gained members and formed passionate communities through word of mouth and online promotion. They are the Smash League and the StarCraft Team.

Though their numbers might be small, both groups at the University are part of a larger video game scene, both regionally and nationally.

The brotherhood of “Smash”

As TVs roll into the room, people do as well, happily greeting each other with GameCubes and controllers in hand. Players yell to each other about impressive combos or recoveries. This is the Thursday night scene on the third floor of Mason Hall, where a local “Smashfest” is being held in one of the classrooms. Smashfests are organized “Super Smash Bros.” events that regularly happen on campus. Players compete in both “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and “Super Smash Bros. Melee,” two different versions of the game. Both involve pitting famous Nintendo characters against each other in combat.

Since it’s long after class hours, no room reservations need to be made and TVs can be wheeled in from almost every room on the floor.

“It’s almost as if Mason Hall was built for this,” said Engineering sophomore Robin Harn, one of the club's main organizers.

While it’s obvious that everyone in the room is very skilled and serious about their play, there’s a very genial atmosphere as well. It feels vibrant — chitchat is everywhere, and everyone’s eyes are focused on the screens. By 10 p.m., more than 20 people have shown up for this traditionally four-person game. Not all are even students at the University — a few of them have come all the way from East Lansing and Southfield.

Ann Arbor is a hub in the state of Michigan for those who love competitive “Smash Bros.”

“The entire Michigan (video game) community grew out of Ann Arbor,” said LSA senior Jason Bowyer, who was here when the competitive “Smash Bros.” scene took off in 2007.

The players are here to have fun, but many of them are also here to hone their skills to become more competitive for larger tournaments. There are regional tournaments for money prizes in Chicago and Ann Arbor, and larger ones in places like New Jersey. As recently as two weeks ago, part of Michigan’s Smash League traveled to Kansas to compete in a tournament.

“I’ve traveled out of state over 30 times,” Bowyer said. “You’ll see tournaments that are giving out four to five grand for first place.”

Though Bowyer has never won that much, he says he won $900 at one of the tournaments he attended.

Most of these gatherings, whether local Smashfests or national tournaments, are organized through Smashboards.com — the primary website regarding “Super Smash Bros.” play.

When asked why the game is so compelling competitively, players said that both a desire to improve their technique and the inclusive nature of the scene is what drew them in.

“There’s no ceiling to ‘Smash’ — you can keep getting better and better,” Harn said.

LSA sophomore Brian Northrup, one of the other main organizers, said he plays from an aspiration to be the best.

“(However), the community aspect of it is really what’s kept me here,” Northrup said.

Despite its popularity among select students, the “Smash” community at the University is fairly nebulous. Smashfests can often be impromptu, and some people have fallen away from the scene while others have joined.

“(The group) has become a little more hardcore, so not as many older guys come,” Northrup said.