Empowering Young Gamers: A New Era for Scholastic Esports

A Unified Vision for Accessible Gaming Competitions

Nintendo of America and the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) have announced a strategic alliance, with the shared goal of making competitive gaming more inclusive, social, and impactful for young individuals. This partnership signifies a major step towards recognizing esports as a valuable component of scholastic activities.

Expanding Competitive Horizons for K-12 Students

Commencing later this year, this initiative will enable schools to host official tournaments and events featuring iconic Nintendo Switch games. Titles such as \"Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,\" \"Splatoon 3,\" and \"Mario Kart 8 Deluxe\" will serve as the core competitive offerings for students in grades 4 through 12. The program is projected to engage approximately 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across 23 participating states, significantly broadening the reach of scholastic esports.

Nintendo's Commitment to Educational Gaming

As a testament to its dedication, Nintendo has pledged substantial support to the partnership. The company will be providing numerous Nintendo Switch Online memberships and game download codes without charge. This generous contribution aims to remove financial barriers and ensure wider participation in the competitive gaming events.

ISEA's Perspective on Student Engagement and Development

Danielle Johnson, President of ISEA, expressed immense enthusiasm for the collaboration. She highlighted the inherently communal nature of gaming and the organization's commitment to making competitive play accessible to all students, regardless of their prior experience. Johnson emphasized that school-based gaming programs offer unique opportunities for students to connect, build healthy relationships, and develop a sense of belonging within their school communities. She further noted that such programs contribute positively to student attendance and overall academic achievement.