For the first time in five years the University Board will be partnering  with Eastern’s Gamer’s Guild and the ESports Club (both are registered student organizations) to host the 5th annual video game tournament.

“Pixelpalooza” will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Sienna Mark, the UB events coordinator, helped organize the event and said it is a way to encourage students to get out and meet other people who are interested in gaming and to have fun.

She said the tournament is designed for people to come and go as they please.

“We have eight TVs with various gaming systems for people to choose from and an assortment of games and snacks,” Mark said. “We will be having mini ‘Super Smash Brothers’ tournaments, and the winner of each tournament will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize.”

Mike Mifflin, the complex director of Lincoln, Stevenson and Douglas Residence Halls and the adviser for the Gamer’s Guild, said other games that will be played include sports games such as Madden and “NBA2K,” “Mario Kart,” “Apex Legends” and “Mortal Kombat/Soul Caliber 6.”

Mifflin said he has been helping with a bit of the planning alongside Mark, such as helping decide what games should be offered, what food to have and how to advertise the tournament.

“I’ll also be attending to support the event and talk to students about the Gamer’s Guild and the ESports (RSO),” he said.

Mark said any Eastern student can attend, and she called it a great opportunity to make new friends, test out new games and get free food in addition to various prizes for those who attend.

She said it is something that students should take advantage of.

“It is a fun, immersive experience where people are encouraged to show their competitive side, have fun, eat food and win prizes,” Mark said.

Mifflin said it is important and beneficial for students to attend the tournament because students can meet others who share a common bond.

“Through this event, students can meet other students who have the same interest as them and build connections,” Mifflin said. “For this event, it will be through video games. Having a diverse amount of events on campus of any nature is beneficial to everyone.”

Mifflin said for the student who wants to attend the event but is not sure, all they need to do is just check it out for a little bit.

“Play some games, meet some new friends and come talk to me about getting involved in Gamer’s Guild or ESports,” he said.

When it comes to choosing events to host, Mark said the UB does several surveys throughout the year during events to get ideas and feedback from the students.

This allows members to plan events that students want to attend, such as Pixelpalooza.

“It is always difficult to find something that appeals to everyone,” Mark said. “But, that is why we have different committees that provide a wide range of events for Eastern students.”

Analicia Haynes can be reached at 581-2812 or achaynes@eiu.edu.