Don’t ever let your mom tell you video games are too expensive.

Thanks to a $1.2 million dollar contribution from Dell Technologies and Intel, the University of Colorado Boulder is set to unveil a 1,275-square-foot gaming haven for students.

The Alienware Buffalo Esports and Gaming Lounge, set to open Thursday, is the first of its kind in Colorado.

CU’s lounge, situated in the University Memorial Center (UMC), will feature cutting-edge gaming systems, including 19 Alienware Aurora R16 desktops, three Alienware M16 gaming laptops, peripherals, a multiplayer console area, and a state-of-the-art broadcast studio.

“I am excited for our enhanced partnership with Dell to establish a high-tech gaming lounge on our campus,” said Dr. D’Andra Mull, vice chancellor for student affairs, said in a news release. “It is critical for student success and well-being to have spaces where our Buffs feel like they belong and can build community. The Alienware Buffalo Esports and Gaming Lounge is a valuable asset that will enhance the student experience at CU Boulder.”

The lounge will be managed by CU’s Center for Student Involvement (CSI), and will be available to students, but also as a venue for official competition. The university has fielded competitive esports teams recently, particularly in the free-to-play first-person tactical hero shooter game, Valorant.

According to information provided by the university, the CU Valorant Gold team won qualification in the USA Western Conference Final after making it to the finals of the Red Bull Campus Clutch Offline Rockies Tournament. A second CU Boulder team, CU Valorant Black, made it to those finals as well.

In addition to competitive esports teams, CU Gaming’s website boasts over 3,000 registered members.

While gaming has been a hobby oft marred by online bullying, bigotry and hate speech, officials at CU have emphasized the space as a place for inclusivity. The motto guiding the launch of the Alienware Buffalo Esports and Gaming Lounge is “All gaming is gaming.” CU Boulder aims to bring gamers from historically marginalized communities to the forefront of gaming, reinforcing the idea that gaming is a community-building and inclusive activity.

The lounge is set to open this Thursday, Jan 25. with a grand opening event featuring representatives from Alienware, Dell, and Intel as well as an appearance by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.

Polis, a self-described “gaymer” has made public his love of video games, particularly the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends.

Polis is such a fan of video games, that his hobby once got him into hot water as a young congressman. His appearance in a 2015 promotional video for the game prompted an investigation by the House Ethics Committee during his time as a Colorado congressman. The investigation was eventually dropped.

“Governor Polis is a proud gamer, and excited about the opening of the new CU gaming lounge. One of his personal favorites is League of Legends, and the Governor hopes this space will serve as a center for CU’s gaming community, no matter their favorite game,” according to a statement from the Governor’s office to The Denver Gazette. “This lounge will bring students of all backgrounds together through their love of gaming, fostering a stronger community and this life-long hobby. The new state-of-the-art gaming lounge will also help attract and retain students at Colorado’s flagship public university.”

Based on a number of metrics evaluating Colorado’s standing in the world of video games, it’s a step in the right direction.

According to an analysis and ranking from CenturyLink conducted in 2021, Colorado ranked 14th in the nation when ranking the size of its gaming community.

In terms of competitive gaming, or esports, Colorado has also been lagging. Sports gambling website Action Network broke down esports winnings of the top-500 American gamers over the last two decades, and Colorado did not rank in their Top 20.

Various CU campus partners, including Student Affairs departments, the Office of Information Technology, University Advancement, and Facilities Management, have collaborated to support the creation of the Alienware Buffalo Esports and Gaming Lounge.