Well, we’ve made it! It was challenging, and long, and mask-covered, but we finished the fall 2020 semester. Not only did we support 13 competitive teams, but this fall even brought the debut of our (hopefully annual) Battle for Indiana tournament, and more! Check below for an update on our competitive teams:
Call of Duty – Despite taking the semester off in preparation for the spring’s CCL Cold War season, Butler’s team did participate in a Black Ops 4 throwback tournament in September, qualifying for a top-16 spot.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – After a two-semester hiatus, Butler CSGO came back this fall with a team in CSL’s Collegiate Open Division, which currently sits at 1-5 after the fall semester’s matches. More regular-season matches, as well as the possibility of a postseason, await in January.
Fortnite – The Bulldogs fielded two Fortnite teams in this semester’s PlayVS season, which spanned multiple weeknights as duos earned season points to determine playoff qualification! The White team, which placed 12th in the regular season, qualified for and participated in playoffs last weekend, and while griefing issues ended their playoff run early, it was another excellent season after last spring’s CSL performance!
Hearthstone – Hearthstone also took the semester off this fall due to low numbers, but we’re hopeful to be starting up a team again in the spring with some faculty involvement too??? ?
League of Legends – We were able to support two League of Legends rosters this fall, one of which competed in the Collegiate Star League; Butler White is currently winless but has a few matches left in January. Additionally, in the Battle for Indiana, the Blue team claimed a 3-2 record for third place overall, and later was invited to compete in the Evil Geniuses “Genius League” LoL Invitational, where they played a close loss to Ohio State.
Overwatch – Our Overwatch squad played in both Tespa qualifier splits this fall, going a combined 2-5 while playing some really good matches! In the Battle for Indiana, the team secured fourth with a win over Bethel University to land at 1-3. The “real” Tespa season begins in the spring!
Rainbow Six: Siege – Butler’s R6 team played in CollegiateR6 season 5 this fall, and was able to secure a respectable 2-3 record – every semester this team is improving!
Rocket League – We had three Rocket League teams this semester! Butler Blue was just shy of securing a CRL berth in both fall qualifier tournaments, earned third place in the Battle for Indiana, went 7-7 in the PlayVS fall season (a new addition for the Bulldogs), and is currently 3-2 in CSL’s Star League. Butler White also took a swing at CRL qualification and is 0-5 in the CSL Challengers league along with Butler Grey. As with other titles, the CSL season will continue in January!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Smash players competed in a CSL tournament, despite internet issues, but continued to regularly meet – sometimes online, sometimes socially-distanced in the Butler HRC – for tournaments and practices!
VALORANT – Butler VALORANT earned fourth place in the Battle for Indiana, but also played in a couple of Conference One Esports’ tournaments held this fall. We’re looking forward to growing this team in the spring and beyond!
BIG EAST Teams – Our BIG EAST League of Legends team played in a PlayVS BIG EAST tournament at the end of September and, while going winless, got good practice in for the spring season. Rocket League played their BIG EAST matches for EGFC Season 2, going 6-2 and placing third in the conference; non-conference EGFC play will continue in the spring, as well as a BIG EAST/MAAC tournament on Sunday 12/13!
In club news, with the departure of Hunter Newman from the officer board, we elected in November new members to the positions of Treasurer and Safety Officer. They will serve through the end of Spring 2021, and will be up for re-election again when elections happen in April!
- Treasurer: Nick Hamilton
- Safety Officer: Penny Wink
Our annual Extra Life 24-hour charity stream, which is usually held in the fall, has been moved to the spring, but we’re looking forward to it, and more, next semester – stay tuned!
