New venue provides outlet for gamers

 

Windsor’s only video gaming lounge is attracting 25 to 50 players to its monthly tournaments. It also provides a social outlet for gamers who tend to play alone at home. 

Gamers pay $5 to $10 dollars per hour to play at Ezy Mode Gaming Lounge. It has been open since June 2019 on Ottawa Street.

 Ezy Mode, which holds approximately 245 people, has one major tournament every month. Gamers pay to enter and play various video games to win cash prizes.

Nathan Andrews, a 22-year-old part-time Walmart employee, enters the competitions almost monthly. 

Andrews, who spends six to eight hours a day gaming, has been going to Ezy Mode since it opened.

“I play games before work, after work, sometimes even on my breaks at work. One time I almost got fired for playing my Nintendo Switch because I got too deeply invested in the game to realize my break was over. It was super embarrassing, ” said Andrews. “I feel overwhelmed or anxious if I can’t play games. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but I like to have an outlet to relieve my stress.”

Andrews said he is at Ezy Mode four or five times a week. He arrives at opening time and leaves six to eight hours later.

 “Before Ezy mode opened I almost never went out unless it was for work. The only other time I went out was to hang with my only friend in Windsor, since most of my friends are online,” said Andrews.

He said Ezy Mode gives him an opportunity to make friends with common interests since he struggles socially. 

“I would only cut down on video games if there was a change in my schedule that caused me to compensate,”  said Andrews.  “I can go one or two days without gaming but I see it as a positive thing in my life and don’t plan on quitting gaming any time soon. I think everyone should game. It would help those who bottle up their feelings.” 

Andrews said he will continue gaming unless it interferes with his personal life.