SMU Opens Nation's Largest University Video Game Lounge

The Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, has opened an on-campus student video game lounge with hardware provided by worldwide games retailer GameStop. SMU's "M Lounge" features 24 game consoles, a 161-inch high definition DLP projector, and a stage area for Rock Band and Guitar Hero sessions. The lounge additionally serves as a living laboratory for students enrolled in The Guildhall, SMU's graduate video game development program. Guildhall students are able to use the lounge's facilities to test their games and get feedback from classmates. The lounge's announcement follows a recent SMU task force recommendation regarding a growing need for late-night, on-campus activities for SMU students. With the addition of GameStop's hardware, SMU's M Lounge has become what the University calls the "nation's largest, most sophisticated university video game lounge." "We can’t thank GameStop enough for their partnership on this," said Dr. Peter Raad, founder of The Guildhall. "This is not only an important addition to our program for the testing and development of our student produced games, but we are especially pleased that it will aid the university in providing on campus activities for SMU students."