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Educator Questions
How are esports different than traditional sports in public school athletics?
Esports are different in a variety of important ways. For one, esports is a term that encapsulates an immense variety of competitive titles, from auto racing simulator games, traditional chess, and more! Esports also opens an opportunity for all groups of people to compete in a level playing field, regardless of age, gender, or genetic predisposition—girls can compete against guys without any advantage one way, just the same as a high schooler can compete against similarly ranked middle school students and experience a fair competition. Finally, a physical location for competition is not necessary, and in a post-pandemic landscape, virtual competition is completely without risk of infection or transfer of an illness.
What does Fenworks have to offer the students in my school?
Esports offers an unprecedented level of fairness and inclusion when compared to traditional sports. It also provides a level, competitive field regardless of age, gender, and genetic predisposition in ways that traditional sports are unable to accomplish. Esports as an extracurricular activity boosts inclusion by creating a community atmosphere for a demographic that is routinely ignored and unincluded in traditional school extracurricular activities.
Parent Questions
Is the Fenworks program school-affiliated?
Fenworks is an independent company that partners with schools to provide esports in as an extracurricular activity. We hope to provide esports in the same way that schools provide any other traditional sports and activities, such as speech, theatre, soccer, swimming, football, and basketball.
Is this safe? How can I be sure that my child is not being exposed to predators, data leaks, bullying, etc.?
Yes. Fenworks is working with the students’ schools to maintain a safe environment. The ecosystem is monitored and moderated by our coaches, with any inappropriate behavior being directly reported to schools. Fenworks also intentionally uses software’s that do not sell student data, keeps student last names truncated, and ensures that all users into the ecosystem are vetted and checked with schools to ensure that we know each user is exactly who they say they are.
Is it at home or in school?
Students can choose! If a school has a dedicated area that is permitted to be used for the Fenworks program, students may play from school. If a school does not have these resources, or a student prefers to participate out of school, no problem! Students can use their own home setups, as long as they’re able to use Discord and participate.
When is this season?
The preseason and season will begin in the late fall. Practices and matches will follow a schedule that is mindful and respectful of school calendars and holidays. The season will conclude with a state tournament. Dates will be shared as quickly as possible.
What is the time commitment? Is this going to interfere with other activities, education, etc. Is there homework?
Fenworks wants to emphasize the importance of education and other student activities and has no intention of poaching students from these other activities. Fenworks creates a flexible program with the intention of working around other commitments. No punishments will be enforced for missing session times. Content is posted in a video format so that it can be consumed on a later date, and students are given flexible times to complete their competitive matches. Fenworks will not prescribe homework and will work with schools to have the same GPA and academic participating expectations as the schools each student is from.
Do I have to supply my own equipment/what is needed?
All you will need to participate in the Fenworks program is a gaming console like and Xbox or PlayStation or you can use a computer that can run the desired games. You will also need to have access to a device that can run Discord, this can be a smartphone, a computer, or a tablet.
How do I pay my child’s student fee for the Fenworks program?
All student fees for the Fenworks program will be handled by the individual schools. The fee will be paid in the same way that all other activities fees are paid. If students have any questions, they should reach out to their school finance office for more information.
Why would I pay for my child to play video games? What services are being provided for my money and how does it benefit my child?
The Fenworks program provides students with numerous benefits that are not available to them otherwise. These benefits include the following:
– Professional-grade coaching in six independent game titles
– Access to game and STEM-related content
– State-level competition
– A safe ecosystem with other likeminded students
– Opportunities for students to earn scholarships and grants
Do students/parents have to pay for each individual game title that students will be playing in the program?
No. Fenworks strives to select popular game titles that are free-to-play and cross-platform so that our program is as accessible to students as possible. Of the titles we offer, only two require interested students to purchase their own copy of the game—these are Minecraft and Overwatch.
How does an esports program benefit my child?
Esports boosts inclusion in a demographic that traditionally has been excluded from social participation. It also helps more kids feel included and supported by their peers and schools in something they love to do. In addition to inclusion, students involved in esports have been found to achieve better grades, increase school attendance scores, and develop critical thinking skills.
Student Questions
Are there GPA requirements in regard to eligibility in the program?
As with other school-sponsored activities, Fenworks believes that academics always come first. The Fenworks team will enforce eligibility based on each school’s extracurricular GPA requirements.
How are individual student fees handled?
Student fees will be handled and due according to the schools’ individual considerations. Please consult your local Fenworks-partnered school for how, when, and where individual student fees are processed for the Fenworks program.
How experienced are the coaches in the games that we are playing?
The coaches come from the top 5% to 0.01% of players in their respective titles that they teach in. All curriculum is put together in a collaborative way so that, in the case that one coach may not be as experienced as another in a title, students are still learning from a qualified, expert coach in each title.
What if I don’t want to compete and I just want to participate in the program?
We offer both as opportunities for you to decide! Of course, our program is oriented towards providing the most enjoyable competitive scene for esports, but we also include non-competitive titles to engage in with a moderated community too. If you want to just join the community without any competitive pressure, we will facilitate it just as passionately as the competitive program.
Will we compete? When will competitions be held?
Students will compete once every week against another regional school in the Fenworks program and will gain points that will determine eligibility for the State Tournament at the end of the year.
When is the season?
The season will begin in the fall and will conclude with a state tournament in the spring. Fenworks is mindful and respectful of school’s calendars as well.
Are we going to travel as a part of this program?
Students will not be required to travel to participate or compete within the program—the Fenworks program will be facilitated remotely. Students will, however, have the opportunity to travel to compete at the end-of-season state tournament!
What happens if I have to miss some days?
This is okay! Simply let your school’s General Manager know that you will be gone. Please keep in mind that academic/extracurricular commitments are of utmost importance and no student will be penalized for their absences regarding these other commitments.
What if I have another activity right after school?
If you have an activity right after school and can’t make our first session, join the night session! Fenworks offers two program times to allow for the most student participation.