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Gaming Studio

Game controllers on a table with game studio in the background

The Gaming Studio is a free-to-use open studio space located on the fourth floor of Newman Library, room 400A. The space houses nine high-end gaming PCs with preinstalled games and game development software for patron use. The space also has various-sized tables for playing tabletop or board games and a large double couch with screens for console gaming. The individual areas of the space can be booked by patrons during our Staffed Hours. During Staffed hours, a collection of board games, tabletop role playing games, console systems and games, gaming accessories, and game prototyping materials are available for use by patrons by speaking with studio Staff. Patrons can also bring their own peripherals to use in the space as well. 

Staffed Hours: The studio is reserved for gaming and game development purposes. Users with bookings will have priority use of the space, though walk-in users are welcome on a first-come-first-served basis. Patrons using the space for non-gaming reasons, such as non-gaming homework, may be asked to leave.

Non-Staffed Hours: The computers in the space are usable for gaming, and the area is available for general study and use.

Public use and minors: Public community members are encouraged to use the studio. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian and cannot be left unattended in the space. Please be aware that games in the studio, as well as patron language, may contain mature content.

Events: You must contact the manager of the Gaming Studio prior to hosting any event in the Studio space. All events must be free and open to anyone to participate (though sign-ups / reservations may be allowed).

Do not remove chairs, furniture, or equipment from the Gaming Studio for any reason.

In order to maintain a respectful and safe environment, please follow any directive given by a Staff member, including orders to leave the Gaming Studio or the building in situations such as an emergency, early closure, or behavior violations.

Consoles

  • Xbox Series X
  • Playstation 5
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Sega Genesis Mini
  • Playstation Classic
  • Atari 2600+
  • Numerous controllers for each console
  • Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Force Shifter
  • Thrustmaster Flight Simulator Joystick and Throttle
  • Accessibility controllers for Xbox and Playstation with accessories
  • Various headphones

PC Accessories

  • Logitech PRO X Gaming Headset
  • Logitech PRO X Lightspeed Gaming Mouse
  • Logitech PRO X Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard
  • The flight simulator and racing stations listed above also work on PC

Board Games

  • 7 Wonders New Edition Strategy Board Game
  • A Feast for Odin Strategy Board Game
  • Anomia: Party Edition
  • Arkham Horror Third Edition Strategy Board Game 
  • Azul Strategy Board Game
  • Betrayal at House on the Hill 3rd Edition Game
  • Blood Rage Board Game
  • Carcassonne Board Game
  • Catan Strategy Board Game: 5th Edition
  • Cathedral Wood Strategy Tabletop Board Game Classic
  • Caverna: the Cave Farmers Strategy Board Game
  • Chess and Checkers 2-in-1
  • Chickapig Board Game
  • Clank! a Deck-Building Adventure Game
  • Clue Classic Mystery Board Game
  • Codenames Board Game
  • Coup Board Game
  • Dead Mans Draw Card Game
  • Dinosaur Island Board Game
  • Dixit New 2021 Edition Board Game
  • Dominion Big Box 2nd Edition Card Game
  • Dune Imperium Game
  • Everdell 3rd Edition (Standard Edition) Board Game
  • Flamecraft Board Game
  • Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion Board Game
  • HUES and CUES - Vibrant Color Guessing Board Game
  • Inis Board Game
  • Legacy of Yu Board Game
  • Lords of Waterdeep: a Dungeons & Dragons Board Game
  • Mansions of Madness 2nd Edition Cooperative Board Game
  • Marvel Champions: the Card Game
  • Munchkin Deluxe Card Game
  • Mysterium Cooperative Board Game
  • Near and Far Board Game
  • One Night Ultimate Werewolf
  • Orleans - Deck Bag and Pool Building Strategy Board Game
  • Pandemic Strategy Board Game
  • Pax Pamir Board Game (2nd Edition)
  • Rising Sun Board Game
  • Robinson Crusoe 2E
  • Root Adventurous Family Board Game
  • Scythe Board Game
  • Sheriff of Nottingham - 2nd Edition
  • Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Thames Murders & Other Cases Cooperative Game
  • Small World Strategy Board Game
  • Spirit Island Board Game
  • Star Wars: Outer Rim Strategy Board Game
  • Star Wars: Rebellion Board Game
  • Sushi Go the Pick and Pass Card Game
  • Takenoko Board Game
  • Teotihuacan - City of Gods
  • Terraforming Mars Board Game
  • The Mind - Family-Friendly Card Game
  • The Quacks of Quedlinburg: Mega Box Board Game
  • Ticket to Ride Strategy Board Game
  • Time Stories Strategy Board Game 
  • Vast & the Mysterious Manor Game
  • Viceroy Game
  • Wavelength Party Game
  • Wingspan Strategy Board Game

TTRPGs

  • Alice Is Missing
  • Avatar Legends Game Starter Set
  • Blade Runner RPG Starter Set
  • Blades in the Dark Tabletop Role Playing Game
  • Brindlewood Bay: a Dark & Cozy Mystery Game
  • Call of Cthulhu Rpg Keeper Rulebook: Horror Roleplaying in the Worlds of H.P. Lovecraft
  • Coyote & Crow the Role Playing Game
  • Cypher System Rust and Redemption by Monte Cook Games - RPG
  • Death in Space RPG 
  • Dragonbane: RPG Core Set
  • Dune Rpg Core Book
  • Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide - 5th Edition
  • Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual - 5 Edition
  • Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook - 5th Edition
  • Fate RPG: Core System
  • Fiasco Expansion Pack: Join the Cult
  • Fiasco: Boxed Game
  • Girl by Moonlight Role Playing Game
  • Goblin Quest - a Game of Fatal Incompetence
  • GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns
  • GURPS Basic Set: Characters, Fourth Edition
  • Heart: the City Beneath - Quickstart Edition Source Book
  • Into the Odd Remastered - RPG Book
  • Kids on Bikes Powered Character Deck
  • Little Wizards
  • Masks: a New Generation
  • Monster of the Week Roleplaying Game
  • Mork Borg
  • Old School Solo: Old- School Essentials Version
  • Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
  • Root RPG: Travelers and Outsiders Source Book
  • Tales from the Loop Rpg Starter Set
  • Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
  • The One Ring Rpg Starter Set
  • Thirsty Sword Lesbians RPG
  • Vaesen Nordic Horror Roleplaying

Miscellaneous

  • Poker Chip Set with Dealer Token and Cards
  • TTRPG Gaming Accessories
  • Ring Toss Games
  • Card and Dice Gaming Accessories
  • Magic The Gathering 2023 Starter Kit
  • Magic The Gathering Arena Starter Kit
  • Magic the Gathering 2022 Starter Commander Decks, Set of 5 Decks

Development Software
  • Blender
  • Fusion 360
  • Inkscape
  • Maya
  • MotionBuilder
  • OBS Studio
  • Unity 3D
  • Unreal Engine
  • Visual Studio
  • Visual Studio Code

Games

If you want to request a new game, you can fill out our form.

Studio Resources

  • Request a Game - Use this form to request the studio obtain a new game. You can request any type of game using this form.
  • Request the Space for an Event - Send us an email and explain a little about your event. If the space is available, and your event falls within the scope of our service, we will consider it.

Game Development

Campus Resources

Software Learning Resources

We are excited you want to use this space! Please remember, we all share the Library and keeping it means caring for it. Patrons are responsible for the rules and expectations listed below.

The Gaming Studio Consultants, Managers, and Studios Staff are here to help ensure that everyone is able to enjoy and benefit from the space. To do that work, they may ask patrons to follow rules, check their conduct, or intervene in difficult situations. Patrons who fail to adhere to Studio policy will be asked to leave by the Gaming Studio Consultants on duty.

  • Acceptable use of computers: By using our computers you are agreeing to all Studio and Virginia Tech policies including the Acceptable Use Policy. Using the computers for commercial purposes, including using computer or network resources to generate income, is strictly prohibited.
  • Principles of Community: Users of the studio are expected to follow the Virginia Tech Principles of Community while using the studio. This includes respecting Staff, fellow patrons, and other players online. Abusive language or behavior, including excessive swearing, will not be tolerated regardless of intent.
  • Illness: Please do not come into the Studio if you are experiencing symptoms of an illness. Patrons who appear to be sick and are not following reasonable measures to prevent the spread of illness to other patrons may be asked to leave.
  • Equipment: Do not attempt to remove or return any equipment from or to the cabinets. Ask the Staff to retrieve any games or equipment you would like to use. You will be billed for repair or replacement of broken, lost, or stolen equipment. Amount of replacement costs are available upon request. Equipment will be assessed upon completion of booking to determine if these costs are necessary.
  • Clean-up: Return all borrowed equipment to the Staff member and leave the room in good condition for the next patrons. This includes resetting the area to the way you found it and putting trash in the trash bins. This also includes returning the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and chairs to their typical location.
  • Ask for help: Report any problems or issues with the space or equipment to a Staff member immediately.
  • Noise: Please keep your noise to a reasonable level. If other patrons complain, or if the Staff feels your volume is excessive, we will ask you to be quieter.
  • No cheating: Do not attempt to cheat at the games you play on library accounts or abuse other players in the studio or online. If you get our accounts banned due to cheating or misbehavior within a game, we will ban you from using the studio.
  • Privacy and sleep: The Studio is not intended to provide privacy or quiet. Staff may speak with you during a game session or ask to inspect equipment as needed for security, maintenance, or other reasons. Patrons sleeping in the studio may be asked to leave.
  • Personal property: Don’t leave your personal property unattended, including library materials that have been checked out. Personal property cannot reserve or hold a computer. The Library is not liable for loss/damage to personal property. Unattended property may be moved to the 2nd floor lost and found. 
  • Eat at tables: Eating at the tables is permitted. Please do not eat, or drink from an open container, while sitting at the computers or on the Gaming Studio couches.

  • Restart your computer at the end of your session to clear your personal information.
  • You may use your own accounts on our equipment, but you are responsible for logging out after your session to prevent any following users from gaining access. The Library is not liable for unattended or digital material or personal information left on the computers. 
  • Studios equipment are preloaded with available applications, and temporary storage space is available during your booking.
  • Long-term storage is wiped with every computer restart. We are not responsible for, nor can we recover, lost data.

  • Reservations during Staffed Hours take priority and can be booked up to 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
  • Reservations are limited to three hours per person, per day, up to three days per week. Some reservations may be extended, with advanced notice and with special permission from the Studio Management, based on usage needs and availability.
  • Individual computers may have access to different games and software and so reservations made on a computer must be kept on that computer. If someone is at your computer at the time of your booking please speak to the Staff member.
  • Arrive within 15 minutes of your booking time or the reservation is forfeited, and the equipment/space becomes available for others on a first-come, first-served basis for the remainder of the reservation period.
  • Library Management reserves the right to resolve scheduling problems by adjusting reservations or schedules.
  • To cancel a reservation, login to bookings.lib.vt.edu.
  • The Gaming Studio is open to all patrons of the University Libraries. However, non-student minors may only use the studio only while accompanied by a parent or guardian. While we do our best to create safe spaces for patrons, studio Staff cannot act as a responsible party for an unaccompanied minor. If you violate this policy, you will be asked to leave.
  • If you are interested in holding a gaming-related event in the space, you must reach out to game-studio@vt.edu with information about your event.
  • Fewer than 10 people at consoles: The console area can fit up to 10 people total. This includes standing just behind the couches.

Repeated violations of these policies could result in administrative action, including – but not limited to – deletion of reservations, barring an individual’s ability to make Studios reservations, or referral to the Dean of Students.

Events and Maintenance Closures: Occasionally the space will be closed to accommodate an event or maintenance need. Please do not attempt to use the computers if there is a sign or barrier belt across the doorway.

Please note: Studios’ management does not guarantee the availability of all advertised hardware or software due to unforeseen maintenance.

Book This Space

Open Hours

The Studio closes for official university closings and most holidays and breaks. Visit the University Libraries hours page for info on closures and open hours updates.

Workshops

The Studios Network offers many free workshops on various technologies, including virtual and augmented reality development. See our list of upcoming workshops for information on how to register.

Contact

Email game-studio@vt.edu or stop by Newman Library, Room 400A

Need Help?

We offer consultations on topics like video and board game development and others. Visit our consultations page to see what topics we cover and request a time to speak with someone.

Student Jobs

Open positions for student employment in the Studios Network are listed on Handshake.com.  If you are interested in working in one or more of the studios and have questions,  please reach out to librarystudios@vt.edu for more information on current opportunities.

Other Studios