Face-to-face contests relished by gamers

Donkey Con v2.1, organised by the Guernsey Esports Association, Just Games, and St James, was the fourth event of its kind in the last two years.

The day-long event featured esport tournaments, games demos, a cosplay contest and more.

Visitors had the chance to try out new games, compete in on-the-day challenges in Super Smash Bros and Rocket League for cash prizes, or have fun in the games lounge.

Thomas Dowinton, 13, who goes to St Sampson’s High School, and James Merrien, 13, who goes to Grammar, won the Rocket League competition, which was run in a pairs format at the last Donkey Con event.

Thomas was taking part in the singles format on this occasion.

‘I like competitive games and Rocket League is very competitive,’ he said.

Thomas said he had been playing the game for two to three years.

‘This is a good way to meet people and play games you like rather than just playing online,’ he said.

Health and Social Care student at the Guernsey College of Further Education, Levi Garnham, 20, was taking part in the cosplay event as Octoling from his favourite computer game Splatoon2. He was fourth in the first Donkey Con event and he won the second one.

‘The competition was very good the first time,’ he said. ‘You have to splat around and ink the most turf to win.’

Mr Garnham has been playing the game for three years.

‘I’ve clocked up 7,000 play hours so far and the biggest number I seen amongst other players is just over 5,000,’ he said.

Ben Wratten, from the not-for-profit Guernsey Esports Association, said the main aim of the event was to bring the local gaming community together and to highlight esports.

‘It’s about bringing the Guernsey gaming community together for formal competition,’ he said. ‘Our aim for the future is to run virtual competitions but for local gamers.’

One of the day’s games gave people the opportunity to control and land an aircraft, which Mr Wratten said was quite a challenge.

. Further information is available by going to gesa.gg.