A man dressed as a ninja was attacked and severely beaten by a woman in skimpy black leather this past Wednesday in the Student Union.
The audience, clustered in front of BestBuy's Ultimate Home Theater powered by Xbox 360, cheered and jeered the gamers on during the "Dead or Alive 4" demo.
Game U College Tour 2006 arrived at UB with 50 PC and video screens, allowing students to sample games ranging from "Madden '07" to "Tiger Wood's PGA Tour" to "Splinter Cell: Double Agent" and "Halo 2."
"We're here to promote Xbox 360, Mountain Dew, and Suzuki," said Drew Patterson, production manager of the Game U tour for BestBuy. "We've been going to major colleges all across the US."
BestBuy also held a raffle with a $1,500 prize to spend at a company store, as well as a $100 prize for snagging the best time in "Project Gotham Racing," set up in a Suzuki car on the sidewalk outside.
"No one's going to go to class today," said Fernando Ortega, a junior media studies major. "But it's a good event, it brings everyone together. I look forward to this every semester."
Other attractions included a free Mountain Dew bar, periodic free merchandise such as T-shirts and key chains, and constant live music from DJ Doc Fu.
The large, hypnotic video screens managed to attract a good number of students passing through the Union.
"The turnout's really good," said Cate Schrum, a graduate assistant for Team UB and Student Activities. "There's a lot of people here and they're enjoying themselves."
Student Life, Schrum said, organizes the event under the direction of Jen Wantz, assistant director of Student Activities.
Judging by the reactions of students, it appeared that this goal was accomplished.
"The event is fun," said Sidanii Bell, a freshman undecided major. "You get to see all the games that Xbox has out and what they have to offer."
Rob Forbes, a senior chemical engineering major, enjoyed the free drinks.
"It's pretty cool," Forbes said. "I like the free Mountain Dew. I went to the one last semester too, so I'm pretty happy they did it again."
Jennifer Silmser, a sophomore English major, thought the tour was a good way to get students involved.
"This is really cool," she said. "It gets people out doing things. It gives them something to do, a reason to hang around the Union."
While men and women alike paused to check out the games, guys were principal gender on the floor.
"The men definitely dominate the video gaming area here," said Whitney Little, a junior communications and art history double major. "I feel like I have to represent for all the women right now."
However, female gamers present did not feel uncomfortable as they played.
"I did notice that there were a lot fewer girls playing games, but it's fine," Silmser said, shrugging and smiling. "I don't really care."
Male and female gamers alike agreed that playing video games was a fun way to unwind from schoolwork.
"I play as much as I can, probably once a day," Silmser said. "It helps me relax. It's fun, something to help get my mind off things."
Bell was of a similar opinion.
"With all the stress from midterms and all the work you have to do for papers, it's just a chance to sit back and relax," he said.
One student had a sobering experience while checking out the games' increasingly detailed and lifelike animation. Hans Samaniego, a senior majoring in management information systems, had a disconcerting moment while playing a game simulating war.
"As I was playing the game I imagined myself in Iraq," he said. "It made me feel like I was there. The more real we make war in the video games, the less we think about it in real life."
