UST Minecraft was recognized as the “Project of the Year” in the first-ever AcadArena Awards, besting two other schools.
The UST Minecraft team was cited for “showcasing student talent and skill in the realm of Esports and video games and for becoming a platform for community building.”
Institute of Information and Computing Sciences junior Charles Nobleza, founder of the project, said that the attention they had received from the Thomasian community helped them earn a nomination for the event.
Nobleza said support from Thomasians, the UST administration and the public allowed the project to make a “significant impact on campus esports and the gaming community itself.”
Ateneo de Manila University and Technological University of the Philippines were runners-up for the Project of the Year award, whose winners were announced on Feb. 14.
UST Minecraft recreated the University’s 21.5-hectare campus in the sandbox video game. The team also recreated student dormitories and condominiums and famous food spots around UST.
UST conducted its Welcome Walk 2020 using the virtual campus, as the Covid-19 pandemic prohibited face-to-face classes.
Nobleza said the UST Minecraft team was looking into hosting other UST events virtually through its Minecraft server.
“We are currently working on making the other traditional events possible such as the Baccalaureate Mass and maybe host a tour for USTAR (University of Santo Tomas Admission Rating) applicants in order for them to have a glimpse of what to expect if they pass and study here at UST,” Nobleza said.
AcadArena Awards is organized by AcadArena, a national campus esports program that aims to promote electronic sports in the Philippines.
