Undergraduate Excellence: Interview with Top 50 Super Smash Bros. Player, Tyroy

The Undergraduate Library is dedicated to supporting student research and achievements. We also enjoy recognizing undergraduate student success throughout students’ academic and personal journeys. Today, we would like to do just that.

We sat down to interview Tyler “Tyroy” Awdisho. Tyler is an undergraduate student studying Computer Science. He has been a student since the fall of 2015. He is also a professional Super Smash Bros. player, being globally ranked 39th in Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U, and all-time ranked 55th over the video game’s four-year competitive lifespan between 2014 and 2018.

Tyler has been competing in Smash Bros. since 2008 with the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and it has been his main competitive gaming series. While he was never ranked globally in Brawl, he has been ranked in two of the five Panda Global Rankings and on the all-time rankings for the Wii U iteration of the series. Within Illinois, Tyler has consistently been ranked top three in the state and #1 in Champaign. While there are no rankings so far for the newest game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Tyler has already been winning large events, including House of Paign 20: a regional Smash Bros. event that took place in the Illini Union.

The first display case of The Undergraduate Library Student Art Gallery with the current set of artwork.

Tyroy’s Panda Global Ranking player card for the 5th and final seasonal ranking.

Undergrad: How have you been able to compete nationally and then also be a student, and then what issues have come up while being a competitor and a student?

Tyler: Competing while a student—usually I only compete a couple days a week—so I try to go to regionals that are only one day or weekly events. Recently, I’ve been more focused on school so if I’m not feeling super confident where I’m standing with school work, I’ll skip weeklies; I used to not really do that.

I think playing competitively and school at the same time is doable, but it really depends on where you are in both because certain schedules can be harder than others in school. In the last year of Smash Four, I didn’t really have to practice at all ’cause I was already really good at the game and it didn’t change since there were no updates.

In Smash Ultimate, it’s a little different. I think it’s a little harder for me in the new game. I’m not doing poorly, I just do worse than I did before. It’s definitely a change of pace. It doesn’t hurt that much to do worse, and I guess I’m more mature about it—at least not needing to do well and sacrificing school for it.

I do think going to major events (any event that’s more than one day), is very hard to do in school if you don’t happen to have Fridays off. Even if you don’t have to skip any class, it’s really hard not to fall behind taking three days off of school. There were times when I was in school before where I went to a few multi-day events and it was definitely extremely stressful the whole time thinking about school and worrying about coming back. I don’t think it’s worth it anymore.

Undergrad: In what ways has being a competitor helped you be a student and what ways has being a student helped you be a competitor?

Tyler: I’d say a lot of school and Smash are similar in terms of getting better. When you’re at weeklies and in between big tournaments it’s almost like when you’re learning at school. It’s very easy to not do anything between classes because you’re not being tested. But when the test comes or the big assignment happens, you should have been doing something. When you’re at a major or taking a test and you’re like ‘am I ready for this?,’ it’s a similar sensation. You need to prepare for either.

Undergrad: Do you see a lot of people who may also be students or have a lot of similar traits or personalities to people you meet on campus at premier tournaments, especially considering you major in Computer Science?

Tyler: There’s definitely similarities to Comp Sci people and Smash people, but I don’t think—smash people aren’t necessarily—I don’t think the average Smasher that sticks around for awhile—like ranked people or long time players and PGR members—it’s actually weird how many aren’t gamers. Like nerdy, I guess. I’m not saying that there’s a lot that aren’t nerdy, but there’s a lot more [who are not gamers] than you’d expect. I’ve definitely talked to a pretty decent amount of Smash players that have never played a Nintendo game other than Smash Bros. That’s weird to me because I’d assume that smashers would be Nintendo fans. People are almost more nerdy in school—at least the people I know.

Undergrad: Is there anything else you’d like to say to other college students interested in competing or Smashers in general?

Tyler: I would just say it’s not as hard as you think it is. That’s an important thing. I think a lot of people assume that they’re farther away from being good than they are. There’s a lot of tiny things that matter a very very very high amount.

~

We would like to thank Tyler for agreeing to sit down and interview with us.

Written by Zander

(This interview has been edited for clarity).

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DON’T DISTRESS, DE-STRESS AT THE UGL DE-STRESS FEST!

As the semester winds down, the intensity always ramps up. Don’t worry, the UGL has you covered. On Reading Day, Thursday December 13th, we have programming to help curb your stress with our semesterly De-Stress Fest! Choose your own adventure by looking at the categories of programming we have below. For a concise hourly schedule, see the image at the bottom, but be sure you stick around for 8:00p.m.…because you never know what Uggles has up her sleeves—er, paws.

Flyer for Destress Fest. Image shows a very distressed student.

It’s time to Destress!

Tackling that Final Research Paper or Project?

Starting at 12:00p.m. you can join the Writers Workshop in their “Long Night Against Procrastination” to fight the monsters that are your final writing projects. Research consultations will also have extended hours starting at 2:00p.m. until 10:00p.m. in the consultation corner. The Writers Workshop will close at 11:00p.m..

The Writers Workshop will also host several activities throughout the day in the UGL lobby for you word-nerds and grammar geeks (don’t worry, everyone at the library is one too!)

Need to take a break?

The graduate assistants hear you and we want to get crafty! Come procraftinate with us all day long from 12:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. and 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. in the new books section of the UGL. We will have coloring pages, pet rock painting, and button making.  If you don’t have time to craft, pick up a de-stress bag full of word puzzles and brain teasers that you can use to take a break between flash cards, math problems, or book chapters!

Feeling competitive?

Come to room 289 to participate in a variety of board games, party games, and an Illini trivia session. If you can pin the tail on Uggles or beat a team of friends/strangers at trivia, you can win a small piece of sugary motivation. (Candy, the motivation is candy.) You can also play one of the board games out of the UGL board game collection!

If you’re into video games, we have that too. From 8:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. in the gaming center, come test your gamer skills on vintage games with classics like Mario Kart, Dr. Mario-Tetris, Street Fighter, and more!

Need to vent or manage your stress?

The Integrative Health and Wellness Team will be in the UGL front lobby from 12:00p.m. to 2:00p.m. and the McKinley Stress Management Peers will have stress balls available for free from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

Want to escape the real world for a while?

We hear you, and we have just the people to help! Several members of the Pathfinder Society who know how to play the popular Dungeons & Dragons Pathfinder game will be around to answer your Pathfinder related questions from 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. in the UGL front lobby. Then you have a chance to use your new knowledge to play a beginners scenario in UGL Group Room 11 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.

See our full schedule below!

The Destress Fest Full Schedule. The schedule in the image is the following. From noon to ten p.m., Trivia and Board Games in Room 289. From Noon until two p.m., Integrative Health and Wellness Team will be at the Front Tables. From Noon to four p.m. and five p.m. to eight p.m., Pet Rocks, Button Making, and Crafts in the new books area. From two p.m. to ten p.m., Research and Writing Consultations outside the Writer's Workshop. From two p.m. to four p.m., McKinley Stress Management Peers at the Front Tables. From four p.m. to six p.m., Creating your own revision vision board at the front tables. From six p.m. to eight p.m., Pathfinder Beginners Scenario in Group Room eleven and Word Games and Writing Handouts at the Front tables. At eight p.m. there is a surprise, and from eight p.m. to ten p.m. there is vintage video gaming in the Gaming Center.

The Schedule of events

Written by Paige

Edited by Zander

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De-Stress Fest Spring 2018!

Feeling the pressure of finals? We sure are! Come spend Reading Day on May 3rd at the UGL and blow off some steam. Check out our schedule of the day’s events!

All Day

An orange UGL lanyard with homemade buttons of an avocado, tatiana maslany, a dog in a field, Uggles, BB-8, and tina fey

Make buttons of the things you love like avocados and Tatiana Maslany!

What: Crafts, origami, and button-making
Where: Upper level, front of the library
Spend your day making crafts with paper, pipecleaners, and pet rocks! Make a button for your backpack, lanyard, or jean jacket with the UGL’s button-maker!

What: Long Night Against Procrastination
Where: Writers Workshop
Join the Writers Workshop in the Long Night Against Procrastination. Get help from writing tutors all day long until midnight!

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

A photo of Altgeld hall with the text "Illinois - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign counseling center" overlaid in white text

The Counseling Center is here to help!

What: Counseling Center
Where: Upper Level, front of the library
Feeling the stress of finals season? The counseling center is there for you! Get help and resources from the Counseling Center all afternoon!

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Outside patio tables
If you’re still powering through those final research papers, the UGL is here to help! Bask in the sun and spend some time with a one-on-one research consultation at one of our outdoor research consultations.

What: Bubbles, games, and sidewalk chalk
Where: Outside the UGL
If you just need a break from the library, come outside and play games! Sidewalk chalk, board games, and bubbles will be outside the UGL on the patio all afternoon!

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What: Word Games with the Writers Workshop
Where: Writers Workshop
Exercise your brain and have fun with Bananagrams and other word games at the Writers Workshop!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Roll for Initiative!

What: Pathfinder Character Creation
Where: Undergrad Library, Group Room 11
Take your RPG playing to the next level and create your own custom character with the help of the UGL’s Game Masters in Residence!

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

What: Research and Writing Consultations
Where: Consultation Corner

Cram in some last minute research and writing help at the Consultation Corner!

8:00 pm

SURPRISE! Show up at the UGL at 8 pm for a sweet surprise!

8:00 pm – Midnight

Yes, you can still play Street Fighter 2

What: Vintage Video Games
Where: UGL Gaming Center
Missing your old school video games? Come play with the UGL’s RetroN, a 10-system console capable of running SEGA, Game Boy, NES, Genesis, SNES and more!

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Retro Gaming at the Playful by Design Spring Symposium!

On Friday, April 6th, the UGL is teaming up with Playful by Design to bring gaming to the Spring Symposium! The main events will take place in the new Armory Innovation Spaces at the Armory building. In this post, you’ll find a schedule of events for that Friday and a preview of some of the retro games we’ll be bringing that you will be able to play!

All-Day Events

We will be a part of the all-day events going from 10:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. in Armory room 182! Listed below are the events taking place all day.

GAME DESIGN OPEN HOUSE

Share your latest game designs or hear from others working on designing games!  This group will be lead by Victor Mouschovias.

VINTAGE TABLE TOP AND VIDEO GAMES

Vintages Games will be hosted by the Undergraduate Library! We have brought a variety of retro games for you to play. There will also be vintage table top games for you and your friends to play.

List of Retro Games

  • Tetris & Dr. Mario (SNES)
  • Super Mario All Stars (SNES)
  • Castlevania Bloodlines (Sega Genesis)
  • Kid Icarus (Nintendo Gameboy)
  • A Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
  • Bust a Move 4 (Nintendo Gameboy)
  • Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
  • Star Fox (SNES)
  • Super Mario Kart (SNES)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis)
  • Ninja Gaiden (NES)
  • Street Fighter 2 Turbo (SNES)

Self-Organized Networking & Design Sessions

Throughout the day there will be other speaking sessions and events! At any time, you can have impromptu workshops or continue discussing these topics by signing up to reserve space at the registration table.

Poster for the keynote speaker, Colleen Macklin

Keynote Speaker, Colleen Macklin, will give a speech titled “Gaming the System: How Games Make Meaning in a Mixed up World”

For a complete schedule including Thursday and Saturday events, you can check the event web-page.  Optionally, you can register for the event and say you’re going on the Facebook event page.

 

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From the Table to the Couch: Video Games to Play Over Thanksgiving Break

So you’re done eating pounds of turkey and wondering ‘well, what do I do now with all this time on my hands.’ The Undergrad’s got you covered with our extensive video game collection! Take some time to relax and play some games before coming back to studying. Here’s just some of the games that we have available right before the break.

Rock Out with Elite Beat Agents

Elite Beat Agents Cover Art

The Elite Beat Agents

System: DS/3DS

If you like the idea of being a secret agent and a rock star in one package, Elite Beat Agents is the game for you. In this music rhythm game, play through nineteen songs ranging from “Material Girl” by Madonna and “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago. This is perfect for on the go play.

Prove yourself with Titanfall 2

Titanfall Cover Art

Titanfall

System: Xbox One

Take a friend or annoying sibling and remind them you’re still the best when it comes to FPS. Choose between playing in your Titan or playing as just a tech heavy human in the Game Critics Award multiplayer game of the year for 2016.

Stop Egg Thieves in the Angry Birds Trilogy

Angry Birds Trilogy Cover Art

Angry Birds Trilogy

System: Xbox 360

Play all three Angry Birds games in one with this console version of the addictive phone app. Show your friends you learned something about projectile physics all while taking on those nefarious pigs who are probably planning to steal your eggs.

Explore the World in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cover art

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

System: WiiU

One of the current nominees for game of the year, 2017 is available for the upcoming break! The weather is starting to be chilly, the leaves aren’t so colorful anymore, but the beautiful world of Breath of the Wild can be seen while you’re drinking hot coffee and snuggling with a blanket indoors.

All of these and more are available at the Undergraduate Library right now, downstairs in the media collection space. Happy gaming!

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READ.WATCH.PLAY: Be Library Famous!

Ever look at your dorm room or apartment walls and wonder, “My decorations are alright, but a poster of myself would really spice this place up”? Well, it’s your lucky day! The UGL is excited to announce the second annual READ.WATCH.PLAY. Poster Contest. All you have to do is tell us about your favorite library resource and you could be featured on a poster in the UGL! Not only will you get to keep a copy of the poster, but all of your hard work during those late-night study sessions will pay off when you become Library Famous.

READ.WATCH.PLAY. Poster Contest READ.WATCH.PLAY. Poster Contest

Here’s how it works:
1. You must be a current undergraduate student at the University of Illinois.

2. You must follow us on at least one of our social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.

3. You will then pick a book, movie, or video game that you want to pose with. Explain to us (just 2 or 3 sentences) why you chose that book, movie, or video game and why you think other undergrads would be interested in it.

4. Tell us about your favorite service or space at the Undergraduate Library.

A print application will be available at the Circulation Desk on the Upper Level of the UGL. Too excited to wait? Click here for an online application!

Winners will be chosen on November 9 and a “photo shoot” will take place at the video production studio in the UGL. Be prepared to reveal your inner supermodel. Once the photos are done, your poster will be printed out and displayed in our wonderful library through spring. An extra poster will be printed out for you to keep!

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UGL 101: The Unexpected Joys of the Undergraduate Library

Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Photo courtesy of UGL Media Commons

Have you ever wanted to learn about all of the unique services the UGL has to offer in one video? Lucky for you, the UGL has created a new tour video! Group rooms, video production studio, loanable technology – we’ve got it all. Check it out below to learn more!


For more information on UGL services, check out some of the following links:

Reserve a Group Study Room

Office Hours

Video Studio Reservation

Audio Studio Reservation

Loanable Technology

Like the video? Let us know by tweeting at us (@askundergrad) or writing on our Facebook wall (Undergraduate Library @ UIUC).

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UGL Gaming Expo 2015

Welcome back from Spring Break. We’re nearing the end of the semester and finals are just around the corner. To ease the pain, we will be hosting the Gaming Expo, right here at the UGL. On April 9th, from 6-9 PM (upper level, near the video gaming area), you will be able to play our vintage games from our vault, compete with your buddies with games from our collection, check out our Loanable Technology items, and enjoy a study break!

UGL Gaming Expo 2015.

UGL Gaming Expo 2015.

For those of you who are surprised, yes, we have a video game center and some great games from our collection. For all you Maria Kart fans out there, the UGL Media Collection has Double Dash, Super Circuit, Super Mario and much more. To those who are wondering, we do indeed have FIFA (2010, 2011, and so on).

Mario Kart. Photo courtesy of Mikey Lemoi via Flickr

Mario Kart. Photo courtesy of Mikey Lemoi via Flickr

Some of us aren’t daily gamers, but no worries, the UGL has something for everyone. Minecraft allows players to build and construct their own world. Final Fantasy for those of us who like role-playing games. Football season may be over, but that doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing. Treat yourself to some Madden NFL.

Madden 09. Photo courtesy of Gamerscore Blog via Flickr

Madden 09. Photo courtesy of Gamerscore Blog via Flickr

We will also have some of our loanable technology out for display. If you have your own consoles and would like to play them in the comfort of your own dorm or apartment, we have what you’re looking for. Available for checkout at the UGL are the Nintendo 3DS XL handheld gaming consoles and the Wii U and PS4. The UGL isn’t all books, come by the expo to check out the items.

Nintendo 3DS XL. Photo courtesy of the Media Commons

Nintendo 3DS XL. Photo courtesy of the Media Commons

Last but not least, we will have our Nintendo 64, straight from our vault of vintage games and gaming consoles. Challenge your friends to an exciting game of Super Mario Kart. What are some of your favorite video games? Let us know in the comments below.

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Your tools for finals

Finals week is officially here. Yes, it’s a stressful time, but here at the UGL, we like to make your life easier. The UGL has a lot of resources to offer. These tools can make your life so much easier. So, sit back while we share all of the cool things at the UGL.

Are you in need of a calculator or flashdrive? Forgot them at home? No worries, come by the Loanable Technology desk at the UGL. This desk is located around the corner of the circulation desk on the upper level of the UGL. We have macbook chargers, iPhone charges, Chromebook laptops, and much for students to check out.

Loanable Technology at the UGL. Photo courtesy of the UGL Media Commons

Loanable Technology at the UGL. Photo courtesy of the UGL Media Commons

If you have any group projects to finish, be sure to reserve a group room, available on the upper level of the UGL. Looking to book for one person or five? Doesn’t matter, our group room reservation system, DIBS, is here to help.

Students working in a group room. Photo courtesy of the Undergraduate Library.

Students working in a group room. Photo courtesy of the Undergraduate Library.

If you need a bit of information on a certain topic, but don’t know where to start, subject guides are your friends. Browse the subject guides available on hundreds of topics like computer crime and hacking, student loan debt, women in the media, and much more.

If you don’t know how to…don’t worry, the UGL has the How Do I? pages. Inside this fabulous resource, we have pages on how to get started on your research, finding sources, evaluating sources, citing sources, and class pages. (CMN 101/111, ESL 112/115, and LAS 100).

Do you have a paper that’s due soon? Need someone to take a look over it? The Writers Workshop is here to help. They are located in the consultation corner on the upper level of the UGL. Be sure to go to them with all your writing needs.

The Media Commons gaming center. Photo courtesy of the UGL Media Commons

The Media Commons gaming center. Photo courtesy of the UGL Media Commons

Finals are stressful and take a lot out of you. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. That can be by eating healthy, exercising, or taking breaks in between studying. The UGL Media Commons has a gaming center. Come on over and play some video games with your friends. If video games aren’t your thing, go downstairs and check out the media collection. Treat yourself after finals by binge watching Dexter or Gilmore Girls, whatever floats your boat.

Good luck with finals and as always, the UGL is rooting for you.

 

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ACM GameBuilders Event at UGL

The University of Illinois has a wide range of organizations and clubs that allow students to nurture their talents and explore their interests. One of these groups, Gamebuilders from the University of Illinois chapter of the Association of Computer Machinery, will be showcasing their work Tuesday November 11th, from 7 to 9 PM in the UGL. The event will take place in the gaming area of the Media Commons. Students from ACM Gamebuilders will be on hand at the event to demonstrate over 25 games that they have created. It should be an informative and a fun look into the art and craftsmanship that went into producing these games. If you’re not able to make it to the event, you can still check out the groups work, as the UGL will have a computer running the games until the end of the semester.

GameBuilders focuses on creating and developing computer video games. This involves a wide range of activities and processes, including programming, visual asset creation, sound and music authoring, as well as game design. The group also provides education on game development and mentoring for interested students who are new to game development. If you’re interested, GameBuilders meets every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 in Room 3403 of the Siebel Center.

 

The following are some of the games that students from GameBuilders have created.

 Flagfight

 

Flagfight is a capture the flag game created by Luke Puchner-Hardman and Ryan Norby for the 2013 Global Student Game Developer Competition.

 

Cat-astrophe

 

A turn-based tower defense game created by Luke Puchner-Hardman for the Fall 2013 Gamebuild-a-Thon.

 

Dystheism 

 

This game is a 3D block-based puzzle game that features a number of abilities used to solve puzzles (ex: breaking blocks, throwing fireballs). Created by Jack LaSota.

 

Mineralz

 

Mineralz is a 3D tower defense game where you control a robotic dragon that is tasked with defending a crater against a horde of robotic enemies. Created by Ryan Norby, Luke Puchner-Hardman, Eric Christianson, Danny Sapato, and Rafael Rego Drumond.

 

If reading about these student-created games whetted your appetite for gaming, you’re in luck! The UGL has a large collection of modern videogames (including Xbox One and Playstation 4 titles), which can be either used in the UGL at the gaming center or checked out to play at home.The UGL also has a vintage gaming collection that is being preserved for classroom instruction and research use. We’re always adding new titles to our collection, so be sure to keep an eye out for new releases and old favorites.

What are your favorite independently developed games? Any favorite games of 2014 so far? Let us know in the comments.

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