BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Titan players with Illinois Wesleyan’s Esports Program spent the spring semester scoring big at championships, qualifying for nationals
and connecting with each other in the game room.  

The program includes 43 active players, who compete in video game teams including
Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Valorant and Overwatch. Standout moments for the
teams from the spring semester included Rocket League winning a conference championship,
Smash Bros traveling to 10 events and qualifying for the top 3 in each, Valorant qualifying
for the Great Lakes Esport Conference (GLEC) fall championship, and Overwatch winning
the spring GLEC and qualifying for nationals as well as winning their National Esports
Collegiate Conference and placing second in nationals.  

Director of Esports Cora Kennedy said collegiate gaming is another pathway for students
to engage with each other and find a purpose on campus.

“It gives students a goal to work for, unifies them as a team and creates a community
unlike any other that students can latch on to,” said Kennedy. “It grows students
as people, players and professionals through soft skills such as teamwork, communication,
leadership and problem solving that has become a core part of every type of experience
in esports.”

Psychology major Kyan Geiser ‘28, who plays on the Valorant team, said he played esports
in high school and discovered the IWU esports program while applying to colleges.
The chance to be involved in collegiate esports, paired with financial aid, helped
secure Geiser’s choice to become a Titan. 

Quickly, the esports team became a “home away from home” as Geiser adjusted to life
in college. 

“Having that built-in support system from the esports program made a huge difference
in my success in and out of the classroom at IWU,” said Geiser. “No matter how good
or bad my day was, the fact that I was able to end the day doing something positive
that I love surrounded by people that I love always grounded me.”

Geiser said one common misconception about the world of Esports is that just anyone
could play and win a competition, when in reality it requires significant teamwork,
strategy and communication skills. But he stressed that collegiate esports “is a super
welcoming community.”

“No matter your skill level, we would love to have anyone interested be involved in
some shape or form. We even have academy teams that are made to help people learn
and get better at the game, while still giving them a chance to compete. Everyone
should feel welcome, even if it is just to come say hi,” said Geiser.

Kennedy encouraged anyone who is interested in esports to contact her at ckenned2@iwu.edu. 

Over the summer, Kennedy said technology in the IWU Esports Arena will be refreshed,
summer camps will open to local youth and directors and coaches will attend conferences
to maintain their competitive edge . 

“We have hit our stride as a program and I intend to keep it rolling,” she said.

Deadmau5 is breaking his silence on selling his music catalog to Create Music Group for $55 million.

The producer, born Joel Zimmerman, said in his June 2 cover story for Billboard Canada, three months after the deal was closed:

“I’m not so attached to [my catalogue] that I think it would’ve been some huge asset 20 or 30 years down the line.”

Billboard has reported that his catalogue includes over 4,000 songs, including classics like Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff, The Veldt, and Strobe. In addition to this, the deal also covered the catalog of mau5trap, which was founded by deadmau5’s label in 2007. It is known for having released music by several artists, including Rezz, Lamorn, Spencer Brown, Tinlicker, Rinzen, and Kx5.

deadmau5’s deal to sell his catalog explored:

Speaking with Billboard Canada, deadmau5 went on,

“I mean, I’m sure they’ll make all their money back and more. But for me, it was just time to reel everything back in, throw some money back into production for the next couple of years and then start over. So, nothing changes. I’m still writing new music and doing everything I do.”

Variety has reported that the electronic music artist’s catalog was sold for over $55 million, and as part of their new partnership, CMG will implement a “robust multi-platform strategy,” the announcement stated at the time.

This includes remastering and re-releasing prolific pieces in the catalog, dropping exclusive content, and “leveraging innovative marketing tactics to introduce the mau5trap legacy to new generations of fans.”

Variety has reported that the collaboration was also expected to delve into new licensing opportunities, brand partnerships, and focusing more attention on growing media forms like gaming, VR and live streaming to bring in additional sources of revenue.

deadmau5’s career in music spans two decades, and he has since become one of electronic music’s most prolific artists. He founded his record label, mau5trap, to rally for artist rights and ownership.

Jonathan Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Create Music Group, said as the deal was announced:

“When deadmau5 put on that helmet, he didn’t just create a brand—he sparked a movement. His vision redefined electronic music, pushing boundaries and reshaping the industry. From the earliest days of Create Music Group, [co-founder and COO] Alexandre Williams and I had the privilege of working alongside Joel and his business partner Dean Wilson, witnessing firsthand the evolution of an icon.”

He added,

“Now, as the stewards of deadmau5 and mau5trap’s legendary catalog, we inherit a legacy that changed music forever. Joel’s influence reaches far beyond sound—his mastery bridges music, gaming, and technology, inspiring a new generation to think bigger. This is more than an acquisition; it’s a responsibility.”

Zimmerman chimed in:

“I have worked closely with Jonathan, Alex, and Create for nearly two decades now, building my own career as well as the artists on mau5trap. We didn’t need to look far when we were considering a partner to help get it all to the next level. With Create, I feel the music is going to reach more.”

Wilson, deadmau5’s longtime manager, also chimed in at the time:

“Over the last 20 years, fueled by Joel’s creative and entrepreneurial ambitions, we have built one of the strongest brand names in electronic music. To have partnered with Create, who have worked so closely with us over the years on our journey, ensures that the next two decades will be every bit as exciting for Joel and everyone on the mau5trap team as we work to expand our legacy even further.”

Variety has reported that at the time, Paul Hastings LLP served as the legal counsel for CMG, while LaPolt Law P.C. worked with deadmau5 and mau5trap.