Regis Club Fair Goes Virtual

By: Carly Compesi, Staff Writer

Mikaela Taylor roams the Regis club fair while navigating the Sims-like program Degy World with her virtual avatar. screenshot courtesy of Mikaela Taylor

With new safety measures in place, clubs and organizations were left without an in-person club fair. The solution? Regis University stepped into a new world: Degy World.

Degy World is an interactive platform that turns people into avatars. These adjustable avatars can walk, talk, and even dance through the platform. And the biggest advantage? Avatars can do all of their walking, talking, and dancing while users remain in the safety of their own homes.

According to the director of Student Life, Dave Law, the Degy World experience had a certain, Sims-like quality. Much like the life simulation video game, Degy World allowed avatars to roam freely around the event spaces, all of which were customized to better represent Regis University. Using these avatars, students could wander through the “Champions Center” to discover clubs and organizations. Many of these clubs and organizations had booths with club representatives, giving students an opportunity to connect, and exchange information with one another.

Students could even enter the “Oasis Stage,” which featured live musicians on a virtual beach. Their avatars could dance along with other viewers or explore the surroundings from the nearby lighthouse. While the Oasis had me wishing for a tropical vacation, it certainly did its best to bring the sun and the sand to Regis.

For those of you who didn’t make it into Degy World, or for those of you who can’t wait to go back, you may be in luck. Degy World could host future Regis University events, as was suggested by a few RUSGA representatives. The club fair may have been the first time Regis students could enter this virtual world, but there is a chance it won’t be the last.

Club Feature of the Week: Get on Board with Board Game Club

Photo Source // Katie Lambie

By: Carly Compesi, Staff Writer

After a long week of mid-term-induced stress, one of Regis’ newest clubs recovered with none other than a fun-filled round of board games. This type of fun was the goal from Allison Schroeder, the president of Board Game Club, when she founded the group this past year. Fun, new friends, a little competition, and a chance to relax at the end of the week.

New member and sophomore, Seth Beebe, came ready with two duffel bags full of assorted board games. Those bags, he explained, contained all of the games he brought from home. Apparently, he still left behind at least 80 board games when moving to Regis.

From one of these duffel bags came The Resistance, a card-based game of role playing and sabotage. Even other new members like Beebe were soon caught up in the action. This was just the first of many games, and almost all of the club’s members stayed long after the club officially adjourned. “It’s a great way to end the week,” says Berenice Aldecoa, another club member. “Because it’s a stress-free environment.”

“Although, I’m very competitive,” adds Schroeder, laughing.

Interested in attending? Board Game Club will meet from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Student Center on Oct. 31, Nov. 22, and Dec. 6. Better yet, their next meeting is a Halloween party, so expect free food along with free fun. For any questions, just reach out to Allison Schroeder at aschroeder003@regis.edu. Happy board gaming!