Use reference at the bottom 

first student - zachary

1. If I were to join a UMGC esports team I would join a Call of Duty team. The console I would need is a PC as Call of Duty pro esports officially switched to PC from console in 2021 although, the challengers division is still able to choose their console of choice including PC (Hore, 2020). There are many choices in controllers from Xbox, PS4, and PS5 controllers. This also includes customized controllers from some of the largest customizable controller companies for pro play such as SCUF and Battle Beaver. Personally, I would choose a basic PS4 controller as I play "claw" in every single game. Claw is a reference to the way of holding the controller and it looks like a claw.
2. Specs for my gaming PC to optimize performance would be as follows:
   • Case: CORSAIR 7000D AIRFLOW Full-Tower ATX PC Case
   • Graphics card: ASUS ROG Strix Gaming RTX 3090 
   • CPU: Intel core i9-12900k
   • CPU cooler: NZXT Kraken Z73
   • Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z690 Gaming Wifi D4 (The socket on the motherboard is compatible with the CPU) 
   • Monitor:  2 Asus TUF GAMING VG259QM 24.5" 1920x1080 280 Hz Monitor
   • Memory (RAM): Corsair Vengeance RGB pro 32 GB 3600 Mhz
   • Storage: 2 Samsung 980 Pro SSD 2TB 
   • Power Supply: Corsair HX Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
3. Additional Hardware would include any mouse and keyboard because I would need to play with a controller so it would not matter. The last piece of hardware I would need and choose would be the Astro A 40 gaming headset as it is my personal preference for Call of Duty. 

References 

Hore, J. (2020, September 14). Call of duty league announces switch from console to PC. The Loadout. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.theloadout.com/tournaments/call-of-duty-league/pc-switch#:~:text=The%20Call%20of%20Duty%20League,time%20in%20the%20scene's%20history.

Second student - Mary 

Gaming is a popular topic if you are a fan of the gaming console system. And who isn't a fan of gaming anyways since the pandemic occurred. Also, I have been gaming since the original Nintendo system was released in 1985. Again, I would love to participate in the UMGC eSport team. To address the forum correctly depends on the gaming console platform you are using to participate. The gaming console has advanced from the original Nintendo system to the PS5 (Playstation 5), Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PC, and, Let's not forget, the Oculus Quest, a VR system (Virtual Reality).

Out of all the gaming consoles and PC, I narrowed my choice to my Nintendo Switch. The switch is transverse and user-friendly, and the gaming console system can use physical or digital games via the internet; controllers can be connected to the console or not. You can add additional players for multiplayer use. Forbes had an article written about the Nintendo switch increase in sales when it dropped on the market, over a one million increase "Shortages that have plagued the global supply chains for the tech industry over the past few years, impacting the availability for both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S." (Barder, 2022). Also, it is not always about the specs and graphics as long it is user-friendly, "So it's clearly not all about graphical power when it comes to games, but what they play like that matters." (Barder, 2022). Again, everyone has their preferences for a gaming console, and I believe the Nintendo Switch is user-friendly for every age category.

New Gaming PC Specs: (My preference when it comes to building a PC)

1. Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Case with Mesh
2.  AMD Ryan 5 2400 G with Radeon RX Vega 11 G (CPU, Central Processing Unit, processor, and cooler)
3. 3. 32 GB DDR RAM DDR4 Desktop Memory Model (Random-Access Memory)
4.  NZXT CT750 80 + G FM ATX PSU (power supply unit)
5. Samsung E 1 TB 870 QVO SSD 1TB Flash memory.
6. Computer Peripherals ( mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers, headset for communications)
7. I/O shield (cover for the back of the computer to protect motherboard and processors)

There's no additional hardware needed unless you're upgrading your PC specs. 

References

Barder, O. (2022, February 4). The Nintendo Switch Has Now Sold Over 100 Million Units Worldwide, Overtaking The Wii. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2022/02/04/the-nintendo-switch-has-now-sold-over-100-million-units-worldwide-ov...