If you have been to the Ferguson Center lately, you may have caught word of the game night ABXY is hosting this Friday, Aug. 26, in the Ferguson Center Game Room. The event is the first of the year and will run from 7 to 10 p.m.

Many have not heard of or participated in the ABXY Gaming Network, and Friday’s game night will clarify the purpose and activities of the club. The free event will feature classic games along with food and drinks.

“Friday’s Game Night is titled ‘Press Start,’” said Michael Mintz, vice president of ABXY. “The focus will be on introducing our leagues to new students and introducing some of the new parts of our club to all members, along with having classic favorites available for free play.”

ABXY began in the fall of 2009 with six individuals at the University, Mintz said.

“We started the club because there was no organization on campus that we saw meeting the social-gaming need the campus had,” said Stephen Swain, a co-founder. “The Gaming Network gives a wide variety of students at the University a place to experience a wide spectrum of games while interacting with different students.”

The club features a variety of video games, ranging from fighting to dance and music-based themes. This year, the club is also looking to get involved in general gaming that will range from board games to pen-and-paper games, Mintz said.

Any UA student can participate in the club, Swain said. Players have the option to participate in a variety of leagues, which focus on specific types of games, including those played on handhelds, which students are encouraged to bring.

“Tournaments are held frequently and sometimes involve cash entry that the winners divide,” Swain said. “A small contingent of UA gamers even go to other universities for tournaments, and our Brawl League has some of the best players in the region.”

While the first night is free to all who attend, players must pay dues if they wish to continue participation in order to cover the costs of food and equipment.

If You Go

What: ABXY game night

Where: Ferguson Center Game Room

When: 7-10 p.m. Friday

Cost: Free