Statesman

Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Joe Olivieri Freshman Jake Newgaard and sophomore Admas Molla unwind and game in the Underground.

Looking for a new place to spend your lunch break? Or maybe a spot to get your gaming on? Head over to the Underground in Kirby Plaza and check out the new equipment.

The area now has new TV screens for gaming, watching TV and movies, as well as a new video game section with consoles and gaming chairs.

The previous five pool tables have been reduced to three to make room for the gaming area and the entire room has been rewired to accommodate the new technology.

"There are 17 new TV screens," Stacy Carolan, a student employee in the Underground and a senior at UMD said. "Every screen has an Xbox, we have eight PlayStations and eight Wiis. Some of the screens have all three consoles and others only have one or two of them."

"Expanding the Underground space was a joint venture between UMD and BragGame Rights," Carolan said. "BragGame provided the TVs, systems and chairs and UMD remodeled the area." Remodeling included knocking out an entire wall to provide space for the shelves of games for Xbox, PlayStation 3 and Wii.

The Underground can also be used as a place for students to buy, sell and trade games and gaming equipment. "All games are 5 percent off for students." Carolan said.

"Prices are six cents a minute for all students with a valid ID card," Carolan said. "That turns out to be about a dollar for 15 minutes." Prices for non-students are 13 cents a minute.

So far, the new editions to the Underground have been received warmly by the regulars, but the Underground would like to welcome new users to the area.

"It's starting to pick up around here," Carolan said. "Come on down to the Underground!"

Hours for the Underground are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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