01-NOV-2024: This room is officially handed over to the Lossie Phantoms Esports Club. The Station Cinema Club equipment is still in place at the time of this picture. The hard work begins to transform this space into our very own arena.

Work has begun with the decor of the Arena. The Lossie Phantoms shade of purple is the colour of choice for the obliteration of Cinema Club sky blue. Hopefully it dries better than it initially looks.

Leveling up the esports arena one paintbrush stroke at a time. It's a grind, but hey, at least we're not farming XP for hours on dead games. Also a HUGE shout out to the SWO and his working party for lending a hand and helping us hump and dump those old couches. You guys are real MVPs. Without your help, we'd still be struggling with those relics. Thanks for saving our backs and taking the Lossie Phantoms Esport Arena one step closer to epic gaming sessions.

After a grueling battle against paintings final boss, the Formidable Grey Greatwall, we've emerged victorious!

Our team of elite painters has overcome countless challenges, from dodging paint splatters to slaying the dreaded roller demon. We're ready and take on the next challenge: Flat Pack Furniture.

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to open our doors to the gaming community!

A massive shout out to the squad who are transforming our gaming space into a gaming paradise. From building chairs and desks to assembling the ultimate gaming sofa, TV unit, and taming the vacuum-packed rug, you've all been working hard.

Tom Gregson, Callum Walker and William Lee, you put in an outstanding effort on Friday. The Lossie Phantom Spirit will rise sooner than planned thanks to your contributions. We can't wait to see the final result and the epic gaming sessions that will happen here.

Emit, move out of the way! In the time it took me to hang up the words most complicated notice board (straight), the real Master Builders assembled 2 racing SIMs and the monitor stands.

Mmmmmm, they even have the new car smell. I am ready to put in some serious laps on this rig... Once some hardware is plugged in!

We've just unboxed the first three of our new gaming PCs. Now, the real challenge begins: wrangling these high-powered beasts into submission. A huge thank you to the team for setting up the ergonomic space for these first three desks... and a gentle reminder that we still have 9 more to go.

Oh, and a special mention, those RAF decals are a great visual graphic for the PC's!

Huge effort by Deano and the amazing team of PLS Armourers! They arrived this evening and filled every possible orifice of their wagon with our rubbish pile Let's just say, the amount of trash we had was... astronomical. Honestly, the pictures don't do it justice. They worked incredibly hard and efficiently and even blitzed the room afterwards with the hoover.

A big round of applause for a job well done!

The Esports Room is undergoing a significant upgrade. A new wave of framed images has arrived, including a dedicated shrine to the Guardians of old – Tom Gregson and Dean Bowditch. Their legendary exploits in Destiny 2 shall forever be remembered within these hallowed walls.

But the true test is yet to come. An 8-meter banner, a titan of visual displays, is poised to descend upon the room. Its installation will be a crucible of effort, a trial worthy of a true Guardian.

Prepare yourselves. The Esports Room is about to ascend to a new level of power.

Players, prepare for a new kind of raid. No Hive Gods or Cabal Legions to defeat, but a far more insidious enemy: the blinding rays of the sun.

Operation: Block Out the Sun is underway. We are currently constructing a formidable barricade of foam, a bulwark against the solar onslaught. But this is no mere construction project. We will transform these humble materials into a beacon of light – a testament to the power of our community.

Expect vibrant colors, intricate designs, and bold proclamations of our might. This will not be a mere wall, but a rallying cry, a beacon to all who seek refuge in the shadows of our esports arena.

Stay tuned everyone. The final product will be a sight to behold.

Alright, buckle up, gamers! We've been diving headfirst into a whirlwind of gaming gear, putting everything through its paces! Imagine buttery-smooth frame rates on colossal screens, controllers that rumble and respond like extensions of your own hands, and graphics cards that render worlds so real, you'll swear you're there. We've been tearing through the latest titles, pushing every piece of kit to its absolute limit, and it's been an absolute blast!

But let's be real, none of this epic playtime would have been possible without the legendary Tom Gregson. He's the wizard behind the curtain, the unsung hero who wrestled with operating systems and tamed those tricky simulations. Seriously, "No Tom, No Kit" isn't just a catchy phrase, it's the truth. His dedication and expertise were the foundation of everything we've accomplished. We're talking hours of meticulous setup, ensuring every piece of hardware sang in perfect harmony. Thanks to him, we got to experience gaming at its absolute best.

We recently faced a daunting challenge: transforming a vast, grey expanse into a vibrant hub for RAF Esports. The solution? An epic, 8-meter banner, a visual explosion of our favorite games, neon-infused service life imagery, and the bold RAF Esports logo at its heart. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! This 30kg behemoth was an absolute beast to hang.

Imagine wrestling with a sail on a windy day, but indoors, and with precision hanging hooks that required pinpoint accuracy. The walls fought back, testing our patience and our nerves. Yours truly predicted an emotional rollercoaster; Tom, ever the optimist, declared it "easy." Let's just say, the flushed faces afterward spoke volumes.

But, oh, what a result! That grey void is now a kaleidoscope of color and energy. The banner’s sheer presence is electrifying, a testament to the effort and sheer determination it took to get it up. The vibrant imagery now fills the room, making it a true Esports haven. It was stressful, it was awkward, and it was absolutely worth it. Thanks to everyone involved for making the vision a reality.

We've been on a mission to transform our space, and it's been a wild ride! First, we conquered the grey void with our epic 8-meter Esports banner – a neon-drenched masterpiece that now electrifies the room. (Yes, it was a 30kg wrestling match, but totally worth it!)

But, we're not stopping there! We're all about maximizing comfort and efficiency, especially for our driving simulators. So, a quick, yet crucial, mission to the "Nickle and Dime" shop was undertaken! Our goal? Basic, yet fundamental lap trays. Why? Because ergonomic design is at the heart of everything we do! No more awkward reaching or getting out of the chair to operate the PC from the window.

Now, keyboards and mice sit comfortably alongside our players, allowing for seamless, immersive gameplay. We're dedicated to providing the best possible experience, and even the smallest details make a huge difference. From conquering colossal banners to ensuring ergonomic excellence, we're constantly striving to level up!

'Twas the night before CAS, and all through the base, Not a controller was idle, at a frantic pace. 

The keyboards were polished, the mice put to bed, While visions of high scores danced in each head.

The banners were hung, with meticulous care, The lap trays aligned, with no room to spare. 

The grand logo gleamed, a beacon so bright, A testament to teamwork, throughout the long night.

The team, like elves, with a flurry and sweep, Ensured every corner was tidy and deep.

From hoovered carpets to monitors clean, A gaming sanctuary, a vibrant scene.

The ribbon awaited, a crimson delight, To mark the grand opening, in morning's first light.

On February 28th, the doors would swing wide, And the joy of the game, would forever abide.

And just like that, the doors swung wide! On the 28th of February 2025, the RAF Esports Arena was officially opened by the esteemed RAF CAS Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng. With a gracious smile and a steady hand, he christened our home track on the simulator, setting the very first official time!

The energy in the room was electric, a culmination of weeks of hard work and anticipation. From the meticulously hung banner to the perfectly positioned lap trays, every detail had been carefully considered. RAF CAS Knighton's inaugural lap was a moment of pure excitement, a symbol of the journey we've embarked upon.

A special thank you to the core team pictured: Callum Walker, Dean Bowditch, and Tom Gregson (left to right). Your dedication and expertise were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. And while they're the faces you see, we know countless others contributed behind the scenes. Without the combined efforts of everyone, pictured and unpictured, we wouldn't be standing here today. Your passion and commitment have made this dream a reality.

Want to know RAF CAS Knighton's time? Want to challenge it? You'll have to come on down and experience the thrill for yourself! The Arena is open, the simulators are primed, and the competition awaits. Here's to tomorrow, and to our incredible RAF Esports Arena!