Managed by the Department of Information Technology
Elevating competitive eSports and fostering digital community in the Central Region.
While traditional LAN events are often classified as "Bring Your Own Computer" (BYOC), CUT Gaming champions a unique "Bring Your Own Peripherals" (BYOP) model. We provide the high-performance laboratory computers, allowing participants who are serious about gaming to simply bring their own customised keyboard, mouse, headset, and mousepad.
All tournament games are preloaded and optimised according to the specific hardware specifications of our IT labs, ensuring a seamless, high-quality gaming experience for every competitor, regardless of their personal equipment.
Our Purpose
CUT Gaming was established to make a tangible difference by developing a robust eSports platform for the central region. We are dedicated to promoting competitive gaming, building digital communities, and warmly inviting gamers from nearby towns to participate in our hosted tournaments, thereby putting the Free State on the national eSports map.
CUT students competing in the Red Bull Campus Clutch Valorant Free State Qualifier.
Tournament Genres
CUT Gaming strives to stay at the forefront of local and international eSports trends. Our events feature a diverse range of competitive titles, each designed to develop specific strategic and cognitive skills:
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
First-Person Shooter (FPS)
An objective-based multiplayer shooter where teams of 5 compete over 30 rounds to either plant/defuse the bomb or eliminate the opposing team.
Skills Developed:
- Strategy and situational awareness
- Rapid adaptation and reflexes
- Team building and communication
FIFA
Sports Simulation
The premier football simulation video game, featuring official UEFA club competitions. Players control their favourite international clubs in head-to-head matches.
Skills Developed:
- Strategic awareness and anticipation
- Rapid adaptation to opponent tactics
- Hand-eye coordination and reflexes
- 1 vs 1 competitive focus
Dota Underlords
Auto-Battler Strategy
A chess-inspired competitive strategy game where players draft and position heroes on an 8x8 grid. Heroes battle automatically, with players earning gold and experience to upgrade their units.
Skills Developed:
- Long-term strategic planning
- Resource management and adaptation
- Team synergy and building (in 2v2 modes)
Call of Duty: Mobile
First-Person Shooter (Mobile/PC Emulator)
Console-quality HD gaming featuring iconic multiplayer maps and a 100-player Battle Royale mode. Playable on mobile devices or via PC emulator.
Skills Developed:
- Fast-paced strategic awareness
- Squad-based team building
- Rapid adaptation and reflexes
Get Involved & Register
All tournament information, venue details, and registration links are published via our dedicated social media channels. While you do not need a Facebook account to compete, our event pages serve as the primary hub for announcements.
Follow CUT Gaming for the latest updates and registration links:
For upcoming event dates, please check our Facebook Events page.
Our Journey & News
A Brief History
On 19 May 2018, the CUT Information Technology department hosted its first-ever Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Local Area Network (LAN) competition. The event, designed exclusively for CUT students, attracted approximately 50 participants.
Following this successful pilot, three IT students approached the department with a vision to formalise "CUT Gaming". Recognising that major national eSports tournaments were predominantly concentrated in Gauteng and the Western Cape, this initiative was born to establish a competitive, accessible eSports hub right here in the Free State.
CUT Newsroom
Catch up on our latest competitive milestones and student achievements:
Students competing in the CUT IT department laboratories.
