New gaming room boasts cutting edge VR, AR, and AI technologies

Release Date
Event Date
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Technology Building
Seating and gaming areas
The gaming room provides large, tech-enhanced spaces for gaming, collaboration, competition, learning, and relaxation. (See additional photos below)

HFC has introduced its new state-of-the-art gaming room (official name TBD), an innovative and collaborative learning space focused on competitive gaming, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as well as student collaboration space.

Located in Room E-180 on the first floor of the Technology Building (Building E on the main campus), the gaming room is designed to support students and community members to accommodate rapidly evolving growth and change in technology.

The space is equipped with high-performance gaming computers, immersive VR reality headsets, large-format displays, and modern collaborative workstations. The environment supports both recreation and academic innovation, providing hands-on access to industry-relevant technology used across professional sectors.

“This lab reinforces HFC’s commitment to innovation, workforce development, and preparing learners for the careers of tomorrow,” said Dean of the HFC School of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development (BEPD) Dr. Patricia Chatman.

Open house March 19

There will be an open house for the HFC community on Thursday, March 19, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be a tournament between the Competitive Gaming Club and HFC staff.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on the gaming room’s official name. Light refreshments will be served.

After the open house, the gaming room will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 7:00 p.m.

Advanced VR simulations allow you to explore careers

A central feature of the gaming room is its advanced VR career exploration platform, including Transfr VR headsets. Through these interactive simulations, you can safely experience and practice real-world job tasks across dozens of career pathways. You can explore medical, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and technology careers in an engaging virtual setting.

The lab will serve multiple purposes:

  • Support student organizations such as the Competitive Gaming and Programming clubs.
  • Function as an educational hub for career exploration.
  • Provide immersive VR simulations for workforce skill development.
  • Foster collaboration and learning around emerging technologies including AR (augmented reality) and AI.

The VR simulations offer practical, competency-based experiences for high-demand industries, helping participants build confidence, awareness, and career readiness before entering formal education or training programs.

HFC employees will be in the gaming room to provide support for students:

Home for HFC’s Competitive Gaming Club

HFC maintains a strong academic foundation for students interested in game development through its Computer Information Science and Software Engineering programs, which address the programming and technical aspects of the field. The College plans to launch non-credit curriculum offerings in gaming, which may begin in 2027.

“From an academic perspective, this lab creates an exciting bridge into Computer Science. Students may first walk in to experience competitive gaming or VR, but what they quickly discover is the technology behind it – the programming, the software engineering, and the AI,” said HFC CIS instructor Kim Moscardelli. “This space allows students to move from being consumers of technology to becoming creators of it. For those interested in game development, this lab serves as a powerful entry point into our Computer Science and Software Engineering programs, where they learn the coding and technical skills that bring these experiences to life.”

The Competitive Gaming Club meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the gaming room during the Winter 2026 semester. To date, the club has 14 active members. There is no cost to join.

  • HFC graphic design student Julian Medicis-Rosales is the president.
  • HFC pre-engineering student Jesús Sanchez is the treasurer.
  • HFC Workforce Development Program Manager Cassandra Myers is the club's advisor.

“What makes it amazing for me are the sound-reducing walls, separation walls, the latest gaming consoles – Nintendo, Xbox, and Playstation – big screen TVs, and very powerful tower computers,” said Sanchez.

Added Medicis-Rosales: “We plan to host gaming tournaments in this room that are open to the community this semester. This will also serve as fundraising event for a local charity. I can’t wait for the community to see this room; they will be blown away. This room is made for everyone. It’s an enormous space for people to hang out and have a good time here. Any student can join, so come down and play.”

For questions or more information about the Competitive Gaming Club or the open house on March 19, contact Myers at cmyers17@hfcc.edu.

Pod collaboration area with sound-deading wall panels and state-of-the-art equipment
Pods with sound-deadening wall panels provide space for small group or individual work and gaming.
Open computer area with tables and powerful computers
Powerful computer stations are capable of handling gaming, VR, AR, and emerging AI-enhanced applications.