Located on the lower level of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center lies Hofstra University’s hidden gem: the Game Room. This spot is a social hub for both residents and commuters, filled to the brim with games of all kinds. From nostalgic games like Just Dance and Nintendo Wii to high-end gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 5 – the Game Room has it all.
Julia Murphy, a sophomore television business major, has been employed by the Game Room since Spring 2025 and could not recommend it more.
“It’s just a change of pace to come here and get your mind off of something without going on your phone or going on social media,” Murphy said. “Students can use this space as a decompression tool.”
The Game Room serves as a laidback area where students can let loose from the academic stress of their daily lives. It is accessible due to its late hours and welcoming environment. It opens at noon Monday through Friday, closing at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Game Room opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 11 p.m. and 10 p.m., respectively.
“Common hour is a great time to come because you can play pool with your friends or get closer with people that you might not already know,” Murphy said.
Along with the classic games such as air hockey and foosball, there are also several gaming personal computers (PC) that run plenty of modern games as well. Fortnite, Minecraft, FIFA, Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends, Valorant and Rocket League are just a few fan favorites. Students can use the Game Room login to access their downloaded games or sign in to their own personal Steam accounts.
“Lugging your PC from home is a lot,” Murphy said. “The fact that we have them here is a good resource. When you’re in your room, you may be prone to overusing it or feeling like you’re distracted.”
The Game Room has an abundance of comfortable seating options including cozy couches and both low- and high-top tables. The tables are perfect for chatting with friends or playing games like chess and checkers.
Ahmir Wells, a freshman marketing major, takes full advantage of the lounge.
“I usually come every day – from the time they open to the time they close,” Wells said. “A lot of my friends come and play pool; we’re always competing to see who’s the best.”
Wells enjoys using this space to strengthen his skills in pool and fill his time during football’s offseason. He appreciates the fact that there is a fun, engaging spot on Hofstra’s campus that motivates him to leave his dorm.
“I can’t stress this enough: I feel like people need a space to have fun,” Wells said. “There’s not a lot of spaces on campus that are primarily just for that.”
For students looking to strengthen their social life on campus, this is the place for them. Wells recommends the Game Room to commuter students especially.
“A lot of my friends that come here are commuters so usually our time to bond together is here in between classes,” Wells said.
If you’re looking for something to do on Friday nights, you can catch the esports club in action. The Game Room hosts regular tournaments with Super Smash Bros. being a huge highlight of the event. The room can fill up, so get ready to experience the energy for yourself.
Gem Silva, a sophomore biology major, commented on the relevance of the esports club.
“Just knowing that we have an esports club and that this room is for esports makes me feel a lot more positive towards Hofstra,” Silva said.
To Silva, the prescence of the esports club proves that Hofstra cares about the community.
When it comes to working at the Game Room, Murphy emphasized that they are always looking to upgrade the space so that no student will be stuck with faulty equipment. Murphy also explained that this job has strengthened her connection to the school.
“I think being able to say that you’re employed by the school in some way makes you feel closer to the Hofstra community overall,” Murphy said.
Murphy wishes that the Game Room was talked about more, as many students are unaware of its existence. Whether students are looking for an on-campus job, needing to let loose and have fun, or searching for a commuter-friendly place to hang in between classes: the Game Room is the place.
