HADO | an exciting, new Esport landing at BCU

Our Curzon building held a one-of-a-kind, immersive sporting experience at our Birmingham Schools HADO Championship. Thanks to our partnership with HADO UK, and four local West Midlands schools, players were able to compete for the title of Birmingham Schools HADO Champions.

Students using VR headset at HADO event

So, what is HADO? Originating in Japan, HADO is a pioneering e-sport which you can play in real life, without the hassle of being attached to wires or controllers. This exciting, first-of-its-kind software uses an augmented reality head device and a small motion sensor on the player's wrist to create a thrilling digital experience. HADO is the perfect combination of undertaking high-intensity physical sports with the added adrenaline rush of video games.   

“I got involved with HADO through my role here at BCU and have done many events with HADO UK; so much so, I have since become their official Esports business consultant.” Sean Hooley, Course Leader for Esports Management

You may know of VR (virtual reality) but how is this different to AR (augmented reality)? One of the main reasons for HADO’s popularity is, unlike VR, you’re not only being taken into a digital world, but this game is bringing all of the exciting digital elements to your world through smartphones.  

So, how do you play a game of HADO? The game requires up to three players on each team, with an intense and adrenaline pumping 80 seconds to complete a game. The aim of the game is to acquire as many points as possible during each quick-fire round before the buzzer sounds. Players can create and throw energy balls and shields on an extremely convincing real-world court, as if teleported into a completely different world – all in the comfort of our Curzon building.  

Sounds fun? Studying at BCU enables you to join our very own Gaming Society, where you can compete in HADO and all kinds of other E-Sports alongside other BCU gaming fanatics in a variety of tournaments and competitions.  

Maybe you’re interested in the computing element of HADO, why not look at studying one of our Games courses? We offer exciting opportunities to network with the likes of Codemasters, Sony, Exient and Jagex. Who knows, you could be the creator of the next innovative, global gaming phenomenon.

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