Events
Student Group Mission
Founded in 2014 as Columbia Esports, this club was started by a group of friends who just loved to play video games.
They would grab their laptops, find a classroom, and play all night. Around the same time, the Game Design and Development Club was founded with the goal of uniting students who were interested in building and exploring game design. With a focus on providing programming for New York City high schoolers, they began what we now know today as LionJam.
In 2025, due to financial and logistical reasons, the two clubs merged, creating Columbia University Gaming Group- the club you know today. It was at this time that the Rhythm Games club was also incorporated and our career and media teams were born. As a result of the change, CUGG expanded its programming to encompass more than just competitive gaming, fostering an inclusive and supportive community for everyone involved in the gaming community.