Aboard Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, British Navy sailors now have a gaming suite to call their own, a full esports room installed as part of a collaboration between the Royal Navy and the British Esports Federation. The facility gives crew members a place to unwind, connect with each other, and sharpen digital skills in a way that fits life at sea.
Converted from a former exam room, the suite features a bank of 12 Alienware Aurora R15 desktop PCs, each running Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA RTX 4080 graphics cards. The space is outfitted with LED lighting, office-style chairs, and a widescreen TV, giving it a relaxed yet high-tech lounge feel rather than a utilitarian setup. The room was designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, so even first-time players can settle in quickly.
Chief Petty Officer Martin Miller, who also serves as vice chair of the British Navy’s esports committee, oversees the operations. After long working days, he retreats to the suite to play games like Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. Officers around the ship reportedly book the space several times a week for team gaming sessions, and other crew members drop in more casually during evenings.
Because the ship’s internet bandwidth is limited while at sea, most of the play happens over a local network. Sailors use LAN-style sessions to compete in multiplayer games like Halo and Team Fortress 2. These tournaments, while offline, foster strong social bonds, cross-departmental cooperation, and a sense of friendly competition.
More than just a recreation room, the gaming suite supports morale, encourages teamwork across different roles, and nurtures digital capabilities. The UK Ministry of Defence formally recognised esports as a military sport in March 2024, giving the initiative institutional support and aligning it with recruitment and training goals. Leadership from British Esports and the Ministry of Defence view the suite as a way to develop communication, leadership, and strategic thinking under relaxed conditions. It also helps bridge the gap between service life and a generation that grew up around gaming.
The British Navy and its esports partners are already looking ahead. Plans include regular tournaments, internal leagues, and possibly expanding similar facilities on other ships or shore bases. For a carrier with around 1,600 people aboard, carving out space for a high-tech gaming room is not simple, but many involved believe it is worth it.
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