On a college campus where schedules are packed and stress is constant, free time is a precious commodity. For some students, they spend their free time clashing towers in a mobile game.
It’s always surprising to see how a game can create community and competition. “Clash Royale,” also known as “Clash,” is a strategy tower defense game and has quietly become one of the most influential microcultures among men at Seton Hall.
Walk through the university center, cafeteria, or even the gym on any given night, and you’ll see the same thing: small groups of guys huddled around their phones, locked into Clash and having a good time or mourning a loss that just sent them back to an arena.
That same energy sparks a question: Why do so many men on this campus play Clash Royale, and why should more students join them?
A Healthy Stress Reliever
For one, the mobile app serves as a stress reliever for many men. College life can be overwhelming for some with exams and internships. Multiple students shared that Clash gives them a quick mental break that’s rewarding but also saves time, making it a healthy way to relieve stress.
“It’s 3 minutes. That’s the beauty. I can take a break whenever and play a match. It helps me reset,” Colin O’Mara, a junior business information technology management major, said.
Unlike console games, Clash Royale fits better into college life. It’s a moment of escape that won’t derail productivity.
Competition That Brings People Together
Another major factor is the competitive spirit rising on campus. This spirit is present in sports culture, gaming culture, and even academics. But Clash Royale is at a perfect sweet spot; it’s competitive but lighthearted, and skill-based without requiring any extra expense.
“It gives me the same adrenaline rush as 2k or FIFA, but I can play whenever I want,” Alfred Duallo, a junior finance major, said.
The most interesting part of the game is how the competition builds community. Guys bond over lost trophies and duo wins. Organic Clash Clans are popping up around campus, with students helping one another get better at the game gradually.
My fraternity, Alpha Chi Rho, plays together in a clan. I've risen from my start of about 7,000 trophies to now over 10,000 trophies, and my friends in my clan are the reason for that. When you have so many good players around you, it hones your skills.
A Community Hidden in Plain Sight
A surprising thing to learn was that Clash Royale isn’t just a game at SHU; it’s becoming a campus-wide community hiding in plain sight.
I’ve heard countless stories from guys I know making new friends through Clash and even reconnecting with old ones.
“I met one of my closest friends because we just so happened to be playing Clash next to each other in Jubilee,” Quinn Brennan, a freshman business administration major, said.
Clash Royale is an app that is both portable and community-building, and it’s happening at SHU every day.
Everyone Should Play
After listening to dozens of different players and making my own analysis, the answer is simple. More SHU students should play Clash Royale because it creates connections, relieves stress, and strengthens campus culture.
It sharpens strategy. It’s also accessible, free, and easy to learn. Most importantly, it's one of the few things that can bring students together regardless of major, background, or interests.
Clash Royale isn’t just a pastime; it’s a cultural glue among the male population at SHU. If more students on campus joined the app, they could tap into a competitive game that breaks barriers and continues fostering the small but powerful Clash community that is already thriving here on campus.
So, the next time you're in the UC and hear someone yell, “BOWLING,” just know you're witnessing a rising culture. And maybe it’s time you download the game and discover why they clash.
Oren Mouton is a writer for The Setonian’s Opinion section. He can be reached at oren.mouton@student.shu.edu
