Video Game Tournaments - Lets Try This!

E-sports are starting to creep into the main stream and I want in.  Events and prizes are getting bigger every week and this past week ESPN 2 dipped their toe back in the pond (http://kotaku.com/espn-airs-video-games-twitter-freaks-out-1700333433) and it made me wonder could I do this in my hometown?

So I thought why not give it a try.  I started the same way that everyone does... Google.  As I went down the rabbit hole my head started to spin:

Is it Legal in Ohio?

How much do I charge?

Can I make anything on it?

What games?

How many systems would I need?

Now before I answer some of these questions, let me tell you a little about my background.  I have dealt with venues and I do have experience booking bands so some of this is vaguely familiar to me

So like most folks I retreated to my basement to draw up a simple plan to see how I could make this work.  I started very simply.  $1,000.00 was my budget.

1.  Pick the games.  This was very easy Smash Brothers for the Wii U and Mortal Kombat for PS4

2.  Equipment:  To start I would have 2 - Wii Us and 2 PS4s .  3 - 32" TVs and one projector (for the Main Event)

3.  Venue: something close, I don't want to have lug this stuff around town

4.  Rules: Learn the rules... this was something that was difficult.  I needed to make sure I had the correct firmware and version for the game

5. Set the prizes: Is it legal?

6.  Could I get some sponsors?  What about asking the developers for some DLC or something

7.  What else would gamers want?  Raffles (those Amiibos are out of control).  Food?  No alcohol for sure

This seemed fairly simple.  I asked a lawyer friend who gave me a lawyer answer.  I asked is this legal and he quickly pointed out that video games are games of skill and not chance.  I asked " Have you ever played these games because luck seems to be a contributing factor"  He suggested everything from getting involved with a charity to starting my own league.  His final words still haunt me "I think if you keep it low key no one is going to hunt you down".  Really that is what passes for legal advice over drinks. 

So this lawyer friend got me wondering how did MLG get away with this in Columbus?  They had a huge event at the Convention Center and actually had Police work the event.   It was packed.  Again as planning and set up goes all I saw my video games hooked to TVs.  A few sponsors, you think you do not need a $100 joystick till you see others buying them and you think it does improve my reaction time by half a second. This event was $40 just to watch.  Once again $40 to watch.  The longest line at this event was the souvenir line.  They had some League of Legend Plushies and a few other exclusive items and did some raffles.  The line was HUGE.  This was simple I have had to read riders and meet with sound and stage folks and deal with rock stars. I left awestruck by the event.

Decision time:  I'm going to try it.  I should have a date tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to the challenge and think its time to pursue the dream.  I have started gatorzcap gaming and who knows maybe if I buy the right equipment I may turn this into a business or go after a big fish and start an EVO of my own.  I hope to have information here in the next few weeks.

Follow me on Twitter @gatorzcapgaming #thisoldgamer