Wednesday Night Fights and Las Vegas FGC
By guano —
August 20, 2013
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Observations at Wednesday Night Fights: What is their mojo that keeps it all going?
Every year in August I head out to Southern California with the family to do some camping in Rincon, California. I take the time to make a pilgrimage to Super Arcade in Walnut, California for the world famous Wednesday Night Fights for some Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition. Because I am a knucklehead and can’t plan accordingly, I left my arcade stick at home, I took the time to take a closer look at what was happening away form the bracket stations.
Super Arcade is owned by Mike Watson. Since my last visit he lost his partner in the business. The result is that almost every arcade cabinet has been replaced in part by community donation. There was an incredible selection of fighting games, with a strong focus on Capcom fighters and a few rhythm games. All of the fighters appeared to get play while I was there. Seems like Mr. Watson made all the right choices with the selection.
Watson’s partner in the tournament schedule is Alex “CaliPower” Valle. They have a slew of weekly events and less rigid and infrequent one-off monthly and seasonal events. Uncle Valle recounts the the history and growth of Level|Up in many interviews. It's just a search away on the internets to hear the story for yourself. No need to retell it. I guess it was because my mind was clear to just soak in the whole thing without distraction of my bracket, that the scope of the whole thing just blew me away. The community pitches in on many levels to pull off these tournaments. Other than Watson and Valle, it is my understanding that everyone else is a volunteer. Although Tekken and Injustice killer, Ares is an employee of Super Arcade, he is there on his own time to offer his commentary and presence between his matches. Nearly everyone else on the stream is doing the same. Whoever you see on the stream is doing it for the love of their game. When you watch them from the other side of the camera, you can tell they are all doing it with such a passion that can only come from their love for these games and the competition!
When I think about what is the mojo that keeps this community flourishing, in short, the answer is: everything! Mike Watson has an arcade that needs more income. These events satisfy that need through quarters dropped in the cabs and a share of venue fees collected from the players that enter the brackets. Alex Valle is vested in results, being that this is his only job. Results in the form of profit are the only option! So Valle is spending a ton of time spreading the word and growing the community to get momentum behind it. The players had arcades peppered up and down Southern California at one time and they don’t want to see one of the last of its kind go away too. There are a number of expert and professional players that are vested in showing up to stay sharp or try new tech. Beyond the big dogs, intermediate and beginners come to level up, to mingle with a pro and maybe catch a tip or two! Regularity in their schedule means people plan their lives around the activity. Regularity also means more people make lasting relationships they don't want to part with. It also makes players interested in doing more things together away from the bracket. Online Tony had a setup to play random old fighters like, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Fighting Edition and Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi, for shits and giggles.
The Las Vegas and every other scene wants all that WNF has to offer to the Fighting Game Community. I know that a venue is a big obstacle. GoukiJones and BatRastered have had some amazing events are working on the venue issue and for this I thank them. It is not an easy issue to resolve. It will take a lot of resources and community involvement beyond the issue of finding a home. Vegas has so many talented players. I have met a lot of players and have had amazing experiences over the last two years I have been following the Vegas FGC. This year at EVO I seen first handed the camaraderie between the Vegas players. I was proud of them for looking out for each other and their results in their respective games! I know it is Vegas’ fantasy to have a similar weekly tournament kick off and stick around for the foreseeable future.
It would be easiest if it just fell into our laps and we just showed up to play and hang out. That will never happen. This outing really made it clear to me that an even bigger mountain than having a venue is players making the time and doing their part, may that be experts and pros inviting and encouraging the beginner and intermediate types to feel at home and spend time and money doing what they love with like minded people, doing some commentary on stream or making themselves ambassadors of the scene, helping everyone level up! It really was the people away from the TOs and the venue that made this possible. We all have to share our love and interest in our local areas to make the people with venues and capital believe they are making the right choice investing in us and our community. It's only with the effort of many that anyone can have it all, like they do at Super Arcade and the Level|Up Series.
Quite a few players made a point to welcome me to Super Arcade and ask more about what’s happening in my area of Las Vegas. They really made me feel at home at their arcade. Had some great conversation! A special thank you to Tekken Tim for taking the time to say what’s up and listen to what’s up at Gouki.com. Thank you, Mike Watson for letting me take pictures at your awesome arcade!
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
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