Let me take a second to defend OCC granted we are limited in space and freedoms but there seem to be certain perceptions that I want to clear up. Gabi loves us, she absolutely enjoys our presents despite the fact that we are a drain on her business. We’re loud, take up space in her already cramped shop, we don’t buy anything regularly enough to make a difference (unlike the magic players or table top people who buy cards/models), we cuss and we bring in people who are really shady (this can’t be controlled) but regardless of all this Gabi likes us, she enjoys giving us a place to play and asks for the same things from us that she asks from anyone else in the shop.
But Josh does bring up very good and relevant points OCC does prevent us from streaming (which keeps us from getting the word out and keeps us from growing) prevents us from being relaxed (ie we have to watch ourselves and behave in a family friendly environment), it also prevents some players from visiting us and playing casuals or tournaments due to behavior monitoring and lack of a payout.
I really wanted us to move from Gabis at some point but I was hoping for a smoother transition my plan was to go there for tournaments and slowly start gaining interest. I don’t think we’ll ever really stop doing Thursday night street fighter at OCC but I think having a second location at lakewood will be a great opportunity and I think both can coexist. I wanted to talk more in depth about the lakewood location and plans last Thursday with you Josh but between entertaining our two visiting MK players and me being sick I totally spaced out on it.
Basically I want to talk about the membership idea and how I think it will turn people off from showing up, certainly the new location provides us many opportunities to grow in numbers and skill but Drew brings up a very salient point talking about the fluidity of the OCC even though I’m almost always there every Thursday beginning to end I do appreciate how I don’t feel stressed to get games in, hell I can spend the whole of Thursday just being with friends and bsing all day, which certainly doesn’t help my skill level go up but it does help me have a social life. At the same time if we had to pay to be at Gabi’s I’d be much more stressed out getting games in and doing well (fight for my seat) which certainly helps my game but I’m not sure we’d be such a close knit group if this was the environment. Also for those who are only casually interested in the game or perhaps an online warrior come to test his skill against us it seems really unreasonable to pay 25$ a month, this certainly weeds out the weak players but it also weeds out potential killers, Jordan was trash when he showed up having never played the game before, after showing up and getting to know us he leveled up and got damn good I just don’t think that kind of thing can happen at a place that charges monthly. But this leads me to a potential solution and that is the arcade environment, a LAN center like the one in lakewood charges you for full access to their store despite the fact that most people who show up will only be using half a console (that we could provide) and their own controllers. So maybe we could set something up where people who show up for the fightclub can pay less per hour, not getting access to the pcs or internet and just being able to play the fighting games they came for. In this way people like drew can show up without committing themselves to a monthly fee, still get games in and still be in an ideal environment for competitive gaming. I think this is the ideal situation, the fact of the matter is we’re loud and we’re obtrusive but that’s perfect for them the louder we are the more people will show up giving them more business and all they have to do is exist and count the money.
You don’t have to pay for a monthly membership. Just pay $5 venue fee + entry fee per game when you there is a tournament and your good to go. The membership is just there for people who are willing to go there and play + you don’t have to pay venue fee costs if you’re already paying for membership. I understand the fact not being able to pay for membership but for those that can drive there and afford it I think its worth every penny. And luring out more players from Tacoma would be a great goal to expand our player pool, which I already have plans in the works to draw more people out.
The point is I’m tired of OCC. I’m ready to move on and create an environment that IS WHAT WE WANT and what we deserve. This place wants our business and in the end if we don’t support it we will lose it and that is something that I don’t want to happen. We need our venues because they are scarce. Even going there in full force once a month for tournaments will show them that this place is worth keeping. I am taking a big risk and investing alot into this because we NEED IT, not just Olympia but Tacoma, Lakewood and everything in between.
When you look at WNF, TS, and Iplaywinner they have a stable place that provides the things that they need! We cannot expect to grow anymore at Gabi’s. Gabi’s is a casual setting and that’s all it is. We NEED something more and I am willing to put my all into it. I will start a new thread specifically for the tournaments at TOS after everything becomes finalized. I wish for this to be a success and I would love my friends to enjoy this setting I am trying to create alongside me. That is what I really wish for all of us, a place to call OURS! Lets face it in the end Gabi’s is Gabi’s it will never be ours.
Ryan they have six 360’s there, two PS3’s and one Wii. They have two sticks and two hitboxes. The only thing that might be a problem is monitors which we can work out as a group. Hell they even have a spare desktop PC just laying around that we can use. You guys seem to be really hung up on this membership thing when it is
TOTALLY OPTIONAL!
I am not saying to get rid of Gabi’s I’m saying that I have had enough and that I am ready to create something better for us. Something we deserve. It is very hard for me to see that she loves us personally and even if she does love us it feels like more of a love you would give a growing child and I want respect and freedom because I am a fucking man that fought protecting our nation’s freedom. I am not forcing anyone to leave OCC. I am just telling all of you what is happening and my plans for the future. I want to share with all of you my thoughts and if you guys don’t know by now I don’t hide shit from anyone. If I got something to say I’m going to say it and address any issues I have on the spot. That’s just the type of man I am and I respect each and every one of you guys enough to speak freely and within reason, but like I said, I don’t expect any of you to leave OCC. I just hope that I have earned everyone’s trust and I hope to call upon you guys when I need support.
If only i didn’t have my full time business i would be with you helping you plan. I think a lot of the younger guys takes these things for granted. I was like them 15 years ago, just playing to have fun. We all need to look at the big picture & future of our fighting community scene…What if there is no more OCC, i can no longer host Mother Russia…By being able to try establish another venue makes total sense but majority of must commit & support Josh in this…
It’s not that I don’t support Josh, because I do…If we can have tournaments on the regular at this place, I’m in. I don’t think I’ll ever go there for anything but tournaments, and I’m sure there are a lot of others who are in the same boat as me. I understand wanting to support the business of those who support us, but I just can’t do the $25 a month.
I’m also worried that this place’s support of us hinges upon us all doing $25 a month.
The most important thing to remember throughout all of this, is that I beat both the twins last night at NFL Blitz for the N64 so hard that they might very well walk away from video games altogether, and I can’t blame them.
My undefeated streak against asians in sports games continues…
I was just thinking more about this whole Lakewood thing. I know that I can’t commit to the membership thing, but that doesn’t mean other people won’t. I was just thinking, if Josh can get enough people to join up, he should probably make his own thread for it. If you’re serious about this, getting tournaments or just streaming sessions with the same frequency we meet up at OCC, you’re probably going to need an entirely separate thread, as this thing would probably morph into a kind of Olympia scene crossed with anyone from Tacoma who would show up. Not really “Olympia Fight Club” as we know it now, just a scene with a lot of our players.
Like I’ve said before, I support what you’re trying to do, but if it works out, you’re probably going to need to start a whole new thread from scratch.
I am going to start a new thread I just wanted to tell you guys the situation before I start it. I have created a community facebook page for the Tournament series called Tech Hit and a twitter account for it. I really have a lot to say to everyone on Thursday. I’m going to say my peace so the more people there the better. I will still hit up Mother Russia when I can, but as far as Gabi’s goes I’m done.
