Gamers Get Into The Game

The first stadium style e-sports event in the region took place on Saturday at the Gigazone Gaming Championship.

“People don’t realize how many people game here in Northern Minnesota,” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

“This is a great opportunity whether you’re a big time gamer or somebody who does it here and there to come get together and have fun. All the fun was free and see each other and talk gaming.”

“There’s just such a variety here. Maybe not all of the ones I’d like to see but still enough and I have my friend here with me so we’re having fun together,” said gamer Sabbastian Wilson-Webb.

Gaming is considered to be more than just a hobby to some like Justin Krueger who considers himself a game fanatic playing since 2005.

“This is a sport you have to really train hard to react faster than many other people react in other sports,” said Krueger.

In the main event the best of the best competed in League of Legends. The top eight qualifying teams battled it out for a chance to win more than $4,500 in cash and prizes. Matthan Althiser was well prepared for the challenge.

“We had almost every night we were online practicing because an online game you can play,” said Althiser. “We can just play from home and then we have this voice system we can talk over and just discuss the game and play that way.”

The convention center had gamers of all ages and players are looking forward to coming back.

“I really hope that they do these again it’d be cool to see a Street Fighter V tournament focused on that,” said gamer Gordon Cloud.

“I’d love to jump on that on the main stage. That’d be really cool.”

It doesn’t matter if you’re playing sports, drama or combat sports video games can be endless.