| Age of the Empire: Beyond the ARC |
August 19th, 2008 |
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The Black Dragon and the White Tiger set for a new quest.
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The Power of an Empire
Throughout the video game industry and community, news of the world’s greatest games, developers and champions are echoed. For the industry the sales of a great game is rewarded with the most attention, as for the community it is its champions that are given the similar type of attention from the demographic that is interested in competitive gaming. As professional gaming continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, gamers by the thousands look for a way to join the stage of the few already crowned champions of the world such as Fatal1ty, Lost Cause, DOA Masters and more.
In the vast sea of internet based communities grassroots gaming organizations struggle to survive and seeks growth. Each community searches for way to promote and expose their brand community to the video game industry and to the world at large. Some communities do it in search of sponsorship and venture capitalist to help augment their brand service for gaming for monetary gain, while others who do not do it for monetary gain do it for the love of their culture.
The communities who incorporate their love of their culture with a business structure tend to survive longer than the communities that are structured solely on the passion of the culture. The merger of passion and business based gaming communities tend to expand and reach out to more gamers. Traditional communities unfortunately remain stagnant and in time wither away in this vast ocean of communities which used a number of different promotional styles to try to expand their brand of gaming but fail. |
Winning is not the only way to Expand. |
Empire Arcadia however, has learned over its 6 year lifetime that even with the merger of its passion for the gaming culture and any form of a business structure, it is still not enough to make a “real” difference to the world. This article takes a recent look at the two main players in Empire Arcadia, and highlight what they’ve accomplished in the video game community and industry versus what they have done with their winnings for society. |
Justin Wong, more than just a Champion. |
Courage of the White Tiger
Returning from Japan’s Super Battle Opera as 1 of 3 players representing the United States of America Justin “Marvelous” Wong the 6 time Marvel vs. Capcom 2 World Champion has come a long way as a gamer. Starting at the age of 15, he has been immersed in a world of competitive gaming, knowing no limits of his virtual fist. Justin has matured over the years and has become one of two staple figure heads in Empire Arcadia. Traveling the world to expand his knowledge in various arts of fighting, Justin started to gain respect from the international competitive community.
Soon Justin became a juggernaut and his talent and skill in competitive fighting games earned him the income which provided for himself and help his parents out. He made a living off his earning in competitive fighting games but would not consider himself a professional gamer. Justin felt there was more that he could do with his talents and looked for ways to express it through Empire Arcadia.
In time Justin started to understand the status that he obtained through his ability to win at so many different fighting games. He then started to reach out to more social aspect of gaming, in terms mingling with all types of gamers. He found out that video game tournaments was not the only place to meet people. Video game conventions such as “Magfest” was the perfect neutral ground for Justin to meet new and different types of gamers. It was conventions such as Magfest that Justin started to recognize that there was more to gaming than just winning a fight. Justin could see beyond his virtual fist.
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Expanding himself, Justin learned that he has the power to do more to develop gaming at large if he promoted his thoughts, concerns and experience around the world rather than competing. Ready-Up.net was Justin’s first attempt to do just that. Justin now spends time with those most unfortunate to give them a little bit of the experience that he has felt throughout his lifetime in gaming
(See:A Gamers Valentine 3). However is this enough to give back? |
Wisdom of the Black Dragon
Unlike his loyal team mate Justin Wong, TriForce has not been as loud in his gaming accomplishments. TriForce has always been more focused in the cultural elements of gaming all the while keeping his gaming skills sharp in a more private manner. Throughout his career in Empire Arcadia, TriForce has been traditionally more involved in the many social aspects that gaming attaches itself to. Video Game conventions, gaming launch parties and video game rock concerts are some of the places that you can find TriForce.
The young Emperor of Arcadia has learned through many trials and errors over the years which has ravaged his personal life and nearly destroyed the very Empire in which he has founded. Now looking for ways to push the Empire into a more mainstream light so that he can generate the ability to do more for his community and society at large, TriForce is learning that experience alone is only one side to a two sided puzzle. Merging his wisdom with the force of Justin Wong has now become a far more effective strategy for the Empire to do more for the gaming community. This led to the “World War 1” campaign which was drafted up to help expand the Empire in all areas of competitive gaming. Twin Galaxies and Guinness Record has been a major factor in the campaign giving acclaim to TriForce and his work through Empire Arcadia. See Blog: My Day With A True Gaming Fanatic - See Official News: Perfect Nintendo DS Score
At Magfest 6 TriForce completed a project that he knew he was capable of, which raised money for Child’s Play Children hospital. See: (Magfest 6) TriForce has pondered on other ways to focus this skill to contribute to society on a broader scale but since, he has been content with the Empire’s charitable contribution with Child’s Play Children hospital. However is this enough to give back? |
TriForce is still a gamer but leads with his accomplishments. |
Setting a new standard for gamers.
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Beyond the Crusade of Arcadia
One can take a look at what Justin and TriForce has done for their culture, community and industry in gaming but is it enough? In a time where even Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York City goes beyond his job description to do what he can to make a real difference in the lives of the people of New York and also contribute ideals to give back to mother nature, (See: New York Post) has members of Empire Arcadia gone beyond the its limits to make a real difference in society?
Is it the obligation of these gamers to do more other than win video game tournaments and promote themselves shamelessly for their own gain, while many suffer in the world? The United States of America provides a shield from the rest of the worlds real problems and in a time where the world needs a helping hand from everyone possible it is time for gamers to put in their contribution to.
Culture of gamers has been questioned time and time again and is quickly becoming just an industrial tool to create income for special interest organizations. |
Gamers lending aid to the world has two specific positive results; (1.) First and foremost it shows that no matter how miniscule people believe gaming is it can be used for good to constructively help others in need. (2.) It shows that gamers are aware of the worlds issues and will do what it can to help, legitimizing the culture of gaming much like many other cultures in the world.
This brings to stage one question, what can gamers do to help those in need? At Evo2K8, TriForce met up with James Paige of Maryland USA and spoke with him about expanding on what matters most with gamers. James explained to TriForce that focusing solely on the competitive elements of gaming is not enough for the Empire to expand. James suggested to TriForce that the Empire can start with a can food drive to help with the many starving people in the United States. “The Empire needs to get involved with what matters in the world, with real issues and contribute to these issues to make a real difference. Only then will the Empire pay its dues and can move forward.” –James Paige
TriForce loved the idea and spoke more with James about how the entire gaming community can get involved. “This is something that we should have done many years ago. |
TriForce and Justin try to set a humble example. |
With what we have done throughout the company’s lifetime, something of this magnitude should be encouraged throughout not only the gaming community but the industry as well.” –TriForce The plan is a very simple and can be expanded throughout the gaming industry.
How you can help:
- Each event i.e. Tournaments, Conventions and special event should have a mandatory minimum of one can food goods along with entry fee to the venue or event.
- Each event organizer and or administration should collect all can goods and pack them up in card board boxes and store them in a safe location.
- Then each organizer and or administration should “Google” their local City Food Bank; contact them and make preparations to deliver all can goods. Example (NYC Food Bank)
- Finally in a letter, inform your local Food Bank, Local Soup Kitchen or charity of your choice that can make good use of your can goods; of the community in which you represent and a list of all the gamers that contributed. NOTE: Please send a copy of the list to GivingBack@EmpireArcadia.com so it can be complied for a post article called “The Gamers Thanksgiving” in November.
This simple plan is not exclusive to video game tournaments, events and conventions or anyone in the United States. Any gamer in the world whether professional or amateur, work in the video game industry such as Nintendo, Microsoft or Sony, can all get involved in this food drive. The mission is to gather 1 Million cans of food before Thanksgiving, so that we as people not just gamers can help to feed as many unfortunate people in the World as possible. Financial contributions are also accepted by the American Red Cross. This project is a humble approach for the gaming community to take responsibility and get involved in the world using our skill, time and dedication to contribute to the world in what really matters.
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