Game-Tastic Fest

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Micaiah Anthony
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Want to win $300? Find a partner and start gaming, because the Barksdale Club here is holding a gaming tournament to see who the best of the best is.

The tournament, Game-Tastic Fest, will be held at the Barksdale Club Nov. 10 and 17 in two categories, one for youth ages eight to 17 years old and one for adults 18 years old and up.

"With the initial release of Halo 4 and Call of Duty Black Ops 2 we figured it would be a good time to do a base wide gaming tournament," said Tony Flowers, 2nd Force Support Squadron Barksdale Club general manager. "Our target audience is our youth and our single Airmen, however, anyone who has authorized access to the base can play. This Game-Tastic Fest will be like no other event the base has ever seen."

According to Flowers, the tournament isn't just going to be a ballroom with a few televisions and gaming consoles. The venue will have everything from laser lights and fog machines to mechanical zombies and Halo statues.
"The efforts that our construction and design people are putting into this event is going to surpass players' expectations," he said. "The ambiance that you are going to feel when you come in here is going to be like you are in Halo, it will not seem like the ballroom anymore."

Along with the décor, Flowers and his construction crew are building a 25 foot gaming entertainment center that will house 16 Xbox 360s each with a 32-inch flat screen T.V.

Even the construction crew is excited to see what the venue will look like once completed.
"I want to see the final product, I have a picture of it in my mind and I think it is going to be great," said Mark Huffman, 2 FSS engineering technician.

On game day, players who have not already chosen a partner will be assigned a teammate. The teams will have to play both video games in a double elimination bracket system. The third place team will receive $100, second place team will receive $200 and first place team will receive $300. Participants will also be able to enjoy snacks and have a chance to win other prizes from raffles and drawings.

"We will have a bunch of door prizes and giveaways throughout the night with some of the prizes actually surpassing what the actual awards are for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place," said Flowers. "We also encourage people to dress up as their favorite character. We may even have a surprise for the best costume."

For those who are not able to compete during the tournament there will be an open house Nov. 16 for people to come and enjoy the environment and play the games. However, according to Flowers, this will not be the last gaming tournament on Barksdale.
"Our goal is to do this every quarter and branch out to other bases within the MAJCOM," said Flowers. "Hopefully from there we can make the event Air Force wide, making Barksdale the benchmark for Game-Tastic Fest."

To sign up for Game-Tastic Fest, go to the Barksdale Club and sign up at the cashier's cage. For the youth tournament, participants must have their parent's permission to participate. Registration for the youth tournament is at the Youth Center on base. Registration fees for both tournaments are $15 for non-club members and $10 for members. The youth tournament will start at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. and the adult tournament will start at 6 p.m. and last until midnight. Doors will open one hour before both tournaments for players to practice and get situated.