Game On! to host “˜Madden NFL 12′ tournament, with winners able to claim a cash prize
Game On!’s upcoming Xbox 360 “Madden NFL 12″ tournament will give out a cash prize for the winners.
Madden NFL 12 Tournament
Today, 6:30 p.m.
Game On, $7
By Colin Reid
Nov. 2, 2011 12:26 a.m.
Bright lights, loud sounds and occasional trash talk are typical contributors to the A-level of Ackerman Union, specifically Game On!’s atmosphere.
Making money at the Ackerman facility, instead of spending it, might not be on the agenda of most UCLA students. However, Game On!’s upcoming Xbox 360 “Madden NFL 12″ tournament makes this profitable outcome all the more possible.
Once students register at the event, they can grab a controller, pick a team and throw the virtual pigskin.
This tournament-style event has been supported by UCLA since Game On! opened its doors nearly a year and a half ago. Every quarter, tournaments are held at the facility, featuring current games that students may be interested in, said Michael Zvaleko, a third-year life sciences student and coordinator of these tournaments.
This quarter, “Madden NFL 12″ and “Street Fighter IV” are available for students to play in competition. Last quarter’s “Starcraft II” tournament attracted over 20 contestants and lasted over four hours, said Alex Kuo, a fourth-year biology student and Game On! employee.
According to Kuo, students shouldn’t be dissuaded by the tournament’s level of commitment. No experience is needed to participate.
“Any skill level is welcome. It’s just some people who are more into these types of games are more likely to show up,” said Kuo. “It’s a great way to test out your skills.”
The challenge of the game is what attracted Colton Alexio, a first-year humanities student and veteran “Madden” player of 10 years.
Alexio, who also manages a fantasy football team, said he watches the sport whenever possible and enjoys the competitive spirit that the tournament brings out in people.
This upcoming “Madden NFL 12″ tournament will use a double elimination style, meaning students will need to be defeated twice before being ousted from the tournament.
Past tournaments have used single elimination as a way of saving time and moving along the event, as in the case of “Starcraft II.”
But this is unnecessary for “Madden NFL 12″ as it is one of Game On!’s least popular competitions, Zvaleko said.
As for the prize, the jackpot is split between first and second place. The majority, depending on how many participate, goes to the winner.
Participants are also allotted a free warm-up session before the tournament and after the tournament concludes in Game On!, until 1 a.m.
According to Zvaleko, students who come to play will undoubtedly have a spot to compete as Game On! owns eight Xbox 360s, all of them dedicated to this tournament.
“Tournaments don’t make us a ton of money, but they bring a lot of people in and get us a lot of customers,” Zvaleko said. “We have a really good venue and they are very well-organized tournaments. I think it will be fun for the “˜Madden’ fans out there.”
