Introducing the Team Capturing the Heart of America’s Fighting Game Scene: Bars, Pizza Parlors, and Hidden Gems

For ages, video games have served as a social hub for many people. This phenomenon traces back to the arcade days, before home consoles and gaming PCs turned players’ attention indoors. While the bustling scenes of LANs, gaming cafes, and tournaments still exist, they’ve significantly faded from the bustling prominence they once held. There was a time when you’d bump into Greg while playing Counter Strike Source or Street Fighter 2 during a night out. Nowadays, Greg is a Clannad profile picture on Discord. Clearly, things have evolved.

Yet, there are still those who seek genuine human interaction through gaming, individuals who believe the experience is richer when shared with nearby enthusiasts. Though these digital havens are dwindling, a devoted few have embarked on a mission to document them via grassroots fighting game tournaments in a new video series: Locals Unknown. Their first destination? The modest basement of a pizza joint in a college town.

I find this concept fascinating, so I caught up with two key figures behind the project. Victeemo, a seasoned fighting game player, and Siam, who leads the esports team Kanme Esports. With collaborative input from Tekken aficionado Sol Naciente, this compact crew has taken it upon themselves to chronicle the local gaming scenes they encounter. It’s got a classic YouTube feel, mixing old-school vlogging with a travel documentary vibe.

The idea blossomed when Victeemo joined Kanme Esports, as both he and Siam felt a creative project could enhance their usual representation at events. Siam expressed, “When I discussed it with Victeemo, we both cherished our beginnings in our local fighting game communities. These communities are crucial as they serve as the gateway for many enthusiasts, often in diverse locations.”

Nephtali a.k.a. Victeemo commented, “When the first season of the Tekken World Tour wrapped up, I sought sponsors and happened upon Kanme. Interestingly, we stumbled upon the idea of ‘Locals Unknown’ together. After brainstorming, Siam suggested, ‘What if we send you around to local tournaments to document them?’ I loved the idea and wanted to pursue it.”

“I’m firstly a competitor since the early Tekken 7 days, but community comes second. It’s thrilling to be involved in this endeavor, especially seeing the attention it’s grabbing.”

Among the highlights of the series is the anticipation before the events. It captures the entire setup process, the journey to the venue, and more.

Despite lacking prior video camera experience before starting Locals Unknown, Victeemo is now enthusiastically recording these events. Siam and Sol_Naciente help with editing, driven by sheer community passion rather than big corporate funding.

Both shared a personal connection, a commonality in many players’ stories in the fighting game arena, having witnessed their beloved local venues close. The cherished Xanadu Games, a staple in Maryland’s fighting game scene, saw its final event in December 2024, with both Siam and Victeemo in attendance to bid farewell.

Victeemo reminisced, “Xanadu was nestled in a tiny building right outside Baltimore. When Tekken launched, fifty of us would pack into the place during monthly gatherings to the point where breathing was a challenge (laughs). It fueled my competitive spirit and ingrained my love for the communal aspect.”

Siam added, “Sadly, many venues have shut down, including one we frequented—Xanadu Games. Victeemo and I witnessed its final event. That experience drove us to focus on showcasing the venues that still stand.”

This initiative stemmed from experiences like Xanadu’s closure, highlighting the broader trend of longstanding local gaming communities dwindling in favor of sparse annual events or none at all. To Siam and Victeemo, local fighting game scenes are undeniably in a tough spot.

Siam reflected, “It’s really challenging now for local scenes. With the rise of online play, especially after 2020, physical venues started declining as attendance waned. Many are closing, marking a downward trend.”

Victeemo emphasized, “Many local scenes face closure, so spotlighting those striving to foster community and friendships is crucial compared to what the online scene offers.”

So, why embark on this project? What makes these places significant enough for a video series and a written piece? For Victeemo and Siam, it’s about honoring their roots, ensuring the story of their community beginnings is told.

Victeemo shared, “I’ve been with my partner for seven years all because we crossed paths through the fighting game community at Xanadu. The friendships and bonds I’ve built here are priceless.”

Siam added, “It’s a way of giving back. Players can share their journey from humble beginnings. As their statuses rise, it’s grounding to remember they started in local scenes just like everyone else.”

The first episode of Locals Unknown is available on Kanme’s channel, with the next installment in the works. If you’re a fan of what they’re doing, show them some love. It’s vital to support these vital pockets of gaming culture, especially those in danger of fading away.