Discover the Team Capturing the Heart of America’s Fighting Game Scene: Bars, Pizza Parlors, and Back Rooms

For many years, video games have been a catalyst for social interaction, with their roots deeply embedded in the arcade scene well before home consoles and elaborate gaming PCs transported fans to their home sanctuaries. While these communal hubs like LAN parties, gaming cafes, and tournaments still exist, they’ve seen their significance wane. Once, you could meet someone like Greg face-to-face over a game of Counter-Strike or Street Fighter in the local arcade. Now, Greg is just another avatar with a Clannad image on Discord. How times have evolved.

Still, there are those who crave genuine social interaction, who find gaming most rewarding when shared with fellow enthusiasts nearby. While these digital congregations are on the decline, a few ardent enthusiasts have ventured to chronicle these locales through a fresh video series called Locals Unknown. Their journey begins in the unassuming basement of a college town pizza joint.

This concept piqued my interest, leading me to chat with two key figures behind the project: Victeemo, a seasoned fighting game player, and Siam, who runs the esports group Kanme Esports. Alongside help from Sol Naciente, a Tekken aficionado, the team has embarked on capturing the essence of local gaming communities throughout their travels. It’s a delightful blend of classic YouTube vlogging and travel documentaries.

The genesis of this project coincided with Victeemo’s association with Kanme. Both he and Siam thought that branching out into creative content could complement their brand’s presence at gaming events.

Siam shared, “Talking with Victeemo revealed a shared passion for where we started in the fighting game community—our local scene. These places are invaluable starting points for newcomers, situated in a variety of unique spots.”

Victeemo added, “As the first season of the Tekken World Tour wrapped up, I was on the lookout for sponsorships and Kanme caught my eye. Together, we stumbled upon the idea of Locals Unknown. We tossed around ideas until Sian suggested, ‘What if you visited local scenes and documented them?’ It sounded like a great idea and something I was eager to explore.”

“While I am first and foremost a competitor, community engagement has always been a close second for me. It’s exhilarating to work on this project and see it gaining traction.”

The charm of the series lies in its buildup to the events, showcasing everything from preparations to the journey to each local setting.

Despite being new to handling a video camera before Locals Unknown, Victeemo has taken to capturing the essence of these local events with zeal. Siam and Sol_Naciente support him by editing the footage, driven by community spirit rather than corporate budget.

They share the unfortunate reality of many in the fighting game space—the closing of local haunts that once fostered their growth and camaraderie. Xanadu Games, a notable Maryland hub, bid farewell in December 2024, with both Siam and Victeemo in attendance for its final showdown.

Victeemo reminisced, “The local scene at Xanadu was amazing. nestled within a tiny business center outside Baltimore, it drew about 50 monthly participants eager to play Tekken from its launch, where we could barely breathe (laughing). This packed energy fueled my competitive drive and love for community.”

Siam noted, “A lot of establishments are closing shop, even our beloved Xanadu Games. Witnessing its closure firsthand solidified our mission to spotlight the venues still thriving.”

This initiative goes beyond Xanadu. Countless local scenes for games like Street Fighter and Tekken have gradually disappeared, replaced by infrequent large-scale events or nothing at all. It’s a challenging time for local fighting game communities, according to Siam and Victeemo.

Siam pointed out, “It’s a difficult period for local setups. The ease of online play post-2020 has overtaken many physical venues, leading to closures as attendance dwindled. It’s definitely on a downward trend.”

Conversely, Victeemo expressed, “Amidst the closure of many locals, spotlighting those that go the extra mile to foster community connections is vital, contrasting the impersonal nature of online play.”

What’s driving this effort? What makes these places worth documenting and writing about? For Siam and Victeemo, it’s about honoring the local scenes that shaped their journeys and highlighting environments that were pivotal for them.

Victeemo shared, “My partner and I met through the fighting game scene at Xanadu nearly seven years ago. I’ve forged several lasting friendships thanks to this community, something I wouldn’t exchange for anything.”

Siam added, “This is a way of giving back. It’s crucial for gamers to recount their origins. It grounds the narrative, reminding everyone that even the most celebrated players started somewhere similar. It all circles back to the foundational local scenes.”

“I hope to depict the human element beyond the mere gaming. It’s about the people who embody and sustain these communities.”

The first episode of Locals Unknown is available on Kanme’s YouTube channel, with more episodes in the pipeline. If you’re inspired by their mission, be sure to show them support. It’s essential to celebrate these facets of video game culture, particularly those with fleeting life spans.