Well, I talked to Stephen this past Saturday. We can't get one in before Christmas like I hoped because it's too short notice. After Christmas though, Stephen should be able to work the College store on a Saturday, and we can probably have one then. The good thing about Gameware is that we could possibly do biweeklies.
Another option is to go smashfest and not tournament. Or maybe a tournament for only bragging rights. Basically, I can get a room in the Union through Tiger Uppercut for free if there are no entry fees. it's becomes really expensive if we want entry fees, $150 or 15% of what we collect, whichever is higher.
I've thought about trying another Laser Tag tournament, but I'd like to save that for a bigger tournament.
I've also looked into GameLAN, which Freddy mentioned months ago. I didn't go in because it was closed, but it looks like it's way too small to have more than 1-2 tvs. Plus, parking would be a pain: either way back behind the building or on the other side of a fence that you have to go way out of your way to get around. Finally, it looked kinda run-down and stuff. I dunno, maybe it's better than it seemed, but I've ruled it out, especially with a brand new Gameware nearby.
Now, if you wanted to do something at your house, I could probably bring a table or two and maybe some chairs. If a few other people had tables and chairs, it'd be too easy.
Finally, if someone else has a decent sized apartment/ house and doesn't mind having a lot of people over, we can have a tournament there. I know for a fact that Eric's/ Phil's/ Vaughn's won't work; I've already asked. This would work basically the same way as having it at Taylor's place though.
So, I think the best options are: wait out the holiday shopping rush, and have it at Gameware; have it at Taylor's (potentially sooner); or smashfest at the Union. Here's what I think are distinct advantages and disadvantages of each place:
For Gameware: central location (maybe get LSU smashers), clean, public building, can buy cool stuff with prize money, precedent for future tournies, no real limit on people, food nearby.
Against Gameware: Must wait to hold tournaments: Stephen has bigger concerns than Smash tournaments -> might be January before tournament, no chairs or tables (as far as I know), possible but not likely store cut (10-15%?), limit on setups (3-5), closes (9-10pm?).
For Taylor's: Space for lots of TVs?, no house cut, doesn't close (but we might have to be gone by a certain time)
Against Taylor's: Far away from a lot of people? (I think), no tables/ few chairs(?), potential alcohol (unless you're drunk before you play me, of course), possible limit on people, no food
For LSU:Enough space for however many TVs we want, excellent location for LSU smashers, no entry limit, food in the Union
Against LSU: NO PRIZE MONEY, possibly not even MMs, closes at 10/ 11pm, have to pay for LSU's TVs (can bring our own, and we can maybe get LSU ones free, but that's iffy), far from pretty much everyone else, especially those without cars.
Well, that's what I think our options for tournaments in the near future are. Personally, I'd want a tournament with cash prizes. That'd probably get other cities to come to it, and that'd only help. Taylor's or Gameware are my choices.
