James Nix’s Who Run Philly 2K online game tournaments—which pit players against each other in Madden NFL or NBA 2K—draw gamers from as far away as Detroit and Cleveland to an empty Philly apartment with hardwood flooring, four televisions, four Xbox structures, and little else.
Over 38 tournaments, the buy-ins for the video games run via Nix — whose nickname is “Jimmy Thousands” — have risen from $five to $50, with the grand prize now as much as $750. Nix takes a cut of the proceeds but states he invests much of it into advertising.
Nix, 30, grew up in Germantown and believed he got his hustle from his dad, a contractor and assets proprietor, and his electronics abilities from his mom, whom he called “a laptop genius.”
“Coming up, I became continually a hustler,” he stated. “I’m just a man that receives it completed.”
When he was a freshman at Dobbins High School, Nix became so proficient at playing Madden NFL that people started betting on him, which got him thinking about starting a video game tournament of his own.
In July 2015, he made that dream a reality, laying out hard and fast regulations covering no alcohol or smoking at video games. Not all vices are prohibited, though.
Spectators are not allowed at games. Nix didn’t need people to “speak me smack,” he discovered that once gamers come alone, they’re much more likely to make new buddies.
“If you come in with someone else, you’re not going to vibe with each person,” he stated.
While most players are guys — the most effective two women have ever signed up — the age range of individuals varies wildly, from 12 to 46.
Nix gets phrases about his tournaments on social media and via online advertising and marketing. You don’t need a Konami Code to enter, but you should pay the entry charge before the deal and match time are supplied.
A protective shield is on the web page, and gamers should show a definite ID shape.
When asked if Nix’s tournaments vioasked town or kingdom laws, Philadea police referred questions to the Department of Licenses and Inspections. However, both L and the state Gaming Control Board and I stated they do not have oversight.
He stated that Nix manages the games and posts heavily on social media during the tournaments, reinforcing gamers’ feelings about the test.
“When you notice me with the video going, you’re no longer going to do whatever crazy,” he said. “You don’t need to seem like a mad individual on video and Snapchat. You need to look cool.”
In a time when Comcast is spending $50 million to build an esports area with 3,500 seats, Nix’s tournament offers an alternative—a personalized setting that encourages camaraderie above the opposition.
“Tons of relationships were constructed right here,” Nix said. “You’re constructing friendships with human beings here, and while you go domestic, you could play with them online.”
But Nix, who works overnight as a mail clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, has deep desires for his tournament as well. He’d want to get a more significant area and sponsors, perhaps even a live DJ, as opposed to his iPhone. His aim is to offer a million-greenback prize at some point.
That, he imagines, will be the ultimate level-up.
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