Gamers Latest To Benefit From “Gig City”
At first glance, it might seem like the floor of the Stock Exchange, or the high stress atmosphere of an air traffic control tower.
Nah, they are just gamers
"These kids get excited. They get in the zone. They get really into playing their games, and this is their time to shine.," said Iron Gamer CEO Aaron Welch.
Iron Gaming is one of the many programs thriving off of Chattanooga’s role as the "Gig City". Their goal is to train amateur gamers to become professional players.
"If you are going to become a professional in this industry, let’s show you how to be a professional, how to represent yourself, how to represent brands if you get sponsored," said Welch.
In the world of gaming there’s also plenty of trash talking.
"They are in each others faces and they kind of stay that way through out their entire competition. We try to curb the little more enthusiastic people." added Welch.
But while the older players are trash talking, it’s often the quiet ten year old in the corner ready to steal your thunder.
"The very last match of an 11 game series, it was down to him and two other older players and he was able to pull it out, amazingly right there at the end, to give his team the win," said Welch.
"I was the top of the leader board both times. I followed him down the alley and I killed him and everybody just went wild, it was a madhouse, it was completely insane how everybody screamed," said 10 year old gamer Kaleb Herzner.
Organizers say the world of gaming is one place where everyone is truly equal. "You can be a girl, you can be a guy, you can be a person with a handicap, and you can all play the same game at the same level. It all requires essentially intensity, the same prowess, and skill."
Iron Gamers say they also promote responsible gaming, the best players balance game play with physical and social activity.
"Parents really need to be involved in the child’s gaming. They need to control the amount of content they are getting everyday. You are going to burn out if you sit in front of the computer or a console for 20 hours a day. You are just stressing yourself, doing the same thing over, and over, and over. No variety, you really need to step away and recharge your batteries,"said Iron Gaming Project Manager Jason Herzner.
Webb Wright, WDEF News 12.
Nah, they are just gamers
"These kids get excited. They get in the zone. They get really into playing their games, and this is their time to shine.," said Iron Gamer CEO Aaron Welch.
Iron Gaming is one of the many programs thriving off of Chattanooga’s role as the "Gig City". Their goal is to train amateur gamers to become professional players.
"If you are going to become a professional in this industry, let’s show you how to be a professional, how to represent yourself, how to represent brands if you get sponsored," said Welch.
In the world of gaming there’s also plenty of trash talking.
"They are in each others faces and they kind of stay that way through out their entire competition. We try to curb the little more enthusiastic people." added Welch.
But while the older players are trash talking, it’s often the quiet ten year old in the corner ready to steal your thunder.
"The very last match of an 11 game series, it was down to him and two other older players and he was able to pull it out, amazingly right there at the end, to give his team the win," said Welch.
"I was the top of the leader board both times. I followed him down the alley and I killed him and everybody just went wild, it was a madhouse, it was completely insane how everybody screamed," said 10 year old gamer Kaleb Herzner.
Organizers say the world of gaming is one place where everyone is truly equal. "You can be a girl, you can be a guy, you can be a person with a handicap, and you can all play the same game at the same level. It all requires essentially intensity, the same prowess, and skill."
Iron Gamers say they also promote responsible gaming, the best players balance game play with physical and social activity.
"Parents really need to be involved in the child’s gaming. They need to control the amount of content they are getting everyday. You are going to burn out if you sit in front of the computer or a console for 20 hours a day. You are just stressing yourself, doing the same thing over, and over, and over. No variety, you really need to step away and recharge your batteries,"said Iron Gaming Project Manager Jason Herzner.
Webb Wright, WDEF News 12.
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