I'm going to do my best to remind myself that you are out of touch with the fighting game community, and do not understand the real math or statistics involved. Also, I'll cut to the chase for you.
A tournament with a cash pot is your best bet to get anyone other than the Tulsa types that have talked to you - to even show up to play. Link, other potential good players, wouldn't just show up on a lark. Try and remember it from our perspective; you are not the first nor the last to state you're the best, and traveling just to silence some random voice on the internet would even bankrupt Gates.
Also, no one puts that sort of money down for a tournament entry fee. I've known a few crazies that might for a bet, but even those are far and few in-between. I can guarantee you no one in Tulsa is going to lay down 50 - they know they are going to lose to me or Mj anyway, more-a-less someone that might show up better from TX, etc. Financially, it's just not going to happen that anyone would pay that much for a tournament for a fighting game. Realistically - anyone from too far back would see myself, Mj, etc - and not pay upon arriving. Really, even charging 10 is pushing it, as once again, it pasts the point of fun, and gets into a major investment to some. Best to go less, and get more people to play, vs scaring them away with a over-sized entry fee.
And don't let what you've seen on the forums misguide you. What I was doing at my house was trying to re-inact what Tulsa once had at the arcade, and also what Dallas has in it's community - weekly gaming gatherings. Mj, myself, JD, and others didn't put thousands of hours into SC play without there being a location to do it - for SC1 and 2 - that was the arcade, something that simply was destroyed by SC3's console bs.
Also don't be concerned, when I "offer to throw a tournament" - I do so because I know I can run a fair and fun event and get locations, gamers, and sponsors on board, but simply don't dedicate my time to do it actively anymore. OKgamers is fairly known in OK now after I spent a year doing monthly events+, I now dedicate my time to conventions and other larger scale events requested by businesses usually. If I throw a tournament, it'll be worth showing up for. If I've got a 'main show' - like AZ players rolling in to challenge Tulsa players? I'll be able to throw a banner together to gather more players. Pure and simple hype? Sure. But it still rally's the troops better than "Come lose your money to XA or Mj." Remember - I've lived here all my life. Tulsa is where I've played this game from n00b to 'pro'. Tournaments for SC died several deaths over the years, because people got tired of losing; a big factor into why I wouldn't charge too much for entry. Throw a big enough event, people will come for fun. Make it AZ vs OK - people will spread the word and it'll become fun. If you really are good enough to defeat all present, 5 to 6$ a head at 70% is enough to recoup your costs, etc. Anything more goes outside the scope of being realistically feasible.
I welcome your friend, we'll probably have someone dedicated to taping the event as well. I still encourage you to rent a car, and bring more than just yourself - that way we can have this be an official AZ vs OK event.
And don't worry; a tournament won't take away from your first to 5 with anyone that's trash talked. Myself, Mj, Wraith and probably what - Blind and who else? That's like 10 minutes a piece, times 4 - we can eek out less than an hour right after the tournament to finish things up, or let you do things in your personal manner. But don't back down from a tournament offer; you wanna win big, winning tournaments is how it is. If you can't pull down top placing at an event, no one will care if you can beat a few people first to five - what matters is when you go into a competition and come out with first place.
Let's say March 29th. Let me know if you can drag any other SC playing friends, and we'll call it AZ vs OK. I can see charging like 6$ a head, putting 1$ towards flyer costs recouping, and the rest towards the pot - 70 / 20 / 10. I'll put things into motion the second you give me your word or grab your tickets, etc. You game?
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