PALMDALE – Vincent Hoang was the last person standing — or actually sitting — after doing video battle in the Palmdale City Library’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament held yesterday (May 1) in the Library’s reading room.
For his victory, Hoang earned himself a $50 Target gift card. P.J. Vallarta finished second and took home a $30 gift card.
“We had an amazing turnout — over 100 people showed up for the competition,” said Palmdale City Library Director Thomas Vose. “We had to cap the tournament at 64 players because of space and time constraints.”
Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii is an extremely popular fighting game uniting the characters from numerous Nintendo franchises. It is rated “T” for “Teen.”
“Keep an eye out for the next one!” Vose said.
The Palmdale City Library is open seven days a week. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.
For more information, please call the Palmdale City Library at 661-267-5600 or TDD 267-5167, or visit www.cityofpalmdale.org/library.
(Information via press release from the City of Palmdale.)
Lieurance says
Totally need to have age seperation in these tournaments, nothing worst than watching your 6 year old lose to a 16,25, there was even a 40 something guy in there.. Just sayin!! Good way to bring the kids out though..(well for the most part, kids..)
Big Boss says
by the way, sikntired, there are ‘video games’ dedicated to learning, ever heard of brain age? And there are others like it too. The option is there for those who want it so unless you also have a problem with kids reading fiction books, then I don’t see what your problem with video games is.
sikntired says
Hey Mr Vose,
As one of your employers I would like to suggest that those who want to enter the video game contest must read a book and write a book report .That would be a more appropriate use of tax payer resources.
661 says
Just want to point out the young man who won this thing is an intern for city of Palmdale engineering division, one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and a friend for life. I once ran in to him at Barnes and Noble reading a quantum physics book…..for FUN. Don’t be so quick to pass judgement on these tournaments. knowing Vince he was probably one of the greatest role models any of these kids will run in to and he actually can set a great example that you can play video games and still be educated and productive. Easily the nicest person I know. I am laughing right now imagining him complementing the people that he was beating throughout the tournament haha.
These tournaments are a great way to keep the kids out of trouble, give them a competitive outlet, and expose them to everything else the library has to offer.
There is also no senseless killing in a cartoon fighting game so before you mention anything else about learning how to “kill people” I will tell you that smash brothers is a very rewarding and complex fighting game that has personally given me a wonderful competitive outlet and has taught me a lot about myself over the years.
Kudos to the library.
Scott Castro says
Oh wow, congrats to him! You should let people know that there will be a tournament this saturday for Melee and Brawl.
Location is:
Village Point
43656 Challenger Way, unit #17
Lancaster, CA, 93535
Bring wii/gamecube setups for brawl/melee and $ prizes will be involved as well!
Scott Castro says
More info on http://smashboards.com/threads/64-melee-brawl-super-smash-orgy-setups-needed-may-4th-2013-lancaster-ca.335494/
We expect a good turnout! Spread the word! :)
Johnny Trece says
This tournament, in my opinion, is a very positive event for the local youth. Would we rather have our youth in drug houses or involved in gangs? I think not. Well, there’s always a bad and good side to everything, some more positive and some more negative.
Big Boss says
Gee, I wonder who’s getting more done… someone playing a video game or someone reading a book…
both are just forms of escapism… reading a book doesn’t magically mean that person is being productive…
I enjoy both games and books but I don’t really see either one-upping the other in terms of productivity…
sikntired says
Understanding the written word and being able to write in a coherent ,knowledgeable fashion are skills learned in great part by reading.These are skills needed if you want to compete in the scholastic,business or professional world.
Video games are very good for eye-hand coordination but the library needs to be pushing the books .Aint that what the library is supposed to do ?
sikntired says
By the way,big boss,there’s a whole section of the library devoted to non-fiction,and actually people have been known to actually learn from books as opposed to video games where you learn to kill as many people as possible in a short period of time.
Big Boss says
Well of course. I’m not doubting that. If you read to learn then that’s something else, but recreational reading, which is what I was referring to, is really no different than just playing a video game. In neither case is the offending party actually doing anything except escaping reality. And learning to write is a skill learned by writing. Just like you won’t become a carpenter by being inside a building, you can’t magically write by reading a book.