Introducing the Team Capturing the Bars, Pizza Parlors, and Hidden Spaces of the American Fighting Game Scene

For years, video games have been more than just a solo activity; they’ve been a way for people to connect. The journey began in arcades before the advent of home gaming systems like consoles and PC setups drew players indoors, creating a more private gaming experience. While community spaces like LAN parties, gaming cafes, and tournaments still exist, they’ve become a shadow of their former selves. Back in the day, you might have bumped into someone like Greg face-to-face while battling it out in Counter Strike Source or Street Fighter 2 during a night out. Now, Greg might as well be represented by a Clannad avatar on Discord. Times have changed.

Yet, there are still die-hard gamers who seek real-world interaction, those who find gaming most enjoyable when it’s shared with nearby friends. While many of these gaming “sanctuaries” are disappearing, a dedicated group has embarked on a mission to document them. Their project, a video series titled “Locals Unknown,” shines a light on grassroots fighting game tournaments, starting with a unique venue: the basement of a college town pizza joint.

Intrigued by this concept, I had the opportunity to chat with two key figures behind it. Victeemo, a seasoned pro in the fighting game scene, and Siam, the owner of the esports team Kanme Esports, have teamed up with Sol Naciente, a Tekken player known for his King main, to capture the essence of local gaming communities. Their approach harks back to the golden days of YouTube, blending vlogging with travel docuseries, offering viewers an authentic and raw look at the scenes they visit.

The idea took shape as soon as Victeemo began playing for Kanme. Both he and Siam felt that beyond attending events and representing their team, they needed to create something meaningful. Siam explained, “When discussing with Victeemo, we both felt strongly about our roots in the fighting game community, particularly the importance of the local scene. These places are crucial – they’re the first stop for anyone interested in the games, and they’re scattered across very different settings.”

Victeemo adds, “After the first season of the Tekken World Tour, I was on the lookout for sponsorships and came across Kanme. It was funny how we stumbled upon the idea of ‘Locals Unknown’ together… and then Siam suggested, ‘Why not send you to various locals and have you document them?’ I loved the idea because it’s something I feel passionate about.”

Balancing his time, Victeemo remains a competitor first but holds community-building as a close second. “I’m thrilled to be doing this,” he says, “and it’s gratifying that so many are interested.”

One aspect that stands out in the series is the pre-event anticipation: setting up, the journey to the venue, and more.

Despite never having used a video camera before, Victeemo now roams different local scenes, capturing the spirit of gaming meetups. Backed by Siam and Sol Naciente, who do the post-editing at home, the series is a grassroots effort not reliant on any major financial backing but driven by pure passion.

Siam and Victeemo share a history familiar to many seasoned gamers. The local scenes they grew up in have largely disappeared. Xanadu Games, a well-known Maryland venue for fighting game fans, held its closing event in December 2024. Both were present for the bittersweet goodbye.

“We had this place called Xanadu, in a small building outside Baltimore,” Victeemo recalls. “When a game hit, we’d cram 50 people into the space; it was packed and lively (laugh). Those moments fueled my competitive drive but also cemented my love for the community.”

Siam laments, “Venues we frequented, including Xanadu Games, are folding. We attended its final event, and witnessing these closures prompted us to shine a spotlight on the venues still standing.”

These experiences sparked the creation of “Locals Unknown,” but the focus isn’t only on Xanadu. Longstanding gaming hubs for titles like Street Fighter and Tekken are vanishing, replaced by infrequent large-scale events, if anything. Both Siam and Victeemo acknowledge this as a challenging period for local gaming hubs.

“The shift to online gaming, especially after 2020, made things tough,” Siam admits. “Pre-2020, local spots were easy to find. Now, many have closed due to dwindling foot traffic.”

Victeemo emphasizes the importance of their mission, “We’re seeing a lot of locals shut down, so it’s crucial to highlight those making efforts to gather people, foster friendships, and nurture the community in physical spaces.”

Why document these places, you ask? For Siam and Victeemo, it’s about honoring the environments that nurtured them. Sharing their origins not only pays homage but also brings attention to areas that might be lost to time.

“My significant partner and I met through the fighting game community at Xanadu,” Victeemo shares. “The friendships I’ve built here are lifelong, something I deeply cherish.”

Siam reflects, “In a sense, it’s about giving back. Players should share where they originated, grounding their stories. As they rise in fame, it’s good to remind others: ‘Hey, I’m a player too, and I started exactly where you might be now.’”

Both are committed to revealing the human stories that weave these communities together—not just focusing on the games and venues.

You can find the premiere episode of “Locals Unknown” on the Kanme channel, with more episodes underway. If you’re interested in supporting their journey, show them some love. It’s vital to cherish parts of gaming culture that might be fading away.