Summoning and I have been talking about doing this for years, and up until now, we haven’t had a way to get it done. Due to fortunate circumstances at the UltraSpec warehouse, we have acquired a second unit of 3500 square feet and we can now designate one of the upstairs offices as a gaming/media/stream room.

With the recent shake up in the scene, and players in our area sort of struggling to figure out where to go to get in some level up sessions during the week, we thought this was a good time to announce it. As we move product out of the office and convert it, we’ll give updates. This will merely be a “free” alternative to train. We say free because we’re not going to directly charge anyone to be there, however we will encourage donations, from the players who attend and those in the stream who want to see content arise from this venture. Anything we get will go right back into the community. This can be done via donation bin at UltraSpec Warehouse or through PayPal, what have you, and it will be advertised on the stream. We might just come up with a dollar amount goal to reach by the end of the year and if we do, great. If not, oh well, keep coming to play and we’ll stream it.

The area is about 450 square feet, and we will set up tables with PS3s, 360s, Asus monitors, maybe a couple PCs. We’ll start with about 6 console setups and see how things go, get whatever games we can. There will be a dedicated stream station, and a 100″ projector screen in the room. We also may put a few arcade machines in it as well, with an MK cabinet already landed at the warehouse, likely Alpha 3, 3rd Strike, maybe KI. My goal is to fit every cabinet with a SuperGun for PS2 support.

The current time frame for open hours is looking to be 7 to 2AM (at least) on Fridays, which is after UPS and FedEx arrive and before the lights go off outside, and I think we can adjust as well. It also might not be feasible to do on Fridays due to work schedules, so we’ll have to figure out the details with everyone on when is the best day and time to do this. This is a relatively flexible project.

There will still be events at VSM, there will be seasonal tournaments at YesterCades, and we plan on working with Local Battles to bring at least one event this year, but in terms of a free alternative that a lot of players seem to be looking for, this is the best we can do. It will no doubt be a fantastic experience, but we want to continue to support our other partners in the community.

We acknowledge that the location, Marlboro, NJ, is relatively far for the NY players, and we also acknowledge bridges and tolls (believe us, we drive far and pay them every time we go to VSM too), but some effective carpooling methods can really reduce overall gas and toll prices, and help get this done. Coordinate and congregate. There will also be a zero tolerance policy on behavior. If you are a scumbag, you will be treated as such. Respect your opponents and TOs.

So with that, we will figure out when we can start, and how often. It might just be planned dates around VSM, Local Battles and YesterCades schedulings. The major benefits to the location is that it is centralized to the Tri-State Area and it’s a permanent setup, we never have to take it down. Players want us to do more, and the only way we can right now is if we don’t have to go to the players.

In terms of food, there is a pizza place that delivers until about 11PM about a mile away, and a Wawa about 2 miles away. Food will likely be limited to downstairs in the lobby/vestibule area, but bottled drinks will probably be allowed upstairs. We do have a vending machine for drinks, we’ll see about getting that up and running again.

This is a huge concept, we want to do it, we will derive enjoyment just through doing it, but we’ll need some kind of help to get it to where it needs to be before it becomes self-sustaining. With Injustice around the corner, the players are going to need a guaranteed place to train in the area, and again, this is our offer to you.

Thanks to everyone who’s helped us out and made the MK community better. Don’t forget about KombatNetwork/YesterCades/RBR Operation Wolf coming up in one week.

http://www.facebook.com/events/499062903449938

http://testyourmight.com/threads/jan-26-2013-kombatnetwork-presents-operation-wolf-red-bank-nj.25329

http://testyourmight.com/threads/jan-26-2013-kombatnetwork-presents-operation-wolf-red-bank-nj.25329

OK, so there’s 2 weeks until Operation Wolf and the hype needs to begin. For those of you who are wondering why this event is called “Operation Wolf,” it is sort of an inside joke with me and @JamessMK. Last year’s January tournament was called “Revolution X” which was a stand up shooter arcade game that he has some interesting history with. I decided to make it a tradition and name all YesterCades MK tournaments after old arcade games. I already have three more picked out for this year as I’ll be running seasonable events there for MK and Injustice.

I’m hoping for this to be the biggest local MK event in some time, predicting between 40 and 50 players to be in attendance. I plan on giving this event a “major” treatment. I have gone over a list of trophies to be presented at the event with @9.95, including a 1st place acrylic, 2nd and 3rd place plaques, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th place medals, along with dog tags to give to everyone else in the tournament. There will also be the first KombatNetwork sponsorship award presented to @Crazy Dominican for his service to us over the last year.

I discussed plans with Ken from YesterCades on setup, and I have confirmed availability for at least 2 casual stations for the entire night even while the tournament is going on in the console area. Again players, we have to stick tightly to time frame as it is likely the tournament itself may no start until close to 9PM. This still gives us 3 or 4 hours to complete it which should be no problem. There will be 5 bracket/pool stations in the tournament room with speakers and headphone splitters, and the stream station will be connected to a 60″ big screen over the stream area for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

Also players, don’t forget, you are paying $15 to be there taking up space in the venue, take advantage of the 75 arcade machines and 16 pinball machines available to you during the tournament itself. Among these games are SFII:CE (Maybe Super Turbo or at least Super by the 26th), MKII, UMK3 (soon to have supergun PS2 pad support), Tom Brady will be bringing his MK4 board as well that we can connect to the board changer in UMK3, Tekken 3, Virtua Fighter, newly purchased MvC2, a NEOGEO cabinet with KoF 98 and 2002. Other classics such as WrestleFest, Rampage, Bubble Bobble, The Simpsons, Turtles in Time, NBA Jam, and way back classics like Frogger, Dig Dug, Burger Time, Arkanoid, Millipede, Defender and many many others. Also if anyone wants to take a crack at it, Addams Family Pinball. Make sure to take lots of pictures and instagram your good time there.

I have @Tim Static working on getting us some giveaways from NRS for the event. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, also possibly some free day passes from YesterCades.

The time frame for the event is roughly 7PM to 2AM but you can show up earlier than that. I will be there earlier in the day to setup up as much as possible so if you get there at 5PM for example, I will make sure you get in for the tournament day pass. Remember, the regular day pass for YesterCades is $25 + tax. That’s the quarters equivalent of playing through and beating TMNT, the Simpsons and Bubble Bobble. $15 is 40% off the regular price and on top of that you’re attending an event specifically catered to MK.

Cut off for sign ups will end at 8PM. You may sign up via text or over the phone if you are coming and won’t get there until after 9PM and pay when you get there. Contact me for my #. I will hold off your match until it holds the tournament up itself, in which case you are DQ’d to losers, and if you’re still not there by the time your match is holding up losers, you’re out.

One question to players, I’m considering getting pizza for the event to attempt to prevent players from spending a great deal of time outside the venue which makes running the tournament itself more difficult. If anyone thinks this is a good idea, let me know, or if you think it would be better to just let players handle food on their own I’ll leave it be. If we had more time I wouldn’t be concerned. I will work on this for future MK events but the venue runs parties all the time

Right now, the relatively confirmed guest list consists of almost 50 people, TOs players and guests:

Shock
Summoning
9.95
JamessMK
Tom Brady
AC1984
LI Joe
Sweet Johnny Cage
Check
Claude VonStroke
SwiftTomHanks
Zaf
Jer
Cibernetico
Nathan Frost
Scoot Magee
Gamma
Insuperable
rev0lver
Lulzlou
ChrispyCream7
Lt. Box
scarsunseen
HGTV DrFlash44
HGTV Soapboxfan
HGTV Ermacio
OZZYGUITAR
Kazi
RIN
ChainAce
OC
CD Jr
Crazy Dominican
Maxter
REO
Styroteqe
Capital
J360
Jon Loor
Hitoshura
Big Stevie N
Pat the Enforcer
MikeMetroid
7L
Sackram
xKhaoTikx
LanceMonsoon
HazeJupiter
TheTetraSpirit
Alex Smith
n9195v

Along with about 20 other possible players. Anyone else planning to go to this event, please let me know here, or confirm on the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/499062903449938

Please spread the word and help make this event into a huge success for the MK community and YesterCades. I want there to be so many players that we run out of room and have to ask for more space/setups. Anymore questions, ask me and anyone willing to bring setups please contact me. There are going to be top TOP TOP players at this event. See you there and keep it hype.

Two years ago, KombatNetwork’s original purpose was intended to be a hub that would bring together the handful of fracture leading MK sites and forums where competition is a common theme, along with the the goals of working together, expanding the community, running and promoting events, providing information about gameplay and giving players a place to talk strategy and get to know each other at the same time.

These plans didn’t go exactly as planned but after some restructuring, KombatNetwork’s purpose still continued through streaming MK events at Majors, VSM at Gamer’s Edge, RBR at YesterCades and at times other games in the FGC as well, working hand in hand with TYM, the KN website, helping run events for locals, etc. Essentially, with the idea floating around, KN was then destined to become a reincarnation and refocusing of UltimateMK.com.

As many of you know, KombatNetwork ran a sponsorship program in 2012 to help promote the brand, gain exposure for MK and build an overall following in the FGC to supplement the stream and events KN supports and runs. This program was basically an extension of the sporadic sponsorships through UMK for players such as Tim Static, Konqrr, and Juggernaut at various UMK3 majors in 2010. These can be considered more as favors for friends in the community.

About a year and a half ago, right before CD Jr and REO were sponsored by vVv, I discussed with Summoning the possibility of sponsoring players. We came up with a reasonable budget, and the first grandiose plan we came up with was to sponsor all three CD brothers, Crazy Dominican, Maxter, and CD Jr for several tournaments, while following their experience with a dedicated camera man. The idea was to be a documentary of sorts. This would have been a spectacular venture, but it would have cost us about $10,000.

UltraSpec Cables is a benevolent supporter of the FGC, beyond what many people know, including supplying and selling cables, projectors, and other equipment to various TOs to get their events running without a hitch, or at least, as few hitches as possible, not to mention that the North East scene thrives on support from UltraSpec courtesy of legendary MK player Summoning. Even with this, a $10K proposal was a bit steep to dive into so we decided to see how simply sponsoring a few players most of the way there would do, and in my opinion, it went very well.

Our first choice was Crazy Dominican, because we’ve known him personally for about 5 years, he is a veteran fighting game player, has a deep love of fighting games in general, well known and respected. He seemed the perfect fit for a model sponsee. It had absolutely nothing to do with him being a part of VSM, which some players thought seemed a little questionable. We approached him about the idea at Winter Brawl 2012, ironed out the details and got him on board shortly after.

CD participated as a KN sponored player at MLG: Columbus, EVO, MLG: Raleigh and MLG: Dallas, achieving top 16 to top 6 in all these events. It was our pleasure and honor to have such a consummate professional on the KN team this year. Much respect.

The next choice was DetroitBalln. This actually came after spotting a partial sponsorship to him at Final Round XV to cover the remainder of the cost of his ticket when the sponsorship he won only covered half. I heard the tournament was for a free ride and when I found out he wasn’t going to make it we decided to start the sponsorship program then and there. DetroitBalln is a fresh, up and coming player in the FGC with much experience in the scene already. In many ways, a contrast to CD but none the less, another perfect candidate for sponsorship.

DB represented as a KN sponored player at Final Round XV (unsigned), MLG: Anaheim, EVO, MLG: Raleigh and just confirmed tonight, SCR will be the final KN sponsored tournament for @DetroitBalln. He achieved impressive, top 16 or better placements in all tournaments thus far, including a huge 1st place victory at MLG Anaheim. He also represented KN at other tournaments of his own volition. Here’s to DB winning SCR!

Last, but not certainly least, @Perfect Legend was picked up for a couple “per tournament” sponsorships similar to the UMK3 events in 2010, as an unsigned KN representative. He did OK. Oh yeah..he won that little tournament called “EVO” under KN sponsorship! Not bad? I think that was his 2nd, I’ll have to google that. He also placed a respectable 5th at MLG: Raleigh. Always a controversial player who does what he says he’ll do, PL definitely made the golden achievement for the KN sponsorship program in 2012. Credit as the clincher for getting PL on board to Claude “TriForce” VonStroke.

I wasn’t at any of the events where KN players represented, so the only negative thing I encountered was when stream producers failed to use the KN tags, and confused tags, like EVO for example when I had to text STORMS to get that done! You could hear him on the broadcast talking to Sp00ky, where he actually not only corrected PL’s name, but everyone’s.

We left the contract for sponsorship wide open with as much of it being “for the players” as possible. The contract was for 4 specific tournaments throughout the year (March 2012 through February 2013 basically) but if the players received an option from someone else at a better deal, they were welcome to take that and hold off on our offer for a future event.

Due to the limited number of events allowed, we only asked that they represent KN at tournaments we paid for and were extremely lenient on arrangements or rescheduling. Fortunately we never ran into any issues although a few payouts were too close to the event in my opinion.

We did our best to cover the entire flight/travel, venue, and entry fees. Essentially about 70% of their cost. In the future, if we run some online tournaments for one time only sponsorships, I would like to raise some cash and get those numbers to cover hotel rooms for 2 nights as well. Our overall payout for the program was $4500 spread across 12 months, 3 players, and 11 total tournaments (not unique events but with overlapping).

We are currently not planning to renew any contracts (never say never) or start new ones for 2013, however we will focus personal investments on improving the stream and getting more systems for events. We will attempt to raise some funds through streaming and pushing purchases through UltraSpec.us . Anything you buy from US, put “kombatnetwork” in the comments for the order, and 100% of your purchase will go towards the MK FGC. New and better stream equipment, game systems, possible new sponsorships. I’ve spent 11 years in the FGC and it gets more enjoyable every year.

Thank you to the players who helped us this year and more to come. Mission complete.

The New Operation Wolf Banner courtesy of Kazi.

Sign up here on TYM: Operation Wolf TYM Sign Ups

Or RSVP on Facebook: Operation Wolf FaceBook Event

1: REO
2: Shock
3: LilHustlaChris92
4: AC1984
5: Summoning
5: Comeback Kyle
7: DanCock
7: W1nter Warz
9: CD Jr
9: EdFig81
9: RIN
9: MOE30W
13: LI Joe
13: Arez God of War
13: MKillBill
13: OC
17: JamessMK
17: Frequency
17: Tom Brady
17: MikeMetroid
17: Dsinnie
17: Sweet Johnny Cage
25: DreemerNJ