Running A Gaming Running A Gaming ProgramProgramBy Erwin Magbanua

When, Where & Who?When, Where & Who?Monthly events are most

common.

Allow time for setup and cleanup.

Gaming can be noisy – community rooms are ideal.

When, Where & Who?When, Where & Who?One staff member is likely enough.

Volunteer help is always good.

If you have good volunteers, weekly gaming programs are doable.

Recruit volunteers at gaming events.

AdvertisingAdvertisingDon’t be too wordy. Teens want to

know the basics: which games and when the event is taking place.

Try to make flyers look understated & cool.

Use gaming slang sparingly. (e.g. pwn, own, uber, ftw)

Post flyers at schools & local teen hangouts, if possible.

Open PlayOpen PlayBasically, a free-for-all.

Participants take turns.

Very unstructured.

Participants must share.

No need for sign-ups.

Open PlayOpen PlayEasiest format for you, but…

It will probably get boring for participants who really want…

TournamentsTournamentsProvides structure to a gaming

program.

Fun factor is very high.

Can be complex.

Tournament TipsTournament TipsI strongly suggest you sign up

tournament participants at the program and not before.

Allow participants some practice time prior to the actual tournament.

Tournament structure and rules depend on the game.

Tournament TipsTournament TipsYou’ll need to set up brackets.

Google “tournament brackets” to find pre-made ones.

Single-elimination format is simplest (you lose, you’re out)

Tournament TipsTournament TipsSuper Smash Brothers Brawl has

a built-in tournament mode with pre-made bracketing system. Very convenient!

Gift cards make ideal prizes. (Best Buy and Gamestop are good)

Tournament TipsTournament TipsYou will need to set up:

◦Number of players per match◦Time limit of each match◦Special rules (power-ups, difficulty

level, map/level restrictions)◦Whether you want

one 1st place prize 1st and 2nd place prizes or 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes

RulesRulesToo many rules = high

maintenance.

Keep it simple.

Announce rules BEFORE they enter the event.

Post rules prominently.

Be consistent in enforcing rules.

Other tipsOther tipsTalk to the participants. Be curious.

DO NOT approach gaming programs with the intent to “convert” them to “real” library services. Teens can smell a bait-and-switch from a mile away.

Be a participant!

pwn or be pwnd