Introducing the Team Capturing America’s Fighting Game Scene: Bars, Pizza Joints, and Hidden Spots

For years now, gaming has served as a social activity for many fans, growing from its roots in arcades to the present day where consoles and PCs dominate home entertainment. Back in those arcade days, gaming was all about gathering in lively social spaces. While remnants of those days remain in LAN parties, gaming cafes, and tournaments, they’re not as central as they once were. Remember hanging out with your friend Greg, battling it out in Counter-Strike Source or Street Fighter 2 at a local spot? Nowadays, the real-life interaction has been replaced by chatting with Greg’s anime profile picture on Discord. Times truly have evolved.

Yet, there are still a handful of enthusiasts who crave those in-person connections. For them, gaming is just not as fulfilling unless they can share it with fellow gamers within reachable distances. Though these community hubs are fading, a determined few have taken up the cause to shine a spotlight on these places through a new video series called Locals Unknown. Their inaugural episode is set in the basement of a pizza joint in a bustling college town.

The concept immediately grabbed my interest, prompting me to have a chat with some of those driving this initiative. I spoke with Victeemo, a seasoned fighting game pro, and Siam, the owner of Kanme Esports. Alongside Tekken competitor Sol Naciente, this small group decided to take viewers on a journey through local scenes via the lens of old-school YouTube vlogging crossed with TV-style travel documentaries.

The idea sparked during Victeemo’s early days with Kanme, as he and Siam were exploring ways to add fresh content alongside their standard brand appearances at events.

Siam explained, “Talking with Victeemo, we realized our strong passion for our roots in the fighting game community, especially our local scenes. These places are crucial—they’re the starting point for so many and come in all shapes and forms.”

Victeemo added, “When I completed season one of the Tekken World Tour, I was looking for sponsorships when I stumbled onto Kanme. That’s when the Locals Unknown idea popped up. We brainstormed and Siam suggested traveling to local spots and filming them. I immediately loved it.”

Primarily a competitor from the onset of Tekken 7, Victeemo’s secondary passion lies with community-building. It excites him to be part of this project, especially seeing how it resonates with others.

Embedded in the series, I appreciate watching the buildup to each event—setting up gear, the journey to the venue, and more are all part of the charm.

Victeemo, despite his rookie status with a camera, is now documenting local gaming at its finest, with Siam and Sol Naciente stepping in for post-production. No corporate agendas here, just pure dedication to the community.

What bonded Siam and Victeemo was a shared sense of loss experienced by many in the fighting game community. The local venues that fostered their growth, like the storied Xanadu Games in Maryland, had closed their doors, hosting their final event in December 2024. Siam and Victeemo were there to bid it farewell.

Victeemo reminisced, “We had this local spot, Xanadu, in a tiny building near Baltimore. Having 50 people in there for monthly gatherings was a tight squeeze, but those experiences ignited my competitive fire and love for the community.”

Siam noted, “It’s heartbreaking seeing these places close. Xanadu was just one. It made us want to highlight the remaining venues that still thrive.”

This project was born partially from the closure of Xanadu, but also because many grassroots scenes have been disappearing, replaced by infrequent large-scale events or nothing at all. It’s a tough period for local fighting game hubs, as both Siam and Victeemo see it.

Siam elaborated, “It’s difficult now for local gatherings. The convenience of online events, especially after 2020, cannot be overstated. Many spots have closed as they don’t draw the crowds they once did. It’s a downward trend.”

Echoing this, Victeemo stated, “With many locals shutting down, highlighting those that remain is crucial. They offer face-to-face interaction and foster the friendships the online world can’t replicate.”

So, why devote themselves to this mission? For Siam and Victeemo, it’s about paying homage to the places that shaped them and showing how significant these communities are.

Reflecting on his personal life, Victeemo shared, “I met my partner through the community at Xanadu. We’ve been together for seven years now. The friendships I’ve forged are invaluable.”

Siam added, “It’s about giving back. Players should remember and share their beginnings. As some players rise to prominence, it’s grounding to remind them—and their fans—that everyone starts somewhere local.”

Hoping to show the human side of the gaming scene, they’re working to tell stories of individuals who’ve built these communities.

The first episode of Locals Unknown is available on Kanme’s channel, with more episodes in the works. If this project resonates with you, show your support. It’s vital to celebrate these cherished segments of gaming culture, as they may not be around forever.