Local video game players put their gaming skills to the test in the name of charity this weekend.
People from around the area turned out to Barry Electronics for their 15th charity video game tournament. Gamers of all ages competed in rounds of Mario Cart Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. and while all were hoping to come out on top, the real draw of the event is the people they meet.
"It's usually more-so a social event than something to compete in," said Maxim Frederick, 15, of Wapakoneta. "I guess getting somewhere is worth competing as well.
Noah Brennan, 11, of Lima agreed. He said that despite some nerves, he enjoyed the community.
"It's sort of nerve-wracking to be with other players that you don't know and you don't know what they're going to do," said Brennan. "I'm a gamer and most of us here just want to have a good time and participate in a friendly competition."
Money raised from the event will once again go to the Lima Police Department's summer police academy. The store chose to help the LPD multiple times because of the impact they have on young people in the community.
"They can use that money for anything," said Brian Barry, co-owner of Barry Electronics. "They can do self-improvements, they can do anything that they wanted and they chose to put that money towards the Lima Summer Police Academy program for the kids, so they're actually taking this money and putting it back into the community, which I think is really important for everybody."
The tournament usually brings in around $15-hundred to 2 thousand dollars with more than 100 people competing each year.
