Every month, we get several requests from the GameBox Community to host a tournament for any number of games. And every month, we do our best to gauge the relative demand for each request and host a tournament that best reflects the desires of the larger GameBox Community. Often we succeed. Sometimes, we fail. So, in an effort to provide greater flexibility and better meet the needs of GameBoxers, we are introducing a new community-driven mechanism for hosting tournaments at GameBox. While this new mechanism will give greater voice to the GameBox Community, it will also demand additional responsibility from members of the community. But for those who are up for the challenge, it may even offer some financial compensation - how much, if any, is entirely up to you. So, if you're interested in the opportunity and are up to the challenge, look over the following guidelines for how it will work:

1. Determine for which game you want to hold a tournament. You're are encouraged to actively use the GameBox Forum as well as other forums to gauge the interests of the GameBox Community and other communities of gamers (e.g Smashboards, Teamliquid, Gathering-of-Gamers, etc.).


2. Obtain firm commitments from individuals interested in participating using whatever means work for you (e.g. sign-ups, advance deposits, etc.). IF you need our help in doing this, let us know and we will help in any way we can.


3. By the 15th of the month prior to the tournament month, come to GameBox and place a $50 deposit and reserve a date for the tournament. So, for example, if you are proposing a Brawl tournament for July, 2011, you would come in to GameBox by the 15th of June, 2011, and reserve a date for a Brawl tournament on some Saturday in July, 2011.


4. We will then advertise the tournament via our newsletter, website, and Facebook group. You are also encouraged to advertise the tournament in whatever forums you would like - including the GameBox Forum.


5. You will be responsible for establishing:
   1. Start and end times for the tournament (must not begin earlier than 10:00 AM and must end by 7:00 PM - a 9 hour window).
   2. Rules for the tournament.


6. You will also be responsible for running the tournament, so be sure to arrive on time the day of the tournament. If you request it, the GameBox staff member on duty will assist you in any way they can.


7. The day of the tournament, GameBox will collect a $5 venue fee from every tournament participant. The $50 deposit will be used to offset the venue fees - in other words, the deposit will cover the venue fee for ten participants (if you have the 10 minimum people, we will use the $5 collected from each participant and return your $50).


8. You will also be responsible for collecting and distributing prize monies for the tournament. How much you collect and how much is given out in prizes is up to you. GameBox will, at it's sole discretion, sweeten the pot by offering prizes to the participants, winners, or any combination thereof.


9. While you will be using GameBox equipment to run your tournament, you are encouraged to ask participants to bring in their own equipment as well - especially, controllers, and copies of games. Be sure to confirm what equipment is available for your tournament.

That's basically it. We will refine these guidelines as we go forward and as we learn from experience. We are super excited to bring this opportunity to the GameBox Community and hope you will take advantage of it.