Written by Jim Ziegler

In the 2024-2025 season, The Pokemon Company International changed the game for both Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Video Game Championship formats, rolling the Premier Challenges and Midseason Showdowns into League Challenges and League Cups, respectively. While this should reduce confusion for Pokémon Go and VGC players trying to get into the competitive aspects of the game, it has been met with a lot of pushback from local game stores throughout the world.

If you’ve been paying attention to Gam3Escape’s calendar, you’ve probably noticed that it’s been getting more and more crowded with events spanning more than half a dozen games, from Magic to Warhammer to D&D. While we try to make sure that there’s room for everyone, there are only so many hours in the day, and players are often only available on certain days or at certain times. In order to accommodate everyone there’s often overlap between the events, like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic tournaments happening at the same time.

While the best local game stores strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone, there are always bills to pay and mouths to feed. Running these kinds of events meets both of these needs: It gives players a chance to socialize and show off their skills, and it brings them in to buy packs, snacks, sleeves, and other products to support the store. Video game tournaments, unfortunately, rarely help keep the lights on.

Senior members of Hilo’s gaming community will remember Here Be Dragons, a much smaller shop in downtown Hilo, which was the place to play Magic, Magi Nation, Legend of the Five Rings, HeroClix, and other popular games of the early 2000s. Eventually the owner set up a TV and an XBOX in order to host Halo tournaments,which led to increased foot traffic into the store but, to his dismay, plummeting profits.

Across the United States and Europe, LGS owners have had similar struggles with the Pokémon video games. As much as they want to host tournaments, VGC players are far less likely to purchase products in the store, as their game requirements are self contained.

As a former competitive Pokémon VGC player I’m excited to bring tournaments back into the game shop, but their success depends on you, the players. 

YOUTH SUMMER DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CAMP

Friday, 3:00 PM

Gam3Escape's Youth Summer Dungeons & Dragons Camp is back! The camp will include the basics such as table etiquette, learning how to play, creating characters and backstories, and playing in a full campaign over the course of the six weeks.

ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY PICKUP & KEIKI MARKET

Saturday, 11:00 AM

Gam3Escape, in collaboration with Antics Pizza and TCG808Marketplace, has been collecting school supplies for students. Stop by from 11:00-3:00 for free school supplies for your keiki.

The Keiki Swap Meet will be at the same time. Spaces are still available: Apply here.

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Bloomburrow Prerelease

Friday & Saturday, 6:00 PM

The tails are tiny, but the adventures are big in Bloomburrow, Magic’s newest set. Explore the valley with Ral, Mable, and others in Gam3Escape’s prerelease event. Sealed format, 6 packs. Entry: $35

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon TCG League Challenge

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Best of 1 format, 30 minute matches, age divisions honored as much as possible based on participation. Deck lists are required, and must be submitted by 2:30 PM. Late and illegible deck lists may not be accepted. Prizes include packs, promos, and other Pokémon merchandise. Entry fee: $6.00

Pokémon VGC League Challenge

Saturday, 6:30 PM

Return to the roots of the Pokémon franchise with Gam3Escape’s first Video Game League Challenge! Regulation Set G allows almost all Pokémon, including powerful Legendary Pokémonlike Mewtwo and Terapagos. Team sheets are required and are available in-store. Entry fee: $7:00

Pokémon Go League Challenge

Sunday, 2:00 PM

Join us for Gam3Escape’s first Pokémon Go League Challenge! Set up your Great League team and register them with the Gam4Escape tag, and be ready with a team sheet, available in-store. Full rules and restrictions here. Entry fee: $7.00

Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $6

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

The $6 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store.

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Friday 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Ursula's Return Lorcana Constructed Tournament

Saturday, 6:30 PM

This tournament will be a core constructed format, so bring your 60-card deck (no more than two colors), put on your Mickey Mouse ears, and sing your way to victory. Entry fee: $10

Ursula’s Return Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

Cardfight! Vanguard

overDress Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

Star Wars Unlimited

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form.