This Friday, it’s game on, as Tim Fields, the founder and creator of RTGN (Real Time Gaming Network) kicks off the first Live Stream of ESports with his team—making history in Toledo and for the University's Engineering Program, where the company is based.
“Everyone's a Gamer now,” Fields said. A 30-year-old graduate of Southview High School, Fields went on to get degrees from Full Sail University and ITT Technical Institute before programming his own games, writing for and managing Thug-Geek, a blog devoted to the gaming industry. Now, he’s starting his own Toledo-based company—Real Time Gaming Network. “We had this idea in 2011, to focus on broadcasting, to focus on the energy you get when you're watching a tournament. And that's when we started working on our prototype,” he explained.
Fields brought his high school friend Scott Guttenberger into the mix when he wanted to start RTGN. Both have writing and media experience; Guttenberger worked at BCSN and wrote for Thug-Geek. They also were gamers back in the day, now using their tech savvy and know-how to market gaming around the globe to live stream this and other tournaments in 1080 HD.
“UT has been awesome,” Fields said. “Molly Thompson, who is in charge of Incubation, got us over here, got us a room and we’ve been runnin’ ever since.”
Among the pre-registered professionals are Mew2King, Vidjo, BigDamien, Chompy, BO X7, Joeisfatal and Perfect Legend, a pseudonym for Carl White—Toledoan and current winner of the Mortal Kombat 9 tournament in Tennessee.
With participants coming from California, Virginia, Michigan, and Georgia, the most anticipated game is a national favorite, Super Smash Bros. 4—second only to Ultimate Street Fighter 4. Contestants must be between the ages of 13-55. Spectators are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Eventually, RGTN would like to host four tournaments each year with different games and stream them on their network, RTGN.TV. Friday’s game can be streamed online or by phone. “I predict a huge change for ESports, becoming just as natural as any other sport network out there. The foundation is already in place," Fields said.
Registration starts at 10am, with the tournament at noon. There will be catering by Fricker's and Chick-Fil-A— even energy drinks provided by Monster. A condensed version of the tournament will be broadcasted after 8pm, but viewers can tune in during the day, just like live ESPN coverage.
Fields is excited to not only participate, but watch the action. “My expectation for Friday is to have a good time. I want everybody to come out. We have food, plaques for the winners…I want the people to come out and experience what Real Time Gaming is all about.”
10am Friday, January 16. University of Toledo Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex, 1510 N. Westwood Ave.
