Gotta catch ’em all
Students will get a chance to live out a childhood dream and become a Pokémon master at the Pokémon Live Action Tournament. Competitors will form teams and battle gym leaders in an attempt to become the very best
March 5, 2015
In addition to a college education, critical thinking skills, career opportunities and a certified degree, a Loyola club now offers the chance to become a Pokémon master.
The Loyola Video Game Club will host the Pokémon Live Action Tournament on March 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Xavi Lacayo, mass communication senior, said that participants are the main characters of this tournament, complete with their own teams from their own gaming experiences.
Interested participants must have their own Nintendo 3DS and the Pokémon XY game to enter the tournament. Like Ash Ketchum in the original Pokémon series, the participants will attempt to collect eight gym badges from gym leaders located at specific points around campus. Once a participant earns all badges, they may move on to the Elite Four in an attempt to become Loyola’s Pokémon champion.
Lacayo said he helped start the tournament.
“We wanted to do a live-action tournament that involved people actually moving around campus,” Lacayo said. “We knew that a lot of people would like Pokémon because it is an established series with many fans. It’s a big franchise that everyone knows and understands. Having the trainers scattered around campus gives it a more real feel.”
Lacayo and Amanda Lyons, english film and digital media senior, crafted the idea and organized the event. Locayo will be both a gym leader and an Elite Four member in the tournament.
Lacayo said that many Pokémon fans are expected to come and compete in this rare chance to relive and reclaim childhood dreams.
Anneliese DePano, graphic design senior, designed the tournament’s flyer and helped organize the event.
“I grew up with Pokémon. This can go in my portfolio, and I’m also designing other signage, such as the Pokémon badges,” DePano said.
Kelly Gaines, film studies sophomore, said she plans to participate in the tournament.
“I’m an avid fan of Pokémon, so I’ll be watching some of the battles along with some of my friends as well as kicking butt and taking names. This was a really cool idea,” Gaines said.
