Gamers united this Saturday at City College to share their love for video games, their love for money or just to show that they’re not all nerds in the gaming world.

The social aspect of the event started at noon at the Campus Center. The two competitive tournaments featured Super Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and began at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The video game club put on the event, with a few small sponsors such as Just Chill, an energy drink company.

“We originally wanted to start a Gamefest because we wanted to dispel stereotypes about gamers,” City College club member Rabia Piacentini said.

The club has over 40 members and has been putting on this event for the past four years.

Their biggest concern is that people think video games create violence.

“We want to show that we’re not violent, that we’re not all nerds. There are jocks. There are pretty girls. Everybody’s here,” Piacentini said.

Live streaming, open computer and open X-Box were all provided. The event was BYOC, bring your own controller, as nine other games were made available not including the two tournament games. There was a $10 tournament fee for gamers at the door if you did not already early register for five dollars online. The fee goes to winners as well as the utility bills for the event. Although the cash prizes raised the competition rivalry, the event was held for fun and any level player was welcome.

“You can be advanced or a beginner or not even know how to play and we’re going to accept you and play video games with you,” Piacentini said.

Club member Chris Romine was quick to express his concern that most people think gamers are anti-social.

“If we were really that anti-social, we wouldn’t have 200 some odd people here,” he said.

Romine then went on to explain that people have even traveled far to attend this event. A large portion of people drove up from Los Angeles as well as a personal friend of his who came all the way from Colorado just to help out with Gamefest.

“We’re kind of an extended family,” he added.

There were major competitors including two professional gamers who attended.

Martin Phan, who goes by game name “Marn,” came up from L.A. to play in both tournaments and predicted he’d win both. He has been playing since he was 11 years old and has gone on to win over 150 tournaments.

He confessed to absolutely hating gaming.

“Tell kids to stay in school, and not play games,” he said.

When asked why he continued to play he responded with “it’s just another paycheck.” Phan also gives lessons for $40 an hour. His only technique is to not fear other people.

Phan’s predictions were almost right. He came in first in Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, with Loren Riley placing second and Chris Arizpe following in third. Kenneth Tote took first place in Super Street Fighter 4, with Phan coming in second and Gerald Bayer placing third. Phan received a $367 cash prize and Kenneth Tote received $347.