While the New York Times is no complete stranger to covering video games, the renowned newspaper hasn’t touched esports very much. That’s why it’s all the more exciting to see them highlight the grassroots community in a recent piece.
Next Level is a competitive arcade situated in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. In their neighborhood section, journalist Matthew Sedacca explored what makes the arcade great. Most gamers around the world know about it thanks to Team Spooky, the dedicated streaming group. Sedacca talked to FGC mainstay NerdJosh about how Next Level allowed many gamers hone their skills and improve competitively in a welcoming environment, whether they want to play Street Fighter Alpha 2, Capcom vs. SNK 2, or more modern titles. Sedacca also notes the trading card game culture at the venue, as well.
Though it’s a relatively short feature, it is encouraging to see a major publication cover the fighting game scene. Hopefully, this paves the way for even more recognition in mainstream sources. See the full piece on the New York Times website.
Source: The New York Times