‘Pixelated’ video gaming tournament featuring popular Nintendo game to support Epilepsy Foundation
By Beth Cravey- August 10, 2016 – Jacksonville.com
Jacksonville gaming groups will come together this weekend to host the “Pixelated” video gaming tournament to help raise public awareness and funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.
The tournament will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday and end at 2 a.m. Sunday at The Hourglass Pub, 345 E. Bay St. in Jacksonville and feature Super Smash Bros. Melee, a popular Nintendo game, according to a news release.
Also planned are raffles, hookah, billiards, board games, live entertainment and a coin-operated arcade. Admission is $10 at the door. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Epilepsy Foundation, the lead advocate for Floridians with epilepsy and other seizure diseases and disorders.
Sponsors include the local gaming group The MetaVillians and local epilepsy awareness group The Meepsters.
“We’re excited to help bring this event to life,” said Jared Winslow, member of The MetaVillians and host of local events group Pixelated Events. “We’re grateful for this opportunity to teach our community about epilepsy, as well as raise needed dollars for those affected by the disorder in our local area. It’s sure to be a fun time filled with competitive gaming, all for a good cause.”
One in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy, a common neurological condition. The diagnosis is made after a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause, according to the release.
Some video games can trigger seizures in people who have photosensitive epilepsy. To make the tournament safe for all to attend, foundation-recommended precautions will be followed. They include sitting at least 2 feet from the screen in a well-lit room, reduced screen brightness and frequent breaks, according to the foundation website.
Participants must be age 21 years and up.
For more information about the event or the foundation, go to efof.org/events/pixelated.