Who am I? Why am I here?
Hello everyone, my name is Joe Martini, I am 33 years old and games, competitive games, are my passion. That being said, I also hold a master's degree and spent several years as a financial analyst for a Fortune 100 company before being laid off in the Fall of 2010. When confronted with the proverbial crossroads I had several hard decisions to make, but one answer came easily: it was time to attempt a living in something I love. As I stated previously, I love games.
This brings me to the reason we are here today, Fantasy Gaming League. FGL is my baby, from start to finish, excluding some exceedingly fantastic artwork (which I am incapable of), I have designed, coded, and constructed the databases for fglgamingleague.com on my own. I also plan to market, obtain sponsors, compute and maintain the scoring and just whatever else the site needs on my own too. The website you're on currently is called Indiegogo, and if there is anything that Fantasy Gaming League is, it's indie.
Oh, and remember how I said I did all the designing, coding, database building on my own? Well when I first started working on the site I didn't have even a rudimentary knowledge of html, let alone php, ajax, sql, java etc. All of which played a huge part in getting the site developed.
So, here I am, on the precipice of getting this site launched. Presenting the gaming community with something they have never had before. Fantasy Gamig League promises to provide fans of e-sports and competitive gaming a whole new level of excitement when it comes to following tournaments and their favorite players. Site members will draft their teams in a fantasy sports style and earn points based on how their team members finish. Members will compete for prizes ranging from gaming peripherals, to dream trips to tournaments around the world. With support for Starcraft II, Fighting Games, MOBAs and Shooters, FGL will have something for every fan.
Check out this article from Time's Techland on the growth and viability of E-Sports: http://techland.time.com/2012/06/08/gaming-for-a-living-can-esports-finally-make-it-big-in-america/
How You Can Help
Where the money will be going:
As I said previously, I really am in the home stretch but I need your help to get me over the finish line. Here is where your generosity will go:
Tools - As I approach the last few weeks of development, upgrading my system or at least some components of my pc will be essential to getting through. I will share pictures of everything that your generosity helps to purchase.
Art - Guys, I can't draw stick figures. No really, I can't. Luckily I have had the pleasure of having the gaming community's best cartoonist Miss Kat Smith, aka TurboToaster (you know, the person responsible for the awesome cartoon versions of the GiantBomb.com guys) draw our site's awesome mascot Oddbjorn Viking and needless to say I want her to do all of the art for the site. You don't expect her to toil away for a pat on the back do you?!
Prizes - The coolest thing about FGL will be the opportunity to win prizes. From mice, headsets, keyboards, fight sticks, to prize packages and tournament trips (I really wanna make this happen).
Misc - Maintaining a website costs money, and I could use some help starting out for hosting fees, security features, etc. If the campaign goes well, I would love to enlist the help of others to make the site as great as it could be, whether compiling statistics, marketing, or building a better site.
Pizza - Just kidding, I won't spend your money on pizza. No really, I'm on a diet.
Who we hope to Benefit
In the long run Fantasy Gaming League will not only provide members with another layer of fun and excitement to their tournament watching and rooting on their favorite players, but will benefit e-sports leagues, streamers, sponsors, and players alike. Everyone has a stake in this, and hopefully with your help I can make it happen.
Other Ways You Can Help
No one understands better than I that times are tough. If you cannot make a contribution at this time, you can certainly help by getting the word out. You can like the fanpage at facebook.com/FantasyGamingLeague. You can tweet out the Indiegogo address, tell your friends, click on an ad on the site, heck even just send me a note saying you like what I'm doing. I appreciate it all.
Thanks for your time, I hope you think I am offering some fun and interesting rewards. If you have any suggestions please do leave a comment, and I will attempt to accomodate any way I can.
Sincerely,
Joe Martini
Founder
Fantasy Gaming League
&
Oddbjorn Viking
Viking
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