Game Master International

We've got a lot of movement on the leaderboard after ! Barbokulas, Fun, and Swift Kill entered the top 10 after fantastic tournament wins, Will they keep moving on up? Will TruKuu hold on for the repeat title? Where are the old heads: , , Santos, or YourFace?

See where you stand: https://retroworldseries.com/player-of-the-year/2024-25-player-of-the-year

Congrats to Megatron187 on winning our tourney at !

Congrats to Barbokulas in winning our tourney at !

Congrats to fun on winning our tourney at !

#

Congrats to TechnoFlare on winning our tourney at !

Congrats to undergroundvgt on winning our Super Street Fighter II turbo tourneybat !

fighter

Here are our latest POY standings after Southeast Game Exchange!

See full standings here: https://retroworldseries.com/player-of-the-year/2024-25-player-of-the-year

Trainer’s Pokémon Return to Pokémon TCG | Official Pokémon Worlds Reveal Discover the powerful bond between Pokémon and Trainer, arriving soon to the !

Pokémon TCG Pocket Trailer | Preregister Now Get ready to immerse yourself in !An all-new way to TCG drops October 30, 2024. Preregister now on iOS and Android devices.More info: https:...

Pokemon TCG Pocket - Releases October 30th of this year. It will also allow digital collections of older PKMN cards in addition to new ones!

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Collect digital Pokémon TCG cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, coming in 2024 to iOS and Android devices.

Just a reminder that Pokemon World Championships go live in 1 hour!

Championship Sunday | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The world's greatest Trainers face off today in a clash of epic proportions! Who will rise above the rest and claim the title of Pokémon VG, TCG, GO, and UNI...

https://www.pokemoncenter.com/?utm_source=ptcnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20240816&utm_term=wcs2024&utm_content=1211320&subid=129916940

Championship Sunday | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The world's greatest Trainers face off today in a clash of epic proportions! Who will rise above the rest and claim the title of Pokémon VG, TCG, GO, and UNI...

VGC Day 2 | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The 2024 Pokémon World Championships are here! The Top VGC players from around the world will battle it out in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi for the title of champion. W...

TCG Day 2 | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The 2024 Pokémon World Championships are here! The Top TCG players from around the world will battle it out in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi for the title of champion. W...

TCG Day 1 | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The 2024 Pokémon World Championships are here! The Top TCG players from around the world will battle it out in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi for the title of champion. W...

VGC Day 1 | 2024 Pokémon World Championships The 2024 Pokémon World Championships are here! The Top VGC players from around the world will battle it out in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi for the title of champion. W...

One concern I get more frequently from clients is about surge protectors vs. power strips. The answer is always the same...a surge protector is not needed on devices that have a grounding prong. If all your devices that are plugged into a power strip have a grounding prong, and that power strip also has a grounding prong, your electronics are protected just the same as if you spend more money on a surge protector (and of course replace the surge protector when the surge protection limit runs out). A very rare exception is if you have an extremely dated power bar that is not designed for the power output of the devices you have plugged in. In truth, your electronics will most likely accumulate other malfunctions before they develop diminishment from power surges anyway. The only real time you need a surge protector is when you are mixing ungrounded electronics/appliances with grounded electronics/appliances. That power bar's grounding prong will almost never protect your electronics and appliances that don't have their own grounding prong...this is because power bars are electronics not computers...it can not decode where excess electricity goes that the grounding prong can't absorb and dispel, and if you have some grounded items plugged in, chances are more electricity will go towards the devices that don't have their own.

If you want to save money, not just for one purchase, but for many, knowing the difference and when you need one or not is important. The only time I ever recommend a surge protector for an appliance/electronic that has it's own grounding prong, is when the wiring in your house is either old or stretched to a new addition or garage, and it was a DIY project...for example my old house in Avon IL was like that, and the deep freezer would suffer bad surges when I ran my power saw...it was required to have a surge protector even though I didn't need extra outlets, because a surge protector replacement when the surge protection runs out, is cheaper than replacing your appliances and electronics...but again I will say when it comes to electronics, you are more likely to have other issues develop before surge protection damage, and paying for a new surge protector each time the surge protection runs out, is like a subscription many Americans don't need and can't really afford. Know your limits and know what you actually need or don't need.

Well what about computers? Doesn't a surge protector provide extra protection and protect the components of my computer?

THE ANSWER IS "NO." If you're using a laptop, the power distribution would never be too much for a grounding prong, and when using a desktop, your power supply works similar to a surge protector, limiting the amount of power output to each component, only proving it what it needs and no more, provided you've had a qualified expert balance the input and output of all components based on each components needs and limitations...the grounding prong protects you desktop's power supply. Your power supply has a life-expectancy, very similar to car batteries. It is more likely for your power supply to be changed or repaired from old age, or an inconsistency with the power needs of upgraded hardware components before it goes bad from surge deterioration. The only time you need a surge protector with your desktop, is when you have physically networked several towers together, or are working a medium to large server. If you are using a monitor or TV that does not have a grounding prong, one is almost never needed, as your screen will s**t out on you long before small surges ruin your circuitry.

So when do I need a surge protector, then?

Surge protectors are needed most frequently with large appliances and appliances that generate heat, such as toasters, electric skillets, electric blankets, and toaster ovens. Even with a grounding prong on some of these appliances, these appliances are risky...many do not have a grounding prong. Larger appliances that require refrigeration such as deep freezers, fridges, and electric stoves benefit from a surge protector, but many have built-in surge protection now adays. Any electronic or appliance that doesn't have a grounding prong would benefit from a surge protector. Surge protectors are almost always made with multiple outlets for a reason, because many electronics are used in one space, and there is a mixture of systems with grounding prongs and those without, and when plugged into the same power distribution (outlet source) it endangers your electronics without a grounding prong more so than it generally would plugged in alone. The same applies for household appliances...many appliances don't have a grounding prong, and many homes have toasters, blenders, and half a dozen other appliances within a couple feet of each other...growing up we were always told to unplug the blender, toaster, or whatever when we were finished...but many families and business offices just use surge protectors instead and leave it all plugged in.

I am very pleased to announce that our Game Master Product Protection Plans are a business success! We rolled this out at the beginning of this year (2024). We have sold various different ones through eBay since starting this service. Our customers seem very happy with the price as well as the product and service coverage for these!

The idea came some years back when I examined the PC/Electronic Repair Industry, and explored Geek Squad and Game Stop Warranties and services. I wanted to offer a better opportunity to consumers. I wanted to include product and service coverage that both Game Stop and Geek Squad offer that the other didn't, and at a fraction of the cost. These have been our 2nd most popular item sold this year. I think adding the GEICO and Progressive insurance coverage, in addition to our in-house contract, has provided us an edge over both Geek Squad and Game Stop in their warranties, plus ours can be sold and traded and applied to any video game or computer device and many other electronics (mins HVAC and household appliances). Our plans are also more flexible, not just in price, service/product coverage terms, insurance/protection by 3rd parties like Progressive and GEICO, refund policy, universal with freedom of choice to trade, gift, sell, but also flexible in duration with an appropriate low price to meet that duration, no matter how temporary or long-term you need a warranty for your electronic device!

Check out our eBay shoppe to get your own! The ones listed are National, and we only charge you 50% of shipping to us and back under legal contract if we ever have to repair it, plus a late-in-the-game partial rebate if you want to cancel! Combine this with our Jr. Rebate Program for more great discounts on our products and trade-ins, 80% off shipping, free trial access to our Game Master Membership and it's benefits, and of course lifetime free tech support!

I am pleased to announce that I will be introducing a new pawning agenda this Fall with Game Master International...I will be moving to purchase select arcade machines on tentative bases from local business establishments & private citizens. I will accept working and broken ones and offer top $$$. I will of course be examining a handful of business establishments here in Fort Dodge and hand-picking a few of interest to make offers in addition to scouting for retro game systems from small shoppes in the area.

Please also remember that I service and repair arcade machines also at 4-6 times below the industry standard charge.

I have not yet been inside ShinyTop Brewing or have explored the Arcades at Fort Frenzy yet. I tagged you guys just in case you guys ever need or want a low-cost repair or to get rid of an arcade machine for space on new ones or for whatever.

The reason I am doing this, is because, as I've said awhile back, one goal with my business is to eventually open a video game and video game history museum, and of course plans for the Iroquois County Mall and Sugar Creek Truck Plaza are still on the table as well when I start trucking again. These business establishments and the re-opening of Game Master (once I'm finished with Iowa Central community College and back home in Watseka) are planned to be on the same plot of land. Beginning the arcade collection now for that is the objective while I work through my tenure at Iowa Central Community College.

There are a few select arcade machines that I am really looking to get my hands on with this collection although my interest in these particular arcade machines will not prejudice me on refusing to buy other arcade machines from businesses and private citizens.

Ones on my emergency buy list are:
1. The original Donkey Kong arcade
2. At least one version of Pac-Man OEM machine
3. Hydro Thunder (sit down or stand up version - I can mod it to be a sit-down version)
4. 18 Wheeler
5. H2Overdrive
6. Dead Heat
7. Any of the Mario Kart arcade machines

These will be the ones that I am keeping my eyes open when visiting arcade and making specific and precise individual business offers to the business owners. Apart from this any business establishments that have arcade machines will simply be notified of my services to buy and repair them for them to offer or reach out themselves.

I am insured through both Progressive and Geico, including transportation and while under repair and while in my care. Those insurance coverages also include any damages or theft including both liability and non liability. Repairs for large machines are always done in-home or in this case in-business; my insurance coverage is valid in the private home or business establishment also, not just in my home and my vehicle. I offer legal contracts (which is required) for all of my repair services, to ensure the owner of the property their rights to property, and the safety of their property.

Arcade machines that have been worked on previously but may not include OEM parts, will still be considered and accepted when buying/selling directly with my pawning. Multi-machines will not be considered for direct purchase, but will be available for consignment only when buying/selling.

Thank you,
Kyle Owens

UPDATE ON OUR ELECTRONIC/COMPUTER SERVICES AND MY CREDENTIALS:
For years I have offered computer repair services throughout Watseka, Iroquois County, and of course in other locations I have been attending college at such as Avon IL/Fulton County, and now Fort Dodge IA. When I opened up physical storefront in Gilman IL from the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2021, I began offering electronic repair services also. I kept offering that service alongside custom built gaming computers and computer repairs. I have kept that service throughout my tenure with Spoon River College in their Computer Repair/CIS step up program before transferring to Iowa Central Community College for their Computer Repair Diploma.

I thought maybe I didn't get regular customers because I didn't have a college credential...but then I started analyzing the industry and found out it is a dying industry, even with my rates being 4 times lower than Geek Squad and the industry standard. Follow the Tech in Watseka closed, both Illiana Techs closed (Watseka and Gilman), and Cory Kline, the computer guy across from my old Gilman storefront for this business was just as low on customers as I was for this service, something I didn't understand at the time I blamed him for "stealing my customers and my dream." I've traveled throughout busier and larger college areas in IL and IA since then, and I've noticed that every tech shoppes across the nation is bare and vacant. Everyone from computer techs to electronic techs, and even in large community malls these shoppes are empty with no customers.

When I started analyzing the industry as a whole, I also noticed that larger companies like Geek Squad stayed afloat by offering misc services such as warranties and subscriptions, and they even expanded in repairing misc electronics and EVEN household appliances.

Pursuing this was never really in my mind to be an income to begin with, it all started as a hobby with collecting computer parts and putting them together and reselling them whole for super cheap, or simply to have a running computer for basic work and gaming. When I was finally able to get to a college that had a credential (fairly recent in my life) I still chose to do it because it would be a good supplement alongside my other business services and products, but I now realized I'd never make an income from it. It will always be a hobby, and the only money-maker here is if I invest in broken computers and broken electronics to fix and resell as merchandise.

Long story short...as I work towards completing my Computer Repair Diploma with Iowa Central Community College, and after completion, I will continue offering electronic repair services alongside computer repair and custom gaming PC services, to keep that window open. Expanding beyond working with gaming platforms (computers and game systems) was something I didn't really want to do, as I wanted to keep this business strictly about video games, but with a college credential on the way, and with it being a dying industry, I will keep that door open, HOWEVER, I will most likely not be pursuing College of DuPage's Electronic Skills Certificate or their Advanced Electronic Skills Certificate, simply because I may never make a profit from these services, and I'd be lucky to break even and have any revenue procured from these services to equal the amount of college debt for it/them if I did also pursue that extra credential. If by slim chance I did decide to take that extra repair credential, I would feel obligated to add appliance repair in the mix, and that for sure is way too far outside the realm and scope of this business's goal and aim pertaining to video games. Computer repair technicians are also qualifies to repair electronics and game systems, I know this because I was previously enrolled in Ashworth College's remote computer repair curriculum, where I was at the section learning to repair cell phones...I stopped that program after paying $1500 because I wanted a hands on curriculum not an online one, and because, plus the CompTIA A+ certification (which is what that was) now expires every few years, and to renew it costs hundreds of dollars, money most technicians don't usually make from the actual repair services alone (if it can't pay for itself, its not good business). So I opted to do away with ever getting a CompTIA A+ certificate and opting for a college certificate or diploma instead.

So just keep in mind, that I really only need this credential to fix/repair/build computers, electronics, game systems, and arcade machines...I believe in more for less, and me going for anything more just wouldn't be financially worth it...because getting customers for repairs is very hard for ALL technicians working with computers and electronics. If something changes in the industry as a whole, and I make enough cash flow from computer services and electronic repairs alone to pay for College of DuPage's Electronics Technology Certificate strictly from repair service fees from customers, then of course I will do it and add appliance repair service, but I doubt that will ever happen...I've been doing this since 2007, and even in some very large areas like Joliet and Fort Dodge...heck the only electronics repair shoppe and the only computer repair shoppe here in Fort Dodge are vacant more than 90% of the time, and the city is as large and populated as our entire Iroquois County...so there you have it, this Computer Repair Diploma from Iowa Central Community College will be the end of the line in my formal credentials for this particular service we offer.

Thank you,
Kyle Owens

The 2024 Worlds Preview Show starts in less than 2 hours!

2024 Pokémon Worlds Preview Show Learn more about the biggest stories from the 2024 season, the players battling for their chance to become a World Champion, and what to expect from the Poké...