Prince Rupert's own Good Times Games and Electronics has been globally spotlighted for its success with the Kaijudo Collectable Card Game recently.
To start, the locally owned and operated shop hosted one of only 24 Qualifier tournaments in North America from which two local players — Tyler Winther and Harjeevan Gill — earned two of only 50 spots to play in the World Championships in Seattle this past month. Good Times also hosted the largest-to-date Kaijudo Duel Day with 109 players turning up, eclipsing the previous totals held by shops in New York and Los Angeles.
"It has been amazing, the fact that we are even on the stage with shops in population centers of that magnitude is unbelievable" notes Rob Gruber, who is part owner of Good Times Games and Electronics.
"We have been recognized across North America for our efforts and success with Kaijudo, everyone in the industry has now heard of us and is watching everything we do at Good Times."
In August Tyler, Harjeevan and their families all traveled along with Rob, his son Jacob and Ryan Last headed to Seattle, Tyler and Harjeevan already qualified and the others hoping to earn entries via a Last Chance Qualifier tourney the day before the big event. While none of the others earned a berth into the big event, Rob went 5-1 to finish second going into the single elimination final 8, only to lose a close match to the eventual tournament champion.
Ryan Last finished just percentage points out of the top eight as well with a fantastic 4-2 showing, all the players from Good Times earning a great deal of respect and showing the caliber of play at the game tables in the North.
In the big event, Tyler gave the eventual World Champion Bobby Brake his most difficult match, but neither he nor Harjeevan made it to the final eight on the day.
"It was a great experience for everyone who went. I am really proud of both kids and all of us who played. My son Jacob managed to win games against a few of Kaijudo's big names, I was really excited and proud of him" said Gruber.
Wizards of the Coast, who produces the game, also recognized Rob and Good Times by coming up to shoot a promotional video and distributing it to stores across North America. Game designer Ryan Miller was impressed by the turnouts and Brand Manager Kierin Chase told Rob and the staff at Good Times that "they were doing everything right", which is seen as quite the compliment for the little shop in Prince Rupert.
Good Times has also been selected as only one of three shops awarded a second Qualifier to send players to the Winter Championships suspected to be in Texas this time out. It is a "huge honuor" to have been awarded a second qualifier states Rob.
"It shows that even small stores, in small towns can make a huge impact with a little effort and enthusiasm," he said.