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Published on: 6/15/2004
Last Visited: 6/17/2004
It was some 160 computer and video "gamers" gathered Saturday and Sunday at the armory for "Xcelerator Games - Ignition," a combination computer gaming network party and tournament put together by Springfield businessman Fred Zedeck and his son Paul.
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"Our goal is to provide an entertaining weekend," Zedeck said.The event is alcohol-free, and violence is not tolerated.Event participants sign an extensive disclaimer and legal notice."We've been very fortunate to have good-quality players," he said.
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Zedeck started Zedeck Associates to produce shows and expos after he retired from the Air Force in 1988.The company's main event is the National Ski and Snowboard Expo in several cities.
Son Paul suggested the Xcelerator gaming show about a year ago.He offered to handle the technical details."He said 'Dad, you gotta get into this computer gaming thing, it's going to be big,'" Fred Zedeck said.Thirty gamers attended the first show.The event in Leesburg was their seventh.
Zedeck made a contact with the National Guard at a time when he was seeking a larger venue for the growing event.
"They were looking for a nice, clean-cut event where they could do some recruiting," he said."They need technical people and were looking for ways to reach out to kids, offering education programs and scholarships."
The National Guard sponsored the last Xcelerator event at a hotel in Chantilly."They realized this is big, so they said 'how about doing it at the Leesburg Armory?'" The armory offered more space and the ability to meet the power needs of a larger gaming event.
Zedeck said he also wanted to see what they could do to help the family support unit at the armory, which works with families of soldiers who have been deployed.
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