Randy Renninger, BASH grad Class of 2014, brings Pokemon-G0 to video game lovers.

by Jane Stahl

I have a lot to learn. The world of video gaming is one area about which I know nothing and about which I have had little appreciation…until I met Randy Renninger.

I was inspired recently meeting Randy, Boyertown High School graduate, class of 2014, who is inviting players of Pokémon Go to his e-sports Team Asylum booth at Studio B on December 2, 2023, during Building a Better Boyertown’s “Chillin’ on Main’” festival, to play and to learn more about the Pokémon Go tournament that is coming to the YMCA on February 18, 2024.

At the tournament which he helps to set up, Randy expects over 100 people of all ages from all walks of life—from the local and regional areas—even out of state—to meet and play together. And he looks forward to introducing a Pokémon Go celebrity at the event as well as players from Regional and World Championship tournaments.

“Pokémon Go, a free smartphone app, was a revolutionary game changer,” he notes. “It got players out of the house to catch the Pokémon characters. Using location tracking and mapping technology where players catch and train Pokémon characters in real locations, walking is a big part of the game, one of the parts I like best. Fitness is important.”

He explains that e-sports players visit the application’s gyms and parks on their phones to fight other players. “But the game is child-friendly,” he insists. “It’s cute!” And I was surprised to learn that players will find characters at the park and at each of the Bear Fever bears.

And while I don’t pretend to understand the attraction of the game, I did appreciate that the game addresses young people’s desire to be part a team, to be included, just as in any other physical sport.

“I love the inclusivity and accessibility of the game,” he adds. “Anyone can play—even those with extreme physical disabilities—because you can play at home in your chair, on your phone and still be competitive and be part of a team.”

“But I also miss the first year of the game when I’d go to a park and sit with someone who was also playing the game," he continues. "We’d talk; one guy I met, for example, was facing brain surgery. I got to know him and enjoyed the face-to-face conversation. I have a lot of friends on-line whom I’ve never met. We could be sitting next to each other, and I wouldn’t know. I’d like to get back to the face-to-face interaction.”

As a high school student, Randy spent most of his time in art class, drawing, admits to playing lots of video games, and regrets not doing his homework or listening in class. “My grades were terrible and it limited the college I was able to attend.”

And so, at the ripe old age of 26, Randy encourages young people not to follow in his footsteps as a student. “Do your homework. Listen in class,” he urges.

And yet, his experience playing video games has led him to a career as a graphic designer and event planner that is potentially amazingly lucrative. “People make a great living playing videogames,” he says. “They buy mansions with the money they earn!

“The prize money is amazing. Young people can get scholarships to college by playing videogames. Just like in football, baseball, or basketball, colleges have teams of video game players. Players get paid to play.”

And, he admits, the next generation of game players –possibly those who are part of the video game club at Boyertown High School—is impressive and can easily beat him.

I recognized our shared goals as Randy shared that one of the things he enjoys most about his job is connecting emerging players with potential sponsors who will offer scholarships, pay them to play, or advertise their products. We agreed: “Connections are everything.”

Developing friendships in the world of Pokémon Go is one of the biggest benefits. Getting outside for some serious walking in order to "get your steps in” is another.

Team asylum on Twitter: @teamasylum
Webstore: teamasylum.gg
Asylum twitch channel: teamasylumgg
email: randy@semblancestudios.com
Instagram where he posts some of his artwork: @thatguysdesign

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