Gamers Who Give: Meet Kevin
Ever wonder who's pulling the strings to make The Gauntlet run like clockwork? Today, for our Gamers Who Give series, we're shining the spotlight on our Gauntlet Producer, Kevin.
From managing the livestream to jumping in wherever needed, our producer is the glue that holds The Gauntlet together. They're the problem-solver, the quick-thinker, and essential to keeping The Gauntlet running smoothly.
We caught up with our Kevin to get the inside scoop on what it's really like to be at the heart of The Gauntlet. Let's dive in and get to know the person who helps make The Gauntlet an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!
Why do you keep coming back to the Gauntlet year after year?
What keeps me coming back to the Gauntlet every year is the community that it has brought together. I love seeing people giving their time and talents to raise funds and play in the event, and returning the next year to do it all over again. And the growth that we get to see in each other! You'll see people return on different teams representing their new job, or sometimes they step back to captain the team but not play because they have a more involved role in their career.
What's your favorite Gauntlet memory?
Gauntlet Cirque - We were about halfway through the day and getting set up for the finale, when it was discovered that the vendor forgot to bring a portion of the equipment we needed. It was chaotic and stressful as we scrambled to figure out how we could delay things a touch, make do with what we had, and pivot the finale event to make it all work. But we got our hosts in front of the camera and gave them the games we did have, and they set to having an absolute blast playing with participants and our stream viewers. Seeing them capture the very soul of gameplay - FUN - and translating that into something that kept everyone in the room and beyond entertained until we got back on track was something truly magical.
What do you love about the role you play as a Gauntlet Producer?
I get my hands into everything! While I am primarily focused on producing the stream, so much of that relies on the flow of the overall event. Lyla's always allowed me plenty of latitude to ask questions and make suggestions into areas that are only lightly connected to my work so that we can collaborate and make the whole event as wonderful as it can possibly be.
What game are you currently playing that you can't stop? Why?
Funny enough - a game I discovered at a Gauntlet!!! "Valeria: Card Kingdoms" was a game featured at one of the first Gauntlets I helped out with, and I was enamored. Unfortunately, it was sold out every time I tried to get a copy, so it was years before I could get one from Mox Boarding House and stake it as my own. I'm now slowly gobbling up the expansion packs and it's always my go to choice when someone asks what we should play. It's a tableau building game with a fantasy flair and lots of different strategies that all can lead to victory - and even when you are behind there is always something you can do.
If you were an in-game character - what game and what role would you play?
Anything fantasy, and I would 100% be a wizard. Give me a bunch of obscure spells that can do all sorts of weird things - I'm going to combine and break them to do something you don't expect, and I'm going to be laughing gleefully while I do it!
Why are you a fan of Gamer's Engaged?
I don't think there's anything quite like it out there in the world. Plenty of nerd-centric non-profits, but Gamers Engaged isn't just about one event and raising funds. They look beyond that at how they can build charitable giving into individual programs across many different companies. They seek to build connections between participants, even when there's no direct benefit to themselves. And they bring out the best in people through PLAY! How could you not be a fan?!
What's your alignment?
Chaotic Good - I generally follow the rules but, honestly, it's just because it's easier that way. When I see something that I think should happen to make the world better, I immediately start thinking about how I can bend the rules (just a little bit!) so that I can help make it happen. Anything to put a smile on a face and brighten up their life.
Talking with Kevin gives us a real glimpse into the heart of The Gauntlet. His passion for gaming and community comes through in every aspect of his role as Producer. From tackling unexpected challenges to fostering connections among participants, Kevin's experiences reflect what The Gauntlet is truly about – bringing people together to have fun and make a difference.
Thanks, Kevin, for giving us this behind-the-scenes look at The Gauntlet. Your dedication and creativity help make this event something special for our gaming community. Here's to many more years of gaming, giving, and creating memorable experiences together!
