On November 21, 2016 I had the opportunity of speaking with Michael Crossman, CEO and co-founder of Claim To Fame Entertainment. Claim To Fame Entertainment is an L.L.C that focuses on the business aspect of eSport gaming, recreational gaming, and various entertainment related events within the Capital Region of New York State. Shown below is the full interview that took place between Michael Crossman and myself on November 21, 2016:

What is Claim To Fame Entertainment and how and when was it started?

"Claim to Fame Entertainment is the Capital Regions first dedicated business to promoting eSports & gaming entertainment. Our unique approach to creating, hosting, and sponsoring events will help strengthen the gaming community. Our goal is to unify the gaming communities through our work in promotional marketing and hosting eSports events."

What is the main vision of Claim To Fame Entertainment and what does Claim To Fame Entertainment do?

"Our mission at Claim to Fame Entertainment L.L.C is to construct & establish an identity in the E-sports and entertainment communities of Upstate New York.

Claim to Fame Entertainment L.L.C specializes in hosting & sponsoring E-sport gaming, recreational gaming, and different entertainment based activities in the Capital Region of New York State. Our company is dedicated to bringing the expanding community of competitive gaming to the Upstate New York area by hosting, sponsoring, and participating in local gaming events.

As a foundation this company will help strengthen the competitive and social gaming communities in the Capital Region."

Hey Mike, what do you yourself do at Claim To Fame Entertainment?

"I personally am the CEO and one of the founders of Claim to Fame Entertainment. Our team does so much to continue the success of our company and I am the one to oversee different jobs and projects. I personally work side by side with everyone on the team because we are all passionate about CTF. My main job is to create and connections with other businesses. I also run our presentations to expand our business and ideas about eSports and competitive gaming. I’m the man sitting at the computer or phone emailing and connecting with all business."

Who are some of your sponsors and how do you guys work together in regards to promoting the ESports scene within Upstate, New York?

"When we first started Claim to Fame Entertainment we had an opportunity to work with GameStop on a few different Midnight release events. After a few events we had the opportunity to work with Monster Energy on a bigger gaming event. Monster will provide us different products to giveaway to gamers at our events including drinks, stickers, and other merchandise. This helps bring awareness to the gaming communities that love the idea of companies supporting events to promote eSports and gaming to this area."

Which tournaments have you organized before and do you plan on collaborating with the various Upstate New York ESports communities?

"Over the past year we have worked on a number of events across the Capital Region some of these games include: Madden 16 & 17, NBA 2k16 & 17, Halo 5, Call of Duty Black OPS III, Gears of War 4, Smash Bros. 4 & Melee. As a company we worked on promoting various of gaming events as well which include Facebook Ad campaigns and other social media driven work.

Upstate New York Esports community is still growing and we believe we are fostering the potential expansion of the community by providing events across the community. The idea of eSports in the Capital Region is the reason why we are passionate about job because we believe that with the right support and foundation we can bring eSports to the next level in Upstate New York."

Which games have you supported before in the past and which ones do you currently support within the Upstate New York ESports scene?

"We support many different games from sports games to fighting games and first person shooters as well. Our biggest support goes to Smash Bros, Overwatch, and Madden. We love the idea that all these type of games are very different from each other but all serve the same purpose to bring the eSports community together. We will continue to support all forms of eSports in New York State."

Are you planning on, or have you already thought of collaborating with PastTime Legends within the Capitol Region Smash Bros. community as well as other Super Smash Bros. communities within Upstate, New York?

"Pastime Legends has been a big help in getting into the Smash Bros community of Upstate New York. They hosted the biggest Smash Bros event in Upstate New York last May as work with them to promote the event. We are working together to provide the community support and look to expand the community with our teamwork. Joseph Pirro is the owner of Pastime Legends and is very passionate about the Smash Bros. community. He works extra to help maintain the growth of the community by providing equipment and space for weeklies.

We also work with Luis and Isaac Rivera which head Schenectady Smash and bring great passion to the Smash Bros. community. They work tirelessly to help the community by hosting Smash Bros with Claim to Fame Entertainment.

All of these guys are the pillars of the Smash Community and we are glad to work with them."

What got you into Gaming and/or ESports?

"I have always love video games from the time my brother and I played Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo. I love fact that there are different ways to play video games. You can work together to complete levels and or compete against each other to achieve victory. I have always been competitive going back to the days that I played sports. Now that my favorite ideas are combined sports and video games it is easy to be passionate about eSports. I love the fact that video games are being play as a sport now. Teams get to play together to achieve victory and against each other for ranking. It brings the best of both of my worlds together to create a great community."

What are your favorite videogames in general?

"I am very big into a few games at the moment which shouldn’t surprise anyone. League of Legends, World of Warcraft and OverWatch have to be my favorite games at the moment. I really enjoy the competitive nature of these games and the skill it takes to work together as a team."

Do you have any additional comments, advice, or anything you want to say to the Gaming and ESports community in New York State?

"The gaming and eSports communities prides itself on personal and team achievements in various games. We feel that every gamer deserves to feel that what they accomplished highlighted in a unique fashion.

Claim to Fame Entertainment’s goal is to create a focus on eSport gaming and entertainment in Upstate New York. Providing the gaming community an outlet to showcase various games play in the eSports community.

"What’s your Claim to Fame" statement will be the basis on our unique style to define gamers personal achievements, accolades, and accomplishments. We want each gamer at any level of play to feel accomplished about what they have achieved in the gaming community.

So…What's Your Claim to Fame?

Here is mine