‘Battle 4 the Lou’ Gaming Tournament Electrifies St. Louis at Baden Library

ST. LOUIS – The ‘Battle 4 the Lou’ gaming tournament, held on July 12, 2025, at the Baden Library, brought together gaming enthusiasts from across the city for an electrifying competition. Organized by the BGG Foundation, the event saw fierce battles, with the top player walking away with a $500 prize and a coveted spot in the grand finals scheduled for October.

The BGG Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2022 by Robert Powell, a former Sony PlayStation marketing manager, hosted the tournament as part of its mission to foster positive opportunities for gamers. Powell’s vision is to inspire and uplift the next generation of gaming talent.

“I’m driven to create the kind of leadership and opportunities I wished I had growing up,” said Robert Powell, CEO and founder of the BGG Foundation. “This is about impacting kids and giving them a platform to shine.”

The excitement didn’t end at Baden Library. On July 19, the BGG Foundation hosted ‘Gaming at the Concert’ at the High Low Listening Room, where competitors faced off in popular titles like Smash Bros., NBA 2K25, and Tekken 8. The first-place winners in each category took home $250 in cash, thrilling the crowd with their skills.

The gaming series continued with the ‘Got Game Tournament’ on July 26 at the Clark Family Branch. Participants competed for another $500 prize, with additional raffles offering PlayStation 5 consoles and exclusive gaming swag, adding to the event’s buzz.

These tournaments showcased the rising popularity of competitive gaming in St. Louis, providing a vibrant stage for local talent to compete and connect. The BGG Foundation’s efforts continue to build a thriving gaming community, with more events planned to keep the momentum going. For details on upcoming tournaments, visit the BGG Foundation’s website.