A local game café is hosting a store championship this weekend. I was hoping to participate with my brother, but I called to know if it was 18+ and they said it was.

My brother is, unfortunately, not 18...

The thing that I find weird is that the reason they cite as it being 18+ is that the following competitions (I'm guessing they're referring to Regionals, Nationals and Worlds) are 18+.

My questions are :

1 - Are your local store championship's 18+ ?

2 - Are Regionals / Nationals / Worlds 18+ ?

Do I have a case here to call them back and try to convince them to remove the 18+ restriction?

As far as I know, we're only going to be 4 at this tournament... My brother would make us at least 5, which a little better

I just played in a Store Championship last weekend where there was a boy maybe 12-13 so I don't know.

The location itself might have an age requirement even if the tournaments don't.

The location itself might have an age requirement even if the tournaments don't.

It doesn't...

Their Facebook page states : "...destined to adults and families."

I haven't seen any age requirement for Regionals. I don't know where they're getting their information from, but it might be incorrect.

I played in a store championship with people under 18 and there weren't any issues.

I'd be findin me another store lol.

Ok... Well I've got a solid case to call them back at least.

From an official FFG post from last year :

May the 4th be with you! This May 3rd – 5th, come join Star Wars fans of all ages at the Fantasy Flight Games Event Center for a three-day celebration of Star Wars-themed games.

[...]

... features Regional Championship tournaments for two of the year’s hottest games, Star Wars: The Card Game and X-Wing !

I went to a tournament this month and played against a kid no more than 12 or 13 years old. As others have said, it's likely your specific store that's imposing this.

Maybe it's like...

When you're playing some game online, and the 12 year old on the other side starts talking smack because he doesn't know better.

Only, in this scenario, the kid is sitting across from you. So all the threats you can normally make through a headset can be taken more seriously...

And assaulting a minor is generally frowned upon.

Personally ive been to 2 tournys and i'm 15, i had no problem at all.

Kevin tell Dave (if its him that you end up talking to) that the rest of the players are all ok with it and that we prefer to have him there to have a larger turn out for the tourney!

It would be wrong to limit age because the age suggestion for the game is even 14+. I'm 15 and I understand and play the game just fine.

My daughter was 11 when this game came out and she's a capable player. Sounds like the store just wants an older (and presumably) more mature clientele.

The one I played in there were 3 boys under 14. I felt terribly for the one as I one shotted two of his Interceptors at range three with my A-wings. (I rolled all crits and he rolled all blanks). I've never rolled that good before or since then. Need to find that luck.....

I'm wondering if it's a store rule, and has nothing to do with the tournament itself?

Not in a tournament, but we did hold a league that had one participant who was a 10 year old girl (daughter of another participant). No big deal other we hand to be mindful of our jokes and comments.

The box itself says recommended for ages 14 and up, so if FFG thinks under 18 is kosher to play it, I don't see why this store would choose to limit them.

My daughter was 11 when this game came out and she's a capable player. Sounds like the store just wants an older (and presumably) more mature financially viable clientele.

Fixed that for you.

Can't sell a lot of X-Wing stuff to kids who still get weekly allowances.

My daughter was 11 when this game came out and she's a capable player. Sounds like the store just wants an older (and presumably) more mature financially viable clientele.

Fixed that for you.

Can't sell a lot of X-Wing stuff to kids who still get weekly allowances.

The store owner was probably worried about a bunch of young rabble rousers showing up. I bet if you talk to the owner and explain your case he'd change the policy for your kid.

I've seen plenty of kids play in events. I think a 12 yr old was in one of the store championships, and he at least won 1 game. I don't see why there would be an age limit. I mean, maybe there are some really gifted kids at this game who will win the event, or heck, be the next World Champion. Why would ANYONE want to prevent that possibility?

My daughter was 11 when this game came out and she's a capable player. Sounds like the store just wants an older (and presumably) more mature financially viable clientele.

Fixed that for you.

Can't sell a lot of X-Wing stuff to kids who still get weekly allowances.

Aside from Red G's point, ever been in a Games Workshop? A lot of the people sitting there tend to be kids. Parents buy a lot of their stuff for them, already happy enough their kids "are playing a social hobby that makes them go out and meet people instead of playing video games all day."

My daughter was 11 when this game came out and she's a capable player. Sounds like the store just wants an older (and presumably) more mature financially viable clientele.

Fixed that for you.

Can't sell a lot of X-Wing stuff to kids who still get weekly allowances.

That's not it. Any good businessman will never do anything to prevent business, no matter how small. Remember that kids with small allowances also have parents & Santa Clause; plus the kids give free advertising for the store and game.

The store owner was probably worried about a bunch of young rabble rousers showing up. I bet if you talk to the owner and explain your case he'd change the policy for your kid.

My post was mostly tongue-in-cheek. I agree that most wouldn't turn away any business, no matter how little they actually sell. But, there are any number of reasons (most of them bad or just misinformed) the store owner could have placed that rule.

1. My reason above. Younger people have less disposable income, thus will buy less. I agree that this is stupid, but it wouldn't be the first time a business owner made a stupid decision.
2. Keep out the riff-raff. Kind of a flimsy one, as I've seen plenty of less-than-desirable folks that are over 18.
3. Very popular game at the store, and there are only a limited number of slots available. Gives adults with a day job a better chance to get to the store to sign up. Meh, I can see this one, but not likely.
4. Store owner knows the crowd likely to sign up, and they may get... colorful... during games. In this case, he's trying to protect anyone under 18 from salty language, which, to me, is a waste of time. They hear worse at school (and probably at home, too), and it would be easier to just implement a rule about bad language or bad sportsmanship.
5. Store owner was simply misinformed about the age restriction at Official events like Regionals and Nationals. I think this is the most likely case.