Our History
The Story of Araiguma Battle
October 2021
The Birth of UCKITH
In October of 2021 we had an idea to start meeting formally to play fighting games competitively .
The idea was FGC locals with emphasis on Community . Organically grown , not advertised or pushed . Keep it low key and see where it goes from there .
Grassroots Community Run Fighting Game Local
Upstairs Hallway of the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
The Upstairs Hall
Kids In The Hall got the name because we actually started , in a Hallway ! We were actually presented with many different spaces , venue spaces where we could meet and play .
However , we didn’t want to take advantage .
We wanted to introduce ourselves slowly , see if we made a good fit .
We didn’t want to mooch space and were told ,
” well , there is a space upstairs where some kids used to come and play video games ”
So we said , yeah let’s check that out . That space , was The Upstairs Hall .
The Idea
The founders favorite things to do was go outside the door to the Hall and just listen to the sounds .
” It sounded like the arcade ”
She had said .
” The buttons being hit , the sounds of the games , the hype . It was actually the spirit of the arcade without the wackness ”
And that’s exactly what it was .
” If we ever outgrow this space , I’ll rent a suite in this building , we’ll always have a place to play . “
The idea was a space where we could leave our setups , and come and go as we please , grind it out through all hours of the night .
A couple old couches and a coffee machine .
This idea quickly grew to include a bunch of cabs and a commercial coffee machine . A community funded arcade dedicated to fighting games and competitive arcade gaming .
“ You know. If anyone else told me about this , I would of been like yeah whatever . And just gone on about my day . But you ? Yeah . I could see you actually doing this “
– Serenative
Sights Set on a Dedicated Space
The Community Center’s Director was let known of our idea and that we were interested in renting a space . Since our presence was well received , we were met with a lot of excitement on becoming a tenant .
The problem was , tenants don’t leave often . So everything was rented out . But we were on the waiting list . After a couple weeks of waiting , a bit of a hunt was made , then a proposal .
The building HVAC was being updated . The old custodial room would make a great rental space . So we pitched the idea and the construction began along with the building HVAC project .
Below is a map of the 1B level along with Room 28 how it was when we found it , and though the construction .
April 2022
The Network Test
The equipment was ordered , first batch of cabs arrived , our first Group-Buy was coming the next day which was a big event . Some traveling 6 hours to our big event GRILL-BALANCE .
What do we do to prepare ? A Network Test .
The Night Before The Big Event !
April 2022
GRILL-BALANCE
Our first major event , planned around a Group-Buy and celebration to the firing up of Araiguma , a retro game convention BBQ turned to a staple event .
This was the proof of concept of what we were trying to do . Much of our culture today was formed during this day .
Group Buy – Retro Game Convention – BBQ
June 2022
The Downstairs Hall
We had quickly outgrown The Upstairs Hall . Looking around the building , we had noticed another Hallway which was not only larger , but the temp was lower ( the AC was out at the time ! ) and it had a couch !
This space was seeing the vision one step further .
Kids , we’re going to need a bigger hall
August 2022
The Move
” What if we just ran it out of the house ”
The co-founder had said to the other .
And that’s what we did . While waiting for the Downtown Space , we would just run it out of the house .
We outgrew the Downstairs Hall
September 2022
Up To No Good
Our monthly tournament Kids In The Hall – Up To No Good was born . Held at the UCIMC .
The Kids in the Hall – Up to No Good Tournament Series Begins
March 2023
Weekly Stream
The idea was proposed during a heated 3rd Strike match . ” We should start streaming weekly casuals ” and the lightbulb just lit up . This is a great idea !
So we started doing exactly that !
Open-Mic Variety Show Style weekly broadcast giving everyone an opportunity to give commentary a shot , talk some shit , talk games or other things they love to the world .
Casual Rotations added to the “Main Stage” – Streaming every Saturday
June 2023
Expansion of Space
Space had to expand with the growing player base and to support our competitive titles , the addition of the ” Head to Head Room ” was made .
INTRODUCTION TO THE VERSATILE CITY
August 2023
Riichi Mahjong
Long talked about since the early days , we cleared space and created the Mahjong Pit ! Our own parlor with full streaming capabilities !
rIICHI HAS BECOME A MAINSTAY
March 2024
Dedicated 3rd Strike Side Steam
With the expansion of space and the growth of 3rd Strike , we had a lot of people who came to our Stream only for 3rd Strike . We were becoming a small hub for this game we love .
So we created a dedicated side stream for 3rd Strike during our Kids In The Hall Steams on our YouTube !
Casual Rotations added to the “Main Stage” – Streaming every Saturday
July 2024
Additional Events !
We got there much sooner than expected ! The plan was for an out of house location and we could do more nights a week — The flames of passion burned hotter than ever , we had to get to it !
With the introduction of ‘ Good For Health – Bad For Education ‘ on Wednesday Nights ! A dedicated 3rd Strike grind night !
a second weekly event !
September 2024
Season Finale
The final event held at the original location ! The night before we start to tear it all down .
All day Pizza Potluck to celebrate the closing of this chapter and bringing it in for the next .
End of an era
October 2024
The Big Move !
The time had come ! We began the move to our first public location in Downtown Urbana .
the return to downtown urbana
October 2024
The First Out Of House Location
With the move completed , we opened once again ! Our first public location , while still remaining out of public view . An address was posted , Google Business profiles and the arcade registered with the County .
The start of something even bigger than what we had done before .
begining of an era
December 2024
Area Wide Riichi Mahjong Club
The idea was to form a Urbana and Champaign city wide ( and beyond ) Mahjong Club . The foundation and equipment was in place , but it was all too much for one to handle .
riichi.araigumabattle.com was created with a landing page saying , ” Looking for someone to run the club ! ” and within a week , contact was made !
the urbana mahjong pit was born
FEBURARY 2025
ABTL
The Araiguma Battle clothing brand ‘ ABTL ‘ officially debuted
Out OF ORDER society
JUNE 2025
Araiguma Battle Select Shop
After 6 months of planning , the Select Shop side of the arcade had fully come to fruition starting with Select Drinks and Snacks . Rare import goods for accessible prices . Carefully selected with great care .
The idea was to make more of the previously inaccessible ‘ culture goods ‘ to be accessible and truly unique .
We had become the
Araiguma: Advanced Battle Center | Underground Arcade | Select Shop & Hang Space
Underground arcade | Select Shop | Hang space
January 2026
In-Store LIVE had finally begun . Live DJs , Beat Makers and Hardware Sets at the Arcade . All Streamed on Twitch .
Arcade Pirate radio
