Hardware stolen at Super Street Fighter IV event, cash reward offered for thieved video files

This may be one of the clearest indications of a true gamer’s mentality.

Art group I Am 8-Bit recently hosted a Super Street Fighter IV launch part in Los Angeles, CA (USA) on Friday, April 22, 2010. (Capcom’s Super Street Fighter IV will be released April 27, 2010, for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.)

Apparently a good time was had by all yet there was a tragedy.

Some tech was taken including HD cameras, SD cards and a MacBook Pro. I was initially suspicious that those were actually giveaway items and this was a publicity stunt until I read the complete email sent by group founder, Jon M. Gibson.

In the email he offers a cash reward for the video content on these devices and not for the actual hardware (sorry Gadgetell and Appletell). That’s right, people enjoying a sneak peek at the latest Street Fighter game – including fighting game expert Daigo Umehara for Japanese television – is more important to them than some pricey hardware.

My gamer hat is off to you, I Am 8-Bit.

Here’s the complete email sent this past weekend (April 24, 2010) by Gibson. Bolding and links are all theirs.

Dear Street Fighters,

Last night, we launched Super Street Fighter IV in Los Angeles with another Capcom Fight Club.

It rocked!

In tandem with the great folks at Capcom, the party went off with an explosive bang. Hundreds waited in line since 9am (the doors opened at 8pm), and ultimately, nearly 2,000 people showed up to get their hands on the game early. Unfortunately, the massive warehouse space that played host to the club wasn’t big enough to accomodate everyone, so our apologies to any fans that didn’t get in.

And, wow – who thought so many gamers would be willing to lube up and Turkish Oil Wrestle? They did… and it was a sight to behold!

However, I digress…

Right before the event ended, at about 11:30pm, someone stole several pieces of production equipment from us:

• Mac Book Pro
• Two (2) Kodak zi8 HD cameras
• Lots of SD cards

We could care less about the equipment itself. It’s the FOOTAGE THAT MATTERS.

For the entire night, that Mac Book Pro, along with those SD cards, stored hours of footage from the event. It was really great stuff that is now gone because someone decided to take the shiny objects.

We were helping to complete a documentary for Japanese television about Daigo, who was flown into town specifically to compete at the fight club.

On that laptop and those cameras was valuable footage that immortalized the player.

Also, there was literally tons of other great interviews, cosplaying, and fan-focused stuff that we were going to cut together this weekend to share with the whole community.

Sadly, it is gone.

We are prepared to offer a cash reward if that footage is returned to us. We don’t care who stole it, we just want it back. We will NOT drag anyone through the mud; your identity will be kept secret. We can promise you that.

Just please, come forward. We can arrange for a drop point somewhere in Los Angeles.

Seriously, this footage meant the world to us. It was important to Daigo. It was important to Capcom.

We produce these kinds of events for the fans, and for the evidence of such a night to be ripped out from under us – well, it hurts.

It really hurts.

If anyone knows anything, please e-mail me directly. Your name will be kept anonymous. We are not out to get anyway.

Any and all leads would be immensely appreciated.

We will pay. Cash.

Thank you!

Jon M. Gibson, Founder
i am 8-bit Productions

Update (5 PM, April 26, 2010): Jon M. Gibson has confirmed with Gamertell via email that this is, indeed, not a publicity stunt, writing, “I *wish* it were a publicity stunt, even though it seems like one. We truly, honestly lost that footage/equipment.”

Read [Super Street Fighter IV @ Gamertell] Email [Jon M. Gibson] Site [I Am 8-Bit]