Underdunk is a Tournament Series which was started by Marteen and the Underdunk took place on 9th December 2022 for the North America Region! 

What is Underdunk? This is a Pokémon Unite bi-weekly tournament that is meant to give structure and opportunity to new and pro players alike to test if they have what it takes to play in the big leagues. This Tournament is Streamed by UniteMics, PandicornGaming & Dreiku_san!

Underdunk Tournament is mainly for the North America & LATAM North Region but other regions can participate too upon informing the TO! 

On 6th September 2024 Marteen Organised the Underdunk 40 and after the Event Finished Marteen posted on Twitter (Post Below in Brief) and decided to step down as the TO of Underdunk! 

Lordy, a Tournament Organiser and an Admin at Official Unite Championship Series decided to take this responsibility and Underdunk is now organised under him! Recently Underdunk 41 took place on 20th September under Lordy and was streamed on UniteMics! Team We are always late… Won the Underdunk 41 and a total of 26 Teams Participated in this event! 

Lordy: https://x.com/Lordy_7

GaMa [UCS Tournament Director] appreciating Underdunk Series:

GaMa’s Message on Marteen Stepping Down: 

Marteen’s Message: https://x.com/marteenyosh/status/1832499144868376915

Maarten’s Final Words Before He Stepped Down from Underdunk’s TO:

Reflecting on the Future of Underdunk: A Tournament Organizer’s Perspective

As the organizer of Underdunk, I find myself at a crossroads. The passion that initially fueled my efforts to create and run this tournament series has waned, leaving me questioning whether I can continue in this role. While the journey has been rewarding in some respects, the frustration I now experience outweighs the satisfaction, leading me to a difficult decision.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Future of Underdunk

The future of the Underdunk tournament series is unclear. Whether the next event will proceed as scheduled in two weeks or whether the series will go on hiatus is yet to be determined. I am considering various options, including stepping back and allowing others to take over the responsibility, or perhaps even ending the series entirely. What is certain, however, is that I will likely not be at the helm going forward.

While I may step away from managing Underdunk, I will remain involved in the tournament organizing (TO) community. I am committed to assisting others in learning the ropes, sharing my experiences, and helping aspiring organizers establish their own events. However, I plan to limit my involvement to paid roles when it comes to fully managing and moderating tournaments, as my priorities have shifted toward balancing my personal life, competitive play, and professional obligations.

Acknowledging the Contributors

I would be remiss not to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported me throughout this journey:

- GaMa: Your guidance and encouragement were instrumental in helping me establish myself as a TO within the Unite scene. You were a pillar of support in the early days of Underdunk.

- Lordy: Your assistance during chaotic moments was invaluable, and I’m incredibly proud of the strides you’ve made as an organizer.

- Squirtle’s Den and Rapidash: Thank you for being reliable and willing to step in when help was needed. Squirt, your efforts in bringing Pandicorn on board for streaming were especially appreciated.

- ZOINKS and Unite Mics: You’ve been the backbone of quality streaming and casting for so long. I truly value your contributions and hope my gratitude shines through, even if I don’t always express it enough.

- Pandicorn Gaming and Dreiku: I never expected Underdunk to reach the point where we’d have dual streams for an event of this scale. Your support has been nothing short of amazing.

Lastly, I extend my appreciation to the smaller teams that participate with respect and adherence to the rules. You are the reason I continued running Underdunk for as long as I did.

Reflections on the Origins and Evolution of Underdunk

Underdunk began in December 2022, born from a desire to address a gap in the competitive scene. As a competitor first, I entered the world of TOing out of necessity, not ambition. My background in tournament organizing comes from being the head TO for my university’s Smash 4 and Ultimate weeklies, where I volunteered because no one else was willing to take on the responsibility. I believed the Smash scene’s strength lay in the sheer availability of tournaments, giving players regular opportunities to compete.

When I transitioned into Unite, I noticed a stark difference. Tournaments were scarce, often limited to monthly or one-off events. There was no equivalent to the lower-stakes, grassroots competitions that had kept me engaged in the Smash scene. I started Underdunk to fill that void, offering more frequent opportunities for players to compete and grow.

Running Underdunk was not without challenges. Organizing online events presented unique obstacles, from dealing with technical issues to managing unruly participants. Over time, the rules for Underdunk grew to address the recurring problems caused by those who disregarded fairness and sportsmanship. While I never wanted to enforce strict rules, the behavior of some participants left me with no choice.

The Burden of Maintaining Integrity

Despite Underdunk being a free tournament, maintaining its integrity became a personal mission. It’s not just about competition for me—it’s about creating a fair and enjoyable experience for all participants. The North American scene relies on consistent events like Underdunk, and without accountability, the scene risks falling apart.

However, the burden of dealing with uncooperative or toxic players, particularly from more experienced teams, has taken its toll. The list of transgressions—from ignoring rules to account sharing and bigotry—is long and exhausting. It has reached the point where I dread running tournaments with a significant pro presence, as they often bring the most complications.

Moving Forward

I am far from a perfect TO, but I have always strived to improve and listen to feedback. My goal has always been to create a fun, fair environment where everyone can compete without fear of discrimination or cheating. Yet, I no longer have the patience or energy to continue in this capacity without compensation, especially while juggling a full-time job and my own team’s aspirations.

As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of a statement that stuck with me from my time organizing Smash events: “If nobody wants to step up after you leave, then it’s a part of the scene that doesn’t deserve to continue existing.”

Whether or not Underdunk continues, I hope the North American scene will find others willing to fill the gap. To the marginalized members of the community, I apologize for not being able to do more with my position. My mental well-being now takes precedence, and I must step back for my own sake.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Good luck, and may the competitive scene continue to thrive, with or without Underdunk.