Chris Hoeksema

More than 3,500 people, including U.S. Rep David Loebsack and Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, attended a kickoff event today for the International Video Games Hall of Fame, which Ottumwa, Iowa leaders plan to build in their community. Chris Hoeksema, a member of the Hall's exploratory committee, said the 3,500 figure represented those who donated cash to the cause, or video games and consoles that were set up in the Bridge View Center, Ottumwa's 95,000 square-foot events hall, to be played during the daylong celebration of gaming and Ottumwa's ties to it. The actual attendance figure is likely much larger, Hoeksema said. "It's really been amazing," Hoeksema said. "We were not expecting this much outpouring of support from ...