Gamers are goal-oriented people. Their goals, however, are often confined to the four corners of a PC screen and are sometimes frowned upon or misunderstood by the rest of the world. To an outsider, spending 3000 hours in a videogame might seem like the height of insanity, and they might be right, but gaming and the community it provides are very important to those who appreciate them – important enough to lure them away from the screen and into the light of day. Here’s a list of real-life events and activities that every gamer should consider attending at least once in their life.
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Going To The E3 Conference
Despite the flack E3 gets every year for the unbelievably beautiful gameplay screen that’s often followed by sub-par real gaming experiences, there’s something about being at a gaming conference like E3 that feels like you’re touching the future with your fingertips. All the biggest names are there, and all the newest games are unveiled in a spectacular fashion. There are also opportunities for bloggers and normal players to test out new consoles, new VR headsets and, of course, unreleased games.
Being the first to know is a big deal in so many communities but playing an unreleased video game is like stepping onto a new planet before anyone else has touched it. The convention takes place annually at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, which is a long way to travel for many, but it’s definitely a bucket list item for any gamer.
Attending the Esports World Convention
The Esports World Convention (ESWC) is the world cup of gaming. In recent years, the competition has been made up of online multiplayer games such as Counterstrike, Call of Duty, Dota 2 and Overwatch. These games take place around the world with the location moving annually. If you attend, you get to watch the most highly skilled esports players compete to be the best in the world. Esports when watched on streaming services like Twitch are still riveting, but nowhere near as riveting as being in a stadium-like venue surrounded by fans and members of the community.
The Gamescom Trade Fair
Unlike E3 and ESWC, the Gamescom Trade Fair held annually in Germany combines esports tournaments with experiences with the latest innovations in gaming, like you see when you visit this site. Attendees are presented with mind-blowing new technology and the opportunity to win amazing prizes. Getting to Gamescom would undoubtedly be at the top of any gamer’s bucket list, and with good reason.
The 2011 Dota 2 championship had the biggest winning pool of any esports competition at that time, which would be incredibly tempting to attempt for any major esports geek but also nail biting to witness. It’s also, importantly, a place where gaming culture is taken seriously, with the 2019 fair being opened by a sitting German chancellor.
The real world has a lot to offer for gamers, opportunities not only to see new ideas come to life but also to feel accepted, understood and surrounded by peers. If you’re a gamer, consider saving up for one of these events. It’d be truly worth it.