So it was yesterday afternoon I was sitting here in lab tapping my foot away waiting and in anticipation of SC2 launch. I knew I was getting my CE by mail on launch day so I didn't have any plans to go to a midnight launch. I realized that I can get off work early and I remembered that Day[9] is having a Launch Party so I said F*** it! I'm going to drive down to Harvey Mudd College and partake in Day[9]'s Launch Party.
I didn't know what to expect.. there could have been anything. I hadn't really been keeping up with the events he had planned. For all I knew he could have had a get together in a small conference room. I just didn't know what to expect. So I got in my car and made the trek from Westwood to Clairemont in heavy traffic. 2 hours later (at 8 PM) I got to Galileo Hall and it was packed! So many fellow SC'ers all out in the fresh air!
There were three people manning the ticket table. I paid my $25 and was given admission (to 12 hours of content) and tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous! I walked into the Hall and there were some plasma TVs with Street Fighter IV, Mario Party, Halo 3. There were board games and card games going on at some tables. Everyone was having a good time then I saw him, it was Day[9].
Day[9] drinking!
He was taking a much deserved break from announcing and I used that as my opportunity. I walked up to him and told him the night wouldn't be set unless he autographed my original SC1 Hydralisk figurine. He gladly accepted. Such a swell manner guy.
Sean Day[9] Plotts autograph on a Hydra!
After a bunch of great content and commentating, when I can't imagine things can get much better who shows up to be interviewed by Sean but the voice actors of Raynor and Tychus: James Phinney and Neil Kaplan!
Hell it's about time!
And the best part? On their way out, they were nice enough to autograph my Blizzard mag.
And the commentating continued well into the night!
At around 2:50 AM I was so tired I shook Sean's hand and told him I was about to 'gg' for the night due to serious fatigue... I had to be at work in the morning! Like a trooper he was great mannered as always even though his voice was starting to give out and his face was starting to show the exhaustion.. he was working hard and was going to head back in for some more commentating.
Me and Sean at about 3 AM... Hey we have the same glasses!
At about this point I respected this man more than anything. He's a grad student in his 20's and putting on a better show and event than any I've been to in a long time. With dedicated volunteers, video operators, technical guys, photographers, press, people manning food and ticket boothes. The amazing auditorium with giant monitors. I mean this was a serious production and this guy was pouring his heart and soul into it. Even his Mom was in awe, she would ask people 'how much left to go? and I can't believe how big a production this is with the press and etc'. You could tell she was in awe and proud. And so should all of us really. Here is a guy in the community doing something nice for us that takes a lot of time, talent, connections, and contributions from the community. Only Sean could have pulled this off. This was in a word: EPIC.
At that point I once again found myself saying F*** it. I sat my butt down in a chair and cheered my butt off for the tournament finalists until the very end. Sure I was exhausted, but watching Day[9] pour his heart and soul into 12 hours of casting inspired me. This wasn't a time to get tired, this was a time to party! This experience was one that I will never forget. Where a bunch of fans of a game that we love got together and showed just how much we care. Led by a charismatic miracle maker Sean Plott, we cheered the night away. His color commentary was hilarious and fun as always and he did manage to keep the word indubitable to only six occurrences at last count.
Finally, with his voice giving out and his co-host J.P. the same, we gave him a much deserved standing ovation and called it a night.
Attendee's signatures.
I'd just like to thank Sean for putting this event on. It was so amazing, a night I will never forget. I am still in awe that he was able to put together such a well orchestrated huge event. I also think it is so awesome that people like J.P, DJ Wheet, and the TL community and SC Legacy guys all contributed so much content for the night. This is such an amazing community with such gifted and amazing people. I can't wait to share more great times with you all.
P.S. By the way, I did make it into lab today after all even after only 3 hours sleep! I got to lab in the morning and my CE was waiting for me. I guess I will see you all on the battlefield.
i wish i lived in Cali...you lucky ^__^ sadly i couldnt attend....stream just wasnt enough >.< seriously that party looked SICK...and i really really wish i could have had the privledge of being able to go >.< oh well maybe around the time of the LotV release he will do another one (HotS is too soon) that i will be able to show up too lol
there should be a thread dedicated to pics and stories from that party...just to honor its epicness ^___^
Wow, props to the voice actors as well. They drove all the way to Irvine to get to the gamestop midnight release as well after the day9 event. They're great guys as well.
Wish I was there. Sounded like an awesome event. You made the right choice manning up and staying!
Beyond everything else he's done, I always have a special appreciation for people that have the initiative and knowledge/skills to run these things up. Coordinating events seems like a very challenging task.Much Respect.
Great blog. Thanks for sharing your experience of being there in person! Myself who is located in Sweden, had no chance to be attending this legendary party. Big props to everyone who was a part of this project and helped organizing and made it happen. Extra huge props to the man of the hour, Day[9]!
Ideas - actually in L.A. that is a great deal. Besides where can you go and be fed and entertained for 12 hours strait for 25 bucks? I should have mentioned that it also included admission. :D
I tuned in pretty late yesterday, wasn't going to watch much of it since I can't play sc2 just yet, but I was stunned with the level of production and the quality of the show. Just like the OP said - it was amazing, so much work put into this. I have infinite respect for people organizing this and day9 specifically. The content was worthy of a prime time somewhere on television.
And thanks to day9 and anyone else who worked on this event. Even though I didn't attend the stream was there to make me feel part of it, and now these pictures.
What I wanna know is where can I download the show that aired last night I missed alot of it because I went out to midnight launch but the stuff I did see was really good, I'd love to be able to go back and watch it.
On July 28 2010 07:41 LuckyFool wrote: What I wanna know is where can I download the show that aired last night I missed alot of it because I went out to midnight launch but the stuff I did see was really good, I'd love to be able to go back and watch it.
Sean said it will be available on his USTREAM but it may take time for him to get all of it on there.
On July 28 2010 07:41 LuckyFool wrote: What I wanna know is where can I download the show that aired last night I missed alot of it because I went out to midnight launch but the stuff I did see was really good, I'd love to be able to go back and watch it.
Sean said it will be available on his USTREAM but it may take time for him to get all of it on there.
i cannot wait...i missed a LOT of stuff >.< and i want to see the whole thing...everything i did see made me want to see more ^___^
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Can't believe someone would complain after a show like this not even considering all the expenses on setting it up. You are disgusting (just speaking out my mind).
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Wow.
Are you serious? Is a boxing match just two guys on a stage then? Yes, must be free for the promoters to put something like that on.
ANYTHING that isnt free has to be paid for. Need tape to hold down camera wires? 3 bucks. Need cups and plates for the food? Have to pay a projector fee rental ? Where are the cameras coming from? did the voice actors get a stipend? At least pay for their transportation ? How are the volunteers getting their ? Reimbursement for gas money? Renting the hall out. Ts shirts printed. Where are the lighting mounts coming from? The food has to be bought .
ANYTHING related to the event would be paid for out of this money. Plus, you get 12 hours of entertainment as for the price of 25 bucks.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
Ideas, why go on a trip to the mountains when you can watch discovery channel? Your ignorance is truly astounding... i just get baffled when i try to figure our your thought process into making these conclusions, i need to stop :S
On topic: Very nice blog entry, i was hoping to see some of the event attendees to put up something like this, your entry was more than enough
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
The same reason people go to baseball games even though it is on TV at home.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
The same reason people go to baseball games even though it is on TV at home.
QFT, LOL. What world are you living in? Going to sports events (i.e events like these) is always far more exciting. 25$ couldn't even get you that much food at a major sports event, let alone the ticket and the food.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
The same reason people go to baseball games even though it is on TV at home.
QFT, LOL. What world are you living in? Going to sports events (i.e events like these) is always far more exciting. 25$ couldn't even get you that much food at a major sports event, let alone the ticket and the food.
as i think about it more i can understand just paying the money because you think day9 deserves it and stuff (supporting him and stuff), but it wasnt really a sporting event at all. I mean a few friends of mine and I went to a classroom at my school and watched it on a projector for a few hours by ourselves for FREE and i feel it was probably an extremely similar experience (except we also had laptops there so we were playing SC instead of halo if we wanted a break from watching the show).
I didnt actually watch the king of the beta thing at the end, was that live (like the players were there playing and it was all like proleague)? or was it just replays or online? if it was live then that's fucking awesome lol. but otherwise it's hard to say it's not like just watching an internet stream on a projector and I cant reasonably justify 25$ for that.
but ultimately i guess ill stop talking about it. no reason to share my opinions if it just makes everyone all mad.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
The same reason people go to baseball games even though it is on TV at home.
QFT, LOL. What world are you living in? Going to sports events (i.e events like these) is always far more exciting. 25$ couldn't even get you that much food at a major sports event, let alone the ticket and the food.
as i think about it more i can understand just paying the money because you think day9 deserves it and stuff (supporting him and stuff), but it wasnt really a sporting event at all. I mean a few friends of mine and I went to a classroom at my school and watched it on a projector for a few hours by ourselves for FREE and i feel it was probably an extremely similar experience (except we also had laptops there so we were playing SC instead of halo if we wanted a break from watching the show).
I didnt actually watch the king of the beta thing at the end, was that live (like the players were there playing and it was all like proleague)? or was it just replays or online? if it was live then that's fucking awesome lol. but otherwise it's hard to say it's not like just watching an internet stream on a projector and I cant reasonably justify 25$ for that.
but ultimately i guess ill stop talking about it. no reason to share my opinions if it just makes everyone all mad.
id pay 25 dollars to sit in a room with a bunch of people while there was a freshly painted wall and day9 talked about how it was drying
your opinion is short sighted that is the only problem really, expand your mind!
I thought $25 was a little steep for a typical broke college student/recent unemployed graduate but my opinion changed when I saw how much content the event had. I've attend tons of crappy events from various college clubs and while they usually only charged something like $10-15, and those events usually only had random (crappy) student performances, maybe a plate of random chinese food and lasted 2-3 hours tops.
I'm not in california but I caught most of the event on the stream. The KotB tournament ending was amazing and the TLOwnage video was great.
Great blog man, very glad you shared, and thanks for the mods for putting it on the front page.. otherwise I may have missed this. Superb writing, I'm glad you shared your experience!!
I just watched at home, but I was definitely in awe of the event. If there are not more for the expansions I would be pretty sad. It made my wait for midnight much more bearable. And when I came home with my copy of SC2 I kept watching instead of playing the game I have been waiting for for years. Amazing job by everyone involved.
People that think 25$ is steep for 12 hours of entertainment, food, drinks, socializing with fellow nerds, meeting SC2lebs, playing all kinds of games in between ... they probably haven't organised any events of their own in their lifetime. Stating that the experience from behind your screen must've been very similar, but free, is hilariously naive and leads me to conclude you don't get out much. I'm confident no-one that's been there even remembers the 25$ they've paid and have gone home with good memories and autographed Starcraft goodies ^^
Thanks man for putting this up and nice pictures! I was able to watch the last 6 hours of the cast on the stream ... truly EPIC! hopefully it's up soon, so that I can watch the first 6 hours
And btw, 25 bucks is a real bargain for all that content, organization, feeling, sweat and hard work! Props to Day9 and all the other volunteers for the mad and professional work!
Reading your blog made me wish i didn't leave in France so i could have gone.
On July 28 2010 17:57 Saechiis wrote: People that think 25$ is steep for 12 hours of entertainment, food, drinks, socializing with fellow nerds, meeting SC2lebs, playing all kinds of games in between ... they probably haven't organised any events of their own in their lifetime. Stating that the experience from behind your screen must've been very similar, but free, is hilariously naive and leads me to conclude you don't get out much. I'm confident no-one that's been there even remembers the 25$ they've paid and have gone home with good memories and autographed Starcraft goodies ^^
Which brings us to the OP, good read man!
I agree totally. 25$ is the price of the pizza only here in any random pizzeria.
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
The same reason people go to baseball games even though it is on TV at home.
QFT, LOL. What world are you living in? Going to sports events (i.e events like these) is always far more exciting. 25$ couldn't even get you that much food at a major sports event, let alone the ticket and the food.
as i think about it more i can understand just paying the money because you think day9 deserves it and stuff (supporting him and stuff), but it wasnt really a sporting event at all. I mean a few friends of mine and I went to a classroom at my school and watched it on a projector for a few hours by ourselves for FREE and i feel it was probably an extremely similar experience (except we also had laptops there so we were playing SC instead of halo if we wanted a break from watching the show).
I didnt actually watch the king of the beta thing at the end, was that live (like the players were there playing and it was all like proleague)? or was it just replays or online? if it was live then that's fucking awesome lol. but otherwise it's hard to say it's not like just watching an internet stream on a projector and I cant reasonably justify 25$ for that.
but ultimately i guess ill stop talking about it. no reason to share my opinions if it just makes everyone all mad.
Great write up and thanks for sharing AWESOME pics! The shot of Day[9] taking a drink looks like it has photoshop potential, someone should get on that.
As for the complaint about $25 tickets, that is an AMAZING deal, especially in California. You get enough food and drinks for a couple decent sized meals, which is important when you're at a 12 hour event. Costs come from many areas. Colleges don't just let you reserve large auditoriums whenever you want for free. Normally, student associations have a budget and have to pay to rent the room out as well as leave a deposit in case the event causes damage to the facility. Also, the camera and sound equipment might also have been rented if the school didn't have everything necessary to make this cast happen. Ultimately though, with events like this, you always end up spending a good chunk of money on little things. Like batteries for the wireless mics, cables (because you always run out or need longer cords), extension cords, gas for multiple cars, some cleaning chemicals, trash bags, food/drinks/ice/plates/napkins/plastic utensils, a larger sized cooler, etc. Schools don't just open up the storage/maintenance/janitor closet and let you go all willy-nilly with their stuff.
I watched the first few hours from London, then slept for a while. Got up at 6am to watch the final few hours. Was pretty good fun to watch.
My only slight issue was that JP's mike wasn't really picking him up for most of the time and the game sound on the KotB casts was very loud - so much so that it drowned out Day[9[ a couple of times - but that got fixed for the later games.
This blog is amazing. Thanks so much to the writer and thanks so much to Day[9] for putting on this event. I hope Day[9] sees this, he deserves the praise.
I only wish that I hadn't just moved from California to the East Coast in the past few months. I would have been at this event, no questions asked.
I truly hope Day[9] puts on another event of this stature. If anyone can, he can. Maybe a yearly thing? Day[9]Con anyone ?
Yeah I was there to I was the dude who made the We heart manfred Poster it was so much fun I am excited that They have 2 more games to be released just so we can have another party. Everyone was super nice it was alot of fun :D
On July 28 2010 06:20 Ideas wrote: really cool blog but i just cant get passed this quote:
I paid my $25 and was given tickets to six slices of pizza and two sodas worth of tokens! Now that is generous!
this is sarcasm right?
I'm pretty sure that includes entrance into the party. Which IMO is a good deal.
yea but what was the money going towards besides food? playing halo 3?
Maybe renting the place out cost money..and I'm pretty sure there's alot of little things the organizers had to spend money on so the money may have gone to that.
rofl everyone's mad at me.
im just trying to wonder why someone would want to spend that much money to watch something that is free to everyone else on the internet.
I lol'd (at work) at this post- All i could think of was: Well, all those people in strip clubs must be real stupid then .
QFT, it was awesome meeting you qxc. I forgot to tell you congrats for your achievement in KotB and other tournies I've seen you in. I'm looking forward to more of that action.
Though I'm just not looking forward to the next time UCLA has to play HMC for the CSL
Anyways, great blog. Glad you had fun. I watched about an hours worth then got myself to bed... You are one dedicated starcraft fan, though. Really good read
Great write up, I stayed up as much as i could watching it befoer waking early and catching the end of KoTB. Was a great show, interesting to hear about all the stuff that was going on away from the main stage with all the games and stuff.
Day[9] deserves fame and glory in the SC2 e-sports community for sure. Such a great guy, he has done SOOOOO much for this community it's unbelievable. GJ Day, thank you much.
Not sure if this is the best/right place, but a HUGE thanks to Sean "Day[9]" P. for being so dedicated to the community.
I'd never even heard of Starcraft when my buddy from work gave me his Beta invite a friend pass. After several weeks of rank 80'ish in copper, I found out about the day9 dailys. I watched his dailys for hours every day and I've since fallen in love with the game.
My wife got curious about the game I'd started playing but not matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make her understand how awesome it really was. So, on our movie night, I talked her into watching the Day[9] daily #100 "My life of Starcraft." She immediately became a Day[9] fan too haha. Good times.
Thanks again for all your hard work, enthusiasm and effort. I tell my wife everyday she can blame Day[9] for my new hobby
On July 30 2010 09:58 Joedaddy wrote: Not sure if this is the best/right place, but a HUGE thanks to Sean "Day[9]" P. for being so dedicated to the community.
I'd never even heard of Starcraft when my buddy from work gave me his Beta invite a friend pass. After several weeks of rank 80'ish in copper, I found out about the day9 dailys. I watched his dailys for hours every day and I've since fallen in love with the game.
My wife got curious about the game I'd started playing but not matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make her understand how awesome it really was. So, on our movie night, I talked her into watching the Day[9] daily #100 "My life of Starcraft." She immediately became a Day[9] fan too haha. Good times.
Thanks again for all your hard work, enthusiasm and effort. I tell my wife everyday she can blame Day[9] for my new hobby
Man that episode "My Life of Starcraft", is so awesome. Just a full 2 or so hours of engrossed in his story. You should also check out Day9's commentary of the Chill vs Combat-Ex grudge match for something different LOL (if you haven't already)
Extreme love to Day[9] for this ridiculously awesome event. I was surprised at much an online stream could affect a person. I was cracking up during TLOwnage, mystified by listening to Robert and Neal, ecstatic to see Day[9] and J.P. claw that collector's edition open (even though I already did this myself a couple hours prior), and on the edge of my seat during the King of Beta tournament. I can only imagine how being there in person must have felt. Big thanks to Day[9], J.P., DJ Wheat, Robert and Neal, the lighting and media crew, and anyone else involved in this awesome project. :D
EPT![[image loading]](http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n159/dazedhavoc/Day9%20SC2%20Launch%20Party/photo1.jpg)
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5/5![[image loading]](http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/8orion8/proof.jpg)
sounds like everyone had a great time
