EPTSo for a long time I've heard and read about Barcrafts that's gone on around the world and goddamn did they make me jealous...I only wished that New Zealand would do something like this, but I always thought our community was way too small and bars weren't interested in hosting us since most sports bars are all about rugby, cricket and the like. We did manage to have a few GSL finals viewing parties thanks to the awesome organizational skills of one Sunkee 'Salami' Hong, our dear leader for the new Auckland University Starcraft Club. But that, I thought, was as far as watching Starcraft went. Boy was I wrong.
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Yes Byron, we are very keen
After I found out about the event and that more than 200 people signed up to go, I was pumped. Hearing that there was gonna be a raffle with prizes like the Razer marauder keyboard was icing on the cake. The venue was at the Corporate Box, this awesome Bar/Gaming Lounge that I never knew existed. These pictures honestly do not do the place justice. There's a massive central viewing lounge with 4 TVs and another huge side room beside the bar that has a 62" TV. They also had pool tables, a few driving simulators with 3 screens and apparently even a virtual golfing range. However none of us really had the chance or could be bothered to try them out.
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Entrance
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Bar
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Guess you never have to take it outside when you can settle things like gentlemen
So the first event on the 25th February, the MLG Winter Series, was rapidly approaching. I got there somewhat late at almost 1pm (New Zealand is about 6 hrs behind US West, so the event had just started 2 hours prior). As I walked up the stairs to the Corporate box I suddenly started to think: what if this event was much smaller than I thought? What if I walked in and it was awkward and boring? What if they're all a bunch of shy nerds who don't even drink alcohol?
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Yeah right
As it turns out my fears were all for nothing. After getting myself a drink I settled down and watched some Starcraft. After a while I met up with a couple of mates and got my drink on!~~
They even had Starcraft 2 themed cocktails!
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We require more vespene gas
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I never knew Stim Packs were so delicious
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Creep tumors? Not so much.
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That's me on the right and my mate David on the left. This is totally how we walk naturally down the steps and not the photographer stopping us mid-stride to take a pic
In short, the first MLG event was awesome. Met lots of new people, had a tonne of drinks, and I even won some prizes!! A Razer Beanie, mousepad, and t-shirt. Sadly no Marauder keyboard
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Soooooo jelly...
For all those who are keen to come to future events, and I'm pretty sure there will be plenty to come, just go and follow the official Barcraft New Zealand facebook page to keep up to date! I also went to the GSL 2012 Season 1 Finals event they hosted (was even more packed than the first one and the demand for drinks were so high that glasses couldn't be washed fast enough and we ended up drinking out of disposable coffee cups lol). This past weekend they also just did the 2nd MLG event and even though I missed out, I will definitely be going to the GSL Season 2 Finals. Anyways that's it from me! I'll just close out this blog with a few more photos and videos
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Even Batman came
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The sideroom
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The main room
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The bar area
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A pic of the screens in the main room with my head on the side
