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If you are nerdy enough to read a blog about esports (not a bad thing, I do too!), then you will probably go to a huge video game convention at some point in your life. For me, my first major event was this past weekend at Dreamhack Summer, the largest and most famous LAN party in the world. After attending, I came back with a greater understanding on how to get the most out of your experience. With MLG Anaheim right around the corner, I thought it would be timely to take a break from Fantasy LCS and post these ideas for everyone to see. Here are my major tips on how to Dreamhack:
Do not only play video games at a video game convention: This sounds counter-intuitive, does it not? Yet we can all agree that if you wanted to play Starcraft 2 for an entire weekend, you could just stay home and save your ticket money. Go out and watch the pro-gamers play. Browse the vendors and see if there is something you may want to pick up for purchase. Participate in some of the special events like musical performances, panel discussions, meet and greets, and prize competitions. Make your trip memorable, not just another weekend where you played video games.
Wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty: Gamers are not known for their cleanliness or personal hygiene, and Dreamhack reinforced that hard. Despite volunteers constantly sweeping, there was food wrappers and electronics packaging everywhere. I would not recommend wearing anything put tennis shoes, jeans/cargo shorts, and a t-shirt. Regardless, do your part to keep the event clean by picking up after yourself, reporting spills to volunteers, and keeping your hygiene in tip-top shape.
If you there are seats for 18+ and 21+, grab them if you can: My biggest regret this weekend was buying a desk ticket in the main hall and not in the 21+ area. Although there are many people who are over 18 at big video game conventions, you must remember that it is children who play the most video games every week. They also flock to these major events, and usually get their parents to buy tickets closest to the action. You always want to get tickets for the older people area because 1) middle schoolers are a pain, and 2) there really aren’t a bunch of weird 40 year olds like your parents want you to believe you will become.
Respect the crew members: Most people working at conventions, video game or otherwise, do not get paid. They do their work because they love the event and want it to succeed, but having difficult revelers diminishes their willpower and makes them unhappy. The less happy they are, the worse the convention runs. Please, be respectful and do what they ask of you.
If you are reading this blog, you also probably go to huge gaming conventions to meet the big names in video gaming. Perhaps these are pro-gamers, famous streamers, cosplayers, or even developers. Everyone wants to get those few moments with a famous star to get a picture and, most importantly, get an autograph. Here are a few tips and tricks for getting autographs.
Ask at opportune moments: There are good times and bad times to ask autographs, and your chances of getting an autograph vary greatly during these times. Obviously, a bad time to ask is during a match. Other bad times are right before a match, after a match when the player loses, in the bathroom or other more private spaces. Good times are after the players wins a match/set, when they are in transit from place to place, and when they are just browsing the internet in between games. Also, be sure to attend the times designated for players to sign autographs. It is almost a guaranteed signature, and the players are usually happier.
Signing a t-shirt can be quiet tricky: This is something I had to learn the hard way. Shirts do not often stay still even when placed on a flat surface. What’s more, there are two layers of fabric when you put a T-shirt on a flat surface, leading to a lot of sliding. It is very difficult to autograph a t-shirt when it is like this, and oftentimes the signatures come out sloppy and barely legible. You will want to either be wearing the shirt when it is autographed, or to place something hard inside the shirt when it is being signed (like a piece of cardboard or a book). Trust me, I learned this the hard way
Less famous people always give better autograph experiences: You are not going to get an amazing conversation from Jaedong when you ask for an autograph. The reason is because he is always being asked for autographs, so much that it has become more of a nuisance than an honor. A less accomplished player, on the other hand, is more likely to feel happy about being asked and will gladly spend a minute or two to talk if they have the time. For the most part they can answer your burning questions just as well as a more famous player can, so the interaction is equally as valuable. Plus, they tend to be nicer to the average fan. Never overlook an autograph just because a player is “bad” or “so-so.”
People from different countries react differently to autographs: This can also be read as “Koreans as a whole seem more melancholy when asked for an autograph”. I do not know why that is, but it seemed to be consistent. Europeans as a whole tended to be much more open to autographs than Koreans, though I was only rejected once out of 50 signatures. Do not be bother by this; it can easily be explained by the cultural barrier between people from different countries and continents.
Be prepared for the occasional no: I do not know why niche celebrities would decline to sign an autograph. Pro-gamers are not widely recognized outside of conventions and tournaments, do not have the paparazzi after them, and can for the most part live a normal life. That being said, it is well within their right to deny an autograph. Sometimes they are having a bad day, and no one likes to be bothered on a bad day. It’s not a rejection of you as much as it is an indication of their mood. You can always try again later.
As for my experiences at Dreamhack Summer, the nicest pro gamers by far and away were Zanster, Harstem, Mana, Demuslim, and San. In particular, San was the best Korean to get a signature from by far. I'll upload some photos when I can!
Also, please note that this post is modified from a post I do for a League of Legends blog (though I am more into the professional SC2 scene myself). You can see the original here:
https://leagueoflcs.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/how-to-dreamhack/
 
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So uhh... who's the one that rejected you?
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Good advice all around!
On June 20 2014 22:08 SirVandeKamp wrote:
As for my experiences at Dreamhack Summer, the nicest pro gamers by far and away were Zanster, Harstem, Mana, Demuslim, and San. In particular, San was the best Korean to get a signature from by far. I'll upload some photos when I can!
I can confirm that Harstem and Mana are awesome in person!
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On June 20 2014 22:18 Fighter wrote:
So uhh... who's the one that rejected you?
MMA. His exact words were "not right now." While he wasn't in game or even on the client, I expect he was moping about his poor performance at DH Summer. I felt a bit bad for him, but I still thought it was an appropriate time to get his autograph. He also wasn't around very much beyond when he needed his games, unlike most of the other pros (Koreans included).
I also forgot to add Niroxs on the cool list. He was pretty cool.
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Bisutopia19400 Posts
There are always a lot of B-List players that are still well known hanging out and not being bothered. I always go and hang out with them. Most of the ones I hung out with became a top player anyway or their team did. It's a cool experience.
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I was really surprised when i got to go to the meltdown in paris for their new opening. Was with WGT-Baal and i was smoking and i told him : "Is that StarDust there ? Why he is alone ?" and he told him : "let's say hi". I was so shaky. My first time with a progamer 
StarDust, Mana and Jjakji were freezing outside and with literally NO ONE talking to them. StarDust is really reaaaaaaaallly nice. MaNa seemed tired and didn't talk much. Jjakji was literally hiding behind StarDust.
If you have a chance to talk to StarDust. Do it. He is really nice. He chatted a lil bit but i didn't want to bother him too long. And every time i write him a message on FB for a good luck or something, he always answer (even if it's a week later). Definitly talk to him if you have the occasion.
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don't be afraid to ask for an autograph, the worst they can do is no.
Even if it is the korean players
during IEMNYC at NYCC, I was able to go to the back where the players were practicing and lounging, HerO was very nice to take pics and sign autographs. As were the other players as well
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Good read.
Autographs are really nice, and I was too able to get few in last Assembly. Especially Stardust was nice and waited for me to get another pen, when first one did not work. I was also happy to talk a bit with Gowser, who is really nice and I had a goodd chat about games. Usually I have found professional gamers to be nice.
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At IEM WC in Hannover 2013 I met Snute and we kinda hang out for over 2 hours and talking about the HotS issues. Jens is the best guy to hang out with.
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Germany767 Posts
On June 20 2014 23:46 SirVandeKamp wrote:Show nested quote +On June 20 2014 22:18 Fighter wrote:
So uhh... who's the one that rejected you? MMA. His exact words were "not right now." While he wasn't in game or even on the client, I expect he was moping about his poor performance at DH Summer. I felt a bit bad for him, but I still thought it was an appropriate time to get his autograph. He also wasn't around very much beyond when he needed his games, unlike most of the other pros (Koreans included). I also forgot to add Niroxs on the cool list. He was pretty cool.
It's really complicated sometimes. After a defeat you often feel like no one should even WANT your autograph and that you're not worthy of that kind of recognition. So you just want to be left alone and wish you could go home. There's rarely space for progamers at events to retreat so you're completely out there and vulnerable to basically complete strangers.
Most of us usually try to still do photos and autographs but it can be extremely exhausting in situations like that. So I hope you don't have any negative feeling towards MMA.
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Bisutopia19400 Posts
On June 21 2014 02:25 Liquid`TLO wrote:Show nested quote +On June 20 2014 23:46 SirVandeKamp wrote:On June 20 2014 22:18 Fighter wrote:
So uhh... who's the one that rejected you? MMA. His exact words were "not right now." While he wasn't in game or even on the client, I expect he was moping about his poor performance at DH Summer. I felt a bit bad for him, but I still thought it was an appropriate time to get his autograph. He also wasn't around very much beyond when he needed his games, unlike most of the other pros (Koreans included). I also forgot to add Niroxs on the cool list. He was pretty cool. It's really complicated sometimes. After a defeat you often feel like no one should even WANT your autograph and that you're not worthy of that kind of recognition. So you just want to be left alone and wish you could go home. There's rarely space for progamers at events to retreat so you're completely out there and vulnerable to basically complete strangers. Most of us usually try to still do photos and autographs but it can be extremely exhausting in situations like that. So I hope you don't have any negative feeling towards MMA.
This^. But I will say the teamliquid team, you included TLO, have been awesome to the fans at the events I've been to. I still remember you and jinro at mlg Orlando being very approachable. Also the sky terrain battle with boxer
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Niroxs was nice?! You must have caught at a weak moment.
Having been at two dreamhacks I can only agree with what you said about hygiene and seating
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On June 21 2014 02:25 Liquid`TLO wrote:Show nested quote +On June 20 2014 23:46 SirVandeKamp wrote:On June 20 2014 22:18 Fighter wrote:
So uhh... who's the one that rejected you? MMA. His exact words were "not right now." While he wasn't in game or even on the client, I expect he was moping about his poor performance at DH Summer. I felt a bit bad for him, but I still thought it was an appropriate time to get his autograph. He also wasn't around very much beyond when he needed his games, unlike most of the other pros (Koreans included). I also forgot to add Niroxs on the cool list. He was pretty cool. It's really complicated sometimes. After a defeat you often feel like no one should even WANT your autograph and that you're not worthy of that kind of recognition. So you just want to be left alone and wish you could go home. There's rarely space for progamers at events to retreat so you're completely out there and vulnerable to basically complete strangers. Most of us usually try to still do photos and autographs but it can be extremely exhausting in situations like that. So I hope you don't have any negative feeling towards MMA.
Oh no, I certainly don't have any bad feelings. I was a competitor once, I know what it's like after a hard loss. I was just trying to justify still wanting his autograph. He really did have a bad tournament, poor guy.
Also, hi TLO! I'm actually that American who randomly found TL at the train station and awkwardly asked for a photo.
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On June 20 2014 22:08 SirVandeKamp wrote:
If you there are seats for 18+ and 21+, grab them if you can: My biggest regret this weekend was buying a desk ticket in the main hall and not in the 21+ area. Although there are many people who are over 18 at big video game conventions, you must remember that it is children who play the most video games every week. They also flock to these major events, and usually get their parents to buy tickets closest to the action. You always want to get tickets for the older people area because 1) middle schoolers are a pain, and 2) there really aren’t a bunch of weird 40 year olds like your parents want you to believe you will become.
Signing a t-shirt can be quiet tricky: This is something I had to learn the hard way. Shirts do not often stay still even when placed on a flat surface. What’s more, there are two layers of fabric when you put a T-shirt on a flat surface, leading to a lot of sliding. It is very difficult to autograph a t-shirt when it is like this, and oftentimes the signatures come out sloppy and barely legible. You will want to either be wearing the shirt when it is autographed, or to place something hard inside the shirt when it is being signed (like a piece of cardboard or a book). Trust me, I learned this the hard way
Awesome post, but as I just went to my first DreamHack aswell, I've got to disagree with these.
''If you there are seats for 18+ and 21+, grab them if you can:''
I was sitting in hall C with one other friend of mine, and in the entirety of two rows I didn't spot a single person younger than me (16). It really depends on where you want to sit. Hall C is more relaxed, while Hall B (and D to some extent) are completely filled with children because it's easier to go everywhere and they're right in the action, as you said. Age really doesn't always have to do with maturity either. They're not completely relatable. The DH 18+ area seemed like an area for dads who just want a veeeery slow and relaxed experience (better default chairs, more space, very small area, etc.)
Just pick the right spot if you're very worried about kids ruining your experience.
''Signing a t-shirt can be quiet tricky:''
Just straighten it out. I've got a T-shirt filled with autographs from Gamescom 2012, IronSquid 2 and DreamHack Summer now and whenever I ask for a signature, I place it on the hard surface (99% of the time a desk) and just straighten it out at both ends, so they get a nice ''writing area''!
That said, how many non-Swedes did you encounter? I found that like 98% of people there were Swedish, I had certainly expected a higher number of non-swedes!
Good blog however! See you at another DreamHack maybe! 
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Wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty: Gamers are not known for their cleanliness or personal hygiene, and Dreamhack reinforced that hard. Despite volunteers constantly sweeping, there was food wrappers and electronics packaging everywhere. I would not recommend wearing anything put tennis shoes, jeans/cargo shorts, and a t-shirt. Regardless, do your part to keep the event clean by picking up after yourself, reporting spills to volunteers, and keeping your hygiene in tip-top shape.
That actually makes me a bit sad. People just litter purposely and have no care for their surroundings does not make the scene look better to outsiders. There should be some security to hand out littering fines..
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Thanks for this post, I hope to finally get to an MLG or something like that someday. I'm in the process of trying to find the time to go see proleague while im here in korea!
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On June 22 2014 00:21 Socup wrote:Show nested quote +Wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty: Gamers are not known for their cleanliness or personal hygiene, and Dreamhack reinforced that hard. Despite volunteers constantly sweeping, there was food wrappers and electronics packaging everywhere. I would not recommend wearing anything put tennis shoes, jeans/cargo shorts, and a t-shirt. Regardless, do your part to keep the event clean by picking up after yourself, reporting spills to volunteers, and keeping your hygiene in tip-top shape. That actually makes me a bit sad. People just litter purposely and have no care for their surroundings does not make the scene look better to outsiders. There should be some security to hand out littering fines..
It is sad, but it may be unique Dreamhack's format. They allow people to spend the night in the venue, and there are a huge number of minors around (who aren't known for being clean).
Also, take heart: one look at a stadium after a pro sports game and you know that we are not alone.
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On June 22 2014 22:46 SirVandeKamp wrote:Show nested quote +On June 22 2014 00:21 Socup wrote:Wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty: Gamers are not known for their cleanliness or personal hygiene, and Dreamhack reinforced that hard. Despite volunteers constantly sweeping, there was food wrappers and electronics packaging everywhere. I would not recommend wearing anything put tennis shoes, jeans/cargo shorts, and a t-shirt. Regardless, do your part to keep the event clean by picking up after yourself, reporting spills to volunteers, and keeping your hygiene in tip-top shape. That actually makes me a bit sad. People just litter purposely and have no care for their surroundings does not make the scene look better to outsiders. There should be some security to hand out littering fines.. It is sad, but it may be unique Dreamhack's format. They allow people to spend the night in the venue, and there are a huge number of minors around (who aren't known for being clean). Also, take heart: one look at a stadium after a pro sports game and you know that we are not alone.
TBH it was all fairly clean for me. Of course the BYOC area itself, the desks, is your own property for that time so you can do with it what you want and it's your own responsibility. But the area itself was fairly clean for me. Might be because I was sitting in Hall C mostly
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EPT
