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![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/RsfFX.jpg)
History: The DC LAN has been running since 2009 back in the days of Brood War. During that time Superior Wolf(Suppy) started things up more of a TL meet up/gathering. Luckyfool has been doing blogs about recapping those events for awhile now (DC LAN 1 RECAP) At the time there was about 12-20 people that would attend the events. I sadly was not one of the lucky guys to help start and grow the DC community but I wanted to post a list of the guys that were attending in the early days! + Show Spoiler +
Torenhire
Louder
EvilTeletubby
Xeris
LastShadow
Nyoken
Tossim
tossinYoSalad
Slog
LuckyFool
Valtyr
Zeppelin
Purpos3
Krackling
Boardin
LordWeird
StorrZerg
HatchetWound
Sadistx
CPeter123
PedoCows
Haemonculus
AuHsoj
Sentient66
Orb
CaucasianAsian
Duckett + princeton gosus
d3_crescentia
Monkeyboi2k3
ktp
shudmeyer
Clutch3
Louder
EvilTeletubby
Xeris
LastShadow
Nyoken
Tossim
tossinYoSalad
Slog
LuckyFool
Valtyr
Zeppelin
Purpos3
Krackling
Boardin
LordWeird
StorrZerg
HatchetWound
Sadistx
CPeter123
PedoCows
Haemonculus
AuHsoj
Sentient66
Orb
CaucasianAsian
Duckett + princeton gosus
d3_crescentia
Monkeyboi2k3
ktp
shudmeyer
Clutch3
+ Show Spoiler +![[image loading]](http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3065/p1000433u.jpg)
From LEFT to RIGHT:LuckyFool, Orb, CaucasianAsian, Zeppelin (Wearing a T1 shirt signed by Bisu, zomfg) Hatchetwound, Storrzerg, duckett, d3_crescentia, hazelynut, Superiorwolf.
These epic BW meet up/LANs went on for quite awhile until September 25, 2010 the first ever Sc2 DC LAN happened. Sometime between the switch the venue changed from Seoul PC Gaming Center to Cyber Ground. Gretorp ended up winning the first Sc2 event but when the second one came around in November Avilo started his reign of terror. Avilo ended up winning 3 events in a row before real life caught up with him. During this time Ipp was doing the commentating for these events with guys from It's GoSu co-casting. Avilo sadly was unable to attend the 5th event, which turned out to be my first ever DC LAN. This event was very important to me, not only did I find an awesome community that was so close but I found a group of friends that all share the same interests and passion as myself. This event also marked the rise of a young terran player from the clan Revoki, going by the ID Illusion. He ended up taking 1st place at the event. And soon after this he ended up joining Vile Gaming(Luckyfool made a blog about what it takes to go pro all about Illusion)
Like i mentioned earlier the Sc2 events just hit the 10th event over the weekend. Through out this time there were a few other LANs run by It's GoSu but I never attended those so I don't have much input on them. I did want to bring up the LAN centers themselves. Cyber Ground was the first LAN center, it was dark smokey(all LAN centers seem to be) but comfortable. There was an area with a sofa where a tv and the casters would set up. At the events I brought a camera and took a little footage of the event you can see it is a bit dark. + Show Spoiler +
DC LAN #5
DC LAN #6
DC LAN #6
Alright enough history stuff now I wanted to talk a little about my experience with the DC LANs. I've attended 6 LAN events, 2 as a player and 4 as a caster. My first event I went 1-3 but I didn't place last in my group and felt good that I had a nail biting series vs Shadow(diamond protoss player that ended in him cannon rushing me and I tried to reverse cannon rush him) I also was able to take a game of a master protoss player. My second event as a player wasn't as memorable from the games I played, I did about the same didn't get last in my group but didn't advance. One of the things that stuck out to me the most was the first match of the day I had to play Avilo. And the Doc was nice enough to get Ipp to cast that game up for the first match of the day. So not only was I extremely nervous since I had to play Avilo but I also was being casted. No surprise I got completely crushed but I took a lot a way from that match and often reference how I felt in many casts I do.
DC LAN #6 marked the end of my very short career as a player. My understanding of the game has alway been higher than my ability to play it. I've always tried to help those around me improve more than working on my own skills. I'm sure some of you have heard the story of when the game first came out and I let the Doc play on my computer for months just so he could improve.
DC LAN #10 marked my 4th casting event here in DC. Each event as gotten better and better from both a player skill level and from a spectator point of view. I might not have the best set up overall, I do have a decent enough of a set up to cast in HD but like some LAN events(Power Overwhelming that has player cams) I still think I do a decent job at show casing the feel of the LAN. If you missed DC LAN #10 I encourage you to check out the VOD! Now one thing I do want to bring up about these events. We have around 30-35 people or so attend regularly now. Sadly now that i'm not playing I can't go around as much and introduce myself and talk with everyone. If you guys are at the event and haven't introduced yourself to me yet please do so at the next event! There is often a bit of down time in between games in the early stages and I'd love to chat with you guys more!
I wanted to take the time to thank a bunch of people now(Which was my original plan for this blog but it turned into something completely different)
First I wanted to say thank you to everyone in the DC area. All of you guys that come out to these events each month to play, spectate, or just hang out with friends at dinner. You all really show off what's so great about the Starcraft community! Also shout out to everyone who has co-casted with me at these events! Everyone that joined me on the casting catch for my first DC casting (no web cam for that event T_T) DocFletchLXG, Aiden, StorrZerg you guys make it much easier on my voice
Shout out to FiN Gaming for taking over the DC area! Anfield just won his 3rd DC LAN in a row(I'm pretty sure only him and Avilo have done that so far
) Second I wanted to thank Rob(LuckyFool) for keeping these LAN events running for so long! Not only do you set up these events but you also play in them. I know how stressful running events can be and you've done a great job keeping things going! This ties in with thanking Rob, but I wanted to thank our new sponsor ONOG for helping out the local communities with barcraft events and now LAN events! (Rob was the man behind getting this set up of course so that's why they are thanked together)
Also everyone who helps out at these events with running brackets to making sure players are playing their games! Torenhire, Peter, StorrZerg, some other guys I'm sure have been helping out with this as well so please let me know and I'll add you to the list
Third I'd like to thank everyone who helps support the local scenes by watching these events. You guys were awesome at promoting the event! We were able to get our reddit thread on the front page and were averaging around 80-100 viewers most of afternoon/evening. I hope you will continue to not only support the DC area but check out the other LAN events that happen. I've said it many times before on stream if you can attend a LAN even if you have to drive a bit it is 100% worth it just to get to meet and hang out with all the people in your area.
Thanks for those who read everything in this super long blog I hope to see a lot of you on stream or in person at DC LAN #11 next month!
-NanMan-
