EPTHi Guys -
I took a bunch of photos this weekend while attending MLG Anaheim and I wanted to share them with the community, especially those who weren't able to be there in person, so that you can get a sense of the epicness of the event.
First off, a little about me: I'm a masters zerg player who lives and breathes SC2. I've traveled for other games and communities in the past (WC3, Virtua Fighter 5, SF4, UT2004) but never have I been more excited than MLG Anaheim, as this was to be my first SC2 event.
Armed only with a camera and a pounding heart, I began my adventure...
[NOTE: SPOILERS ahead.]
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Htoas.jpg)
Anaheim Convention Center. From it's mild-mannered exterior, no one could guess the madness it held within it.
In The Beginning There Was Darkness...and Dr. Pepper
So first off, it was really dark inside. It felt a bit like a giant club filled with nerds, what with the neon lights, merch girls, and general noise level. Upon entering, you were immediately assaulted by the Dr. Pepper booth. God bless that beverage and the lovely women who worked the booth -- I can't explain to you how much DP was consumed over the weekend by everyone.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xJdO0.jpg)
The Dr. Pepper booth. Are you thirsty? Grab a Dr. Pepper. Are you not that thirsty? Doesn't matter, go grab a Dr. Pepper. This was the thought process of MLG Anaheim attendees.
The energy was definitely electric, especially when pros went head to head on either the main stage or the featured stage. It was such a pleasure to be in the midst of a thousand people cheering for Boxer or White-Ra, an experience unlike anything else.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/JPd1A.jpg)
A shot of the crowd. Insane SC2 fans stretching as far the eye could see.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/T3omk.jpg)
The crowd completing losing their shit when White-Ra beat Drewbie. MLG Anaheim LOVES White-Ra. Sheer adoration.
The other thing to take note was how hard SC2, and its fans, dominated MLG Anaheim. The noise level, the numbers, the energy -- Halo 3 and the rest of the FPS rabble could not touch it. It was so awesome when something would happen on the main stage and the crowd would go bonkers -- I'd watch the Halo players and fans, their heads on a swivel, and wonder what was going through their heads.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3hDu1.jpg)
Some Halo 3 gamers. Sick Coors Light hat, brah.
A message was definitely delivered in Anaheim and that message is "SC2 is MLG's game of the future." Couldn't have been prouder of the community and the players at this event.
The Competition - Put 'Em In A Body Bag!
The games, sweet jesus, the games! As a Zerg player, I focused mainly on following my favorites from featured game to featured game: Ret, DRG, IdrA, Sheth, HayprO. I loved watching their posture, their hand speed, their rallies and hotkeys, their timings, and their overall approach to play. I can genuinely say I learned something this weekend by being in their proximity. Despite my heavy zerg bias, I also enjoyed a number of ridiculously epic TvTs and PvTs.
Let's jump into a few pics of the competitors, shall we?
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ymqPg.jpg)
Cruncher vs. iNcontroL. People were, as usual, unduly harsh on Cruncher throughout the weekend. It was kinda sad but he competed admirably.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/vJsMv.jpg)
Team FXO hanging out in between matches (Choya, OptikZero, SLoG)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/fBTCw.jpg)
MoOnan vs. Socke / SLush vs. SeleCT - Featured Stage
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qyT28.jpg)
KiWiKaKi and CatZ chilling.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/eDrHD.jpg)
Sheth at the Featured Stage.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/FnPuI.jpg)
TLO about to use positional nuking.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/CW1te.jpg)
MoOnan vs. SeleCt
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/1EVQa.jpg)
Sheth vs. iNcontroL at the Featured Stage
Sorry for the lack of Main Stage pics -- I was pretty far back and the shots just came out blurry. Needless to say, the games were incredibly epic and although TvT isn't really my cup of tea (sorry about that joke), I was nonetheless blown away by the skill, multitasking and overall ability of the Korean Terrans. Definitely a well earned victory for MVP.
Nerd Chills - My Pics with the Pros
It was a strange feeling walking around the convention center and seeing people who you idolize (at least in a gaming sense). When I arrived Friday afternoon I saw SeleCT and Naniwa chilling outside and my mind said "Oh, there's SeleCT and Nani." I kept walking and then I paused a moment. Suddenly I repeated "There's SeleCT and Nani! OMG!" and then proceeded to squeal, inwardly, like a young girl. Am I proud of this? Not really but I'm trying to emphasize how cool it is to see your SC2 heroes cruising around "in real life". There was definitely a moment where I realized this is why I would return to a live SC2 event -- besides the insane competition, it's awesome to be able to interact with gosus and semi-gosus.
Very rarely in my life do I get to bust out the "Korean HWAIIIITING Power Fist" (KHPF) so at Anaheim, I definitely took advantage of this as you'll see below.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/N9Px6.jpg)
SeleCT, the first pro pic I took. It kicked the weekend off right. He was gracious and super chill. <3 SeleCT
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/RnCa4.jpg)
FnatiCRain. After taking this picture, I was immediately ambushed by marines and an SCV line. JK Rain.
Again, a totally gracious and humble dude. He performed so well this weekend.![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/2GoMK.jpg)
coLCatZ. I saw CatZ interacting with fans quite a bit throughout the weekend. Great to see such appreciation and love for the people who support you. CatZ fighting!
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/0qtY8.jpg)
Liquid`HayprO and Liquid`Ret. Possibly my favorite pic of the weekend. I am a Zerg player and so this pic has a special value for me. Watching these two tear it up this weekend was such a pleasure. Team Liquid!!! <33333
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3BXRh.jpg)
Liquid`Sheth. The newest member of Liquid, Sheth was constantly barraged by fan requests. He was so patient and kind with everyone, taking each request with a smile and a few words. Just a class act, beastly player and all around hero.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qgbCC.jpg)
SlayerS_Alicia. Unfortunately I didn't get to see him play but I was able to talk with him a little bit (in broken English). He was telling me how good he thought Ganzi was with his timings. Even though we only spoke for about five minutes, it left a lasting memory. Alicia gained another fan at MLG.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TFSsC.jpg)
QxGiNkA. Super nice guy! I saw him and Team EG walking from hotel row to the convention center. When I posed for a picture with Team EG, he was like "What, no love for Quantic?"
I immediately took the opportunity to grab a pic with him. Chill dude and great player.![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Fv6P1.jpg)
Team EG (Demuslim, StrifeCro, LZGamer, AxSlav) These guys were incredibly gracious and even recommended multiple shots in different lighting conditions just to make sure I got a good pic. It was fun to listen to their discussions of EG politics, match ups, and just life in general.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BbXcf.jpg)
White-Ra! Ah, the crown jewel. I had been waiting to get a shot with him the entire weekend but he was always swarmed or on his way to a match. Finally on Sunday morning I caught him walking by himself and he affably agreed to a picture. He was a hero in Anaheim, taking so much time out for fans, always with a smile, always with gratitude and humility in his eyes. White-Ra is simply a boss and this is a pic that made my weekend.
In Closing...
So that just about wraps it up. I hope you enjoyed this lil' retrospective -- my sincere hope is that it brought you a little closer to what was, for me, an incredible event. If you are on the fence about attending a live SC2 event, get off that fence. Go. Just go. It will change the way you view SC2.
Thank you to MLG for putting on such a great event and a huge thanks to all of the gracious and ridiculously skilled players who made my weekend what it was.
Thanks for the memories and I'll see you again soon.
