Tech Pay to (Watch People) Play
posted by on October 4 at 13:22 PM
Informal poll for the proud geeks who troll Slog: Does anybody want to pay $10 a day to watch “the world’s greatest gamers” compete at Qwest Field for the next four days?
When I first heard about the World Cyber Games international finals, which start today, I thought that a decent number of people might attend this pro gaming event if it was free (aside from parking, natch). Curiosity and all. But if the organizers really think Americans are hot enough on pro gaming to watch it with a price tag attached, then you must’ve missed the collapse of fellow “league” World Series of Video Games just weeks ago. Seriously—this ain’t Korea.
Against my better judgment, I’m off to see what $10 buys a WCG attendant. I know that local gaming companies Valve and Microsoft will be on hand to show off new games (and since the gamers here probably won’t spend $170 on next month’s Rock Band, you may as well try it at Qwest for less), but will that be enough? At the very least, I’ll let you guys know if the Kingston booth is off tha chain with busty, scantily clad ladies peddling RAM.
No, not that RAM.
No.
I just don't get why anyone would be interested in that.
Microsofties (and friends) get in for zero dollars, which might make it worthwhile.
I don't see any difference between tickets to this event and tickets to HUMP.
no.
big fat hell no.
Seriously?! Even with Valve and MS being there, hell no. Are the orginizers of this event even slightly aware what came through town just a few months ago?
Actually, as I discovered today, you can get a voucher for two free tickets on the WCG website: http://www.worldcybergames.com/6th/2007/GrandFinal/ticket.asp
You just have to register, and answer two very easy questions (they give you the answers) and print it off. Of course it's only to 12,000 people, but it appears they have only given away about 300 so far. Free is so much better than $10 to gawk at uber nerds.
Go Mr. Poe!!!
Shouldn't the Strangers Worst Enemy be the one sent to this kind of thing? I would think Madrid would make it worth reading about.
Will Steve Wiebe be there?
fuck yes i'm going, anything to get an early crack at TF2 and check out the new valve action!
also, i can get stoned and watch brood war all day long, it's so pretty.
Even if it was free.
Well, now, if they let us play some of them ... for free ...
@5... Only 12,000 tickets available for free?
So basically this is a free event. No WAY 12,000 people in the area will show for this. The organizers should do raffles, with great prizes... maybe that would bring in more folks. It could be a sad sad boring day in Qwest without some kind of competition amongst the viewers.
Any excuse for a Pictochat fest is a good one.
Last week, I attended Furries Versus Klingons" in Atlanta, and it was $10. It was well-attended and worth it.
I'd definitely pay $10 to see a pro gaming competition. And remember: You're in PAX (et al) hometown territory. Seattle's thick with geeks with money. I'd wager this event will be a success, and if I were in the area, I'd bring ten friends and go.
Only if a big fatty blunt is included with the price of admission.
I wouldn't pay $10, but I can think of some hard-core gamers that would. To them, it's a kind of sport. Seeing this would, be exciting for them, and they'd see $10 as pretty cheap.
Sounds like a low-rent comdex to me.
Sadly, one of the companies totally frakked up the appearance of an actor I'd meant to go see, so I'm not as interested as I'd otherwise be.
can't handle the tricky questions, and the risk of not being in the first 12,000? try here:
http://www.thestranger.com/extras/pdf/sales/WCG2007_tixvoucher.pdf
Okay, I admit to playing the occasional video game. Okay, maybe more than occasional. And Wii, every once and a while. And sometimes X-Box. But I'm not a nerd. Really. Okay, maybe a little bit of a nerd.
Despite my minor nerd status, I can't for a minute imagine going to Qwest Field to watch OTHER people play games. Not even for free. Not even if I was stoned. Gah!
Um yeah, I've found printable vouchers for free admission all over the place. So I'm going saturday to watch the Gears of War tournament (I am geeky enough to be honestly curious as to what the 'best in the world' at this look like) and maybe make an ass out of myself playing GHIII since there is Eric fucking Clapton. As mentioned above, this is PAX country, and I trust it'll be surprisingly well attended.
But if it cost me $10? Hell no, I could put that towards Mass Effect for the xbox in a month.
http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/73EE05EA-6EB0-4EC1-A42D-5BEF53B2999E/0/TicketWCG.jpg
In case that above link gets taken down for some reason, this is basically the same thing; free entry pass.
A friend of a friend is flying in from the Netherlands just to watch this. Both I and my friend think she's insane, but there it is.
I would, if only just to see South Korea's entry into the Starcraft comp.
PAX offers a lot more --Exhibitions from video game companies, gaming tournaments YOU the attendee participate in and live entertainment.
And of course, the Omegathon.
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