For the past couple of years, Australian gamers, esports fans, and content creators and supporters have been starved of large events that bring everyone together under one roof to celebrate the things we love about the gaming industry. It should come as no surprise that as normality starts to return, so too are the good old days of gaming events, with global event DreamHack coming to Melbourne for the first time in September. If you’re like me and have been craving to attend a gaming exhibition then DreamHack Melbourne should be on your radar, as it’s shaping up to be a cracking weekend.
If this is the first time you’re hearing about DreamHack Festival let me bring you up to speed. Owned and operated by ESL Gaming, DreamHack was founded in 1994 and has grown into one of the world’s biggest gaming expos. According to the Guinness Book of Records, DreamHack is recognised as holding the biggest LAN party (shoutouts if you remember those) and continues to hold LAN parties to this day. The festival brings the gaming community together for a fun-fuelled weekend by showcasing some of the best talent in esports, the biggest stars in content creation, and offering attendees the chance to partake in a variety of activities.
The LAN party is still bringing the good times
Image credit: DreamHack/Gabriel Kulig
DreamHack Melbourne is taking place from September 2 to September 4 in the heart of Melbourne at Melbourne Park’s world-renowned Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, while the bring-your-own-computer LAN party will be held at the new Centrepiece venue. Entry is quite affordable – for those wanting to do and see everything DreamHack Melbourne has to offer, the three-day pass is your best buy, and at $109 it’s great value considering it gets you an all-you-can-consume content buffet. If you simply want to sample the DreamHack experience, a day pass will set you back $50. While if you want to go the whole hog, you can bring your rig and join in the LAN party action for $155 for three days. Tickets can be bought from the DreamHack Melbourne website.
The three-day event is jam-packed with things to do, which is why one day won’t be enough to get a taste of everything. Attendees will have the chance to go hands-on with some of the latest video games, check out the newest gaming gear, and purchase merchandise for your favourite esports teams and gaming brands, as well as sit in on some engaging panels that will cover a myriad of topics, including how to get your foot in the door in the gaming industry. If you think you’ve got an idea that you think might put bums on seats you can apply here.
There will also be plenty of talent on display, with several pro esports tournaments taking place over the weekend. The Halo Championship Series is one such event, with teams from Australia and New Zealand duking it out for one of three qualification spots at HCS Orlando, as well as more than $50,000 in winnings. Tournaments for League of Legends and CS: GO will also be happening, and who knows, maybe you’ll learn a new trick or two?
Come and see how the pros do it
Image credit: DreamHack/Rikard Fagerberg
One thing I enjoy about gaming expos is watching the fighting games tournaments – the amount of skill on show is always super impressive. At DreamHack Melbourne there will be no shortage of digital donnybrooks, and best of all, anybody can get involved and all it will cost to enter is $1, with winners taking home a share in the $1000 in prize pool and bragging rights. Games will include Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Switch, while PS4 fighters can show their skills in Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Guilty Gear Strive, and DNF Duel, so study those combo lists or have your best button mashing skills ready.
It wouldn’t be a DreamHack festival if you didn’t have the opportunity to rub shoulders with content creators and streamers. Popular Australian Escape from Tarkov streamer Pestily and over 70 partnered Twitch streamers from Australia and New Zealand will be in attendance, with more to be confirmed. Fans will also have the chance to meet content creators to snag a photo and autograph, however if kicking back and watching the show is more your style there will be creators live streaming from the Streaming Hub.
Test your might in the fighting tournaments
Image credit: DreamHack/Eric Corona
September is right around the corner, and anyone interested in gaming should be planning a trip to DreamHack Melbourne. It’s got something for everyone and is the perfect reason to catch up with mates from the gaming community or find some new ones. Gaming events have been few and far between over the past couple of years, so get out there and support our incredibly rich local scene with the folks at DreamHack.
For more information on DreamHack Melbourne, please visit the event’s official website.
Article image credit: DreamHack/Freja Borne
This post is sponsored by ESL Gaming and DreamHack Festival.
