Furtive: What was your vision behind the Dallas Open?

CjLink: The Dallas Open was intended to be our first legitimate, big LAN. We had one in Austin that was a little bit smaller and we’ve run production and tournaments for larger people like DreamHack, SXSW, etc. This was gonna be our first big LAN. It’s kind of a stepping stone for us — we’re hoping this is the first of many.

Myth Gaming (Prem, Gambit, Genocop) at The Dallas Open

Furtive: Why did you choose to use smash.gg for the event?

CjLink: It’s definitely the go-to for Rocket League. It has everything built in that we are all used to using now, and need, to make the tournaments run well. That, for the tournaments side, is why we use it. We also needed to sell merch and be able to pay to fly out casters, teams, etc., and their built-in shop feature, which is tied into the bracketing and registration and everything…easy pick.

The Dallas Open shop on smash.gg

Furtive: How did it feel to have so many of those shop goals reached?

CjLink: Oh that was great. The first one we hit was fast — that was Stax. The overwhelming support for the casters was great — being able to get them out here and take part in our event… the community really comes together to support these kinds of events.

Stax (one of the casters flown out by shop funding goals) at The Dallas Open

Furtive: What’s it like to see people wearing your merchandise?

CjLink: That’s cool, I love it. The designers really love it. We have a couple great guys that make these logos and helped put this together. We spent nights doing this like, “Does this look good?” “Naw” “Let’s change it a little bit.” And then seeing people excited to buy stuff was great and then walking around here at the event wearing it- I’m wearing it, and I love it.. It’s a really good feeling to see that.

Hesh from Texas, a local player, wearing a TexasRL tanktop

Furtive: Do you think you’ll get to do more of these in the future?

CjLink: Oh yeah. I’m already planning two large ones, and then we have recurring monthly locals that are gonna be happening in Dallas and also in Austin. We’re looking at expanding into San Antonio, and then eventually Houston. We have a big one planned for San Antonio in December and then hopefully the big one planned for February in Austin.

Furtive: Would you recommend a shop on smash.gg for other organizers?

CjLink: Definitely, it’s a really good way to help crowdfund your event, and it brings the people who are helping into the event. They get to take away a piece of that event with them, and it’s a really good way to improve engagement in events.