CableSCES Profile Blog Joined September 2011 United States 345 Posts #1 It's as simple as the title states: How can we make BarCrafts even better?



Context: I have run BarCraft Irvine for the last 8months or so, and have had SO much fun organizing and being a part of such an amazing movement, experience, and community down here in SoCal. We've tried to have the events be as exciting as possible, with giveaways, themed menus (now sponsored by Tt eSPORTS even), prediction games, and even by funneling the proceeds over into local tournaments.



But I don't want it to stop improving. Thus, I'm asking, if you've been to a BarCraft, what would you do to make it even better? Have an idea/concept that you think would just be perfect to to it to the next level? How can we better organize the events? Execution? Getting the word out?



What do you that your BarCraft is already doing, that you want to make sure keeps happening? What do you hate about BarCrafts in general or about your local BarCraft?



If perhaps you've never been to a BarCraft before, what's holding you back? What could we as organizers do that would make it more interesting to you?



BarCraft has been an important movement in taking eSports to that next level in 2011 -- let's keep that progress rolling. I have run BarCraft Irvine for the last 8months or so, and have had SO much fun organizing and being a part of such an amazing movement, experience, and community down here in SoCal. We've tried to have the events be as exciting as possible, with giveaways, themed menus (now sponsored by Tt eSPORTS even), prediction games, and even by funneling the proceeds over into local tournaments.But I don't want it to stop improving. Thus, I'm asking, if you've been to a BarCraft, what would you do to make it even better? Have an idea/concept that you think would just be perfect to to it to the next level? How can we better organize the events? Execution? Getting the word out?What do you that your BarCraft is already doing, that you want to make sure keeps happening? What do you hate about BarCrafts in general or about your local BarCraft?what's holding you back? What could we as organizers do that would make it more interesting to you?BarCraft has been an important movement in taking eSports to that next level in 2011 -- let's keep that progress rolling. Saving SoCal eSports one sponsor at a time: MSI, JINX, Tt eSPORTS, HyperX, Red Bull ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Lobber Profile Joined August 2010 Canada 414 Posts #2 Give every table a few super old computers or laptops, non stop FFA on BGH BW games.



On a more realistic level, keep in mind that MLG runs for a full day when a regular sport game lasts 3ish hours at most, I know the bar wants everyone drinking but it's expensive and not always pretty when people get to a bar at noon and don't leave for 9 hours while watching, have things on your menu that are really cheap and small, I don't want to have to order a 15$ appetizer or any other bar-food every time I get the munchies for again 8+ hours. Have smaller cheaper things available for food and drink so people are able to have another drink or food item every game and not get stupidly smashed or broke.



Potentially offer something like a inflated price for an all you can eat sort of food item and drink (I know in Canada and the US you can't offer all you can drink alcohol though some countries you can) But consider something like a 10$ for non alcoholic drinks all night or idk just something along those lines. You are not your APM, you are not you ladder ranking.

CableSCES Profile Blog Joined September 2011 United States 345 Posts #3 On March 14 2012 10:20 Lobber wrote:



On a more realistic level, ...



Very nice suggestions, I appreciate that a lot, and is definitely something very practical to make the events more enjoyable for sitting there all day. Very nice suggestions, I appreciate that a lot, and is definitely something very practical to make the events more enjoyable for sitting there all day. Saving SoCal eSports one sponsor at a time: MSI, JINX, Tt eSPORTS, HyperX, Red Bull ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

LaxCraft Profile Joined February 2012 United States 11 Posts #4 -Have a bookie and place bets under the table (not literally) if live games

-If bar allows, two laptops with keyboards/mice setup for show matches during down time or after official games

-Free shit. Everyone loves free shit. Raffle off some shirts, key chains, figurines, keyboards, whatever

-Any audience involvement adds to the personable of the gathering, which everyone would get a kick out of

-Raffle off pitchers of beer, shots, what have you via some type of contest



That kinda stuff would make it more interesting

Primadog Profile Blog Joined April 2010 United States 4408 Posts #5 Personally I am against making the pub into a pc bang. I know there're several barcrafts that made it work (like Seattle), but an open PC policy makes people less likely to socialize. Thank God and gunrun.

Dekkers Profile Joined February 2012 France 315 Posts #6 How about some thematic drinks?



"Findlay's stimpack coktail"

"Baneling juice" with some green alcohol in it.

"Aiur's coktail" with a "protoss" blue alcohol thematic.



Not very accurate names, but you should have a set of coktails related to starcraft ready.



Also i don't know if that's what you meant by "themed menus" or if it's just related to food.



You could make starcraft coasters, with pictures of Starcraft characters in them.



Keep in mind that your Bar must remain dedicated to all kind of costumers, don't make it some kind of nerds lair.



Also if you could post some photos of your bar so we can judge better considering the size and teh way it's organised inside.









BearStorm Profile Joined September 2010 United States 795 Posts Last Edited: 2012-03-14 02:12:54 #7 I have never been to a barcraft, but there could be things done by the organizers to allow random attendees to learn more of the event. Such as the info cards that was suggested in another thread. Also there are things that the venue might want to do. Such as making fun drinks or foods with Starcraft related themes. This way if there is an article about barcraft with "baneling beer" or "muta wings", the theme of eSports is a lot more apparent. Maybe if a passerby tried a "baneling beer" they could go out and describe it to coworkers who would have to be told the story of barcraft to understand the context. It also may change the image of a bunch of nerds crashing a place, since there is a greater involvment of the establishment. The common person might view it as a cute event worth checking out instead of a private party for Starcraft fans. Also possible investors can view it as something that other investors have put time and effort into so they might be more reluctant to check it out themselves.



EDIT* Dekkers beat me to the punch on themed drinks. "Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."

Burns Profile Blog Joined December 2010 United States 1771 Posts #8 allow people under that age of 21 to enter ~_~



or have barcrafts at venues that would cater to an audience that accepts people who are under that age of 21



for example having one at glory days, they have events like this all the time What do you mean you heard me during the night, these are quiet pants!

ETisME Profile Blog Joined April 2011 Hong Kong 11898 Posts #9 Been to the melbourne barcraft, some of the problems I have is that:

The bar wasn't really big enough to fit all 300 people in, very crowded and extremely hot

So it was difficult to get any food/drinks in and out.

Internet was laggy but it could just be the gomtv issue.



I wish that the barcraft could find a way to get everyone to know some new people. 其疾如风，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山，难知如阴，动如雷震。

Noak3 Profile Blog Joined May 2010 United States 228 Posts #10 On March 14 2012 10:49 Primadog wrote:

Personally I am against making the pub into a pc bang. I know there're several barcrafts that made it work (like Seattle), but an open PC policy makes people less likely to socialize.



Seattle's barcraft isn't a pc bang, people are just allowed to bring computers. Personally I think it makes it more social, people are likely to come watch games being played and start conversations about them Seattle's barcraft isn't a pc bang, people are just allowed to bring computers. Personally I think it makes it more social, people are likely to come watch games being played and start conversations about them Love and be kind in the face of adversity. If you stand up for others, they will stand up for you.

ki11z0ne Profile Joined January 2011 United States 427 Posts #11 get one in orlando FL....no one i no place sc2 and i want some friends =(

SC > halo

whatthefat Profile Blog Joined August 2010 United States 918 Posts #12 Having been to one Barcraft, the two issues that stood out for me were:

1) Sound. For most of the event, it was cranked way too loud, making it painful for anyone sitting close to a speaker.

2) Lag. This may have been an MLG issue, but it really messed with the experience. Few games went by without the crowd moaning in unison. If there are any questions over the quality of the connection at the bar, they need to be addressed. SlayerS_BoxeR: "I always feel sorry towards Greg (Grack?) T_T"

Xiandelle Profile Joined September 2011 Canada 117 Posts #13 I organize one of the BarCrafts in Calgary, AB.



I've had it suggested to me to do more audience interaction. We try to speak to them a little bit in between games to announce stuff, but using hand-outs and contests in conjunction was definitely a big suggestion. I.E., get a group up and make them give you their best immortal impersonation... crowd chooses winner, winner gets a t-shirt or something.



We're definitely looking into printing out the 'intro into SC' flyers that are in another thread, as suggested. There are always people coming in that look super confused.



Something we've started doing is holding an official King of the Hill, with prizing. We convinced a local LAN/gaming centre to donate time and a few computers to set up in a corner. We got them their own internet line so it wouldn't interfere with the stream and we run that the whole day in conjunction with the barcraft. We then got a guy that runs local tournaments to host the KotH for us, so I don't have to stress over that little detail. So far I've only heard positive feedback.



I'd LOVE to hear more comments - I'm on the same page as you, Cable. Progress is key. :3

MakTemplar Profile Joined April 2011 United States 44 Posts #14 On March 14 2012 10:20 Lobber wrote:

On a more realistic level...



I totally agree with Lobber's point.



Barcraft is a lot of fun, I have attended several times to Barcraft in NYC, but it is not cheap when you plan stay there for 5 to 8 hours. I would be down for a $10 or $15 non alcoholic drinks all night, this will probably make me buy more food at the end, but at least it will feel much better if I didn't have to pay $5+ every time I get thirsty. I totally agree with Lobber's point.Barcraft is a lot of fun, I have attended several times to Barcraft in NYC, but it is not cheap when you plan stay there for 5 to 8 hours. I would be down for a $10 or $15 non alcoholic drinks all night, this will probably make me buy more food at the end, but at least it will feel much better if I didn't have to pay $5+ every time I get thirsty. Templara!

stoicRegret Profile Joined April 2011 Canada 206 Posts #15 Free booze...

MutaDoom Profile Blog Joined January 2009 Canada 1163 Posts #16



Anyone in Medicine Hat, Alberta willing to join? Lol To my knowledge, ,my city has never had one. Small city of 70kAnyone in Medicine Hat, Alberta willing to join? Lol

dUTtrOACh Profile Joined December 2010 Canada 2201 Posts Last Edited: 2012-03-14 14:37:39 #17 Barcraft at a strip club?



EDIT: StripCraft twitch.tv/duttroach

1st_Panzer_Div. Profile Joined November 2010 United States 621 Posts #18 On March 14 2012 10:46 LaxCraft wrote:

-Have a bookie and place bets under the table (not literally) if live games

-If bar allows, two laptops with keyboards/mice setup for show matches during down time or after official games

-Free shit. Everyone loves free shit. Raffle off some shirts, key chains, figurines, keyboards, whatever

-Any audience involvement adds to the personable of the gathering, which everyone would get a kick out of

-Raffle off pitchers of beer, shots, what have you via some type of contest



That kinda stuff would make it more interesting



Bookies would likely be illegal, but perhaps you can do something like you can bet on who wins the game for like $2, if you win you get a drink, if you lose you get an empty glass.



Definately anything oriented around give aways / betting of sorts / things to give people even more vested interest in the games themselves. Bookies would likely be illegal, but perhaps you can do something like you can bet on who wins the game for like $2, if you win you get a drink, if you lose you get an empty glass.Definately anything oriented around give aways / betting of sorts / things to give people even more vested interest in the games themselves. Manager, Team RIP ZeeZ

MaV_gGSC Profile Blog Joined November 2010 Canada 1306 Posts #19 On March 14 2012 23:36 dUTtrOACh wrote:

Barcraft at a strip club?



EDIT: StripCraft



Pleeeeeaaaseee... make it happen Pleeeeeaaaseee... make it happen Life's good :D

samw Profile Blog Joined September 2010 England 443 Posts #20 On March 14 2012 23:36 dUTtrOACh wrote:

Barcraft at a strip club?



EDIT: StripCraft

This is beautifully poetic. This is beautifully poetic. "You will walk in the garden of his turbulence"

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