ESL One Frankfurt - a festival for the digital generation

Over the past few years I have had the chance to go to many eSports events, from local LANs or pubstomps to DreamHacks and a TI in Seattle. All these events succeeded and had one thing in common, they all promised a rich spectator experience (which they also delivered). In 2014 ESL decided to go one step further along that road by hosting a festival, with all the traditional elements you'd expect, and also a strong focus on gaming.

During my two days in Frankfurt, I was spoiled with kindness by the ESL representatives in charge of the press: Chrystina, Anna and Chris, and it’s really no wonder there is so much positivity about this event all over the media. They offered proper support to all press representatives, from setting up interviews with pro players or talents to food and energy drinks. Although it was hosted in Germany, the event was covered in over 30 languages, according to Ulrich Schultze, Vice President of ESL, a number that further demonstrates how positive the relationship is they've built with the press.

Even though they might have tried to reduce the budget by cutting down some of the perks the press got last year (like a hot meal and a Frankfurt T-shirt), I was still happy to be able to focus on the event knowing that there will always be pretzels waiting for me.

In a casual discussion with Chris Flato, PR Manager for ESL in Germany, he told me “Esports has no limits. Everything is possible as long as you have a stable internet connection”. This is why they felt confident going for a different approach. Hosted in a Stadium, ESL delivered a great spectator experience thanks in part to the 'largest screen ever used to show a Dota 2 game'. Comedy and fun were guaranteed by SirActionSlacks, while the cosplay contest showcased some amazing costumes.

In addition to all the traditional perks a Dota 2 event offers, the visitors also had the chance to ride the bull, take pictures with players and personalities or get their signatures. Attendees could watch the game from one of the many DX Racers placed around the venue, experience virtual reality at Valve’s Vive booth or take a walk on ‘The Artists Alley’ to check out how an in-game item is made by one of the most revered workshoppers in the community.

"ESL One Frankfurt [which we planned 3 years ago], already had elements of a festival, but over the years we constantly improved them. Nowadays, we can indeed consider ourselves in the top ranks. We see the people, see all the site activities and all that goes with it, and we can really say 'OK, this is a festival for the digital generation. We accomplished something here'."

When I asked about the event’s motto 'One defining moment', Chris looked at me with a smile on his face and replied:

"This 'one defining moment', it kind of defines this live experience . [This is] exactly why people go to the stadium. It is precisely this one moment where all people suddenly shout out because something happened. I still remember, and I get goosebumps again, when last year Techies was picked. Suddenly the stadium flipped out and [...] those are these one defining moments, which you can only experience in such [live] events."

One of the more unique attractions that ESL offered in Frankfurt was an impressive display of balloon art. Last year we were introduced to two artists, professional balloon modellers that combined their passion for video games with their artistic skills. For over 12 hours a day, the two would take any Dota-related requests and shape lifeless balloons into heroes. This year, we had the chance to meet the artists in question, and one of them was a very cheerful man who goes by the nickname FuDD. Before the interview, as any good employee would, I asked him if he could make a “GG” balloon. To my surprise he said: “GG? Like GosuGamers? This is where I started my StarCraft career”, proving that not only is the eSports world a developing one, but that it is also smaller than you think sometimes.

Right next to the balloon men there was the tattoo corner with two professionals, also working for over 12 hours a day. Any event attender could have his skin decorated with a temporary Dota-related tattoo. Arms, ankles, cheeks or foreheads, all parts of the body were tattooed, with the most popular organization’s logo a common request. Another thing worthy of mention is that everything was free and people working there were always smiling and doing their job with passion and respect.

Going to live events also comes with a unique opportunity, to meet new and fascinating people. While filming one of our interviews I had the great pleasure of meeting two young gamers from Finland - a country rarely mentioned in DotA2. They were easy to distinguish in the interview area due to their equipment: tens of meters of cable, two big weirdly shaped microphones and a professional video camera. Much to my surprise, the equipment was sponsored by their university in order for them to learn and experiment with proper equipment and technology - which they decided to put in use in Frankfurt, at a gaming festival. Thinking back to our conversation, I wish my university would have supported my passion for eSports and not worked against it.

Major eSports events tend to throw a big after-party for the players and fans in order to celebrate a fantastic event, and ESL was no exception, especially after the last year's success. But this time, they decided to be a bit more considerate to the teams losing on the first day, as they organized an after-party just for them. Taking place between the two days, the 'losers party' was everything one can expect: a huge club with many different music styles, many people and a few players too.

However, when it comes to the gaming itself, writing about the finals is not something that comes easyily to me. In the end, it all felt uncomfortable, and desperately awkward, and as a casual observer that enjoys a good Dota 2 match or moment, witnessing the humiliation Na’Vi had to go through was almost too much. I've followed the Ukrainians over the years as they've made history again and again, and I was interested to check on their progress and see them perform. I wanted to desperately believe in the Cinderella Story: Na’Vi building up a solid team around Dendi after many failed attempts, players focusing on their mindset and synergy while working up their way to the top to take down the Manila Majors winners. That would have been a great story, right? The problem was that outpouring of emotion had merely masked the reality. This Na’Vi was simply not in OG’s class. It was hard not to share NaVi’s grief at the way their hopes, dreams and towers were crushed.

The pure expression of power and supreme dominance OG showcased was followed by a slightly surreal award-ceremony perfectly planned meticulously by ESL. In order to make sure we could get the perfect shot, the ESL staff informed us about the details of the ceremony, so that the special effects wouldn’t take us by surprise. In the end, over 10,000 people witnessed OG being crowned Champions of ESL One Frankfurt, and cheered on Fly as he raised yet another trophy in the cheers of the crowd. A pyrotechnics show with smoke, flames and fireworks was accompanied by a shower of confetti that rained down upon us, marking the end of another successful ESL One event.

You can check out our Photo Album from ESL One Frankfurt 2016 here. All our interviews are available on GosuGamers Youtube channel