Important Report from Dallas: Professional Gaming is Alive and Well

So, Razer had been away from US turf pro gaming for a while. We’ve attended events in Europe and Asia, but except for the WCG Finals in San Francisco last October, we haven’t been to a big US run CPL event in three years.

So there I was all decked out in my black-on-black Razer gear curious as hell to see the Gaylord Resort, the new slim and trim Angel, the giant Intel booth, the major-hyped TsN set up and all of our old friends from the US amateur and professional ranks.

Would I be impressed or disappointed with the hype? When last we attended a US based CPL event the sponsors were smaller and not particularly impressive. The video replay and the commentary left a lot to be desired … but that was 3-years ago and I wanted to see how far the CPL had progressed in the entertainment and professional processes.

I can only sum it up in one word – “absolutelyincredible” – is that one word?

This was hands down the best gaming event I have ever witnessed … and the competition wasn’t too shabby either. First off the Gaylord Resort was so grand, clean and comfortable that I can’t wait to go back for Quakecon. Intel completely outdid itself with a 10,000 square foot booth that was the absolute center attraction. Hat’s off to Intel for the planning and professionalism that went into this booth and hat’s off for sponsoring professional gaming (I will think twice before ever buying another processor than Intel).

Intel also sponsored a CPL panel of experts (okay I was there too) that was informative and entertaining. The questions from the gamers were challenging and provocative and the feedback to me from the audience was completely positive.
NVIDIA and Hitachi had spectacular booths and activities (lots of free stuff!). Every sponsor was well prepared to entertain, play and inform. Angel is truly a new man. Last time I saw him he was overweight, overstressed and overworked. He now looks ten years younger and has learned to deal with the weight and stress of managing the CPL and the added magnitude of the world tour.TsN is ultra professionally run and the play-by-play guys keep getting better and better with each event. We had the opportunity to be adjacent to them in Sweden and they make gaming even more entertaining for both the hardcore and casual viewer.

Razer had a nice space and it was great to see so many fans and old users from the past. The BYOC area was crazy and while there were a few power and connection issues, this didn’t detract from the sheer pleasure of the event. There was so much to do and see for everyone, which is one of the reasons I believe this event was landmark in pro gaming. What do I mean by that?
It seems to be that the time is ripe for a couple of things to happen. One is the fan-base sitting at home needs to get off their collective asses and get to events like this. There was certainly room for them and the product!!!! Oh the product of competitive gaming is NOW so well packaged by the CPL, Intel, NVIDIA and even Razer that you may be missing that greatest show in town.

To only have 3,000 gamers witness the amazing competition is a major loss. Here is another landmark event … great competition and super coverage. I don’t care if you don’t play CS or PK, or even if you just play console games occasionally, or if you don’t play games at all … this event rocks and you will have a blast.
The other big opportunity is for attracting maximum gaming exposure to cable network television. Listen, if ESPN viewers can watch poker, pool, bass fishing, spelling bees, synchronized swimming and the national cheerleading championships there is no sane reason why PC gaming, which IMO is on a par with the X-Games, wouldn’t be a screaming success.

So, major kudos and ‘grats to the CPL, the sponsors, TsN, the pro teams and players and everyone who worked so hard to make this event AN EVENT. And hiss-boo on all you gamers who missed this “entertainment attraction” and stayed home. On the darkside, major jeers to producers at ESPN and MTV who are sitting on their hands trying to figure out what the next reality sports TV loser show can be, when the future of entertainment is here, at the good ol’ Gaylord just waiting to be revealed.

Okay, off the old soapbox … just wanted to say thanks to the CPL for the great time and I’m so glad that Razer and the CPL is back together. Good stuff!