Review: Barcraft

Terran Heart via Blizzard's Starcaft Site

A few weeks ago I was approached by a few friends to come out and check out Barcraft. Lured into DC with promises of geeks geeking out, alcohol, and some people battling it out for my viewing pleasure.  They may have alluded that it would be more like this or like this.  It wasn't.  At all.  This isn't a bad thing mind you, I've watched a few broadcast tournaments online due to a gamer ex-girlfriend of mine(as seen in the video below), but I've never attended a live cast of one before.  It was... a very different beast.

Barcraft is part of what I hope is a strongly growing tradition in the video gaming world of leaving your house and being social with others who are passionate kindred spirits.  Sure, we could have all tuned in from home, but could we do that with 60 other nerds cheering on our champions and booing our villains?  NO!  Besides, everyone that came out for this was glued to the screens deeply involved in the whole of the event.    Also, at home you aren't a mere floor away from a bunch of people enjoying a good ole American Football game.  The dichotomy and the confusion on some of their faces was priceless.

The very serious logo for ONOG.  Love me some typeface via ONOG

The company was good, it was my first time out to Public Bar, but I liked it.  I've seen they plan on hosting a few other ONOG / Barcraft events in the future.  If gaming and watching gaming as a competitive sport is your thing, it's worth your time to check it out.  I'd think about going again just for the interesting conversations I got into while hanging around the bar waiting for drinks.

I got a chance to talk and have some words on camera with the guys over at Social Studies DC. I've included the video of that talk as well as a few other people they talked to here for your viewing pleasure.  Check them out, they are the local blog project run by Living Social.  Which most of you may know for the crazy deals they send to your mailbox.  Para-surfing for $30 bucks?  Yes, please.




Starcraft + Booze= Barcraft from SocialStudiesDC on Vimeo.