North Texas hosts DreamHack, Overwatch esports events

DALLAS — For years, North Texas has confirmed it is changing into a hub for esports and video video games — and never only for the U.S. The space is actually garnering worldwide consideration.

If extra proof is required, look no additional than this weekend.

Not one, however two main gaming events have been held within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex this weekend, which drew tens of 1000’s of followers to the realm to have a good time video video games and esports.

DreamHack, an worldwide gaming model that holds festivals world wide, had its first occasion in Dallas for the primary time in three years, and the thrill over the return of huge, in-person events was evident this weekend.

Crowds packed the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center, as followers had many choices on their gaming plates corresponding to stay aggressive matches and rows of tables crammed with consoles and PCs for attendees to play in opposition to each other.

Organizers advised WFAA that the occasion noticed over 33,000 attendees from 50 states and 29 nations over three days.

Championship matches of in style video video games Rocket League and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive have been featured on the conference, and followers have been capable of cheer on their favourite groups.

Colleges from North America and Europe took half in a Rocket League championship match at DreamHack. DFW was represented by the University of Texas at Arlington esports staff.

With a model that is so internationally recognized and has hosted its fundamental events in Sweden and different nations, what introduced DreamHack to Dallas? Shahin Zarrabi, vp of technique and progress for DreamHack, advised WFAA that North Texas was simply the correct match.

“Dallas loves gaming. So many gamers here, esports teams, organizations. We came here in 2019 for our first event in Dallas, coming from Austin before,” Zarrabi stated. “Dallas has shown us so much love, so it was a given for us to come back here.”

After having to navigate by means of the COVID-19 pandemic and having to cancel 2020 and 2021 events, Zarrabi stated he is glad DreamHack is again in Dallas and that it is changing into one thing extra than simply an esports occasion.

“We want to create a platform for everyone to come and connect, to explore, to be themselves. Everything gaming under one roof. That doesn’t mean you have to sit and play or watch someone else play,” Zarrabi advised WFAA. “It could be that you dress up as someone in a video game… or that you meet your favorite creators from online.”

“We want to create that platform, that arena, for people to come and just be who they are and follow their passion,” he added.

And in fact, town of Dallas can be seeing the rewards from the big gaming competition. 

According to Zarrabi, the 2019 occasion in Dallas generated about $3.6 million for town.

“I hope Dallas loves us as much as we love them,” he stated.

And, about 20 minutes to the west of the Dallas conference middle, one other main esports occasion was occurring on the identical time.

Overwatch, a well-liked first-person shooter, was on the middle of this occasion as the sport’s esports league held a $225,000 match — the Overwatch League Kickoff Clash — at Esports Stadium Arlington.

The Dallas Fuel, a staff owned by Dallas-based group Envy Gaming, was the host metropolis, as skilled groups from across the nation and 1000’s of followers descended upon North Texas. This weekend’s match was the primary main in-person occasion of 2022 for the Overwatch League.

Geoff Moore, president of Envy Gaming, advised WFAA that events like this are proof that the North Texas space is changing into a large esports hub.

“It brings a lot of people who love [Overwatch] in from outside the state of Texas, from other cities in Texas to Arlington and the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” Moore stated. “It really is fulfilling the vision that the city of Arlington had when they invested in creating this venue that they would bring people from all over the country and even other countries to events like this based on what these people really have a pent up demand to see live and share with each other.”

Organizers advised WFAA over 4,000 followers attended the four-day occasion.

Back in March, Esports Stadium Arlington additionally hosted the primary main 2022 occasion for the Call of Duty League, the place 1000’s cheered from a sold-out crowd. Dallas’ personal OpTic Texas, which is part of Envy Gaming, took house the grand prize in that occasion.

Organizers advised WFAA about 75% of ticket consumers for that occasion have been from exterior the DFW space.