Sydney BarCraft March 3 Q&A

As the eSports industry continues to grow and develop, so does the way that audiences consume its broadcasts. Thanks to the likes of Twitch TV, eSports today is just as much about engaging with communities as it is about watching events. With friendships being formed around eSports, it was only a matter of time before groups of people banded together to watch gaming tournaments live. It was from this notion that BarCraft was formed.

Started in the US by a bunch of avid Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty fans last year, BarCraft gathers eSports fans together in one bar to watch tournaments over a few cold beverages. Since then, BarCraft events have popped up all over the world, ranging from London to Australia.

As 2012's first Aussie BarCraft event fast approaches, GameSpot AU managed to catch up with Eugene Mak, who is one of the organisers from Australian Pro League, to find out about the history of the event and what people can expect when they turn up. Details of the Sydney BarCraft event can also be found at the bottom of this story.

GameSpot AU: Can you tell us what BarCraft is all about?

Eugene Mak: It starts with Starcraft II: a worldwide online gaming phenomenon with 6.2 million players across dozens of countries. It even has professional leagues, with the world's top players earning $500,000 salaries. But now, Starcraft fans are getting out of their bedrooms and dorms and bringing the game out to play. With online tournaments broadcast live in bars and clubs across the world, that's when it becomes "BarCraft."

BarCraft events are being held all over the world; the next month alone sees BarCraft in Paris, Vienna, New York, London, Munich, Toronto, Quebec, Oslo, Tel Aviv, and Zurich. Australia, too, is a BarCraft hotspot, with upcoming events in Melbourne and Perth. The recent BarCraft events in Sydney attracted the biggest "eSports" crowds outside the US.

GS AU: Now that you've organised a BarCraft event in Sydney on Saturday, how can people get involved?

EM: The easiest way to get involved is to turn up to the event! Failing that, invite people to our Facebook event, like us on Twitter and Facebook, or find our Team Liquid thread!

GS AU: What can people expect to find once they turn up to the event?

EM: High-quality Starcraft broadcasts in HD, straight from Korea, on TVs plastered all across the bar. We'll also have giveaways from our fantastic sponsors and hopefully a huge crowd!

GS AU: How many people do you expect to turn up to the BarCraft event tomorrow?

EM: We've consistently had more than 300 people turn up to our past events. We have the entire bar this time, and we're expecting at least 400 people to turn up!

GS AU: How long have you been running BarCraft events?

EM: This coming BarCraft on March 3 will be our third BarCraft, but the APL team has been running GSL viewing-type events since early 2011! We hope to see everyone there!

BarCraft event details:
Time and date: March 3, from 6 p.m.
Location: Hotel Paragon
Corner of Loftus Street and Alfred Street
Circular Quay, Sydney