DC Speedrunning Event (Interest Thread)

2015-02-16 02:18:10 pm

I've also made this post on reddit.com/r/speedrun, but I was advised that here might be a good idea to post here as well.

"Hi there, I'm sk8. I'm a speedrunner in the DC area, and ran at AGDQ this year. I live in the DC area, and was thinking about trying to set up a speedrunning event for people living in the DC area. I'm using this thread to see if anyone would be interested in running, helping, or just being at the event. No dates or anything set yet, I would just like to see if there's enough interest to make it possible. Thanks ahead of time!"

Thread title:

ONOGMuffins

2015-02-16 06:37:49 pm

Let me know if you need any backside help!

mrprmiller

2015-02-16 06:42:46 pm

Everyday is puppies and sunshine...

I am in Pennsylvania, and this definitely interests me. Cheesy

Do you have a theme in mind?

Inebriated

2015-02-17 08:48:04 pm

I'd definitely be interested in running or something. Would be funny :>

NME

2015-02-18 03:32:35 pm

I'd need dates, but I'm certainly interested.

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-18 05:00:34 pm

All this is awesome to see!

Quote from ONOGMuffins:

Let me know if you need any backside help!

Thank you for offering your assistance and I will most likely be contacting you soon, thank you!

As I said before, I just wanted to make sure there was enough interest before I started planning anything for this. Between my original Reddit post and this one, I think I can go ahead and start looking at a place to do this, dates, etc. For those of you wanting to help and participate, do you think there should be a theme for this event, or should it be a straight up gathering of speedrunnners representing the DC area? I'm not opposed to a theme by any means, but I don't have a particular one in mind.

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-18 05:07:07 pm

Also this will be the thread I'll be discussing this with from now on instead of both this and the Reddit thread. Let's make this happen Smiley

Lightning55

Edit history:

Lightning55: 2015-02-18 10:12:40 pm

2015-02-18 10:12:06 pm

I'm down. I' probably easier to get a hold of via twitter. Let me know what you need. I was born and raised in the DMV. @Lightningtwilly

JHobz

2015-02-19 07:24:33 am

Professional Race Slut

I already talked to you, but posting here for "officialititasticness." Totally down for running and/or helping out at this event; let's make it happen.

mrprmiller

2015-02-19 07:35:26 am

Everyday is puppies and sunshine...

Maybe 'theme' was the wrong word. Are there any systems/genres to be focused on, or were you thinking "whatever anyone wants to run"? My expertise is very limited to a few particular PC games. Cheesy

NME

2015-02-19 09:32:57 am

Quote from mrprmiller:

Maybe 'theme' was the wrong word. Are there any systems/genres to be focused on, or were you thinking "whatever anyone wants to run"? My expertise is very limited to a few particular PC games. Cheesy

As is mine, only with a handful of NES games instead of PC.

Depending on your theme ideas, it may be wise to focus on the logistical (location/date/time/personnel/hardware) stuff before coming up with a theme.

musical_daredevil

2015-02-20 09:45:02 pm

I'd definitely be interested in an event in the DC area.

That being said, I'm usually pretty busy during the week and would need to know dates or a rough timeframe before I could commit to anything.

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-21 04:24:17 am

Okay, let's get started then Smiley

So I'll list here what I have covered, and then what I could use help from you all on.

Things I have:
-HD Capture Card (Elgato Game Capture HD)
-SD Capture Card (Dazzle DVC-101)
-Logitech C920 1080p webcam
-Computer capable of running the marathon on (Can run 720p60, 2k bitrate pretty reliably)
-PS2 and PS3 consoles to offer for use
-23" High Definition Television

Things I don't have:
-Venue and possibly funds for venue, but depends on which venue we choose
-Dedicated HDD for local recording (if we want to local record it)
-Microphone(s)
-CRT TVs (They're fairly cheap, I could probably buy a couple if need be)

These are the things that come to mind. If you can think of something else vital that I've forgotten, let me know. Also, if you have something that I have listed, but want to offer something better (better capture card, computer, TV, etc.), let me know. The biggest task for me at the moment is finding a venue for the event. The only place that comes to mind off the bat is eStarland, based out of Chantilly. This is a gaming shop I visited during AGDQ, and is one of the most impressive video game stores I've ever seen in terms of inventory, but I did notice that they had a pretty decent open room in the back, and I think they rent it out. I feel like the most important thing that we need with the venue we choose is reliable internet. I will try to get in contact with them to see how nice the space is and how much it would cost. I might need help with the cost of venue depending on how much it is, but we'll get it paid for one way or another.

Okay, let's get started then :)

So I'll list here what I have covered, and then what I could use help from you all on.

Things I have:
-HD Capture Card (Elgato Game Capture HD)
-SD Capture Card (Dazzle DVC-101)
-Logitech C920 1080p webcam
-Computer capable of running the marathon on (Can run 720p60, 2k bitrate pretty reliably)
-PS2 and PS3 consoles to offer for use
-23" High Definition Television

Things I don't have:
-Venue and possibly funds for venue, but depends on which venue we choose
-Dedicated HDD for local recording (if we want to local record it)
-Microphone(s) 
-CRT TVs (They're fairly cheap, I could probably buy a couple if need be)

These are the things that come to mind. If you can think of something else vital that I've forgotten, let me know. Also, if you have something that I have listed, but want to offer something better (better capture card, computer, TV, etc.), let me know. The biggest task for me at the moment is finding a venue for the event. The only place that comes to mind off the bat is eStarland, based out of Chantilly. This is a gaming shop I visited during AGDQ, and is one of the most impressive video game stores I've ever seen in terms of inventory, but I did notice that they had a pretty decent open room in the back, and I think they rent it out. I feel like the most important thing that we need with the venue we choose is reliable internet. I will try to get in contact with them to see how nice the space is and how much it would cost. I might need help with the cost of venue depending on how much it is, but we'll get it paid for one way or another.

VB_srl

2015-02-21 06:27:50 pm

I'd certainly be interested in this. I live in Loudoun, only 30 minutes or so away from EStarland so if we do choose that for the venue I could help negotiate with them.

mrprmiller

2015-02-21 09:46:39 pm

Everyday is puppies and sunshine...

Is this the place?

https://www.estarland.com/index.asp?page=StoreLocations

WhiteHat94

2015-02-21 10:16:49 pm

This definitely sounds interesting, I'm about 45 minutes north of DC. I probably be interested in running something and I could probably help supply some systems/wrangle up some CRTs, you can get them for free all day on Craigslist

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-22 01:41:27 am

Quote from mrprmiller:

Is this the place?

https://www.estarland.com/index.asp?page=StoreLocations

This is the place. I tried calling them for about an hour today and they never picked up, so I might try to drive out there today or tomorrow.

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-24 05:28:07 am

Today I'm going to go to eStarland somewhere around 4-6 PM to hopefully meet with someone to discuss the possibility of using one of their spaces for our marathon. Would anyone happen to want to meet me there if you're close? Even if it's just to introduces ourselves, see the venue, or check out their inventory if you've never been to eStarland, the place probably has more games of all era than you've ever seen in one place before. Let me know, and I'll let you all know how it goes.

sk84uhlivin

2015-02-24 06:47:44 pm

So I went by today, and talked to a guy named Matt. He was very nice and informative. They said they've held MMO tournaments there in the past, and can definitely support the internet needs we need, including good bandwidth, wired and wireless. So here are our 3 options:

Large Room - 500 sq ft. - 20 ft x 25 ft - Capacity of 30 - 50 people - $20/hr
Small Room - 300 sq ft. - 13 ft x 25 ft - Capacity of 20 - 30 people - $15/hr
Private Room - 200 sq ft. - 10 ft x 20 ft - Capacity of 10 - 15 people - $12/hr

I would definitely no go any higher than 10 people on the private room, it is quite small. Assuming 15 people, I'd go with the small, and for an 8 hour marathon (for an example), it would run us $96, which I think is manageable. I would even be willing to go 2, 8 hour days if we have enough runs to do so.

The address for eStarland is:

eStarland
14225 Sullyfield Cir. Suite C
Chantilly VA 20151

Matt also said that they would be more than willing with helping with flyers and publicity. I think that this is a great help, and it would also allow the shoppers in eStarland to get an experience with speedrunning, and maybe they could run at the next one Smiley

With this information, what do you all think about this as our venue?

So I went by today, and talked to a guy named Matt. He was very nice and informative. They said they've held MMO tournaments there in the past, and can definitely support the internet needs we need, including good bandwidth, wired and wireless. So here are our 3 options:

Large Room - 500 sq ft. - 20 ft x 25 ft - Capacity of 30 - 50 people - $20/hr
Small Room - 300 sq ft. - 13 ft x 25 ft - Capacity of 20 - 30 people - $15/hr
Private Room - 200 sq ft. - 10 ft x 20 ft - Capacity of 10 - 15 people - $12/hr

I would definitely no go any higher than 10 people on the private room, it is quite small. Assuming 15 people, I'd go with the small, and for an 8 hour marathon (for an example), it would run us $96, which I think is manageable. I would even be willing to go 2, 8 hour days if we have enough runs to do so.

The address for eStarland is:

eStarland
14225 Sullyfield Cir. Suite C
Chantilly VA 20151

Matt also said that they would be more than willing with helping with flyers and publicity. I think that this is a great help, and it would also allow the shoppers in eStarland to get an experience with speedrunning, and maybe they could run at the next one :) With this information, what do you all think about this as our venue?

WhiteHat94

2015-02-24 07:25:42 pm

Sounds like a solid starting point, I don't have any other ideas. And having it at a game store seems like a pretty solid location for local publicity

JHobz

2015-02-24 07:49:15 pm

Professional Race Slut

eStarland sounds great to me, and having been in there before I can definitely say the game-filled storefront will be a great attraction for viewers.

mrcab

2015-03-03 05:45:57 pm

e Star Land could be a fun venue. Opens the potential for any kind of bad/awful mystery game too.

mrcab

2015-04-20 09:00:46 pm

Is this still a thing? And does anyone go to the xchange events?

mrprmiller

2015-04-21 06:35:53 am

Everyday is puppies and sunshine...

Still very much interested.

Bbforky

2015-04-21 02:22:38 pm

Definitely would be willing to come down and run and help. I probably couldn't bring too much, but I can definitely help with bringing consoles, and possibly some equipment depending on what you might need.