A recent event within the Counter-Strike community has sparked lively discussion about the effectiveness of hosting locations for esports tournaments. Specifically, the spotlight has been cast on the BLAST World Final, which reportedly suffered from an almost empty arena during the semifinals.
Summary
- Overall sentiment was negative towards the perceived lack of audience attendance at the event.
- The users appear to question the choice of location and suggest considering places with confirmed fanbases.
- Some users indicate that an absence of audience support could diminish the impact of the event.
The Empty Arena Issue
The empty seats caught the attention of online spectators, leading to discussions about the validity of certain locations for esports tournaments. Commenter ‘ekkolos’ facetiously noted that ‘Too bad money doesn’t buy you a crowd.’ In response, ‘ballsinyourmouth15’ suggested the organisers ‘stop holding events in places that don’t enjoy cs (Counter-Strike) and just pay for advertising.’
Concerns Over Audience Depth
‘Markus_zockt’ raised a potentially overlooked aspect, speculating about the viewer demographics. Their comment inferred that the small audience could comprise largely of the players’ relatives and event staff, which further highlights the concern over the depth of audience engagement.
Location, Location, Location
‘Kevinsica’, alongside several others, suggested alternative location strategies. While some commentators expressed their longing for venues with established Counter-Strike fan-bases, one went as far as suggesting that ‘they should make Copenhagen the world final and the fall final a rotating event.’
Overall, while the venue’s seating capacity appeared underutilised during this notable Counter-Strike event, it has sparked meaningful conversation within the community. The discussion surrounding esports event management and how best to attract a crowd will likely continue as the sport further evolves.