DreamHack Dallas 2023 Draws Record-Breaking Visitors
DreamHack Dallas, one of the newer branches of the DreamHack event network, has already become a major attraction in the games industry. This year’s event drew around 44,000 attendees, setting a new record for the event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person event didn’t return in 2020 and 2021, but it returned to the city in 2022, and the 2023 event featured several high profile gaming tournaments, concerts, cosplay competitions, LAN parties, and a wide variety of attractions. The expansive show floor featured the HCS Global Invitational, the ESL Impact Dallas Finals, the Collegiate Rocket League event, a Fortnite tournament, and the multi-game DreamHack Fighters event.
DreamHack: Growing into a Massive Event Network
DreamHack started as a LAN party in the 90s and has grown into a massive event network spanning multiple continents. DreamHack Dallas is a relatively new branch of the event and only the third time it has been held, yet it has already become a major attraction for visitors to the Dallas and Texas communities. Shahin Zarrabi, DreamHack’s VP of strategy and growth, emphasized that the company wants to create something for the local community first before filling it in with international top-tier content.
Power of Content Creators
Zarrabi also spoke about the importance of content creators in the gaming industry and the role they play in events like DreamHack. He pointed out that the event provides a great activation platform for content creators to meet their fans and interact with them in an authentic way that cannot be achieved in front of a screen. DreamHack also has a creator hub where micro-influencers and smaller creators can meet their communities and other creators, emphasizing that the company considers this area of investment a focus for future events.
Editorial: The Future of DreamHack Dallas
DreamHack Dallas has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years, and its recent record-breaking attendance figures solidify its position as a major event in the gaming industry. The event’s emphasis on local community involvement and the importance of content creators make it unique among similar events. DreamHack’s summer event begins later this month, and we can expect it to build upon the success of the Dallas event and push the boundaries of what it means to host a gaming event.
Advice: The Power of Community in the Gaming Industry
The success of DreamHack Dallas underscores the importance of community involvement in the gaming industry. Hosting events that not only showcase the latest games and gaming technology but also provide a platform for content creators to interact with fans can help build a strong sense of community and foster a deeper connection between creators and consumers. As the industry continues to grow, it is important to remember that the gaming experience is not just about the games themselves but about the connection and shared experiences between players and creators alike.
