The Electronics and Games Expo that hit Cape Town this past weekend was a success – especially given that it was the first one, and that everything seemed so rushed and disorganised prior to it being confirmed just a month before it happened. It means that marketing for the event began unnaturally later than it should have. It all seemed like there were some behind-the-scenes hiccups, but it all went rather swimmingly. Or did it? We (and by we, I mean Marvin Cloete) shot a few questions off to the spokesperson for EGE, Zaid Kriel, tackling things like how the event went, how it might be improved and if it’ll return next year.
Were you happy with the turnout (especially considering the late marketing for the event?
We’re extremely pleased with the turnout. Numbers are unofficial, since we haven’t done a proper audit yet, but we ran out of armband passes on the Saturday. We allocated 5000 for each day of the expo, so that tells you something. We expected Friday to be the slowest day, which it was, but even on that day the turnout was higher than thought; we reckon over a thousand. Sunday drew a bigger crowd than Friday, but honestly, it was such hectic day with both COD: AW finals and the CS:GO finals happening that couldn’t pay attention to the size of the crowd.
Did everything go according to plan?
Mostly. Naturally there were hiccups. We lost internet for a bit on the Saturday morning, which delayed the start of the tournaments. And we had issues with the Dota 2 Exhibition match spectator stream on our big screen. The mouse handling the camera for the streaming pc had a mind of its own and wacked out the view. We fixed it eventually and the viewing public were very understanding. I’m sure that there were a number of issues that affected the tournaments as well that I’m not even aware of, but the guys at Zombiegamers, eHaven, Orena, Clan Connection and all the other tech wizards weathered them well. We also ran out of beverages on the Saturday, which I suppose is a problem you want to have. For the most part, everything we planned on doing got done.
Were there any surprises?
I don’t think we had any big surprises. I think the response from the public was the biggest surprise. Everyone involved believed EGE could work, but it still hits you when you see all these people charging in with these awed looks on their faces. Big smiles everywhere. Personally, the liquid nitrogen overclocking demonstration was the biggest surprise for me. That drew an audience to rival the DOTA 2 exhibition and it’s so weird because it’s just a guy generating benchmarks and then another guy pouring stuff every few minutes. But people love it. We invited people on stage to come see and they rushed on.
Did you see any immediate areas for improvement? Things you will do better or rather won’t do, etc
Definite there is room for improvement. We could have done better with our stage management. We should have tested streams to the main screen more thoroughly. Also the delay between the stream and the actual gameplay needs to be narrower. We had a situation with both the COD:AW finals and the CS:GO finals where the winning teams were cheering their victory before the spectators were cognizant of what was happening. And we’ll need to do more with exhibition placement. The Learn 3D stand, and I speak under correction, had the first public showing of the Oculus Rift. It drew massive crowds. The lines for it caused lots of congestion and made crowd mobility awkward. The most asked for thing from the attendees was a proper DOTA 2 tournament, so I guess we will have to do that. I think the biggest thing for us, though, would be to shift EGE to after E3 and that is something we working on. More lead time for marketing would be nice, as well. We are meeting later in the week to iron things like that out.
Would you consider the event a success, and if so, does this mean we’ll see you guys next year?
Considering the short amount of time we had to advertise and the turnout, yeah, I would say EGE was a success. I didn’t speak to all the exhibitors, but everyone I did speak to was very pleased and expressed a desire to return for another one. There were a few people that asked about how they could get a stand for next year already and that’s a very positive sign. I would be surprised if we didn’t do this again next year.
Did you go? Would you go next year if EGE were to return?
Pictures courtesy of The Artist Formerly Known As Rince
Last Updated: June 2, 2015
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:05
Le SIGH 😛
Geoffrey Tim
June 2, 2015 at 15:06
Where’ve you been?
Axii stupid question, get a stupid answer.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:07
You have to wait for him to answer a question before saying that. 😉
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:08
I was Sega Neptune for a bit lol NEP NEP 🙂
Geoffrey Tim
June 2, 2015 at 15:09
Geoff loves NEP NEP
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:16
Oh shit, I love Nep Nep too!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:16
Oh shit, I love Nep Nep too!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:16
Oh man that was you!?? Too much Hyperdimension Neptunia for you dude lol
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:21
Haha. I had no idea.
GooseZA
June 2, 2015 at 15:20
Aww, I really liked Nep Nep.
*Starts petition to bring back nep nep!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:29
LOL!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:30
Best cover EVAR!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:03
Indeed. Never thought OvG would take on a moe avatar!
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:04
You got me. I was never sure if I should reply or not, and whether I would have to speak about myself in third person if I did reply.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:11
Pew pew!
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:14
You can see that RINCE is trying his hardest to smile 😛
Ottokie
June 2, 2015 at 15:15
I cant see that far in the back… is he the 7th on the right?…no wait that’s Llew
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:28
Finn was excellent though. Seriously
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Ottokie
June 2, 2015 at 15:15
I cant see that far in the back… is he the 7th on the right?…no wait that’s Llew
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:14
You can see that RINCE is trying his hardest to smile 😛
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:21
Loved that Isaac suit.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:18
She won first place. Great cosplayer. man, the event was awesome!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:18
Umar should we try cosplay next year? Maybe we need Darryn to give us a crash course?
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:20
Honestly, I REALLY want to lol Looks like so much fun!
HvR
June 2, 2015 at 15:23
Batman is easy, one of these, black towel, 2 triangle black cardboard cutouts for ears and yellow marker
EDIT: if you want to go as spider man eat a hot chili.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/09/21/1411291097234_wps_5_https_www_facebook_com_pa.jpg
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:24
Uhm. That’s just Darryn in his bed-time suit. Wrong pic HvR! ;P
HvR
June 2, 2015 at 15:32
You should go as a pirate……
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:26
That needs a caption:
“Darryn got confused when they told him to use GiMP instead of Photoshop”
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:27
lol
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
Hell, where will Darryn drain the accumulated sweat?
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
Hosepipe at the back…
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
http://media.giphy.com/media/5H0MVLq9wraQU/giphy.gif
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:25
I thought you did? You went as an invisible person, right?
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:26
Expertly done, I’d say.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:27
Well I was there and didn’t see you. The photos prove nothing!
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:29
We were told you were with your ‘real friends’. Must have been the ones that went to the wedding hey? 0_O
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
Haha. Who said that?!
I have a head wound. I can’t remember! I deny everything!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:33
Bastard! I’m real! Sniff… I’m A REAL BOY!
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:34
And don’t bring up the ‘call’ you made to me! I can tell a voice clip from The Wonder Years from a mile away!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:45
You were listening to a soundboard.
Rincey: “Hi Jim is that you?”
Banana: “”They’re called boobs, Ed.””
Rincey: “Uh ok, are you coming to EGE?”
Banana: “We don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
Rincey: “What?”
Banana: “”Sunnyside is a place of ruin and despair, ruled by an evil bear who smells of strawberries!”
Rincey: What the hell is this?
Banana: “”Machete don’t text.”
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:49
DING!
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:21
The Issac Clarke was pretty cool.
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:26
Yeah, pretty slick. I really liked the Alice cosplay, even though it was a dude lol
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:28
I will go as Triss Merigold next year 😛 In a ball gown… just need to diet a little.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:29
A little?!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
she’s let herself go tbh.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
lol
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:33
22″ inch waist to be precise. According to my Witcher senses.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:20
At least there’s no floating hand. I’d say this is a win.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:24
“Le Sigh” is exactly what that face says
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:28
You shut up!
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
hehehehehehehehehehehe
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
I wanted to post that since he posted his pict on Facebook! HAHAHAHAHA !
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
Great minds hehehehe
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
Bwahahaha!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:39
http://media3.giphy.com/media/8QTvsB4K0zCYU/giphy.gif
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:39
bwhahahahahahahahaha
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:40
Muahahahahahaahah!
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:41
That’s how my dog catches a ball. :/
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:42
hahaha
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:42
That’s because you’re throwing the ball at it like you’re trying to kill it.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:42
What is that white thing in the back that falls when the panda does?
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:43
UFO!
HvR
June 2, 2015 at 15:43
snap
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
Nooooooooooooooooo
HvR
June 2, 2015 at 15:43
*Uploads gif to UFO spotted site
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
*gasp*
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
Don’t forget those moving pixels in the back. PROOF of ghost activity.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:51
0_0 woooooooah
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:49
Illuminati
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
dun dun duuuuun
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:33
Rince and a lady with pink hair.
That smile there is quite real – and curious
Axon1988
June 3, 2015 at 13:38
Here’s a nice video about it:
https://youtu.be/OcJG_wK3Osg
oVg
June 3, 2015 at 15:33
cool, good coverage 🙂
oVg
June 3, 2015 at 15:38
You are a natural, very funny 🙂
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:07
Marvin. tee hee.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:08
What went right? Shucks! For one thing, EGE allowed me to grab a beer, and thus treating me like an adult, rather then a potential delinquent that needs to be nannied (here’s looking at you rAge).
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:13
The first sighting of Banana Jim in the wild was caught on camera 🙂
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:17
Proof that I was there – a lone Banana (#ForeverSP #StayStrong Umar) discovering that his taijutsu is weak sauce. Next time Naruto… next time 🙁
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:19
lol
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:20
You’re the camera in the top-left corner?
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
bwahahaha
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:39
No behind the dude in red… if you squint you can see me…
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:23
Wait, is one of those strands of hair a banana?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:48
And yes, more proof that I’m only three foot tall!
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:26
He was elusive!
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:32
That chick really seems to be digging the bananas
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:29
Like me
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:30
Agreed. Beer and game and bean bags!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
Fit for Queens and Kings!
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:20
EGE was so cool, really enjoyed it, only up from here 🙂 Maybe you’ll see me in a Cosplay competition.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0e/b4/b7/0eb4b7684129991dbad82cbf7d00a7b6.jpg
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:23
E Honda ate Chun Li
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:23
We’re planning on a team effort to make someone a suit to wear. Got an electronic engineer to help us out with all the gizmos already. 😀
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:27
Well then sheeeat, guess we have to do this thing now!
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:29
We have a year. Let’s make it a Lagz thing. 😉
If we get started on it I can take pics of ours and we can make a whole thing about it as it progresses. Getting it all started though, is the real problem. We all have busy lives.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
Is that @OddSockZA:disqus ?
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
Ohhhh! Shost fired!
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:44
hehehehehehe
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:44
Surely that would be Geoff Li?
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:45
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
Lacist!
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:27
I turned out well in the end. What they do need is a lot more in way of hands on (and I don’t mean me with Lightening. Cough). Not enough booths to play.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:28
Plus, you were there :/
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:30
You turned out well?
If you say so.
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:31
He’s trying.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:32
Hehehe
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:32
More than I can say for you!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:32
But he’s an emperor and you’re Elfroot….
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:33
Emperor penguin yeah!
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:34
That depends on which definition of “trying” you go with. 😀
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
All of them!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:50
I agree, they need more booths, maybe move the LAN to a different venue, and use all that open space for exhibits.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:51
I felt they needed more big screens for certain games. There were some crazy MK fights going on earlier the day in the LAN area but it’s impossible to watch.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:53
Totally. Needed a bigger screen for DOTA 2 as well. Not to mention a better mouse…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:56
Holy crap you’re right. I saw a few of them. Some of those guys were insanely good.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:57
I can do a hadoken
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 16:02
Pfft I just play WWE12… suplex, ddt, suplex, clothesline…. Banana Split finisher…. Savage Banana wins!
Lo Sigh Lo Sigh Ai ai ai ai! Sombrero!!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 16:03
Hahaha
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:03
The only fighting game that I play against people is Fight Night.
It’s the only one where I’m not just bashing buttons, with no idea what’s going on.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:34
LOL Rince next to lighting. Look at those chubby fingers holding the beer glass XD
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
Jeez I need to move to a proper city. STAT!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
A proper city? Jeez dude, only Cape Town qualifies. 😀
Geoffrey Tim
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
so does Darryn.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:37
Isn’t East London like Upington by the Sea?
HvR
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
No Uppington has clean streets
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:39
I don’t go past the mountains. Every time I try to my map pops up and I’m given the choice to fast travel back to anywhere inside the Western Cape.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:40
Lies, the wind catches your brows and blows you back.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:41
*blows me back majestically
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:41
hehe
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:53
0_O
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:41
Daaayeeemmmm! 😀
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:41
So it’s like Gauteng, but with streets. ;P
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:42
Minus the gunfire
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:47
and the smog
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
LOL
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
Admiral lives in Gauteng, so I recommend you come to Cape Town. ;P
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:37
Ho ho ho!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:37
Bwahahaha
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:46
Trevor has a basement for you to stay in.
I hear he treats his prisone…..guests very well.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:47
I’ll run the prison.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:47
So you’ll be the one that asserts his “authority” then?
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:48
Just the way he likes it.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:48
I am a Sergeant last I checked
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:53
It’s practically a health spa!
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:54
Well, with sauna’s that hot who can have skin problems when there’s no skin to have problems with?
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:54
That’s what the lotion’s for.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:35
Strange. Not a single Merchant there wanted to play gwent with me.
Ranting Raptor
June 2, 2015 at 15:36
GG
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:37
I won my first hero card last night! Woohoo!
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:38
Where? Who?
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:40
From one of the merchants in whatever the village is called where you have to go to speak to Niellen the Hunter about his missing wife. At least I remembered one helpful detail. 😉
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:40
Ah. I know which one. I remember that hunter.
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:39
No candles to extinguish either 🙁
http://gfycat.com/BigPoshAsianwaterbuffalo
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:47
*Fixed
axii OVG
June 2, 2015 at 15:55
lol
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:55
This is a thing of beauty! May it join the meme list on Lagz.
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:55
This baby is bookmarked!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
June 2, 2015 at 15:57
Saved for posterity
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:56
Also I wanted to put Elfroot on his pants but it wasn’t n the shot.
*Runs
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 15:57
Add a few *hic*s for realisms’ sake?
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:14
Didn’t know your family were also there *RUNS
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 16:14
Bwahaha
Blood Emperor Trevor
June 2, 2015 at 16:17
Funnily enough, they were. 🙁
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:18
0-O
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:18
So that was the XCOM team I saw?
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:13
Wow man. You’d go ‘there’? It’s just not worth the laugh man!
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 16:14
Sorry………had no idea
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:17
lol
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 2, 2015 at 16:45
[runs script to input new meme in Lagz database]
…
…
…
[error, soul.bak not found]
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:56
Work of a true artist 😉
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:57
LOL if Zoe is 6th grade with photoshop I’d be in kindergarten
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:57
I use Paint.
*drops mic
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:58
haha same
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:11
hahahahah
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 16:13
XD
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:16
That’s why I love this community 🙂
Hammersteyn
June 2, 2015 at 15:52
Rofl, I’m killing my mouse wheel scrolling up and down XD
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 15:53
Thanks to Lagz mine doesn’t click anymore when I roll it. It’s just a smooth roll now.
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 15:56
The Artist Formerly Known As Rince lol
Unavengedavo
June 2, 2015 at 15:59
I was at EGE as well and it was awesome given the time they had to arrange it.
Captain JJ the_scarrrr
June 2, 2015 at 16:05
It was
RinceTheElfRoot
June 2, 2015 at 16:12
Totally.
Warren Meinking
June 2, 2015 at 16:27
I will definitely be attending if EGE decides to return. I thought it was a great event, and being the 1st of its kind in Cape Town, obviously there are going to be some faults, bet we work on them for next time 🙂 Big Kudos to all the organisers and sponsors!
Damnitsfree
June 2, 2015 at 17:49
watch here for free games like gta 5 , the witcher and lot of other games https://damnitsfree.wordpress.com/ 4213333
Axon1988
June 3, 2015 at 08:21
A friend of mine went and even did a video recording: