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CASE STUDY: EA at OP Live Dallas 2018 – September 22-23, 2018 Irving Convention Center – Irving, Texas
EGENCY Global taps Event Architecture for portable VIP lounge and live streaming pods for premier esports event
When esports advisory firm EGENCY Global was looking for customizable, portable structures for a new, innovative esports event, they reached out to Event Architecture for help. The event, OP Live Dallas, was the brainchild of EGENCY Global and SMU (Southern Methodist University) Guildhall, the top graduate school for video game design in the world.
With OP Live Dallas, EGENCY Global and SMU Guildhall wanted to bring gamers, their parents, pro and collegiate esports teams, academia and leaders in the video gaming industry together for fun activities, pro and collegiate esports competitions, an exhibitor hall, fan art gallery and educational talks. The goal was to shine a positive light on career opportunities in esports and the gaming industry – something typical esports events don’t address.
The Ask: Create VIP spaces for game play, live streaming and relaxing
The event organizers invited several popular gamers and influencers to join the fun at OP Live. They were asked to live stream from the event and participate in meet and greets with fans. EGENCY also wanted to provide a space for event VIPs to get away, relax, play games and catch up with friends in the industry.
Event Architecture recommended two of its signature portable structures for the event – the OiO portable office to be used for live streaming pods and larger XDEK structure for the VIP lounge. The model can easily be customized with client branding and equipped with amenities, as needed.
The Solution: EA customizes OiOs and an XDEK to meet event organizer needs
Three sponsor-branded OiO streaming pods
While streamers love hanging out with their fans, they also need to be able to focus during game play, so providing a semi-private space with minimal distractions was key. Game developer Playful Corp. agreed to sponsor the pods, so finding a way to integrate the Playful brand into the pods was also a priority.
Enter the OiO 2.5Mx2.5M mobile office. Like all of the modular, pop-up structures Event Architecture offers, the OiO is a self-contained structure that can be left open to welcome guests or closed off when privacy is needed. For OP Live Dallas, the unit was fitted with a clear polycarbonate panel on the back and clear sliding door feature on the front, so fans could get a peek inside.
To reflect the Playful sponsorship and OP Live Dallas brand, the exterior of the units were wrapped with custom, branded graphics. Smaller, clean Playful branded window clings were adhered to the front of the pods, and additional graphics with OP Live branding were adhered to the interior. The pods were then equipped with comfy gaming chairs, tables and all of the tech gamers need to hop online, play and stream.
XDEK VIP lounge with privacy AND a view
The event organizers also asked Event Architecture to create a space where invited guests – streamers, speakers, esports pro teams, cosplayers and other influencers – could kick back when they weren’t streaming, on stage or mingling with fans. They also wanted to include a few gaming stations where VIPs could play without fans asking questions.
Enter the XDEK roof top terrace. Event Architecture’s XDEK was the perfect fit for the upscale VIP lounge. Like the OiO streaming pods, the XDEK was wrapped with custom printed branded graphics reflecting the OP Live Dallas brand and promoting the OP Odyssey, an in-app game created for the event. The exterior perimeter of the space featured Event Architecture’s comfy, high-end Smart Chairs, should guests need an extra place to kick back and relax.
To double the capacity of the VIP space – and provide a view of the entire expo hall – the XDEK rooftop terrace featured a second story where VIPS could climb to the upper deck on a sturdy staircase positioned at the back of the structure. The terrace, which features railings around the perimeter for safety, offered plenty of additional Smart Chair seating where guests could relax.
Need a customizable portable structure for an upcoming event?
Contact us. Event Architecture’s modern, pop-up structures come in a wide range of sizes and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor events. From OiO mobile offices to Snoozy mobile motel rooms to pop-up retail shops to the modular Expo line that grows and grows and grows, our live event pros have you covered. To learn more, contact Event Architecture at 972-323-9433 today.
EVENT SNAPSHOT: OP Live Dallas
About: OP Live Dallas is a unique esports event that shines a spotlight on the career opportunities available in gaming and esports through collaboration, competition and educational talks for gamers and parents. The inaugural event ran Sept. 22-23, 2018 in Irving, Texas.
Founders: OP Live Dallas was founded by esports advisory firm EGENCY Global and SMU Guildhall, the No. 1 graduate school for video game design in the world.
Fun Facts: Over 1,500 people attended the inaugural event, which was Powered by Team Envy and the Dallas Fuel, two high-profile pro esports teams based in Dallas.
Charity of Choice: During the event, gamers raised funds for Extra Life, a charity affiliated with Dallas-based, non-profit Children’s Health, a member of the Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals.