Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and Melbourne Park will play host to DreamHack, a global festival for gaming and technology. The event kicks off this Friday and runs until Sunday evening; April 26-28, 2024.
Gamers and tech geeks can expect a weekend filled with fun, friends, and of course giveaways. Presented by ESL FACEIT Group and partner Transport Accident Commission (TAC), this is the largest DreamHack to ever take place in Australia. Having run in Melbourne the past few years at Melbourne Park, 2024 marks the start of an interesting Australian first – a virtual YouTube production.
hololive – a virtual YouTube production
Yes, you might have heard and seen it all during the pandemic; a move to Zoom meetings, online dating – literally, where potential romantic interests meet over cameras instead of IRL – and even virtual KPOP bands.
A phenomenon that sprung out of this move to the digital is VTubing. This is where streamers and YouTube creators use 2D or 3D characters in place of themselves. Short for virtual tubing, VTubing adds an element of anonymity since the creator need not show their face, instead controlling a virtual character.
This concept is coming to Australia for the first time with various hololive or HOLOSTAR creators. They’ll be shown live in Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, and you can buy tickets to the show. It’s sure to be a spectacle.
Technology in abundance
Like any good convention, you can expect plenty of exhibitors in the expo hall. Big technology and gaming brands include Intel, MSI Australia, and AOG. Word on the street is these booths will be very impressive, and there’s plenty of SWAG and prizes to be won.
MSI Australia will feature their new AI-powered gaming lineup, and you can try out the latest and greatest monitors at the AOC booth.
We haven’t been told exactly what’s there, so we’ll just have to go and see for ourselves!
What else can I do at DreamHack?
If you’re planning to head to DreamHack this weekend, there’s plenty to do. This year features the biggest Creator Hub Melbourne has ever seen, with over 500 creators in attendance. Meet your favourite streamers, drop in on a live session, or listen to a panel. If LARP (Live Action Role Playing) is your thing, you can watch some LARPing magic. Table top games will be aplenty, as well as local artists and cosplayers.
Pokémon GO is making an official appearance with activities and special research events just for DreamHack. The main stage promises epic entertainment, and it wouldn’t be a DreamHack without esports.
Teams from around Australia and the world will be descending on Melbourne to determine the best gamers. Watch the LCO Split 1 Grand Final (League of Legends), or catch eight teams battling it out through CS:GO 2 (Counter Strike Global Offensive) for a share of a $100,000 USD prize pool.
Don’t miss out on DreamHack
Whatever your vibe, DreamHack Melbourne promises to be a fun-filled weekend. Tickets are still available via the website and start at just $45.
