Which Singapore pubstomp should you go to?

Singapore will have two different pubstomps for you to attend during The International 4 (TI4) finals, in spite of being just 716 square kilometers large. If you need something to compare this with, Taiwan is 36,163 square kilometers large, and has just one pubstomp.

You could say that Singapore got really lucky, but really, now that we’re spoiled for choice, we’re faced with this first-world problem: which pubstomp is the better one?

Colosseum’s pubstomp

Entertainment company Colosseum hosted a well-received pubstomp for The International 3 (TI3) in 2013, which saw attendees enjoying LAN gaming sessions, lucky draws, a secret shop, and of course, close-knit community viewing of TI3.

This year, it returns to do the same from July 18 to 22. For just S$15 a day or S$45 for four days, attendees will be able to enjoy ten hours of daily LAN gaming, free plays on arcade machines, solo-mid and captain’s mode in-house Dota 2 matches, prizes for participation, a secret shop that will need you to farm for gold to make purchases, and of course, yet another close-knit community viewing of The International.

(See: Which Asian countries are hosting TI4 pubstomps?)

Colosseum’s marketing manager Lynette Tan said that a pubstomp is “priceless” because of its unique experience and the friendships forged there.

“Even though Colosseum doesn’t make money from this event, we still want to be an instrument that brings people together to celebrate eSports and Dota 2,” she said. Colosseum has long been known as a bastion of Singapore’s PC gaming community.

Colosseum’s pubstomp will be held from July 18 to 22 at both its Bugis+ and Tampines West CC outlets. Tickets are on sale tonight.

Dota 2 Singapore’s Pubstomp

A student-run group that sprouted up in the past two weeks, Dota 2 Singapore identifies as:

…team of passionate Dota 2 enthusiasts and local community personalities ranging from ex-pro players to journalists.

And it says that its goal is:

…to promote community-driven events like this and revive the slowly dying Singaporean scene. Why do we do this? Because we love Dota and we’re sick of the stale local scene being bombarded by overpriced profit-driven events. Our events are by the community—for the community.

[fve]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFjXYYmQcbw[/fve]

While Dota 2 Singapore didn’t want to reveal to Games in Asia which Dota 2 personalities attendees to its pubstomp can expect, it is providing a pubstomp experience free of charge, albeit ticketed via Eventbrite. This was made possible through partnership with Singapore’s Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) and the venue provider, *SCAPE. So far, attendees can expect a “state of the art” viewing, interaction and 1v1 games with mystery Dota 2 personalities, and giveaways. Over 400 tickets have been released, and all have been snapped up.

To Dota 2 Singapore’s credit, SCOGA has said that its ideas for the pubstomp are both sound and executable.

Dota 2 Singapore’s pubstomp will be held over July 21 and 22.

Which is better?

28 year old Samuel Ng, a Singaporean Dota 2 fan with intent to attend a pubstomp, said that while price wasn’t a concern for a working adult like himself, he wanted to enjoy himself at whichever one he attended.

“The Dota 2 Singapore one seems aimed more at hawking merchandise than at any real interaction with gamers,” Ng said, citing how Dota 2 Singapore has been actively pushing the sale of Dota 2 merchandise, even bringing in a full catalog of non-TI4 items for attendees to pre-order, as a way of advertising its event.

“I think going to Colosseum’s is a better idea. It seems to have a lot more interaction for players, and as a gamer, casual competition is exactly what I want,” Ng finished off.

(See: The 8 kinds of players you’ll meet in the Roshan pit)

While a state of the art viewing experience of the largest Dota 2 tournament in the world isn’t something that comes along every day, one should remember that The International experience is also about bonding with your fellow fans.

Colosseum’s marketing manager, Tan, got it right when we spoke to her. The only thing more awesome than celebrating your team’s win is celebrating it together with newfound friends.

(Image source)

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