This was my second ESA, and the first in which I was a runner in the event. I had a really great time this year, overall a marked improvement over last year.

The good:

• The large screen made viewing runs a far greater experience than last year.
• There were vastly more PCs than last year which meant I got to use one pretty much whenever I wanted.
• The tech team were incredibly helpful and reassuring before my run. I had never done a run at a speedrun event before and they helped put my mind at ease.
• The spontaneous? disco post-main event was a lot of fun and it would be great if it remained a feature for subsequent years.
• Tech was good and as a runner I was especially happy that the schedule was firmly stuck to.
• I loved that the kiosk was open until so late.
• The arcade machines and especially the shooting one were a lot of fun and were a great addition. I met more new people though this than any other way this year.

Criticism and ideas for next time:

• Hand sanitizers could be placed at the end of every table/desk from day 1 and near arcade machines. I feel that the arcade machines may have been a huge contributing factor in the spread of germs throughout the event. Pretty much everyone I met had contracted something by the end of the event, and this didn't happen last year.
• There were times when no-one was manning the desk at the entrance. Proper security/wristband checks from the start might make people feel more secure at the venue.
• Local taxi information could be posted around the lobby of the venue. -I'm undecided on the second stream. I think a lot of the time attention was needlessly divided between the streams but on the flipside I can understand it's a good way to try to grow the event.
• The hosts sometimes appeared a bit lost or confused.
• A different venue/city/country would bring a nice change of scenery but for the most part I like Växjö.
• One or two chat mods on stream appeared to be escalating arguments, pushing their own agenda and censoring slightly too much.
• Lanyards were way too big and bulky, they could have been half the size.
• I'm unsure as to Sweden's gambling rules, but a poker tournament at some point in the conference room (adjacent to Hall B and the toilets) next time would be a lot of fun.

Oasiz, I just want to double check - does this list exclude the batch of DH PCs? Is there any idea of how many PCs there will be in that pool?

Thanks a lot Edenal :)

Hey, just wondered if anyone else from the UK plans to attend ESA this year but either can't find anyone to go along with them or who would rather not travel alone. I haven't booked anything up yet. Planning on hotel accommodation. :)