Esports News UK editor Dom Sacco is taking part in the WD Speed Run Cup this month, as he explains below.
No – I’m not sure why I’m doing this. Mainly for sh*ts and giggles probably. That and the free drinks and pizza.
I mean, of the four games we’re playing – Portal, Super Meat Boy, Cup Head and I Am Bread – I’ve only played one of them. And that was years ago.
Is speedrunning even an esport? It can be competitive and fun to watch (if you like that sort of thing) but I’ll be honest, watching speedrunners online does nothing for me.
But like I say, it’ll be a laugh I’m sure, so come and watch me get beaten, humiliated and ridiculed.
I wasn’t even going to do this, but someone dropped out and they asked me nicely so I thought why the hell not. Unfortunately they had to use an old pic of me as it’s the only high-res one I have, and it’s embarrassing as it reminds me of a time when I had hair.
“16 players will be participating in the knockout tournament, hosted by that charming UK caster Excoundrel”
Anyway, it takes place on Thursday November 23rd from 6pm to 11pm at the Fnatic Bunkr in London. Prizes include some WD and Fnatic goodies plus a trophy.
16 players will be participating in the knockout tournament, hosted by that charming UK caster Ceirnan “Excoundrel” Lowe.
I’ll be playing against fellow esports journo Mr Ollie Ring from Esports Insider.
WD is also giving you lovely readers a 10% discount on WD Blue 3D NAND over here (using the codes 9q7ex4zhp and tndbihhnp).
Illidan once said: “You are not prepared!”
I think he might have been talking about me and this event. I have never taken part in a speedrun before and half of the games here I have yet to play. But I’m going to give it my best shot and have a laugh at the same time!
Find out more on the WD Speedrun Cup website and tune in to Twitch from 5.20pm on November 23rd to watch it live
WD is covering Esports News UK’s travel costs to this event and each participant receives a WD goody bag
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.