Nutters, but in a good way.

So people head to this place, they bring their base units, some have taken the trouble to add flashing lights, spinning things, toys, air horns, fans and all manner of none sense to the base unit.

They also bring their chairs, yes, they bring their own chairs. Pushing them up the hill with the base unit tied to the seat.

And with the chairs they bring the bedding, you see Dreamhack never closes, so you sleep at your machine, in your chair, or you go to sleep in a huge room on bedding, did I mention you bring bedding? Heck for that matter did I mention that people bring beds? And I don't just mean a bit of foam, some people brought actual beds, you know metal, legs, springs. Others dragged in inflatable matressess (which they inflate before they go off to play).

The whole thing has a sort of free musical festival vibe. No one is looking for trouble, no one is causing any fuss, no one is doing anything but wanting to play LAN games. The halls are full of crazy music, that moves from thumping dance to the Gameboy tetris song (and on hearing that you are expected to clap and stand up).

Food is all based on carb-cemical polymers and caffine delivery devices. Jolt appears to be the brand of choice.

Parents are very understanding, dropping off young children with a smile and a perplexed look.

MMO's are popular as a game to choice and people are absorbed with their playing. Its a chance to be with your people, the ones who hate getting a tan, who fear the outside, who wish to sit in the dark and just play computer games. It is, in its own way, wonderful.

The booth is busy but strangly there is no line, after all people will be here for five days, 24 hours a day and so there is always going to be time to play WAR at some point.

Attitudes are pleasent, voices calm and the whole place has an energy that radiates joy for online gaming.

On a side note its strange as anything to be in a building, leave at 11 at night and find that its still bright daylight outside, it adds to the unreal/hyper-real feeling of seeing 15,000 lan machines glowing in the darkened room.

You should, if you get the chance, come to Dreamhack, its on again in November and its quite unlike anything I have ever been to before.

I will upload vides to you tube later and put a few inks so you can see what I mean.