14 DAY TRIAL // DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015 is rapidly approaching its late October debut and it's worth pointing out the many different ways the gaming festival is embracing competitive experience. There are big eSports competitions, chief among which being the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major, to smaller, community-based contests for Hearthstone, League of Legends, or even Minecraft.
DreamHack, for quite some time, was a Swedish-based affair, as the organization started out life as a LAN party many years ago and has since expanded into a global one, encompassing other countries such as France, Spain, the UK, and Romania.
So far, in Romania there have been two major DreamHack events, taking place in 2014 and early 2015 in Bucharest. However, as further testimony of competitive gaming's rapid increase in popularity in recent times, there will be a second event in Cluj-Napoca at the end of the month.
Large and small competitions await visitors and professional teams
As with previous editions, there are a few large global competitions that are going to conclude on the DreamHack Cluj-Napoca 2015 stage.
The biggest, of course, is the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major. This special event is organized in collaboration with DreamHack, Romania's own PGL, but also Valve, the developer of the popular multiplayer shooter. The large studio is putting up a $250,000 (€224,000) prize pool, as well as top notch accommodations for all the invited and qualified teams.
However, besides admiring the CS:GO events on the main stage, attendants can also check out the many different local competitions.
There's the Hearthstone PGL Winter Tavern Tales, as well as the University Cup for Hearthstone fans who are attending college.
League of Legends aficionados from Romania can enroll in the IESF LoL country stage. The winning team will be sent to represent Romania at the International eSports Federation world championship in Korea. Those who aren't yet ready to go pro but are still in high school can take part in the High School Cup for League of Legends.
Romania's Dota 2 teams can sign up for the Ancients of War contest until October 5 and then battle for a spot at DreamHack Cluj-Napoca, where they can prove their worth.
Last but not least and as testimony that competitive gaming knows no bounds, there's the School Cup for Minecraft. Young students must try to recreate the Sala Polivalenta hall where Dreamhack actually takes place. The best creations will be rewarded with all sorts of goodies.
DreamHack Cluj-Napoca takes place between October 29 and November 1 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. For a brief glimpse at what awaits those who participate, check out some photos from DreamHack Bucharest 2015 in the gallery below, via PGL.
