Most renowned esports tournaments feature huge stage setups, jumbotrons and fancy lighting, and massive arenas filled to the brim with loud and excited fans.
The HomeStory Cup is different. Since the very first edition of the recurring Starcraft II tournament, head honcho Dennis "TaKe" Gehlen has taken a radically different approach. For years, he held the tournament in his apartment in Cologne, Germany, cramming every room with tables, chairs and computers and having casters and players provide live commentary from the sofa in his living room. All while attracting top players from around the world.
That unique approach has made the HomeStory Cup famous on the Starcraft scene for its relaxed atmosphere and laid-back approach to everything, while still giving viewers highly competitive games to watch.
Though the tournament has since moved out of TaKe's appartment and into the purpose-built Take's Gaming Bar studio, both atmosphere and surroundings are as relaxed as always.
TaKe and the rest of the organisers have just revealed the dates for the next edition of the event, HomeStory Cup XIII. It'll be held on June 23 to June 26 and will feature a total of 24 players. Some of them will receive direct invites, while others will earn their spot through qualifier tournaments in Europe, North America and Asia. The invite list is yet to be announced. More details on Facebook.
