Blog: The first GateCON: Epilogue

When I set out for this event expecting to have some fun with friends, a tiny seed of doubt still lingered inside me. I didn’t actually have a clear idea of how many people would show up, how it would unfold, or whether we’d even hit it off. Yet all those worries melted away within the first few minutes, and in this article I can’t help but continue with nothing but superlatives.

I was pleasantly surprised right at the start by the g3ckon masks—my in-game skin. Honestly, I don’t know how it crossed my mind that it was a Creeper mask. Maybe I’m just that used to it, or I simply don’t look at my skin from third-person very often, but it only clicked after a few minutes. Anyway, the moment I realized I was “looking myself in the face,” it really warmed my heart. An even bigger surprise was that the organizers had made that very same mask for me in 3D, which I could actually wear on my head, and the eyes even lit up. These masks kind of set the tone for the whole evening, because pretty much everyone tried them on at least once :)

I was so impressed that I decided to give every attendee a Head Block of my head in-game as a souvenir.

The atmosphere was relaxed right from the start, and the fun factor rose with every beer and with every new arrival. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed every single minute. It was great meeting people I know from the digital world and seeing them as more than just a skinned avatar or a voice on Mumble. I know GateCraft has built a really solid community at its core, but meeting everyone in person only confirmed that they’re awesome people in real life too :)

A huge thanks goes to those responsible for the organization, including the table loaded with snacks of every kind. At first I nibbled here and there on salami and cheese, maybe with some grapes. By the end of the event I was very grateful for the generous supply of schnitzels. I definitely couldn’t complain about a lack of sustenance.

About an hour after the official start, once most of the expected guests had arrived, I was asked to light a sparkler (on a rather unconventional cake :) and give a speech. That turned more into a short lecture about what preceded GateCraft, its development, and mainly about what still lies ahead—things we can’t avoid. After a brief breather there was also a little peek behind the curtain into the secret world where dreams turn into reality, as well as a look at the upcoming GateLABS project.

The rest of the evening was just free-form fun, with everyone gradually chatting with everyone else—or at least that’s what I tried to do. And we even had live music: Stantozzi on electric guitar, plus a group performance in a circle with SkyMax in the center and his “Night-time Addicted Minecraft Song.” By the way: big up for that freestyle! :D

Once again, huge thanks to everyone who came. I left the trip full of positive impressions, and the whole GateCON was a huge motivation for me to keep building GateCraft. You can definitely look forward to GateCON #2. I won’t give you the exact date yet (rough estimate: sometime toward the end of the summer holidays), but I definitely want to organize round two, most likely here at home on the main railway line between Prague and Ostrava :)

Jonathan Gecko

Attendee Roll Call