I'm not sad enough to take a photo of me uploading the photos on esreality...am i?

After a 22 hour journey involving 3 coaches, 2 planes, 2 taxis and 1 train. I arrive back at my university halls of residence

Bye-bye!

The organisers collected all our flight tickets in, and got the baggage checked in, then issued us random boarding passes. No-one recieved a boarding pass with their name on and we were informed "it probably wont matter".

There was chaos at the airport as we arrived late meaning some 40+ people had under 20 minutes to check in.

We have to catch the 6:20am coach to the airport to make our flight to Beijing.

indeed.

I like these pictures

uh huh.

aint it perteh?

SSV-Lehnitz and one or two guys from Virtus.pro i believe.

Possibly an education for many pro-gamers

There was a chair-lift going to the top of this mountain/hill...we didn't have time to ride it though unfortunately

Aside from the tourist gimmicks, this really was a beautiful area.

Afterwards we were taken to an area that most likely resembled our preconceptions of the country.

Not quite sure how they were supposed to protect the emporer after he had died...seems to me it might've made more sense to protect him whilst he was still alive.

Haha, fooled ya!

Next picture will be more interesting i promise!

For some idea of the scale of this area, look at the people on the side.

As I understand it. The emporer was buried with several thousand of these life-sized warriors for protection. Shortly thereafter there was a peasant revolt and they smashed most of it up. 25 years or so ago, they were found by a local farmer who refuses to let people take photographs of him.

The pictures of the final day (and a bit) of the ACON 5 Grand finals held in Xian, China. The day was spent on a guided tour of Xian including a visit to the Terra Cote Warrior museums and factory workshops.

The museum was near the ancient wall and surrounded by mountains

Not popular with foreigners, possibly because of the difficulty in getting them back on the plane "this is hand luggage dammit!"

But now you can buy them for a reasonable fee!

2,000 years ago, this sight would've meant your swift demise.

If any of us were paying attention to the tour guide, we would've known the purpose of this area

They come alive at night

Landed's b0sh isn't one to make fun of the less fortunate. Especially those stupid enough to put their foot through a sauna drain!

With the camera pointed in the other direction and click..

View from outside our hotel

Defuse Kids, Myself and Landed.cs unite, to consume alcohol

They're sitting behind me at the moment, so i'll refrain from any harsh comments for now.

Sunman isn't one to let a humilating defeat at the hands of South-Korean side Lunatic-Hai get to him!

Pressure can crack the toughest of players!

• Attached Image: 28248-DSCF0070.JPG (5 Jun 2005, 130KB, 14 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

The Press Area...geddit? :-D

Possibly the most, and only action TSN will see all year!

...geddit?

..i mean fellow admirable, tolerable, non-self involved journalists!

I couldn't sleep at around 3am, so I leaned out my window with a camera taking photos. It passed roughly 30 seconds.

View from my hotel room. Xian was apparently the capital of China for a 1000 years, and the foundation of modern society. I say "apparently" cos i can't be bothered to go research it.

when non-alcoholic soup just isn't good enough!

uh huh!

Midway observes the Japanese side's top sniper up close!

And the even more famous (and probably more talented) mascot :-)

YOOOUUUU CCCAAANNNNOOOTTTTT PPPPAASSSSS!!!

The ACON5 admins didn't let media inside the players area.

• Attached Image: 28237-DSCF0023.JPG (5 Jun 2005, 128KB, 27 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

Nothing spectacular, but it does the job

Think the chinese are compensating for something? :D

ACON5 adopt the scarecrow approach to security.

These made the venue look better...supposedly

All seats are taken by Chinese spectators as the Warcraft 3 games are about to begin on a big screen!

They're a horny, camera-happy bunch.

About to begin their games

Chinese superstar Rocketboy hopes to prove that his victory over Fatal1ty was no fluke.

Fatal1ty begins his preparations for his much anticipated PainKillers rematch against Rocketboy.

not the best pic of me, but by far not the worse pic of me neither.

As the event prepares to get underway, the press frenzy begins

Lets hope he's better than CXG's Recon!

Lets the games commence.

Chinese Side Global tel got the biggest applause.

Italian side missing a player, best of luck to them!

• Attached Image: 28086-DSCF0107.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 126KB, 28 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

Fortunately this is a CS, not a beauty, contest, and they're ranked as one of the favourites to win it!

Landed's first round opposition, Ozzies fzer0. Will be difficult to beat.

The UK team, 65% of the UK CS community thinks they're gonna get thrashed.

CS Commentators believe this Swedish side will finish first or 2nd, after a runners-up result at CPL Brazil last week i'm inclined to agree.

French side, ranked as possible contenders and likely winners of the upper half of the bracket.

This Turkish side should make it to the top 8 with their draw.

Play to the extreme

Japanese team, will need to raise their game to avoid early elimination.

A CS team!

Unlikely to win, but could achieve an upset or two.

Outsiders, but never underestimate any Korean player when it comes to gaming tournaments.

• Attached Image: 28074-DSCF0092.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 127KB, 22 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

If they overcome alt.attax in the first round this Russian side should be aiming for a top 3 finish.

German side, an underdog for the tournament but they did defeat some top teams to qualify for this competition.

If the press take photos of the players, I take photos of the press, who takes photos of me???

• Attached Image: 28071-DSCF0088.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 129KB, 26 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

And aren't they just a handsome bunch?

Last year's champion, good for him!

His middle name is really James!

Definitely the Polish WC3 player!

• Attached Image: 28067-DSCF0079.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 127KB, 24 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

..possibly

This guy is probably the Malaysian WC3 player

• Attached Image: 28065-DSCF0076.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 125KB, 22 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

Bond's there, amongst the press/spectators/organisers/players

• Attached Image: 28064-DSCF0074.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 124KB, 19 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

http://www.acon5.com/uk/finalists.php <- Anyone want to attempt putting names to faces?

Insert Name/Funny caption

One of two Warcraft players I recognise here.

• Attached Image: 28061-DSCF0068.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 129KB, 23 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

I have a lot of respect for people that stand up to deliver speeches with a broken leg. Although slightly lesser respect for journalists that stick their head in the way of my pictures...

Apparently this guy will buy you drinks if you write about him. Although that might be a lie...

Best speech "I don't have a speech prepared, just go out there, kick some butt and lets do it!"

This guy made eSports an 'official' sport in China. Worship him.

Some Complexity players and, of course, the Fatmeister.

• Attached Image: 28055-DSCF0054.JPG (4 Jun 2005, 123KB, 16 downloads)

<< Prev Image || Next Image >>

These people are grossly under-appreciated and had clearly practiced a lot to perform their music at this event...fail to appreciate them at your peril!

.

We were constantly reminded that without these people the event would not be possible. Remarkably, they seemed to do as little as possible.

Fighting stance

Lots of funny captions possible, think of one and edit in here.

People watched with awe

flags, swords, jumping, kicking, runnings..u know..the usual