BLIZZCON 2014 - Starcraft II Stage

This 130ft eSports stage was designed for the 2014 World Championship of Starcraft II at BlizzCon 2014. Situated in the Anaheim Conventer Center Arena, it was designed to enhance and amplify Starcraft II gameplay while incorporating programmatic elements for the broadcast show in a creative and efficient manner. The display screens were created at a height and viewing scale that would give the arena audience a cinematic experience and the player booths were positioned at a height that visually exemplified the players' epic reputations. The set fit seamlessly onto the staging which supported the booths at the desired height, provided heroic circulation stairs for the players to and from their booth, and accounted for an effective entrance/exit on either side of the LED. Hidden behind the set was a rear-access entrance to each booth as well as an elaborate truss structure holding up the 20,000 lbs of wood, steel and LED.

Projection geometry was designed to frame and highlight the stage elements as well as to reflect and incorporate the Starcraft II game aesthetic. Wrapping two booth windows, two front stairs and three screens, it is completely continuous to allow for fluid animation transitions. To enhance the live experience, specific locations were provided in the geometry for real-time information to be displayed during gameplay. Every surface was rigorously kept at 45 degree angles for build convenience, projection purposes, and to mirror the isometric viewing style of the game itself. Set topology was inspired from Starcraft II user interface elements, in-game architecture, and the various animations that were projected onto the set. Several iterations and styles of set geometry were explored and finessed over a span of 6 weeks before settling on a final design for animation.