July 6, 2025

I’ve been lurking around the PlayStation Nation communities for years, now, about 10 or so in fact. I’ve watched a pretty large majority of the Spyro speedrunners out there, past and present. I’ve interacted with some of those in chat, or Discord, shared memes back and forth and made some pretty phenomenal friends from the communities of those runners.

I helped run USC2 from the tech side last year after offering to help out Shemp and Dylan, silently watching as I saw runners I hadn’t watched stream games I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. I began to see the larger PlayStation Nation communities for what they were, beyond just Crash and Spyro runners. I saw people running Sly, Jak, RaC; runners I was vaguely familiar with and those I hadn’t ever seen before, running games I’d seen a thousand times and games I’d never seen before. And every single one of those people were hilarious, and friendly, and happy to be there, showing off the games they’ve dedicated dozens or hundreds of hours to.

The one thing I hadn’t done until this week was meet most of them in person. I never would have imagined it’d have been this phenomenal.

When I showed up, I was, frankly, a little intimidated. I had heard bits and pieces about ESA for years, but it’s always a nerve-wracking to try and work your way into a larger group, and I really only had close connections with maybe 5 or 6 people there. I was fully prepared to feel a little silly following around friend groups like a lost dog for most of the week, but within a couple of days I felt myself getting more comfortable with everybody. Hell, when I walked up the stairs and started hanging out with my friends I was recognized almost immediately by Ricky and a few others. Introducing myself and moving between friend groups felt almost effortless, and everybody was always welcoming and happy to talk about whatever came to mind. Everybody was happy to just hang around, play games, get food together, and make each other laugh, even if they had just met me (or any of the other first-time goers) a day or two prior. I’ve never been with a group of people who make being friends feel so easy.

I got to watch and support people playing the games they love, screaming from the audience seats during streams and taking pictures to remember the event by. I went on a picnic with friends I’d just met and watched them throw a coconut around until one of them got injured. I sat in the practice rooms and played SNES games from a PS2 disc, complete with horrendous load times. I sat in the audience as a Finnish man played ABBA in a rhythm game and waved glow sticks back and forth, and that shit is up on the internet forever now. The amount of amazing, ridiculous, hilarious events and random happenings from this week was just off the charts, and I wouldn’t have wished for it to be any other way. Most of the other first time ESA-goers felt the exact same way when I talked to them.

Just a few years ago, I had horrendous social anxiety. It’s certainly gotten better, but it does tend to crop up now and then, especially in situations like this with large groups of people I don’t know. But honestly? I barely felt any of that this year. All I really felt was a genuine sense of community and love, of people who genuinely care for each other and watch out for each other, who wanted this event to be the best it could be. From the speedruns to the fundraising to the community organized events to the scant amount of time we got to just hang around, I appreciated ever single moment I got to spend here, and it was worth every penny and lost hour of sleep to come, if not more. Everybody involved in this community is amazing, and if I could come to ESA for every event I probably would.

But for now, I suppose we’ll just have to settle for next summer, and spamming Discord friend invites. Hopefully I get to see you all then. I love each and every person who walked up and made the effort to make me feel welcome here, and as far as I’m concerned you’re welcome to message me any time with a problem or just to talk or share shitty memes. My discord is dralnah so should be easy to find if you want to do so. Y’all feel like family now. I’m kinda garbage at keeping up with people but know you guys are all great and I’m not going to forget any of you.

I’ve got more adventures left to get to, as I’m sure all of you do. Even if you’re just going home to rest, I wish nothing but the best for all of you. Once I get back, I’ve got some runs to learn for next year’s ESA, I think.

Click here for event photos. I’m going to trawl the discord for whatever I can grab so everybody has their stuff in the same spot, but if you have a ton you want to dump just message me and I’ll set you up with an account if you want, or we can figure out the logistics. If you want anything taken down let me know.

Special Thanks, In No Particular Order

If I miss anybody, it doesn’t mean I didn’t like you; I’m writing this on 4 hours of sleep and I’m certain I missed someone I meant to say something to. A week is not long enough to get to know 40+ people, but we’ve got next year. Also, special shoutout to everybody who signed the card for my girlfriend and took pics with the plushie. I’m sure she’ll love it.

• Slysonic and foas: you two were always around to talk to and hang with, effortlessly easy to have a conversation with, and extremely helpful. Thanks for helping organize things, it did not go unnoticed. Hopefully we get some more milk drinking contests at USC3.
• Shemp, Dylan: I was hoping to get to see you guys more this year, but I suppose this’ll have to do for now. You’re always hilarious together and put on a good show, don’t doubt your abilities to do so. Loved all the running bits between streams and messing with friends.
• Lozzy: It was absolutely amazing to meet you in person, you’re so sweet and do so much for everybody. Try not to overextend yourself as you can, but also know I’m always around if I can help with anything. You’ve got plenty of friends here and around.
• MadGirl: Was great to meet you! Hope the flight back wasn’t too jarring and you got that pho when you got home.
• Freeze: You’re genuinely one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, dude. Sorry you went bald this year, happens to the worst of us. Be safe getting home, here’s hoping we get to meet again sometime. Bomberman kart next year?
• Dayo, Composer, Saboom: Always good to see you, Dayo, and good on you for dragging composer and saboom in for this. Saboom, was phenomenal to meet you after so long and to sit down and just talk about life with you. Composer, you’re a great person and it was an absolute pleasure to get to sit and chill with you for a while. The event wouldn’t have been the same without all of you.
• Kiru: You were one of the first people I met at the event, and one of the people who really made me feel comfortable those first few days. You’re an amazing artist and I loved getting to talk with you, don’t be a stranger.
• Pnoshark: Somehow the biggest scammer on Twitch is one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve met. You’re an absolute legend and there’s a reason why everybody here loves you, dude. Take care of yourself.
• Alaapo and IceN: Thanks for the stickers Alaapo, and thanks for taking care of the postcard IceN. You’re both phenomenal people and it was an absolute honor to meet you in person. Picking up a PS3 for Sly once I get home (hopefully).
• Laura: Thank you so much for encouraging me to come out to this. I probably wouldn’t have come had I not gotten to know you, but these people feel like home now, you included.
• Ricky: You put in so much work for this event, man. Be sure to take some credit and a bit of rest once things settle down, you did amazingly and it was good to see you irl after lurking in and out of your streams for the past 10 years or so. Your passion for speedrunning and the communities surrounding it have carried you far, and I’m certain they’ll carry you much farther in the coming years.
• Kara: You’re hilarious and extremely skilled at what you do, and I’m always glad to get to talk to you. I hope you have/had a good time in Denmark and a safe trip home.
• Maeve: I’m so glad you had a good time this event after some initial anxieties. You’re just as welcome here as I am, and I can’t think of a better group of friends to have supporting you. If you ever need anything, I’m just a DM away.
• Jenny: Pretty sure you called me “tree man” the whole event.
• DC: Love you dude, was amazing to meet you. If you wanna talk technical odds and ends feel free to let me know, always happy to hear on progress you’re making. You’re doing great things. Next time I’ll tell you where the boost button is.
• Bradley: Couldn’t have asked for a better roommate. You’re great man, and I’ll see you on Dereklander’s streams.
• Jacob: Was great to meet you dude, and I’m glad you got absorbed into the PlayStation Nation crowd. Can’t wait to catch more 4am MKWii grinds on an actual setup.

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