Dubuque’s Wagon Train Showdown Will Fund Future DEL Gamers
The early days of gaming were great. I'll never forget staring at the green screen in front of an Apple II computer in elementary school, hoping to make it down the Oregon Trail without succumbing to typhoid fever, robbers, fording the river, or breaking a wagon wheel. Well, Dubuque Esport League (DEL) is excited to announce their rescheduled team building event, where you can relive the experience and test your strategy, grit, and luck against the rugged wilderness.
On Thursday, January 25th, beginning at 4pm, DEL will host the Wagon Train Showdown Oregon Trail event at their Dodge Street location. Teams of four will compete against each other to blaze the Oregon Trail, with each team member having a maximum of one hour to lead their wagon from Independence, Missouri, to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The goal is to complete the journey without dying. The league will take an average of each team's highest and lowest times and determine the winner.
As most that have played it know, this favorite DOS game is surprisingly hard and takes place in 1848. You get to pick from 1 of 3 starting roles to play as. Basically, each one is the difficulty setting, as the money you start with varies.
- Banker from Boston - $1600.00
- Carpenter from Ohio - $800.00
- Farmer from Illinois - $400.00
Food for thought. If you survive the trip, your scores can be multiplied up to 3 depending on which "class" you started with.
Along the way various random events can occur. You may get robbed by a thief while your party is sleeping, your cart may catch fire, someone could get lost, sick, break a bone, or even die. Along the trail, you will make stops at various landmarks and forts. And, as always, you can hunt for food, but don't waste those bullets. You can only carry back 100 pounds of meat each trip.
Registration is $225 per team, with prizes available for first place, best dressed for the trail, wagon leader who died with the most dignity, and best family backstory. Teams will compete and join the streaming party during breaks between rounds.
Check out our interview with Tom Wartick, board member of the Dubuque Esport League, as we discussed this event and DEL as a whole.
The DEL Wagon Train Showdown is a fundraising event to support Dubuque Esports League’s mission to provide opportunities for tweens, teens, and young adults to use esports as a platform to enhance skills needed to thrive in work and life. By having fun and playing, your team will make a difference and allow all youth (no matter their ability to pay) to participate in their game-changing esports programs. Grab your team of four, pack your wagons, and prepare to make history! To register and learn more follow this link.
Dubuque Esports League’s mission is to provide opportunities for EVERYONE to use esports as a platform to develop STEM-based skills, grow in their social-emotional attributes and characteristics, discover career pathways, and enhance skills needed to thrive in work and life. Learn more at dbqesports.org.
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