Here's What Went Down at OMEN Underground
The first-of-its-kind event included a live DJ set, a HYPETALKS discussion and a ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2’ tournament.
Last week, OMEN celebrated the historic intersection of gaming and contemporary culture with OMEN Underground, a virtual live stream panel and gaming tournament. The event, which thousands of attendees tuned into via Twitch and YouTube, featured a stacked lineup with an exclusive DJ set from Toro y Moi to kick off the evening, leading into a panel-style conversation hosted by Jeff Staple. A nostalgia-fueled ‘Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2’ tournament and giveaways closed out the night. The digital activation brought a number of influential figures and enthusiasts together to discuss the ways in which gaming has transcended into mainstream, intersecting and influencing various creative communities.
The musician Toro y Moi set the vibes for OMEN Underground with an eclectic DJ set, which he ended with his latest single, ‘Ordinary Guy.’ Following this, designer Jeff Staple hosted a panel discussion featuring FaZe Clan member FaZe Nikan and Daryl Butler, HP’s head of marketing for US consumer personal systems. Each brought his distinct area of expertise to explore the intersection of culture and gaming, bridging the gap between “traditional” niche gaming and the increasingly ubiquitous nature of gaming. The wide-ranging conversation touched on topics including eSports gaining widespread popularity as a legitimate industry, the future of modern gaming and streaming and how the fashion and music spaces are relatable to this phenomenon. They also spoke about the evolution and importance of gaming laptop designs, including the OMEN 15 with 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor.
After the discussion, things heated up as skaters Ishod Wair, Lizzie Armanto and Leticia Bufoni competed in a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 tournament. In the end, it was Wair who came out victorious. As the winner, he chose his high school alma mater, Bordentown Regional High School Campus in New Jersey, to receive several HP desktop computers.
Check out the clip above from the virtual livestream above and head to OMEN’s website to learn more about the OMEN 15 with 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors.
