Today's interview: ATeaTree (GamesDoneQuick runner/voulnteer/attendee)

 THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW IS OF A VOULNTEER AND ATTENDEE, AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OR BELIEFS OF GDQ OR ANY OF GDQ'S STAFF

Me: How's your day going so far?
ATeaTree: Day's been busy at work, but otherwise I'm well. Excited about how close we're getting to AGDQ 2025!
Me: It slipped my mind it's soon until I heard something about the list being out! Speaking of, do you have any runs this time?
ATeaTree: I do not - but that's perfectly okay with me as I didn't submit anything.
Me: BTW, can you describe the feeling you have between submission and when the list comes out?
ATeaTree: For me, it's "out of sight, out of mind" much of the time with GDQ submissions in particular - I submit to a number of online only marathons and I'm actually more anxious about those submissions. With GDQ submissions, I fully expect to be turned down, so it's more like "sending something out into the ether" - there's less expectation of getting anything back. (for a point of reference, I've submitted to... 2 or 3 mainline GDQ events - I can double-check for you later - and been accepted once.)
Me: I saw on your Discord thing that you've hosted at a few GDQs as well, how's that like?
ATeaTree: Mmhmm, I've hosted 7 of the 8 events since AGDQ 2021, In addition to volunteering in a variety of other capacities since events went back to in person.
Me: I can't imagine how that feels like, being behind the mic and such.
ATeaTree: It's definitely neat - the audition process for hosting is pretty involved these days.
Me: Going back to playing, what have you gotten to play during any of the events?
ATeaTree: I was accepted to run a Mega Man X inspired indie game called 30XX at AGDQ 2024
Me: I've heard of that one!
https://youtu.be/lWfwsvKklH0?si=QTbRo9dh_8_FrjoA (ATeaTree's AGDQ2024 run of 30XX)
Outside of the gaming, how's it like just being there?
ATeaTree: There's a lot of ways to spend your time, depending on what you like to do - I've had days where I spent several hours in the arcade (they do free play on a number of pinball and arcade game cabinets), there are on site game tournaments (both video game and board/tabletop game).
There's also a huge "casual gaming" room where you can rent consoles (or use any you brought) and just chill and game with friends. It's more compressed space-wise than your average convention, but being there has a very convention-like feel to it.
Me: For the arcade, what sorts of games do they have?
ATeaTree: https://gamesdonequick.com/site/activities (he sent the link) This is a (mostly complete?) list from the most recent event. Rhythm games are a big favorite, as you can see, as are pinball tables. Beyond that it's a good mix of classic coin-ops and some newer games which have been adapted to arcade cabinets (like Enter the Gungeon).
Me: There's something unrelated to the whole GDQ experience I want to ask, btw
ATeaTree: Sure, shoot
Me: What IS a tea tree? I'm sure there's people out there who'd ask the same of my username, tbf.
ATeaTree: I do know of Press Your Luck, though (referencing my Whammy avatar)
The extent of the joke, originally, was just that tea leaves grow on bushes rather than trees. So there's not really any such thing as 'a tea tree' - even though there IS a tree that's commonly referred to as "tea tree" in Australia. (it's what "tea tree oil" comes from)
Incidentally, once I started removing the spaces from the name and displaying it like this, people started reading it as "ate a tree" instead. So I ended up with two usernames for the price of one!3
Me: Heh...
Anyway, how far in advance would you have to book a hotel if you want even a chance to ATTEND a GDQ (if you're not participating)
ATeaTree: GDQ actually negotiates with the hotels the event happens in for discounted room rates if you're planning on attending. That reservation typically opens around 3 months before the event - maybe a little earlier? People do sometimes stay at other locations like AirBnBs or similar, but imo the convenience of being able to roll out of bed, get on the elevator, and immediately be in the event space can't be beat. (especially if you're commentating or running)
Me: In other words, now's the time for the upcoming one?
ATeaTree: The hotel reservation block for AGDQ 25 became available for attendees around the middle of last month.
They announce their schedule both on social media (presently only X, though I hope that changes) and through the website at www.gamesdonequick.com
That's everything from when run submissions are open to volunteer submissions and the hotel block becoming available to reserve. Again, not unlike other kinds of conventions.
Me: How long (out of the week) do you typically stay at one of the main events?3
ATeaTree: I actually typically arrive a day early, since that's when most volunteer orientations occur, and then stay the whole event (Sunday to Sunday). So I'm usually on-site Saturday to Sunday.
Me: Interesting to note...
BTW, looking at the run list for AGDQ25, what would you be looking forward to the most?
ATeaTree: Good question! I have several friends running, so I'm excited for each of them (Alan Wake 2, Doronko Wanko, Descent, Sonic Mania, etc.).
The Crazy Taxi with a live band run (necessary because that game includes lots of copyrighted music) should be a ton of fun.
Me: And the last thing GDQ needs is DMCA, why do you think Legally Distinct Quiz Jeopardy! didn't have any actually Jeopardy sounds last SGDQ?
ATeaTree: Same problem except with music Twitch and YT have automatic checks in place so the VOD would just be messed up immediately.
Runs from the likes of Linkus, Gymnast87 and SpikeVegeta should all be big draws too. And Skybilz racing with her partner Authorblues should be great too.
Me: You know who and what I miss seeing at GDQs? And this is with COMPLETE bias.... BigJon and his Lost Level skills
ATeaTree: Understandable, he has a big presence on the mic and skills to match.
His Sonic runs with level clips and stuff are a lot of fun to watch, too.
Me: I remember watching one of his Lost Levels run that became a World Record (at the time) and he (and chat) was making fun of Goku's constant charging up in Dragon Ball Z. (on his Twitch channel, i should add)
https://youtu.be/XEUJ8I04q2Y?t=200 (Said run, timestamped to when he started with the DBZ joke)
ATeaTree: Nice, thanks for sharing!
Me: This is one (former) WR that will stand out because of the DBZ jokes!
But hey, at least he has ESA now!
ATeaTree: Oh yeah, the kinds of conversations people get into during PB/WR grinds can get real out there! Assuming they're not the kind of runner who prefers to "lock in".
Me: But let's shift the focus back to you before i begin fangasming over BigJon.
ATeaTree: lol, no worries. I'm not on Jon's level and I don't really aim to be, either
Me: I mean I could go to town with some of the stuff he did for GDQ.
But to not derail this thing, do you have any particular favorite moments from GDQ history you can think of?
ATeaTree: The first finale I was in the room for was pretty special (Super Metroid Reverse Boss Order at AGDQ 2019)
And, being a little selfish, getting to be the person to announce the new highest total ever raised during a GDQ event (the end of AGDQ 2022) was something I won't ever forget either - despite the fact that I had to balance the excitement with not waking up my neighbors while shouting in my apartment at like 3am my time. Related to both that question and your tangent earlier about BigJon - I miss Blueglass and that unforgettable laugh. A real hallmark of early events. Hope they're doing well.
Me: Is there any other stories you'd like to share from your time attending these events?
ATeaTree: Honestly, every day being on the floor during the event feels like being a small part of dozens of different stories, especially if you're involved with it as a volunteer or runner. I was in the front row for Peanut Butter the Dog's on-site run, I've run into people in the lobby at 3am who it turns out I knew online through connections I couldn't have even guessed at if they hadn't happened to be talking about them at the time. A single coherent narrative story isn't the easiest thing to pull out of all of it - especially since you're usually "running on marathon time" sleep-wise by Tuesday or Wednesday, lol.
Me: I can imagine... my trip to see the Nintendo World Championships in NYC in 2017 is a blur for the most part if it wasn't for specific memories and pics that were taken.   And that was only a THREE day trip!
ATeaTree: Yeah, you understand. And how cool! One of the other long time hosts was actually a competitor in the original NWCs back in the 90s, as I understand.
Me: Getting to see history in the making is something else, I tell ya!
ATeaTree: Definitely!
Me: Is there any advice you'd like to give to any potential runners/hosts/whatever for future events?
ATeaTree: Runners: do not be discouraged. You will get 'no's much more often than you get a 'yes'. The hard work you do learning the run and improving your times is incredibly validating. Running at GDQ, in my mind, should be treated as a celebration of that work and your passion for your game/community/etc.
And if you continue to feel that passion for the run and the community, then keep submitting.
Attendees/would-be volunteers: if you're interested, get involved! It's as easy as signing up via a form when it's open. This is also not a guarantee that you'll be accepted, but some departments (like setup, teardown, and cleaning) are often looking for more help. Anyone who's been there and seen the whole 'machine' humming can tell you how valuable every volunteer is to making the event happen.
Host hopefuls: There are marathons running on Twitch most weeks of the year, and many are looking for host volunteers. I cannot recommend enough "cutting your teeth" with smaller events to learn skills that will come in handy both for streaming, should that be something you're interested in, and for being a presenter/host.
Me: If there's one thing I keep hearing, it's that people complain that it's "different" or that things has changed too much these days when it comes to GDQ. What's your take on all that?
ATeaTree: Nothing stays the same forever. GDQ is trying to appeal to people with different sensibilities now as compared to literally fifteen years ago. And anyone who's been watching all that time has probably seen runs of all the classic games.
Me: And what about this complaint about runners being told not to "be themselves" in runs.
ATeaTree: This sounds like something runners might say to each other. There's a code of conduct you agree to when you agree to take place in the event, and in my personal experience that's what matters to the organization.
Me: Yea, you're representing charity, last thing you want is a profanity laden tirade if you blow a trick.  And I'm sure this is what they mean by that.
ATeaTree: It's understandable if it happens - and it has happened both in the past and more recently.
Me: Well, I'm afraid it's getting to that point IDK what else to ask, so thanks for agreeing to talk about your GDQ experience!
ATeaTree: You're welcome!