**The week started with the ashes of the last pre-pump test events which saw at its peak 55 concurrent attendees and had about 130 unique users during the course of the 90 minute test event. All machines kept on running fine, so pretty confident in the backend side of things.**

**HiveFest 2020 currently has 592 registrations.** That's an absolute record, but hey... it was free to register and you don't need to hop on a plane or book hotels or buy actual event tickets! It will be really cool to see all of you show up in AltspaceVR with your own custom avatar! 

If you haven't done so, now is the time to **download AltspaceVR**, setup your **custom avatar** and know those controls and navigation! [Follow this guide to get you all setup for HiveFest!](https://hivefest.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/80000132845-setting-up-your-avatar-in-altspacevr-and-making-a-selfie-)


![hivefestrsvp.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/roelandp/4STSLWc5-hivefestrsvp.jpg)


### Now open: [RSVP for HiveFest on AltspaceVR](https://account.altvr.com/events/1621979695555805629) so you don't miss out!
How many of you will actually attend in AltspaceVR? A big question. For logistics' sake I urge you to RSVP in AltspaceVR for HiveFest right now. For this you will need [your AltspaceVR account already setup](https://hivefest.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/80000132845-setting-up-your-avatar-in-altspacevr-and-making-a-selfie-) through their apps for Windows, Mac or VR. 

### HiveFest is also coming to a livestreaming platform near you
If you can't make it "in (VR) person" because of hardware or system requirements, chances are you can still join in the HiveFest livestream, broadcasted to the following spots: 

- 3Speak: https://3speak.co/user/hivefest/live
- Twitter/ Periscope: https://www.pscp.tv/hivefest
- Twitch: https://twitch.com/hivefest
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkZHI0CYTO-pl8P6mFLqzlA
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/hivefestbook 

### Changes in Programme Glossary:
The initial setup for HiveFest was to have 1 day of plenary presentations and 1 day of *"exploring AltspaceVR"*. This has now been shifted somewhat because of the nature of the AltspaceVR experience and the amount of speakers for HiveFest. Instead **HiveFest has both Friday 18 December and Saturday 19 December with the same setup enabling all features at the same time: Presentations & Exploring.** Both days start at 5PM UTC with plenary presentations, but the main Lobby is open 1 hour prior to that. 

### Official HiveFest Worlds on AltspaceVR
AltspaceVR is a collection of worlds. Each world is an experience on its own with its unique design and rules. I did a recent (databased / api) count and noticed over 360,000 unique worlds (!). HiveFest on AltspaceVR will consist of 4 worlds between which you can easily travel through the Teleport Map, by clicking on your destination of choice:


![worldmap.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/roelandp/NvlRXhWI-worldmap.jpg)


**1. HiveFest Lobby (campfire, chat, lolz, livestream)**
This is your starting hub. RSVP for HiveFest on AltspaceVR and this is where you enter. Pick up your interactive badge and start the ride. The HiveFest Lobby is the place for: 
- Meeting, chatting and having fun with fellow attendees
- Following a livestream of the presentation room
- Play some hoops or have fun with hidden interactionables
- Use the HiveFest Teleport map to visit the other worlds
- Explore AltspaceVR through a curated list of worlds in "Portal Hub".

**2. HiveFest Mainstage (presentations, discussions, on-topic)**
Through the HiveFest Lobby's Portal Map or the dedicated blue portal near the livestream screen you can enter the HiveFest Mainstage. Note this venue is "On Air"-livestreamed during presentation times and here you can follow the presentations from up close. (Check all names on https://hivefe.st). If available you can use the "🤚 Raise Hand" feature to ask questions and interact with the people on stage. In this world we encourage you to keep chats between fellow attendees to a low. If you want to have conversations invite your conversation party to go to the Lobby together. 

**3. NFT Showroom Gallery (awe at art)**
40 artworks from the Hive based NFT Showroom Gallery have been selected and are on display in the High Rise art gallery. Hop in and explore them all. All artworks are for sale in the NFT Showroom website by looking up the artist's gallery. Here you can also play a game of chess or some piano. 

**4. Photobooth Island (remember december)**
Grab some fellow Hivers and teleport to Photobooth Island for some fun pictures. Our dedicated photographer will tirelessly keep on clicking, don't you worry! All pictures will be published in the [HiveFest Pics Telegram group](https://t.me/hivefestpics)


### Winners HiveFest Attendee Card contest: 
Past week saw the end of the Attendee Card contest ([make your own here](https://hivefe.st/attendeecard/index.html)). With a bit of delay I'm happy to announce the following **10 winners of the 3,333 HIVE HiveFest Attendee Card contest**. You each just received 333.3 HIVE on your wallet! Happy Hiving!

@bil.prag, @definethedollar, @elizacheng, @hellene8, @juanmiguelsalas, @m31, @r00sj3, @rmach, @soyrosa and @steevc. 

**Full disclosure: How these winners were picked:**
<ol>
<li>Pulling in all comments on the competition thread:<br /><code>curl -s --data '{"jsonrpc":"2.0", "method":"condenser_api.get_content_replies", "params":["roelandp", "re-roelandp-qkkehy"], "id":1}' https://hive.roelandp.nl -o comments.json</code></li>
<li>Converting that json result to CSV and importing to spreadsheet for ease of handling</li>
<li>Sort by date to remove all entries after the deadline</li>
<li>Remove some irrelevant comments (ie poshbot)</li>
<li>80+ eligible contestants</li>
<li>Sort alphabetically </li>
<li>Draw random number 10 times</li>
<li>Lookup winner rows</li>
</ol>

<hr>

That's it for this week. 
### Here is your todo list for this weekend: 

- `[x]` Read this post all the way
- `[ ]` [Download AltspaceVR and setup your avatar](https://hivefest.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/80000132845-setting-up-your-avatar-in-altspacevr-and-making-a-selfie-)
- `[ ]` [**RSVP on AltspaceVR for HiveFest**](https://account.altvr.com/events/1621979695555805629) <sup>you need an account first</sup>
- `[ ]` Get some [IRL HiveFest Merch](https://merch.hivefe.st)

<hr>

Have a nice weekend, and see you next week! 
<sup>all proceeds of this post go to @hivefest benificiary</sup>

@roelandp