Gaming convention
A gaming convention is a gathering centered on
The largest gaming convention,
While games are often a large part of
History
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Pre-history
A Cincinnati, Ohio duo debuts the first known modern cosplay in 1908.[4][5] Near the end of the century, cosplay would become a staple at a number of events, including gaming conventions.
Early video game conventions
Events
Gaming conventions typically have games scheduled for various time slots. Most gaming cons use some system of pre-registration to ensure that games are neither over-full nor under-full.
Competitive games, such as
The types of games often include many of the following:
- Pokémon
- Board games
- Traveller
- RPGAgames
- Table-top miniatures games like Warhammer 40k
- LARPs
- Electronic games
Open gaming goes on throughout any such convention, and it is common that all seating in common areas will be taken by people playing pick-up games. Pick-up gaming is not generally discouraged by the convention management; in fact, pick-up games are a large part of the appeal of gaming conventions.
There is almost always a dealers' room where various game manufacturers and related companies sell their products. Many game companies choose game cons to reveal new products. Creating consumer excitement is greatly facilitated at gaming cons, but word can spread fast, and games may equally well become instant failures at conventions.
Often there are other activities at a gaming convention as well. Costume balls, art auctions, and screenings of movies may all take place. Lectures, workshops, or panel discussions on gaming might be part of the programming, or for some cons, even the focus.
Notable conventions
PAX
PAX (originally known as Penny Arcade Expo) is a series of gaming culture festivals featuring tabletop, arcade and video games. PAX is held annually in Seattle, Boston and Philadelphia in the United States; and Melbourne in Australia.[6][7] PAX was previously held annually in San Antonio in the United States.
PAX was created in 2004 by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, creators of the webcomic Penny Arcade" because they wanted to attend a show exclusively for games.[8][9]
QuakeCon
While this gaming convention began as a way for id Software developers and fans to socialize and still carry the name of that company's flagship series of games, its popularity now extends far beyond both areas. QuakeCon dates back to 1996, the same time the titular game was developed, making it one of the oldest gaming conferences.[10][11][12] Other major video game companies, such as Bethesda, are also helping to organize the event. The 2021 and 2022 events were held entirely online.[13][14]
SPIEL
The Internationale Spieltage SPIEL often referred to as the Essen Game Fair after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day exhibition , also open to the public, held in October[15] (Thursday through the following Sunday) at the Messe Essen Exhibition Center in Essen, Germany. It started in 1983.With 1,021 exhibitors from 50 countries, SPIEL 2016 is the largest board game exhibition in the world. Many new games are released at the fair each year, especially (but not exclusively) European-style board games.
See also
References
- ^ Tatár, Susanna (14 August 2014). "How NVIDIA Will Be Going Big at Gamescom, the World's Biggest Gaming Show". Nvidia. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "Gen Con LLC - Gen Con Attributes Record-Breaking 2014 Numbers to Growing Partnership between Gamers and Indianapolis Community".
- ^ "Origins Game Fair - Thanks for a Great Origins 2014!". Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2014-08-27.
- ^ "Was Mr. Skygack the First Alien Character in Comics?". io9. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Cosplay Is Over 100 Years Old". Cosplay. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "What is PAX (the Penny Arcade Expo)?". www.gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "PAX 2021 Dates Announced, Shows Plan Return to Boston, Seattle, and Philadelphia". www.eventsforgamers.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "PAX Australia: can it escape controversy?". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Penny Arcade Expo: Immerse Yourself in Gaming at PAX Events". plarium.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "18 Biggest Gaming Conventions In The World (From Smallest To Largest)". technophile.news. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Gaming conventions". stmstat.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "QuakeCon conference now has a release date". igamesnews.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "QuakeCon stays digital for 2022 with aim to hold a physical event next year". www.gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Bethesda confirms QuakeCon 2022 will be a digital-only event". www.windowscentral.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
- ^ "Not twilight, but sunrise Table-top games are booming in the video-game age". www.economist.com. Retrieved 2024-02-19.