Classic Gaming Expo
So sadly, this year there will be no Classic Gaming Expo to attend. It's a shame, but I understand why the organizers aren't putting everything together; it's a huge task to create not only a show for anyone, but with the things people have had to go through in the past year there was no way to give the show what it really deserves.
But that's OK. Because there will be a Classic Gaming Expo NEXT year. And I will be there... I've yet to miss one since 2001.
For the uninitiated, Classic Gaming Expo, or CGE, is a show put on by a small handful of devoted individuals who get together great vendors for the show floor, ask around and get as many individuals from the days of early game consoles and companies (guests in the past have included Ralph Baer, Nolan Bushnell, Bill Kunkel, Al Alcorn and David Crane, among others), even asking collectors to contribute to the gaming museum that's pieced together cart by cart, generation by generation, oddity by oddity. There's live music playing on the show floor from video game inspired bands, and even an auction where gaming valuables from years past have been sold off, the proceeds of which have been dedicated to charity.
What I've found to be the biggest event of CGE isn't what is hosted, but who is hosted, and not even the celebrities of the culture at their keynote speeches. It's a ground where you can literally strike up a conversation with just about anyone about just about anything. I've sat in the keynote rooms and had great (sometimes quite short, but still great) conversations with someone I've never seen before, wearing a t-shirt from a game I might not even know. And if you watching gaming television shows (like Attack of the Show! on the G4 network) or read gaming publications, you just might be able to spot and swap a few words with some of the talent (two years ago at the auction I sat in front of the head editor of Game Informer Andy McNamara, and last year I spotted and took a picture of the movie release guy from AotS!, who was watching the band perform as I worked at their booth).
The best experience, however, is being able to meet people that you've only swapped messages with online. People have come from all over the country (and all over the world) to visit CGE, representing England, Mexico, Australia and Japan to name a few (and a lot of time they bring stuff with them; there was a group from Japan last year who brought FamiCom and Super Fami games to sell, as well as systems and random toys and trinkets). Those people that you share your love of the hobby with just might visit the show, and you'll have the opportunity to talk face to face, shake their hand, and who knows, play or trade a game or two.
CGE will be coming back in 2007 for a big 10th anniversary show, and should be the biggest and best show yet. The devoted classic gamers will come out in droves, will bring their wallets, their memories and their geeky t-shirts (I know, because I'll be wearing mine) to experience their childhoods all over again... and who knows, maybe a few new classic memories will be made.
(Check out the web site for updates, www.CGExpo.com )
But that's OK. Because there will be a Classic Gaming Expo NEXT year. And I will be there... I've yet to miss one since 2001.
For the uninitiated, Classic Gaming Expo, or CGE, is a show put on by a small handful of devoted individuals who get together great vendors for the show floor, ask around and get as many individuals from the days of early game consoles and companies (guests in the past have included Ralph Baer, Nolan Bushnell, Bill Kunkel, Al Alcorn and David Crane, among others), even asking collectors to contribute to the gaming museum that's pieced together cart by cart, generation by generation, oddity by oddity. There's live music playing on the show floor from video game inspired bands, and even an auction where gaming valuables from years past have been sold off, the proceeds of which have been dedicated to charity.
What I've found to be the biggest event of CGE isn't what is hosted, but who is hosted, and not even the celebrities of the culture at their keynote speeches. It's a ground where you can literally strike up a conversation with just about anyone about just about anything. I've sat in the keynote rooms and had great (sometimes quite short, but still great) conversations with someone I've never seen before, wearing a t-shirt from a game I might not even know. And if you watching gaming television shows (like Attack of the Show! on the G4 network) or read gaming publications, you just might be able to spot and swap a few words with some of the talent (two years ago at the auction I sat in front of the head editor of Game Informer Andy McNamara, and last year I spotted and took a picture of the movie release guy from AotS!, who was watching the band perform as I worked at their booth).
The best experience, however, is being able to meet people that you've only swapped messages with online. People have come from all over the country (and all over the world) to visit CGE, representing England, Mexico, Australia and Japan to name a few (and a lot of time they bring stuff with them; there was a group from Japan last year who brought FamiCom and Super Fami games to sell, as well as systems and random toys and trinkets). Those people that you share your love of the hobby with just might visit the show, and you'll have the opportunity to talk face to face, shake their hand, and who knows, play or trade a game or two.
CGE will be coming back in 2007 for a big 10th anniversary show, and should be the biggest and best show yet. The devoted classic gamers will come out in droves, will bring their wallets, their memories and their geeky t-shirts (I know, because I'll be wearing mine) to experience their childhoods all over again... and who knows, maybe a few new classic memories will be made.
(Check out the web site for updates, www.CGExpo.com )
posted by Unknown at 12:46 PM
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