Skip to content

'Gamers' descend on city

Vancouver Gaming Expo hosted right here in the Royal City

Gamers will be descending on the Royal City for this weekend's Vancouver Gaming Expo.

Panel discussions, film screenings, exhibitors at vendors tables, a video game burlesque show and a video jazz band will be part of the two-day event that's taking place on Nov. 10 and 11 at the Columbia Theatre. The expo is following up on the massive success of the first Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo, which was held at the Columbia Theatre in March.

"We sold out the venue," said organizer Brian Hughes, who owns Gamedeals Video Games on Columbia Street.

With this expo being expanded from one to two days, organizers hope to surpass attendance at the March event.

"It was 500," Hughes said about the previous event's attendance. "We are hoping to get 800."

A weekend pass for the Vancouver Gaming Expo is $30, or $20 for a single day. Adults attending Sunday's event can bring up to two children aged 12 and under for free.

"The two days are divided into hardcore and casual," said Hughes, noting that Saturday features panels and tournaments aimed at hardcore gamers. "Sunday is the more casual stuff."

While the previous event focused on retro games, this month's event focuses on "modern games" that people are playing today. Some people play only retro games, some play modern games and some play both.

"Gamers play all different games," said Hughes, who opened Gamedeals Video Games at 407 Columbia St. six-and-a-half years ago.

Having expanded to two days, the Vancouver Gaming Expo includes more dealers, more gaming and more panels that the first expo.

"Unlike similar events in other cities, Vancouverites like to party. We've taken the basics of vendors, gaming, tournaments, panels, charity auction, costumes, etc. and spiced it up a bit with a licensed venue, some awesome old-school music, and a little nerd burlesque in the evening," stated the event's website. "Instead of one huge event per year, we are running two medium sized events with the 'modern' themed Vancouver Gaming Expo in November, and the 'retro' themed Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo returning in May."

For tickets or more information, go to www.vancouver gamingexpo.com.

tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

Follow Theresa McManus online at www.twitter.com/ TheresaMcManus.