Retro gaming enthusiasts keep their eyes on the screen this weekend at Anvil Centre.
A well-known gamer, an award-winning webcomic and geek musician, and a Vancouver improv troop are among the guests at this year’s Retro Gaming Expo, on May 28.
The one-day event takes place this year at the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.), and with the move to the New Westminster facility, organizers are promising more panels, more vendors, more artists, more bands and of course more tournaments.
Guests include John Lester, known to his following on YouTube as Gamester81, and part of a team that produces and develops new games for retro consoles; Toronto-based webcomic creator and musician Peter Chiykowski; “chiptune” artists (meaning the play music live off of a range of computer/gaming platforms) Bryface (Vancouver) and Fastbom (Sweden); and Vancouver improv troop The Fictionals. Other guests include Vancouver symphonic metal band Opus Arise, and video game music cover bands missingNo and The Runaway Four.
Opus Arise will play symphonic metal at this year’s Retro Gaming Expo at Anvil Centre.
Also returning this year is the 8-Bits of Destiny: Art Show and Auction, a dealer hall, and over 20 retro gaming tournaments. Attendees can test their skills on such games of yesteryear as Smash Bros, Mario Kart, Rampart and Duck Hunt. Panel topics include retro game collecting and video game trivia from Geeks vs Nerds.
The Retro Gaming Expo is an all-ages event (kids under 10 are free with an adult), while a bar will be available for the more mature gamers.
Tickets are $20 for the day. Online ticket sales and more information can be found at vancouvergamingexpo.com. Tickets are also available at Gamedeals Video Games (407 Columbia St. New Westminster BC).
