The Attractions

Much like the downstairs banner with different video game characters, SGC is inclusive to all kinds of gamers, vendors, and game developers alike. We checked out the vendor after the Director of Awesome psyched us all up. Immediately to my left was one of the many piles of classic video games scattered across the vendor room. Some of the games like Mega Man X came in the original boxes and even in pristine condition. SGC had more than just video games, though. Funimation also shared space with the video game vendors, and even individual You Tube personalities such as Brentalfloss, HAWP, or the Gaming Historian were there to sell their merchandise. Many small businesses stopped by to sell their wares, and they all usually had an all-encompassing geeky theme to it. For instance, I walked away with a BMO flask inspired by Adventure time. And of course there were many talented pixel and t-shirt artists selling their wares.

Action could be found in the vendor room as well. Near the back of the room sat an arcade panel where g1s would take turns competing against each other in a fighting game, which seemed like typical ScrewAttack style. Along the far left and right side of the walls stood patient yet excited g1s waiting to get autographs from their favorite internet personalities. Moviebob had an autograph session for those interested in buying his new book, Super Mario Bros. 3: Brick By Brick, before it hit store shelves. I only stood in line (time constraints) for Jim Sterling, and while I can’t speak for the rest of the internet personalities, I was impressed with how he was willing to speak to individuals about current gaming issues. I was more interested in getting my BMO flask signed.

ScrewAttack had set up the downstairs area where I had entered the Hyatt  for smaller panels and a large indie/arcade room. We spent most of our time checking out the indie games, which we’ve previewed all week. Both established and lesser-known indie developers stood side by side, and all of them showed potential–especially some of the students from the University of Texas at Dallas. We managed to play and cover these games among others:

• Rad Raygun
• Electronic Super Joy
• Mechknight Chronicles
• Mist of Stagnation
• Konsui Fighters
• Multiverse
• Grapple
  
• KR-17

The game with the longest line was the Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures, and for good reason: the game is hard as shit. The g1s and journalists cursed, but they didn’t seem to mind—everyone seemed to think it was a great game even though every life lost came with demoralizing consequences. I still feel proud (arrogant) for being told I was among maybe the top 5% of players upon finishing one of the levels.

But no matter which developers were there, they all seemed happy to be there and talk about their games. ScrewAttack seemed to have treated these developers right. At least that’s what I thought I heard over the announcer of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament not even a few feet further down from the indie setup.

Tune in for part 3 of my experience at SGC 2013! And click here to read part 1 if you haven’t already!