READING, PA. — Those who think big-scale video game events only happen on the west coast will have a wake-up call Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27, as the East Coast Gaming Expo will launch once again. Entering its third event, the east coast's largest independently operated gaming convention looks to meld video games, computer games and role-playing and more into this year’s experience.
Returning staples of the event include an arcade sponsored by Reading’s own Challenge Arcade, an open marketplace of vendors from across the nation, a video game auction, independent video game developers showcasing their works as well as tournaments and door prizes. However, in order to up the ante, the expo organizers have added a heaping helping of new features to flesh out the buffet of gaming goodness.
Events that will expand the show include the addition of video game-themed rock music from various national bands, a cosplay contest and skit competition, a Magic: The Gathering tournament, card games, collectable toys, independent films and more.
This year’s tentative list of tournaments include Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (arcade), Halo: Combat Evolved (Xbox), Combat (Atari 2600), NFL Football (Intellivision), Bust Move 3000 (GameCube), Tekken 5 (Playstation 2), Hyper Street Fighter II (Anniversary Edition, PS2), Killer Instinct (arcade), Tetris DS and Goldeneye 007 (Nintendo 64).
East Coast Gaming Expo co-organizer Rob Faraldi, who is also a video game journalist and commentator (and a contributor to Blogcritics), was able to answer some questions and provides some insight on what it is like to run such a convention. Faraldi, whose musings can be found at Gamers Unite Magazine and in the future at J2Games, organizes the event along with Chuck Whitby, Doug DeMotta and Matt Carroll.
Aaron Auzins: What motivated the creation of the East Coast Gaming Expo?
Rob Faraldi: The origins of the East Coast Gaming Expo are a little foggy to say the least. One of the founders of the East Coast Gaming expo is no longer with us ... not dead mind you, just dead to us! Just a joke. I've been told the original East Coast Gaming Expo was formed to "fill a void" that rival east coast shows couldn't manage.
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