For those local gamers out there with fancy chairs and Twitch livestreams — and broken PCs due to gamer rage — there’s an expo happening this weekend that is a 100-percent achievement unlocked.
Houston Gaming Expo 2023, going down this Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16, at the George R. Brown Convention Center, is the perfect place for gamers of all ages and levels to come together and enjoy their favorite video games. Expect a variety of events and activities for everyone to enjoy, from tournaments for competitive gamers to a fun space to play games with friends.
Weekend passes are $55. A bonus for parents: children under 7 years old score free admission. Kids aged 8-12 are $10; all other ages 13 and older are $29 per day. Find tickets and a full schedule on the official event site.
“The gaming world is a $200 billion industry and we could not believe that Houston never had a gaming convention like this one,” says Ludgier Rington, owner and director of Houston Gaming Expo.
“Other major cities have these conventions and it was very important that my wife and I bring this unique event to the city that we grew up in. As a native of the Philippines, my family immigrated here in the late '80s, and ever since we were able to afford the Atari, SEGA or Nintendo, I was hooked! So I either played outside with friends, played sports, or inside playing video games. The simple life!”
Rington says that the event dubbed HGX2023 will have more than 100 vendors selling their merchandise, from vintage games, indie games, artwork, retail, toys, collectibles, etc.
Visitors can demo different video games from PC, tabletops, arcades, VR, robotics, and more. Gamers ranging from newbs to professionals can also register for eSports gaming tournaments for a chance to win a $1,000 pot bonus for each game.
Bring that A-game cosplay to this event.
Photo courtesy of Houston Gaming Expo
HGX2023's main stage will feature a meet and greet and panel discussions of world-ranked pro gamers, developers, cosplayers, influencers, etc. to speak to the fans and have a chance to play an exhibition against them on stage.
“You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to attend this event,” Rington adds. “We welcome everyone who is looking to learn something new, make friends and have a great time. Our goal is to create a space where everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy the gaming experience.”
In other words, it's game on, gamers.
Photo courtesy of Houston Gaming Expo
VR, vintage gaming, and more await.
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The Houston Gaming Expo 2023 runs Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16 at the George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida De Las Americas). For tickets, a full schedule, and more information, visit the official site.
