The post Clockwork Alchemy 2026 Celebrates Steampunk Creativity and Community appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This year’s Clockwork Alchemy had a “Rogue Makers & Air Pirates” theme, celebrating “the spirit of independence” with crafting and creativity. The convention ran from October 16-18, so let’s take a look and see what it had to offer.
Steampunk
Clockwork Alchemy is a steampunk convention, which gives it a unique atmosphere compared to other conventions in the area. While larger comic cons may focus on guests of honor, and anime cons may be more shopping and cosplay-centric, Clockwork Alchemy was more focused on crafts, creators, and community.
The sense of fandom and community was strong from the moment attendees arrived, with many wearing handmade gear or outfits they’d bought at previous conventions and greeting longtime friends. All around, people wore their fanciest gear-covered outfits, displaying their steampunk style and individuality with impressive feats of fashion.
For attendees lacking steampunk garments, there was the Garb Giveaway on Friday, and plenty of hand-crafted costume pieces for sale at the con.
Rather than a dealer’s hall filled with vendors selling plastic figurines and prop weapons (not that there’s anything wrong with that), it had a bazaar filled with handmade wares, with everything from steampunk outfits and jewelry to incense and headphones. The bazaar also hosted several guest writers who could sell their books, including a variety of genres, styles, and comics and novels alike.
Clockwork Alchemy also had an Artists Gallery and Exhibition, where local creators could show off their works. This included steampunk crafts, paintings, costumes, and even large pieces of origami.
In short: Clockwork Alchemy embraces steampunk and all the creativity that goes into it.
Guests of Honor
Clockwork Alchemy is known for bringing in multiple guests from among the community’s makers, writers, musicians, and more. 2026 was no exception, with plenty of Featured Guests and Guests of Honor to celebrate.
Among the authors, Clockwork Alchemy’s featured guests were David L. Drake and Katherine L. Morse, creators of “The Adventures of Drake and McTrowell,” alongside Featured Author Gail Carriger, author of “The Parasol Protectorate,” “The Supernatural Society,” and more.
Fashion Guests of Honor Kathe and Philip Gust brought their costuming expertise to the con, alongside Bazaar Featured Artist Elizabeth McComb. Clockwork Alchemy also included Featured Lecturer Andrei Pischalnikoff, also known as “Doctor R. Snick,” a storyteller and researcher who provided insightful presentations about his many topics of expertise, and EmCee Jaime Jessup to entertain the crowds.
Clockwork Alchemy is also known for bringing in multiple musical guests for its shows, and 2026 was no exception. This year featured many familiar faces among the musical guests, including Unwoman, Avalon Rising, Field of Embers, and The Forgetmenauts, who provided musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
Events and Activities
Clockwork Alchemy was filled with things to do, from panels to games to unique activities no other con has. The itinerary featured panels and presentations covering a range of unique topics, including “What’s Taking Us So Long to Get Time Travel?” “Rogue Makers in Victorian Science Fiction and Steampunk,” and “Victorian Occultism,” where presenters discussed their subjects of expertise with insights not seen anywhere else.
Along with the panels, attendees could join crafting workshops, where they could learn to create wearable pins with LED circuits, craft vacuum tube brooches, or fold some origami. Many of these crafting workshops did have an additional fee, but it was in order to pay for the materials so they had something to take home after the con.
Let’s not forget the gaming. Clockwork Alchemy had a game room where attendees could sit down for some tabletop games, including Dungeons & Dragons, board games, card games, and more. For those who prefer less dice and more weapons, the War Room provided training in a variety of weapons and martial arts throughout the weekend.
This year, Clockwork Alchemy added an interactive activity for attendees to enjoy. The convention guide included a mystery on the back, guiding attendees to get stamps at various rooms across the convention and find telegrams with clues to decipher. Not only did this add another fun activity to the con, but it helped guide attendees around the convention so they could gain a wider experience of the con.
Clockwork Alchemy is also known for its Teapot Racing, where competitors would drive remote-controlled teapots around a track. The competitive tea events didn’t end there, with Tea Dueling pitting competitors against each other in a game of Chicken, where they’d dip biscuits in hot tea and try to outlast their opponent.
Or, if you prefer your tea without the competition, the Alchemist Tea Parlour let attendees rest their feet with a nice cuppa.
Music
As mentioned, Clockwork Alchemy had plenty of musical guests, which meant they needed musical activities to go with them. The convention featured the Aural Alchemy concert on Friday night, where the musical guests could perform before an adoring crowd, as well as the Saturday Night Ball for dancing and festivities.
Don’t know how to dance? That’s okay; they also had dance lessons throughout the weekend.
Even if one couldn’t make it to the concert or ball, there was still plenty of opportunities to listen to music, with performances scheduled around the weekend. Even just wandering around the halls, one could sit down and listen to Nathaniel Johnstone of Field of Embers perform, or attend a songwriting workshop with Unwoman.
Or, for the attendees with the energy to stay up singing past midnight, there was Late Night Karaoke, featuring no shortage of songs from Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
Overall
Clockwork Alchemy is a staple event for the steampunk community in the Bay Area and beyond, and it’s no wonder why. The sense of community was clear, and there was an undeniable joy among the attendees. The convention featured panels, presentations, and performances other conventions wouldn’t even think to include, making it a unique experience for congoers.
Steampunk conventions are a different beast than your typical comic con, anime con, or even tabletop gaming convention. But for steampunk fans, that’s just how they like their cons to be, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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]]>The post GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 Reaches a Galaxy Far, Far Away appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>The San Jose show ran from August 28-30 in the San Jose Convention Center, home to conventions like Fanime, Further Confusion, and more. So let’s take a look at GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 and see how it went…
Guests
One of GalaxyCon’s biggest draws is the guests that it brings in. Each year features a multitude of fantastic guests from across entertainment, from movies to comics, and this year was no exception.
One of the biggest names was Hayden Christensen, best known for playing Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He was in such high demand, in fact, that he had an entire room in the convention just for holding his autograph lines, while the lines for his multiple photo ops filled the area. Despite that demanding schedule, he still took the time to greet everyone who came to meet him.
Christensen wasn’t the only Star Wars guest either. GalaxyCon San Jose’s guest list included Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett in the prequels and Boba Fett in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett) and Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka).
For fans who prefer Star Trek to Star Wars (or like them both, there’s no reason to pick just one), GalaxyCon brought George Takei (Hikaru Sulu in the original series) and Brent Spiner (Data in The Next Generation).
Or, for those who prefer a little more Muppet magic in their entertainment, Dave Goelz (the muppeteer for Gonzo, Bunsen, and more) and Steve Whitmire (Kermit, Rizzo, Beaker, and more) were in attendance. Like One Piece? Baroque Works agents Mr. 9 and Mr. 5 actors Daniel Lasker and Camrus Johnson also had booths.
What about Cheech and Chong? They were both there too.
Jurassic Park also got some love, with actors Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, and Wayne Knight making appearances. All those names are barely getting into the guest list, which included everyone from Sean Gunn to Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) to Brian Posehn.
For animation fans, GalaxyCon brought plenty of voice actors too, such as Janet Varney (Korra in Avatar: The Legend of Korra), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sora in Digimon Adventure, Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog, and more), and George Newbern (Superman in the DC animated universe), just to name a few.
There were plenty of comic guests in attendance as well, such as comic book legend Marv Wolfman (writer of Crisis on Infinite Earths and creator of many iconic characters), writer Ryan North (known for Dinosaur Comics, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, One World Under Doom, and more), and artist Mark Bagley (known for his work on Venom, Ultimate Spider-Man, Justice League of America, and so much more). Again, these are just a few of the many guests GalaxyCon had to offer.
The list went on and on, including professional wrestler Gangrel, VTuber Amara Aquashell, cosplayers, fan groups like the Rebel Legion and Mando Mercs, and more.
Suffice to say, there were a lot of guests in attendance. Attendees could line up to meet their favorites for an autograph or quick hello, or in many cases buy tickets for a professional photo.
Panels
GalaxyCon also had several panels throughout the weekend, including Q&A sessions with guests, industry panels, and even the occasional game show. These provided fans with opportunities to ask celebrities questions, learn the basics of cartooning, and get voice acting tips from professionals.
For instance, celebrity guest Barry Bostwick held the “Making Megaforce” panel, which included a screening of the documentary and a Q&A session. Cassandra Peterson had a special ticketed event, “Spill the Tea with Cassandra P.,” which gave guests the rare opportunity to chat with the actress over snacks and drinks.
However, there were notably fewer panels this year than in the past. Those that they had were still well worth checking out, but attendees noted that programming was a little lighter this year. Similarly, while there are usually After Dark events at GalaxyCon, those were canceled this time around.
Shopping
GalaxyCon featured a large dealer’s hall, so of course there was plenty of shopping to do. The dealer’s hall featured multiple booths selling everything from lightsabers to action figures to card games and more, providing ample opportunity to buy something neat.
Alongside the dealer’s hall, the artist alley gave local artists the chance to sell their crafts to convention attendees, with fan works ranging from fantastic posters of fan-favorite series to crocheted Pokémon. Fan artists at conventions always bring a selection of amazing artwork, crafted with passion for the series they love, and this con was no exception.
(But absolutely no one came to the con to buy music from those two dudes hanging outside the convention center and pestering passersby to check out their album, no matter how much they shouted at attendees.)
However, there was a booth at GalaxyCon that stood out for one reason: cats. Yes, The Dancing Cat, a local nonprofit cat adoption lounge, had a booth at the con. They had plenty of adorable kittens for attendees to see (and some merch to buy), and attendees could sign up on an interest list to potentially adopt one of them.
Cosplay
As we’ve said before, a convention without cosplay is a boring convention. Fortunately, that wasn’t an issue for GalaxyCon.
This year, the most popular series to cosplay from was Star Wars, due in no small part to the guests in attendance. There were multiple fan groups in attendance, so the convention center had no shortage of Mandalorians, stormtroopers, and droids. But even outside of those groups, there were plenty of cosplayers dressed as Padme Amidala, Darth Vader, and Grand Admiral Thrawn (as Thrawn’s creator Timothy Zahn was also among the guests).
Of course, that’s just the start. There were cosplayers from a wide variety of series, including anime like One Piece and Hunter X Hunter, comics like Deadpool and X-Men, cinema classics like Labyrinth, and even the famously bad Manos: The Hands of Fate.
Attendees with confidence in their cosplays could enter contests, including the Runway Costume Contest for a lighthearted contest for all skill levels, a Craftsmanship Costume Competition for handmade cosplays, and the Masquerade Competition that combined cosplay and performance. Children could also enter the Kid’s Costume Contest, a low-stakes event for the younger attendees.
Near the end of the dealer’s hall, cosplayers could meet up for gatherings or mingle in the Cosplay Zone. This featured several backdrops for photos, making it a popular spot to snap a picture of cosplayers without blocking the halls.
Gaming
GalaxyCon’s game room moved this year, taking a large hall upstairs rather than filling a downstairs area. While it was smaller, there were still plenty of games to enjoy, including tabletop games, video games, and arcade games.
On the tabletop side, GalaxyCon included a library of board games attendees could borrow, including games like Munchkin, Ticket to Ride, and Lords of Watereep. There were also learn-to-play games for RPGs, including Pathfinder and Starfinder. (Although marketing emails mentioned there would be Pathfinder Society and a Dungeons & Dragons Epic, I saw neither of those on the schedule for the con.)
The tabletop area also included a “bounty board,” where attendees could take photos of certain cosplayers, complete silly tasks, or answer trivia questions to win tickets. Those tickets could then be exchanged for small prizes, including sets of dice from Misty Mountain Gaming.
On the video game side, GalaxyCon had rows of monitors and consoles set up for attendees to enjoy. Next to the gaming stations, several arcade cabinets provided opportunities to play fighting games, pinball, and even skeeball.
Overall
GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 is known for being an industry con with a great selection of guests, and if you go in expecting that, you won’t be disappointed. It was filled with opportunities to meet actors and creators, plenty of great cosplays, and a decent selection of panels and events.
Admittedly, the con did feel a little smaller than previous years. There weren’t quite as many panels and the gaming area was smaller, leaving the downstairs area of the convention center unused. Certain events, like the After Dark shows, were missing this year.
However, that didn’t stop GalaxyCon from being a fun, chill event with great guests. With the variety of guests they had, there was absolutely someone worth meeting for everyone, which has always been one of the biggest aspects of the convention.
For attendees looking to meet celebrity guests, do some shopping for nerdy goods, or hang out and enjoy Q&A panels or other events, GalaxyCon was a good way to spend the day or weekend.
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]]>The post Pokémon XP & Worlds 2026: The Celebrations and the Chaos appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This year, Pokémon Worlds 2026 was held in San Francisco, CA, from August 28-30, and brought with it a major convention and celebration of Pokémon: Pokémon XP.
(Please note that we did not have a press pass for this event, so this coverage will all be from the perspective of a regular attendee.)
Pokémon Worlds 2026
Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon, which means players from all around the world came to compete. Pokémon Worlds was the world championship for the video game, card game, Pokémon Go, and Pokémon UNITE, making for a very full weekend of competition.
This isn’t a casual competition where anyone can walk in and enter. These are players who have mastered the metagame, earned their invitations through tournament after tournament, and proven themselves to be the top trainers of the year, and the stage they competed on showed it. Games were played from a large stadium and broadcast to large screens and Twitch, as cheering crowds watched intently.
At the end of the weekend, new champions were crowned. The 2026 winners are:
- Kazuki Kage, Pokémon VGC Junior Division World Champion
- Vikram Thiagarajan, Pokémon VGC Senior Division World Champion
- Takuma Yamazaki, Pokémon VGC Masters Division World Champion
- Yuta Araki, Pokémon TCG Junior Division World Champion
- Jake Ng, Pokémon TCG Senior Division World Champion
- Zeta Division, Pokémon UNITE World Champion team
- GGS489HIROMARU, Pokémon GO World Champion
Pokémon XP
While the Pokémon Worlds competition drew huge crowds, Pokémon XP gave attendees (and competitors between matches) plenty to do. Pokémon XP spanned the Moscone Center and Yerba Buena Gardens and was jam-packed with events and activities.
The area in front of the Moscone Center was transformed into Rayquaza Road, filled with music, live commentary, photo areas, food stalls, and more. Attendees could help construct a massive LEGO Rayquaza, watch skateboarders on Pokémon-themed skateboards do some tricks, or watch Pokémon mascots dance around… assuming they could get through the crowds, of course.
Of course, many attendees showed up cosplaying as their favorite characters or Pokémon. It wasn’t uncommon to see people dressed as gijinka (anthropomorphized) versions of Pokémon, characters from the anime, or members of Team Rocket.
Inside the Moscone Center, there was even more to see and do. Large areas were set up to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, showcase new games and upcoming shows, and provide activities for attendees.
This included a Pokémon museum showcasing the games and merchandise from over the years, a recording station where attendees could try their hand at dubbing an episode, a gallery showcasing art from the Pokémon TCG, and so much more.
Many events were ticketed, including craft activities, meet-and-greets, and so on. Attendees hoping to check out specific events would have to register their interest online and then hope their names were drawn, and with the huge attendance for the event, the odds were slim. With that said, there were plenty of non-ticketed events to enjoy as well.
Further within the Moscone Center, a large stage held panels and interviews with major figures in the Pokémon world. Not too far from there, Pokémon influencers held meet-and-greets and autograph sessions with fans (who managed to get tickets), and just off to the side, attendees could check out Koraidon and Miraidon motorcycles from Toyota and Honda, respectively.
In the Yerba Buena Gardens, Pokémon XP had an outdoor area. There, young attendees could listen to an outdoor storytime while their parents had their hair and makeup done, or attendees could play a game of Pyukumuku Chucking (a beanbag toss/cornhole game with Pyukumuku plushies). While there was a giant bouncy slide, it was closed during our trip, and I can’t say if it reopened.
Some of the biggest draws were the Pin Rally. where attendees could hit up different stations around the event to get free Pokémon pins. There was also a massive Pokémon Center shopping area, where attendees could buy exclusive goods such as plushies, clothing, cards, and more.
However, those might have even been too big a draw, as they led to a few issues…
Lines, Crowds, and Scalpers, Oh My!
Pokémon XP was a huge event, but perhaps it was even bigger than The Pokémon Company had anticipated or prepared for. For all that there was to do and enjoy, it’s also important to recognize where there were issues that must be addressed.
Just getting a ticket to the event was a challenge, as attendees had to register their interest for a lotto system and hope their names were drawn, either for a weekend or one-day badge. Even once they were registered, they had to enter another lotto to try to get into the events they wanted to attend. Then, they had to register for a time slot to pick up their badges. If they wanted to shop at the Pokémon Center, they needed to sign up for a time slot before they were filled up.
In other words, it was very possible (and in fact common) for someone to get lucky enough to get tickets to the event, but still miss out on tickets to every ticketed event they wanted to attend and the Pokémon Center, due to the incredibly high demand.
This high demand also led to huge crowds and massive lines. While Friday wasn’t too bad, photos from throughout the weekend showed absolutely packed crowds and lines that quickly became fire hazards.
The Pin Rally, for instance, drew crowds so large there were reports of stampede risks and blocked fire exits, while the most popular pins were snatched up immediately. By Sunday, they had to cancel the Pin Rally altogether.
As for the Pokémon Center, the lines there could take hours to get through. Attendees would wait outside the lines for their time slots, then line up to enter the building. Once inside, there was a second line they had to wait through to get upstairs, where they’d wait in yet another line to actually get inside the Pokémon Center.
This, of course, also resulted in scalpers camping alongside the sidewalk to sell everything they bought at a marked-up price.
There have also been reports of Pokémon XP failing to be ADA compliant and lacking accommodations for attendees with disabilities. Some posts online have claimed the staff said they’re “not doing ADA,” while Dexerto reports that 2024 World Champion Luca Ceribelli was removed for attempting to let a player with disabilities join him in the Pokemon Center line.
It goes without saying that these are issues that impacted many attendees. The crowding is, understandably, a major challenge for The Pokémon Company, as the popularity of Pokémon means events like Pokémon Worlds/XP will be in high demand, and scalpers have been a plague on the Pokémon community for quite some time. Meeting demand while managing crowd sizes is far easier said than done, but hopefully these issues can be addressed in the future.
Announcements
At the end of the weekend, The Pokémon Company had plenty of announcements for fans to look forward to for animation and games alike.
On the anime side, a new animated movie called Pokémon: Wild Card was revealed. This features a Pokémon TCG player and a Mimikyu, and was accompanied by a teaser trailer:
For video game players, there were plenty of announcements too, including:
- The Pokémon Champions game (a mobile app and Nintendo Switch game used for competitive Pokémon battles) will be updated with Z-Mega evolutions, including Mega Absol, Garchomp, and Lucario Z.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket will be receiving Dual Type cards and Pokémon EX cards for starter (or “First Partner”) Pokémon.
- Morpeko, Toxtricity, Jolteon, and Flareon will be making their Pokémon UNITE debuts in the coming months.
- Pokémon GO will be giving new charged moves to Mega Evolved Pokémon, who can now be used in the Go Battle League. Armored Mewtwo will also be making its return after six years.
As for TCG players, the Pokémon Trading Card Game will be introducing the new ex★ series to the game, similar to the game’s EX, V, and VMAX Pokémon.
Finally, 2027’s Pokémon Worlds event will be held in Singapore from August 13-15.
There was no news on the upcoming Pokémon Wind and Waves games yet.
Overall
Pokémon XP was a massive celebration of a franchise that’s been beloved by so many for 30 years. It drew a huge crowd of energetic fans and got attendees hyped for the future of Pokémon, giving them plenty to do while the top trainers in the world competed for the grand prize.
However, an event of that size is not without its issues, especially for a series with as big a scalper problem as Pokémon. While it was absolutely possible to enjoy Pokémon XP regardless, it’s still important for The Pokémon Company to recognize and address these problems for future events.
Still, on a personal note, as someone who’s been a fan of Pokémon since the days of Red and Blue versions, it was amazing to see how far Pokémon has come. To be among friends, fellow fans, and trainers from around the world to celebrate this series that has brought us so much joy was a fantastic experience.
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]]>The post MAGWest 2026: Filled With Determination appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This year, the theme was Undertale/Deltarune, with decorations and merch to match. Day and night, the convention was filled with music, games, and activities, and that’s meant quite literally, as the convention stayed open late into the night and well into the morning hours.
So without further ado, let’s see how MAGWest 2026 went…
Music
The “M” in MAGWest stands for “Music,” so of course that was a core element of the convention. MAGWest featured plenty of musical guests and acts, both planned and impromptu.
MAGWest’s main stage featured performances throughout the weekend by guests including Lotus Juice, Aivi & Surasshu, and singer-songwriter of Sonic the Hedgehog fame, Crush 40’s Johnny Gioeli. The stage saw big acts playing late into the night, providing no shortage of music to the con.
However, that was far from the only stage. Out by the pool, bands performed throughout the weekend, providing gaming tunes to attendees taking a swim. Inside, the Jamspace, Jampods, and Community Orchestra gave musical attendees opportunities to meet up and perform – or they could just find a nice corner to chill in and play some music.
It was impossible to go anywhere in the hotel without hearing some music, whether it was a flutist playing the Pokémon Center theme song, guitarists jamming together, or even just attendees getting into the mood and singing sea shanties.
(Okay, the sea shanties were mostly me, and I apologize for nothing.)
Gaming
Of course, MAGWest wouldn’t be MAGWest without the “G” for “Gaming,” and you’d better believe they had plenty of that too, including video gaming, arcade games, LAN gaming, and tabletop games.
MAGWest featured a large gaming hall, split into a few sections. On one end, attendees could enjoy a variety of arcade games, including dance games, rhythm games, arcade classics, and even pinball. Just beyond that, multiple televisions were set up for a variety of console games, both classic and modern, including multiple tournaments throughout the weekend. Next to that, local developers were demonstrating their indie games, giving them an opportunity to reach new customers and demonstrate their creations.
Outside the gaming hall, a long row of games included classics from gaming history and unique indie games in progress. One such game, for instance, was a co-op where a single player saw the screen and controlled a knight, while a second player served as their squire to provide potions, keys, and other tools as requested; communication and coordination were key to succeeding.
In the LAN room, attendees could play retro PC games with each other. This featured everything from Unreal Tournament to StarCraft to Worms Armageddon, providing plenty of nostalgia and no shortage of entertainment.
But what about gamers who prefer something a little more analog? The tabletop gaming room featured a wide selection of games from an expansive library, along with scheduled tabletop RPGs, a puzzle table, and even several mahjong tables right outside.
For the card gamers, not only could they grab a table in the tabletop gaming room, but there were various Magic: The Gathering drafts and tournaments throughout the weekend.
So yes, there was a lot of gaming.
Guests
MAGWest doesn’t skimp on the musical guests, and every year they bring plenty of fantastic performers. In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, the guest list included the likes of 2 Mello, Frank Klepacki, Isekai Stage, Parabellum Raps, and so much more.
However, in recent years, MAGWest has been expanding its guest selection beyond musical acts. This year, voice actor Ricco Fajardo (voice of Mirio in My Hero Academia, Isagi in Blue Lock, and Pandreo in Fire Emblem: Engage) was among the guests, signing autographs and participating in events. Voice actor Elisa Meléndez, known for voicing Tyreen Calypso in Borderlands 3, was also in attendance, hosting panels and doing meet-and-greets to interact with fans and attendees.
Panels
MAGWest had more entertainment than music alone (although the music is still very good) with multiple panels throughout the convention.
The panels covered a range of topics, including games like “Taboo! Game Show: Gaming Edition” and “Quizmania: Kaimei Riddles DX PLUS” or humorous entertainment panels like “Mazes & Monsters: Satanic Panic D&D Nonsense At Its Finest.” There were discussion panels, educational panels, discussions, and more, creating a good variety of panel programming.
Of course, the Cosplay Wrestling Federation (CWF) made its return for another MAGWest show. In the CWF, cosplaying competitors took to the stage to cut promos and issue challenges to the defending champion, The Shipper, to see who could talk the best smack and (verbally) fight their way into the panels. This year, the Dungeon Master (from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon) recruited a party of audience volunteers and DMed them to victory against The Shipper, winning the show’s title. (Full disclosure: I’m a member of CWF and the Dungeon Master cosplayer.)
Cosplay
Speaking of cosplay, of course there were plenty of cosplayers at MAGWest. Given the show’s theme, there were plenty of cosplayers from Undertale and Deltarune, but there was a great variety of cosplayers across the con. This included everything from Pokémon to Dispatch to Street Fighter.
Cosplayers who felt exceptionally proud of their cosplays could compete in the cosplay contest, hosted by cosplaying duo onecuppacoffee and judged by a trio of skilled and experienced cosplayers. The contest had prizes for multiple categories, including craftsmanship, performance, theme, and the Charity Stream Choice, so there were several opportunities for competitors to win.
There were, of course, cosplay gatherings, where attendees cosplaying from the same series could meet for photos. There were two sites for the cosplay gatherings, which included series like Undertale/Deltarune (naturally), Splatoon, SquareEnix games, and a general cosplay gathering for anyone and everyone. It’s also worth noting that the gathering areas had premium lighting, good space, and seating for attendees to rest on between groups and photos, so they were well-chosen spots.
And more!
What else? How about a marketplace with a good selection of dealers selling both handcrafted goods and a variety of games or gaming supplies? Or the paint-and-take table outside the tabletop gaming room, where attendees could sit down to paint a free miniature (with guidance from helpful staff should they need it)?
There was a charity stream to raise money for good causes, a Variety Stage with a wide range of performances, Beyblade exhibitions, arts and crafts, and so much more. Even the security room had accommodations for attendees, like sunscreen and glucose tablets.
If nothing else, attendees could always relax in the pool and enjoy the summer weather.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Doubletree Hotel held a wedding there that weekend, so the wedding guests were somewhat surprised to find the venue filled with music, games, and cosplayers. When asked, a wedding guest said it was a surprise, but still very fun.
In short: MAGWest remains a fun, chill convention with fantastic music, plenty of fun games, and great panels. Whether you’re coming by to spend a day or want to enjoy three full days of music and gaming, MAGWest has you covered.
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]]>The post Gen Con 2026 (From a First-Timer’s Perspective) appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>However, Gen Con is big. Very big. Far too big for one person to cover everything, especially a first-time attendee who might not know everything to watch out for. As such, this report will not be a holistic coverage of the entire convention, but will instead focus on this writer’s personal experience.
With that said, let’s take a look at Gen Con 2026.
Convention Overview
Gen Con is a huge tabletop gaming convention, founded in 1967 and going strong for over 50 years. While the con is technically held at the Indiana Convention Center, that’s selling it a bit short, as the convention center has several attached hotels, each of which also held rooms for games and panels.
Across the street, the convention continued at Victory Field, where the stadium was filled with tables and booths for even more games. Even non-connected hotels and the Indiana Repertory Theatre were used as part of the convention, spreading Gen Con across the downtown area. The airport, too, featured signs welcoming gamers to Gen Con, complete with tables for travelers to sit and play at.
The downtown location meant there were plenty of food options nearby, including restaurants and fast food options. However, the massive crowd size also meant that everywhere was crowded, and reservations were required for nearly any restaurant.
Even with multiple hotels, the rooms sold out quickly when they first became available. While more rooms were added later, they were on the more expensive side, so many attendees (myself included) relied on more remote hotels, AirBnBs, or just staying at a friend’s place nearby.
Event Registration
To say there’s a lot to do at Gen Con would also be an understatement. The 2026 event catalog had over 27,000 listed events, including panels, game demos, autograph sessions, live shows, and more. Attendees needed to register for events in advance by buying tickets on the convention website, which meant balancing both budgets and time to try and fit in all the events they wanted to do.
Prices varied wildly, with many panels and game demos being free, while in-demand activities like the True Dungeon could cost around $100. Badges were scanned before each event to verify registration and so the hosts could receive payment.
Knowing what events to look for in advance is also important. For instance, while I knew I wanted to attend the Gamers: Live events by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment and play in the D&D Adventurers League Epic, I didn’t know an author would be doing a book signing until it was too late to get tickets.
Given the sheer number of events, limited tickets per, and cost per ticket, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to get tickets to every single thing they’d want to do (much less fit it into their schedule). But with all the options available, it’s still easy to pack a day full of games and activities.
Shopping
Gen Con has a massive vendor’s hall, filled with booths from some of the biggest names in tabletop gaming, growing and indie companies, artists, and more. Each day, the entryway was packed with a huge crowd waiting to be let inside, who would flood the hall as soon as the doors opened.
Beyond the doors, gaming companies and sellers had booths of all sizes set up, filled with rows upon rows of games, dice, supplies, and everything else a gamer could want. Companies like Games Workshop had entire stores set up in the hall, complete with statues of space marines, while others (like Slugfest Games, creators of Red Dragon Inn) held demos and gave out promo cards throughout the weekend.
Some lines looped around large booths, such as Asmodee and Ravensburg, whose high-demand items would sell out quickly each day. Other booths, such as Renegade Games, would hand out tickets so people could come back and buy items without needing to stand in line for hours. While many attendees were looking forward to the Dungeon Crawler Carl game, Gen Con gave them the chance to buy a Mordecai miniature and pin, as well as blind bags of dice, in advance of the RPG’s release.
Elsewhere in the dealers hall, artists and authors had rows set up for selling their creations. Many of the writers specialized in fantasy, such as Jim Zub, who wrote comics for both Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder, and is currently writing the Conan the Barbarian comics (check out our interview with him here).
Similarly, Drizzt Do’Urden’s creator, R.A. Salvatore was present (although I missed out on tickets to his autograph session) as were Dragonlance creators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, who were doing signings of their latest novel.
Matt Dinniman, creator of Dungeon Crawler Carl, was also present, along with audiobook narrator Jeff Hays. Suffice to say, the popularity of the series made them both in high demand throughout the con.
The artist alley also contained incredible pieces by talented artists. Many of them have done artwork for Magic: The Gathering and were selling artist prints of their cards or signing cards players brought with them. Others were independent artists specializing in fantasy, science fiction, or other styles well suited for a gaming convention.
Even outside the dealers hall, several companies had entire rooms set aside for both selling their games and running demos. There were rooms for Daggerheart, the Marvel Multiverse RPG, and of course, Dungeon Crawler Carl (you might be sensing a pattern).
Plus, pin collectors could rejoice, as many booths had limited edition Gen Con pins for their games. Each one came with a ticket, and seven tickets could be redeemed at the Pin Bazaaar for a special prize. There was also pin trading, where attendees could, well, trade pins.
A common refrain I heard when preparing for Gen Con was: “bring an extra suitcase for all the games you’ll be buying.” Even though I tried to keep my purchases to a reasonable level, that advice still proved helpful, and the extra luggage was indeed necessary. (In my defense, I got a lot of freebies as well.)
Gaming
Gen Con is dedicated to tabletop gaming. Of course there were plenty of games to play.
Name a game, and there was probably at least one instance of it on the schedule. This included RPGs of all sorts, board games, card games, and literally every other type of tabletop game you can imagine. Many of the games were held in a large gaming hall, while others had rooms set aside for them.
Magic: The Gathering, for instance, had a huge space inside the stadium for games, along with an early release of its Hobbit set. There was even an entire hallway absolutely filled with pinball machines, for the pinball wizards at the con.
While most of the games required advanced registration, there were also free play rooms and demos, where attendees could try to find an open seat to enjoy a game. However, in order to guarantee a chance to play, it’s best to register in advance.
For players who enjoy organized play, Pathfinder Society had a massive hall dedicated to its games. Dungeons & Dragons was in a slightly different position, as Wizards of the Coast has mostly offloaded its organized play systems, putting Baldman Games in charge of the new Legends of Greyhawk and all but abandoning Adventurers League.
If it weren’t for a group from Texas stepping up to run Adventurers League games at the con, there wouldn’t have been any at all. Thankfully, that group came through and hosted multiple games, including the multi-table Epic, Infernal Pursuits.
Panels and Entertainment
In addition to plenty of games, Gen Con also had no shortage of panels, shows, live plays, video screenings, and other entertainment. Panels featured talks from creators, influencers, and other key players in the gaming space, while live plays brought together entertainers to play games in front of a live crowd.
One of the biggest events was the D&D keynote, where Wizards of the Coast staff announced the future of Dungeons & Dragons, including its upcoming Universes Beyond crossovers. You can read all about it in our article here.
D&D also hosted several live plays, including their ongoing Dungeon Masters show, the dog charity game The Puppy Roll, and DM Roulette, where players would rotate characters and take turns being the dungeon master.
To the excitement of many, Twenty-Sided Tavern came to Gen Con this year. The show combines improv theater and D&D, with talented performers and guest stars playing out a game onstage, with input from audience votes and the randomness of dice rolls. It’s an absolutely hilarious show, and well worth seeing for any D&D fans who have the chance.
Additionally, Gen Con is home of the ENnie Awards, an awards show focused on tabletop games and RPGs. Nominees were chosen by a panel of judges, after which the winners were chosen via public voting. There were multiple categories focusing on gameplay, design, art, monster encounters, and more, making it a big event and an honor for all nominees. (Personally, I won a silver ENnie a few years ago, and was nominated once more after, but I didn’t make the cut this year.)
Among the shows, The Gamers: Live was an absolute must-see. The show, hosted by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment (ZOE), was an improvisational game where the audience would choose ridiculous character concepts for the players, who would quickly switch between their in-game and out-of-game roles at the ring of a bell. Certain audience members could also step in as NPCs or roll dice for the performers, adding to the audience participation.
ZOE also had several other shows throughout the weekend, such as “I’ll Allow It,” where they played Savage Worlds with the rule that the DM has to allow any nonsense the players/performers came up with while integrating random props from the audience. They also had a screening of the long-awaited JourneyQuest season 4, and a panel for their latest series, Incognita’s Infamous Adventures.
Even just walking down the halls, attendees could enjoy shows from musicians, jugglers, and other performers. All that is just a fraction of the shows and panels Gen Con had to offer.
Activities
Yes, there’s even more. Along with the games, panels, and shows, there were plenty of other activities that could be enjoyed at Gen Con.
As mentioned, True Dungeon presented a unique dungeon crawl opportunity for attendees (although it was both expensive and in high demand, so I didn’t get to experience it myself). Some areas had large spaces set up for life-sized games, complete with remote controlled robots or cosplayers as the game pieces.
Games Workshop brought Warhammer: Kill Team to life with indoors laser tag, where players would take the side of either the Imperium or the Orks to try and claim objectives.
There was even a paint and take table, where attendees could rest their feet and paint a free miniature. For the more skilled painters, there was a speed painting contest, as well as a painting competition where entrants showed off their best work – and their best was insanely impressive.
Dungeons & Dragons
However, one of the best interactive experiences came from Dungeons & Dragons, which turned the Indiana Repertory Theater into the D&D Tower. Not only did that host shows like Twenty-Sided Tavern and the Keynote, but the top floor was transformed into the D&D Carnival.
This interactive area, based on the Witchlight Carnival from “The Wild Beyond the Witchlight,” presented players with a series of six challenges, each testing a different D&D skill. They had a ring toss for dexterity (the most difficult of the challenges by far), trivia for intelligence, a poisoned wine game for charisma, and so on.
All attendees also received rewards for clearing their games, and while clearing everything was not strictly necessary, it was certainly fun.
The entire area was set up to look and feel like an outdoors carnival, complete with fake grass, lights mimicking starlight, and circus tents set up all around. All the while, performers in costume would entertain the attendees as fey creatures and carnival performers. It was an event not to be missed by any D&D fans.
D&D also offered Dungeon Dare, a 45 minute dungeon crawl designed to kill characters as quickly as possible. Personally, I enjoy a good death dungeon, as long as it’s well-designed and provides proper challenges for both players and characters.
Unfortunately, Dungeon Dare fell a bit short there, as it’s designed to be a meat grinder that throws players into each room, gives them no information for finding or disarming the traps, and set the skill check DCs at far too high for the characters’ levels, just to artificially inflate the difficulty.
Dungeon Dare was also designed to showcase the new class features in the upcoming Arcana Unleashed book, but none of the challenges were relevant to the new abilities. While the pregenerated characters used the new subclasses, none of their features were helpful for clearing the dungeon, if they ever came up at all. The characters were also given magic items, but none of the traps or challenges required (or could even be affected by) the items at all.
Update 8/6: After hearing feedback from other players and DMs, the issue is not with the dungeon as designed, but with the specific DM that was running the table I was at. Other players have reported a much more positive Dungeon Dare experience with different DMs.
With that said, it was still possible for players to approach the dungeon as a team and with some good planning to reach the final room (although in every case, the 45 minute timer would still kill them before they could reach the end). But if you go in to the Dungeon Dare knowing it’s not meant to be won, and want to see how far you can get before dying, it’s still perfectly fine.
The D&D festivities culminated in a drone show, highlighting iconography and major characters from the game:
Cosplay
Where there is a convention, there will be cosplayers, and Gen Con is no exception. Attendees showed up in a variety of cosplays, including characters from fantasy series, roleplaying games, video games, anime, and more. There was no need to strictly adhere to the gaming theme, as an attendee dressed as an anime character was just as welcome as one dressed as their D&D character.
Outside the vendor’s hall, several large backdrops gave cosplayers a place to stand for photos. While walking by, one could see cosplayers chilling for photographers or meeting up with other cosplayers from the same series. And while cosplay gatherings weren’t as common there as one might see at a convention like Fanime, there were still a few meetups.
This year, there was one franchise that undoubtedly had the most cosplayers: Dungeon Crawler Carl. The book series has become a major hit, and with both a tabletop RPG and board game coming out in the coming months, it fit right in at Gen Con. As such, there was no shortage of cosplayers in white boxers with polka dot hearts or wearing cat ears and a tiara, along with plenty of fan-favorite side characters.
So Much More
All this is only the tip of the iceberg that is the Gen Con experience. I spent the entire weekend going between games, shows, events, and activities, and only barely scratched the surface of everything the con had to offer.
For instance, Gen Con attendees spent the weekend building multiple massive card towers. On Saturday night, they threw quarters at the towers to bring them down, with attendees bidding for the right to make the first throw. All proceeds, both from the bid and the quarters, went to charity.
Or how about the film festival? Or the scavenger hunts? Or card game tournaments? There was so much I didn’t get to experience, not to mention things I don’t even know I missed, that it hardly seems fair to write an article where I can barely cover a fraction of what the con had to offer.
I guess I’ll have to go back some time so I can experience the rest.
Overall
There are some conventions that must be experienced at least once. Gen Con is one such convention. Fans of tabletop games of all sorts will have more than plenty to do there, and even the most tightly packed and planned schedule will still not be enough to experience everything.
Yes, as reports have said, there was a tornado alert during the con, and yes, it did result in some flooding in the halls, but the tornado never touched the convention and the attendees were all safe. Indiana locals at the con assured out of town attendees that it was nothing to be worried about, and they were right.
Gen Con was big, crowded, busy, expensive, and at times overwhelming. Those who hate crowds will certainly be uncomfortable there. But it was also an amazing experience, and for a first-timer like myself, I hope to be able to go again with a little more knowledge and preparation.
Next time, I won’t miss out on those autograph sessions.
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]]>The post Anime Impulse Bay Area 2026 appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>Anime Impulse Bay Area 2026 was combined with K-Play! Fest and Collectors Expo, making for a full weekend for fans of anime, K-pop, and collectible card games.
So, how was the convention? Let’s explore what worked well, where there’s room to grow, and how the con went overall.
Overview
Anime Impulse Bay Area was held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, a familiar venue for many local congoers. In the past, it’s hosted anime cons like Crunchyroll Expo and Japan Expo, as well as other events like Kubla Con Fall back in 2024.
The convention center is built for events just like Anime Impulse, so it has plenty of amenities, including an attached hotel. However, the venue was also hosting a cheerleading event, which partially blocked off some of the halls, making navigation slightly more challenging.
There was a single line leading into the convention, and at the start of the day, it stretched halfway around the convention center. To the con’s credit, the line moved at a steady pace, as attendees would have their tickets scanned on their way into the convention center and grab a badge from a nearby table. Anyone leaving would need to get their hand stamped so they could come back in.
Inside the convention center, there were a few different halls and rooms. Near the entrance, attendees could go to the V-Tuber meet and greets, or check out the arcade. A little further down, the largest rooms were used for the main hall, which featured guests, vendors, the Impulse Stage, and an artist alley.
Upstairs, the Main Stage hosted some of the larger events for the con, including concerts and panels. A smaller room nearby also hosted some vendors for Collectors Expo, although many of them had booths alongside vendors in the main hall.
While the hall did hold a lot of activity, that also made it very crowded and difficult to navigate. Moving through the artist alley section was often a challenge, and large events at the Impulse Stage (such as the All-K-Pop Random Play Dance) drew large crowds that filled the halls even further.
Shared Events
As mentioned, Anime Impulse shared its event with K-Play! Fest (a K-Pop-focused event) and Collectors Expo, where attendees could buy and sell trading cards . This meant that the main hall featured several booths for various K-Pop groups, as well as multiple vendors selling sealed and graded cards.
For the K-Play! Fest, attendees could buy merch, trade photocards, and participate in scavenger hunts. They also shared programming with Anime Impulse, so many of the panels were K-Pop-focused. This drew a large crowd, although it also meant there was a large crowd doing synchronized dances in the middle of the main hall.
Collectors Expo featured multiple vendors selling cards (mostly Pokémon and One Piece, but there were a few other games here and there). The prices ranged significantly, with many cards being offered for anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on their rarity and grade.
Anyone who plays those card games (or tries to play but finds that scalpers beat them to the punch every time new packs are in stock) can tell you that the price of cards has been skyrocketing lately, making it a lucrative market for those looking to sell (but frustrating for those looking to just get some cards of Pokémon they like and enjoy the actual game).
There’s plenty of crossover between the anime, TCG, and K-Pop fandoms, so there was certainly synergy between the events. However, it didn’t quite help with the crowds.
The Guests
Anime Impulse had an impressive guest list, featuring a combination of V-Tubers and voice actors. The voice actors included talent such as Samantha Béart (Karlach from Baldur’s Gate 3), Charlet Chung (D.Va from Overwatch), Alain Mesa (Chad in Bleach) and Brian Beacock (Takato in Digimon Tamers), among many others.
Even with all the talent, the guest with the longest line was almost always Sean Chiplock, known for roles such as Subaru in Re:Zero and, most recently, Kinger in The Amazing Digital Circus. TADC co-star Marissa Lenti (who voiced Gangle) also drew a crowd, with the two of them sharing a panel on Saturday where they discussed their experiences with and thoughts on the show.
Anime Impulse also had Matt Braly, creator of Amphibia and Clara and the Below. This was a rare treat for fans of the shows, who had the chance to meet the person who made them possible.
On the V-Tuber front, Anime Impulse brought in guests from Nijisanji, such as Doppio Dropscythe, Alban Knox, and Aia Amare. V-Tubers Iluna, Xsoleil, and Noctyx also held meet & greet sessions with fans throughout the weekend, where they would stream their V-Tuber personas onto a large screen with a video feed to meet fans as close to directly as possible.
But the biggest V-Tuber attraction was Club Ironmouse, which held a special concert for attendees, as well as a VIP experience before the show. This was a big draw for fans, taking up the Main Stage all of Saturday.
Events and Panels
Panels for Anime Impulse were split between the Impulse Stage in the main hall and the Main Stage upstairs. The panels themselves were also split between Anime Impulse programming and the K-Play! Fest.
For instance, on Saturday, the Impulse Stage hosted a “Fandom Mayhem” show that catered to attendees for both events, and a panel on The Amazing Digital Circus, but was otherwise focused on K-Pop events. On Sunday, the panels were a bit more balanced between the two, but it also took several hours to stream the FIFA World Cup final (which meant that attendees could enjoy the con while catching the match, but also felt very out of place at an anime convention).
The Main Stage was primarily focused on concerts, with Saturday being reserved for Club Ironmouse and Sunday featuring shows like the RE:WIND or ZZZ New Eridu Live shows. While it did also include a panel for Cookierun: Kingdom, the panel schedule was surprisingly light given the guests the convention hosted.
Outside of panels, Anime Impulse also hosted cosplay gatherings for fans of various series, including My Hero Academia, The Amazing Digital Circus, Genshin Impact, and more. With all the Nijisanji V-Tubers in attendance, it’s no surprise that there was a cosplay gathering for their fans as well. And of course, the entire convention was filled with talented cosplayers dressed as their favorite characters (however, the lack of a cosplay contest/masquerade was also noticeable).
Gaming
One point in Anime Impulse’s favor was its gaming hall, which was filled with a variety of arcade games. There were rhythm games, racing games, shooting games, and much more, providing plenty of options for attendees.
In fact, there was even a section set aside for Beyblade, and competitors did indeed let it rip.
Notably, even though there was an event dedicated to buying and selling trading cards, there wasn’t a room for card games (or any other tabletop games). Of course, that’s in no way a requirement for any convention, and the Collectors Expo was more focused on collecting cards than playing them, but it did feel like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Still, for anyone who wanted to enjoy an arcade, Anime Impulse had that covered.
Overall
There’s plenty to like about Anime Impulse, but there are just as many areas where there’s room for growth.
First: the guest list was great! The convention brought in some amazing voice actors, plenty of V-Tubers, and even a series creator. On the other hand, the guests were also under-utilized, and the convention would have benefited from more panels with them.
Similarly, the Impulse Stage was a great way to let attendees enjoy panels while walking about the con. It’s great when panel stages are placed in easily accessible locations, so attendees can check them out even while wandering and without needing to wait in a line. At the same time, the stage was mostly used for K-Pop events that would have benefitted from a larger space where they could perform, and crowds could dance without crowding the halls and blocking off vendors.
The dealer’s hall and artist alley featured some awesome vendors and fantastic artwork, showcasing local talent and providing plenty of shopping opportunities. But the halls were also crowded, stuffy, and difficult to maneuver.
The arcade featured a great selection of games and remained active throughout the weekend! There’s no “but” there; that part’s fully positive.
Note that none of the downsides are deal-breakers; rather, they are areas where the convention can focus on improving in future years. It’s always great seeing conventions grow and find where they shine over time, and Anime Impulse can certainly to do the same as well if it focuses on improving what works.
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]]>The post Fanime 2026: Unlimited Fan Works appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>So Much to Do, So Much to See
Fanime 2026 was held in the San Jose Convention Center, as it has been for years. The venue continues to be a great location, with two attached hotels, several others within walking distance, and plenty of food options, also a short walk away. (Unfortunately, the convention center’s own staff remained as unfriendly as always, although the Fanime staffers were much more polite and professional.) Within the convention center, the con made full use of the space provided, with multiple rooms for shopping, panels, and other activities.
In fact, Fanime was too large for a single convention center to maintain, so it also used the DoubleTree Hotel and Signia. The DoubleTree served as home to the convention’s more adult programming, including a convention casino, night market, and 18+ gaming. The Signia held its J-Fashion events, including a dedicated panel room and market.
Suffice to say, there was no shortage of activities to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Cosplay
C’mon, it’s an anime convention, you know there’s going to be plenty of amazing cosplays to see.
Yes, cosplay is a big part of Fanime, with attendees showing up dressed as their favorite characters throughout the weekend (with many even cosplaying multiple characters per day to get to all the gatherings they wanted to attend).
Every year, there are a few series that stand out as some of the biggest among cosplayers. This year, Uma Musume was a top contender, and Freiren: Beyond Journey’s End remained popular; there were also plenty of cosplayers from K-Pop Demon Hunters, Dandadan, and Witch Hat Atelier. Of course, Fanime attendees didn’t limit themselves to just the latest and most popular series, as attendees cosplayed from classic anime and video games, lesser-known favorites, new series growing in popularity, and more.
Cosplayers could meet up and connect with fans of the same series at cosplay gatherings, held throughout the weekend and across the convention center. Cosplay gatherings are always a great way to meet fellow fans, reunite with old friends, and make new ones, as cosplayers posed for photos together and united in their love of the same series.
And of course, many cosplayers broke out their best outfits for the Masquerade. There, their craftsmanship was judged by a panel of experienced cosplayers, and they took to the stage to show off their stuff or perform for the crowd. The Fanime Masquerade is always a big draw, and competitors go all-out with their costumes.
If any cosplays were broken, the Cosplay Lounge included a repair station where attendees could quickly get their repairs. It also served as a nice break spot for cosplayers who just needed to sit down and take their wigs off, making it a welcome sight for attendees.
(Keep an eye out for our cosplay gallery, coming soon…)
Panels
A big part of Fanime’s “By Fans, For Fans” philosophy comes through in the panels. Fanime is known for having a ton of panels, including panels from the Guests of Honor and industry panels, but also plenty of fan programming.
Guest panels included Q&A sessions and career spotlights, but also fun panels like “Let’s Talk About Cats!” from guest Emi Lo. “Anime and Manga for Parents” from Gilles Poitras, and Zack Davisson’s “A Brief History of Yokai.” Industry panels, meanwhile, included topics like Central Computers presenting “Build Your Final Form,” and a panel on manga from Dark Horse Comics.
The fan panels were the most plentiful, covering everything from cosplay to demos to debates, and plenty of panels designed just for entertainment. A few standouts included “Anime Survivor,” “(Not) Cthulhu for President,” and the “Extremely Hard Anime Quiz,” but those are just at the tip of the iceberg. Attendees could learn about “A History of Gay Erotic Manga,” discuss “Yaoi: Is It Cringe?” or flashback to their younger days at “In My Toonami Era.”
And of course, there was the Cosplay Wrestling Federation, a two-night event where cosplayer competitors would cut promos and talk smack to earn the audience’s cheers or boos, with the winner claiming the CWF Heavyweight Title. This year, Carl Wheezer defended his title in a triple threat match, facing off against American Goku and Travis Touchdown, with Travis claiming the belt after a heated match. (Full disclosure: this writer is a member of the CWF and participated in both nights.)
Even outside of the panel rooms, attendees could check out Stage Zero, which was filled with performances, shows, and games throughout the weekend. Anyone walking by could see an idol group perform, dance demonstrations for the Black and White Ball, or guest interviews at all hours of the day.
Guests
Fanime typically brings a good variety of guests, and this year, it had a great selection of new and familiar faces alike.
One of the biggest guests this year was Yuriko Yamaguchi, the Japanese voice actress best known for voicing Ritsuko Akagi in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nurse Joy in Pokémon, and Nico Robin in One Piece. (Keep an eye out for our interview with her, coming soon.) Also joining her from Japan was Ai Nonoka (“Aipon” to her fans), known for her roles as Kyoko in Madoka Magica, Kafuka Fuura in Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei, and Konoka in Mahou Sensei Negima. Other voice actor guests included Emi Lo, who voices Lucy in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries, and Khoi Dao, voice of Albedo in Genshin Impact and Kuroko in Kuroko’s Basketball.
Outside of voice actors, Fanime invited ALI (Alien Liberty International) as a musical guest, and Mint Fantôme as a VTuber Guest of Honor. Industry guests included animator and director Hiroshi Nagahama, and writer/translator/lecturer Zack Davisson. Returning Guests of Honor included Gilles Poitras, Maguma, and VampyBitMe, who are familiar and welcome presences at Fanime.
Shopping
Fanime had several halls dedicated to shopping, as well as rooms at its offshoot locations for specialized needs. The biggest was the main Dealer’s Hall, where rows upon rows of vendors sold their goods. Attendees could buy everything from manga to figurines to props and wigs, or pretty much anything else their nerdy hearts desired, although shopping around to find the best deal is always recommended.
Across from the Dealer’s Hall, the Artist Alley was packed with fan artists selling their works and attendees ready to buy them. There were plenty of prints, handcrafted goods, and acrylic standees for sale, along with some stamp rallies for attendees looking to buy plenty of fan works for their favorite series. The artists selling there had some fantastic pieces on display, showcasing the skill and passion of fan creators.
On Thursday and Friday night, Fanime also hosted a Swap Meet, where attendees could make some sales of their own. It was a great opportunity for attendees to find great deals on older goods or to find a new home for the anime, manga, and toys they no longer needed.
In short: it was rare for an attendee to leave the con without at least a few new purchases to carry.
Games
Another large room was the Gaming Hall, which was filled with video games, tabletop games, and even an arcade. Throughout the four-day weekend, Fanime held a multitude of gaming events, including tournaments and chances to win tickets for prizes. There was also plenty of free play, with a library of games for attendees to rent and rows of monitors set up for modern and retro gaming.
Tournaments included fighting games, card games, and even mahjong. The gaming hall also included rows for indie games, where attendees could try out new games in progress from up-and-coming developers, and no shortage of free-to-play arcade games, along with a few pinball games.
At the back of the Gaming Hall, the Gaming Stage hosted a massive screen to show off live events, Jackbox games, and tournaments. Between the tournaments, it often featured attendees playing Rock Band… although it could have stood to lower the volume a little, as people playing card games on the other side of the hall couldn’t hear themselves talk over the music.
Noise levels aside, for anyone looking to enjoy any sort of gaming, the Gaming Hall had them covered. It was also one of the best places to go for evening entertainment, as it stayed open late into the night.
Park Con (Or: Why You’ve Been Seeing Posts About “Foot Juice”)
Fanime is not a 24-hour con (although it used to be), so what did attendees do after dark? While many returned to their rooms to rest up for the next day, plenty of attendees congregated at the park across the street for the unofficial event dubbed “Park Con.”
To be clear: Park Con is not an official event associated with Fanime in any way. However, because it happened near Fanime, at the same time as the con, and with mostly con attendees, it’s still worth mentioning.
Park Con was filled with activity, from the sound of multiple DJs blasting music to people chatting with friends to attendees playing video games in the park. The air was thick with smoke (what kind of smoke varied depending on where one was standing), and it was hard to tell what percentage of the attendees were sober. There was drinking, dancing, people hanging out in trees or carrying each other around; yes, the attendees used Park Con as an opportunity to really cut loose… which resulted in some major problems.
By now, the internet is already aware of the “foot juice” pictures from the event, but that wasn’t the worst health and safety problem of the weekend. There are also reports of violence, including someone having their face bitten. While it’s understandable that people will want a way to have fun past convention hours, these are safety hazards that will need to be addressed if it’s to continue.
To reiterate: Park Con was not affiliated with Fanime, and Fanime is not liable for anything that happened there. But Park Con clearly went a little too hard this time around, and if another one is attempted next year, we can expect a much heavier police presence.
And More
While those were among the biggest events at Fanime, it was far from all. Fanime was filled with things to do and see throughout the weekend, including:
- A car show for itasha cars decorated in anime wraps
- The Fanimaid Cafe, where attendees could sit down for a snack served by convention maids
- Manga Ichiba, a new event for English-language doujinshi (fan manga)
- A Manga Lounge where attendees could relax and do a bit of reading
- Karaoke
- The Black and White Ball
- Video screenings
- Speed dating, for anime fans looking to make a connection
- A stamp rally to take attendees around the convention
With all the activities to do, there was very little opportunity to be bored throughout the four days.
Overall
FanimeCon 2026 continued the convention’s streak. It remains a cornerstone convention of the Northern California anime scene, filling the weekend with activities, cosplay, and plenty of shopping. It brought in a great assortment of guests this year, and the panels and events continue to be entertaining and engaging. There’s a reason Fanime attendees keep coming back year after year.
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]]>The post CarrierCon 2026: A Two-Day Tour of Fandom appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This was CarrierCon’s first outing as a two-day convention, and by the time the doors opened, both days had sold out. So, let’s see how it went…
The Venue (and Crowd Control)
The USS Hornet is a venue like no other, as it’s literally onboard an aircraft carrier. This makes CarrierCon a unique experience where attendees can explore the ship while shopping, checking out panels, and taking cosplay photos. The flight deck was a particularly popular spot for cosplayers to hang out, as it gave them opportunities to take photos in front of historical airplanes, with the bay in the background, or in front of the hangar entrance.
However, some attendees were wary after 2025’s convention, which our previous report described as “the most crowded CarrierCon yet.” Last year, the crowd resulted in exceedingly long lines in the hot sun and a crowded interior that was difficult to navigate.
This year, however, CarrierCon averted that by splitting attendance across two days, with limited ticket sales per day. As a result, the crowd was much more manageable, and the lines moved much more quickly. So, credit where credit is due, CarrierCon saw that the crowds were a problem and made changes to address it.
For attendees who wanted to go on both days, they could book a nearby hotel, or they could get an overnight experience on the Hornet, spending a night in the ship’s bunks (complete with dinner and a tour of the ship).
Cosplay
Of course, CarrierCon provided a great opportunity for cosplayers, and as always, they showed up in full force.
Many cosplayers opted to take advantage of the unique venue with costumes from series like Goddess of Victory: Nikke, Azure Lane, or classics like Neon Genesis Evangelion. Games like Marvel Rivals, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil were also popular choices, but there was no shortage of variety.
Cosplayers also had the opportunity to showcase their skills in the cosplay contest, where cosplayers showed off their best craftsmanship and performances to the crowd and a panel of experienced judges.
CarrierCon also hosted cosplay gatherings throughout the weekend, where cosplayers from the same series could meet up for photos. In addition to many of the series mentioned earlier, such as Nikke and Marvel Rivals, as well as other gacha games (including Azur Lane and Honkai: Star Rail), anime like One Piece and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and even EPIC: The Musical.
As always, Star Wars cosplay groups like the 501st Legion and the Bay Area Droid Builders were in attendance, so it wasn’t uncommon to walk past a Stormtrooper or R2-D2.
And for cosplayers in need of some emergency repairs, the Cosplay Cleric had her booth, where she and her crew offered free repairs, including sewing, glue, ironing, or any other repair needs. As any cosplayer who’s experienced a last-minute malfunction can attest, those services are always appreciated.
Panels
CarrierCon offered a good variety of stage shows and panels throughout the weekend, appealing to a wide array of interests. This included such panels as the always-enjoyable “Fandom Taboo! Game Show,” a look at “The US Ships in Kantai Collection,” a “Pokémon Film Review Hour,” and even “Swordfighting 101.” A few naval historian YouTubers also took the opportunity to present at CarrierCon, bringing their knowledge and expertise to a thematically appropriate venue.
The Cosplay Wrestling Federation (CWF) returned to CarrierCon, with defending champ Parappa the Rapper fighting off the verbal assaults from challengers to try to retain the Best Of All Time (BOAT) title. CWF is always a fun show, where the audience gets hyped cheering for their favorites or booing heels, and the winner is determined by audience applause. This year, Skeletor returned to claim the BOAT title, although Bill Ding nearly took it for himself. (Full disclosure: this writer is a member of CWF.)
However, the vast majority of the panels were hosted by Vtuber guests. This meant there were plenty of panels like “VTubing as a Career” and “Meet the Clumsiest VTuber EVER.” The Main Stage also hosted Vtuber panels, with a second stage dedicated to events like a “VFleet Virtual Concert” and large meet & greets.
The panels were held in rooms in the lower decks, which could be difficult to navigate to. That did occasionally result in lower attendance, but those who could find the panel rooms certainly enjoyed them.
Guests
CarrierCon always makes sure to invite a few convention guests, and this year was no exception. The big human guest was Meli Grant, a voice actress known for her roles like Gorgo in Honkai: Star Rail and Kilika Rouran in The Legends of Heroes, as well as her own VTuber character, Melizande.
The other guests were all VTubers, who attended via video streams. There, they could meet and greet fans through headsets and cameras, giving fans an opportunity to meet their oshis. VTuber guests included Vampirate Odessa, Chikafuji Lisa, Vivi Chan the Dragon, and entire groups like VFleet Project and Aegis Link.
On Saturday, attendees wanting to stay late could enjoy the Oshi On Deck concert, featuring a wide array of VTuber performers streaming onto the ship for their entertainment.
And More
CarrierCon featured a nicely sized artist alley, as well as a good assortment of vendors. Not only were there convention staples like artwork, acrylic standees, and keychains, but handcrafted goods like crocheted Pokémon. One vendor was selling new tea blends inspired by VTubers, and even Nintendo had a table for enjoying Switch 2 games and getting some free merch.
Below decks, attendees could sit down to enjoy board games. This included a good assortment of go-to favorites, as well as the “Starfinder” RPG, a science fiction variant of Paizo’s “Pathfinder,” now in its 2nd edition. (While CarrierCon did offer D&D Adventurers League games in 2023, including a Dungeoncraft adventure written in cooperation with the Hornet Museum and set on a Spelljammer version of the Hornet, it has not returned since then.)
And when attendees needed a bite to eat, food trucks outside provided good options (and minimal seating). While there weren’t any food options within walking distance, the convention made sure its attendees wouldn’t go hungry. However, the usual food stand within the Hornet was absent this year, so the food trucks were the only option.
Overall
Credit must be given to CarrierCon for addressing the crowd issue from 2025. Splitting it into two days with limited tickets per day helped ensure the crowd remained at a reasonable level each day while still providing plenty of panels and events.
For VTuber fans, CarrierCon had a ton of guests for them to virtually meet, plus panels and shows to enjoy. For cosplayers, the convention is a unique opportunity to take photos on a real aircraft carrier, not to mention events like the Cosplay Contest and CWF. And for fans of anime, comics, and all other things geeky, it was a fun con to explore, check out panels, buy merch, and meet fellow fans.
Were there some areas that could be improved? Sure. The admissions being capped off meant that would-be museum attendees were turned away at the door, which is admittedly a tricky balance to strike. The panel rooms could be hard to find, the gaming options were a little limited, and the guests only appealed to VTuber fans. But those are all minor issues that can be fixed in time, and as CarrierCon has demonstrated this year, it is listening to feedback and working to improve each year.
So with CarrierCon 2026 behind us, attendees can look forward to setting sail again in 2027 and beyond.
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]]>The post DunDraCon 2026: Good Games All Around appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>So without further ado, let’s take a look at this year’s DunDraCon, explore all that it had to offer, and see how it played out.
Location
DunDraCon 49 continued the convention’s streak of staying in the Santa Clara Marriott, which has remained an excellent location. The hotel is large enough to hold multiple game rooms of all sizes, including smaller hotel rooms for individual game sessions, and could fit the attendees nicely. Check-in and check-out were both quick and painless, so attendees could drop off their bags and get to gaming quickly.
Attendees could dine at the hotel’s bar or restaurant, although that did mean having to choose between hotel prices and convention quality. Fortunately, there were also plenty of options within an easy walking distance, including bagels, Mexican food, ramen, and pizza, with even more options a short drive away. (Driving was an easy option, since the convention had a special parking price of $5 per day, with in-and-out privileges for hotel guests.)
Gaming
Of course, people don’t go to DunDraCon just for the location – they go for the games! Suffice to say, there were plenty of options for all gamers, whether they were looking for a pickup game of Magic: The Gathering or wanted to get fully in-character for a LARP.
DDC featured a large assortment of scheduled games throughout the weekend, starting as early as 8 AM and running late into the night. Players could sign up for these games in advance online, but if any spots remained open during the con, they could try to grab one while there. These scheduled games included a wide variety of RPGs (plenty of Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder, of course, but also newer systems like DIE, Daggerheart, and Draw Steel), as well as board games like Wingspan, Red Dragon Inn, and even Trogdor: The Board Game.
Speaking of RPGs, Pathfinder Society was back with organized play for Paizo’s RPGs. They hosted multiple tables throughout the weekend, covering several levels of play, including a five-hour multi-table game on Saturday night. Organized play is a fun opportunity for players to bring their characters across conventions and stores, and many familiar faces continue to reunite for more adventures year after year. (There was still no Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League at DDC, but that’s been the case for a while now.)
Some of the biggest games were Live-Action Role Playing games (LARPs), which filled large rooms to bring players through an interactive adventure. Many LARPers showed up in costume for their games, while other players experienced LARPing for the first time. The convention had a table where players could sign up for open spots in upcoming LARPs, complete with a useful flier explaining the system of hand signs players could use to signal comfort levels during the game.
Although when we talk about “big” games, that’s where the Miniatures Room came in. Players waged war with large-scale sets and tables, featuring detailed miniatures and impressive set pieces. The game pieces may technically be “miniatures,” but the games were anything but that.
Of course, players didn’t necessarily need to sign up in advance to enjoy a game, because there were multiple Free Play rooms. Players could go there with a group and grab a free table, or look for a “Players Wanted” flag to learn a new game.
Attendees didn’t even need to bring their own games, as DunDraCon’s game library featured an extensive assortment of options for all ages.
Players could even provide playtesting and feedback for games in progress in the Protospiel room. There, up-and-coming game designers were showing off their newest works, receiving valuable feedback while letting players try a game they’ve almost certainly never seen before. The Protospiel room was always a popular draw and is a great resource for game developers looking to reach players and see how their games work with a large and varied group of gamers.
Even walking down the halls, it was impossible not to see games in action. Some players took tables in the lobby to relax with casual games, while other halls had rows of tables set up for massive Dice Throne tournaments.
No matter what type of game you were looking for, DunDraCon had it.
Panels & Seminars
If attendees wanted to sit down and take a break from gaming, they could always check out seminars. These panels covered a wide range of topics, including a “Storytelling for Games” workshop, a presentation on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Context of Tabletop Gaming,” and plenty of War College presentations that blended real world history and war game design.
The panels were hosted by experienced presenters, making them informative and entertaining experiences. Some delved into topics people don’t normally associate with games, like the criminal justice system, while others were hands-on workshops for embroidering or designing terrain.
Miniature Painting
DunDraCon’s Miniature Painting Room has, for several years, been a great place for attendees to sit, chat, make new friends, and paint free miniatures. This year was no exception, as the Painting Room remains one of the best parts of the con (in this writer’s opinion, sure, but it’s a commonly shared one).
The Painting Room featured rows of tables and chairs and a Paint ‘n’ Take table, so attendees could grab a free miniature and some paint, then get to painting. The staff was always welcoming, friendly, and eager to help new painters learn some tricks, so the room remained full for most of the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday also featured painting contests. Participants had until 5 PM to paint a miniature to the best of their abilities, and convention attendees could vote on their favorites, with the winners getting little 3D-printed dragons to commemorate their wins. The contests showcased some amazing miniatures from attendees, and the level of competition has only improved with each passing year.
(Full disclosure: I spent a lot of time in the painting room, and only barely managed to maintain my streak of taking home a tiny dragon by tying for third place once. Clearly, I need to up my game for next year.)
Weapons and Demos
If there’s one thing tabletop gamers like as much as their games, it’s medieval weapons and getting to whack friends with foam swords. (I’m pretty sure that’s a proven fact, though I can’t point you to any studies on it.) Well, DunDraCon had that as well.
The convention featured fighting demonstrations by Amtgard and The Society for Creative Anachronism. Attendees could check out their display room to see armor and clothing, try their hand at leatherwork, or see people bop each other with foam weapons for a bit.
Or, for those looking for a cracking good time (that’s a horrible pun, and I apologize), Randy Bartlett brought his 20+ years of whip experience to the convention with demonstrations and lessons throughout the weekend.
Shopping (and Free Stuff)
Of course, DunDraCon is a convention, and for many that means shopping. DDC’s Dealer’s Hall was packed with booths, including nearby game stores and vendors, artists, and even local game designers. Attendees could buy 3D printed figurines, discounted games, RPG supplies, jewelry, and of course, tons of dice (because we all love pretty math rocks that go clickety-clack).
Additionally, the Games Auction was an exciting chance to buy and sell games, where attendees bid on donated games. On Monday morning, attendees could sell and buy their well-loved games at the Bazaar. There, lucky attendees could find hidden treasure and out-of-print games, while sellers could find new homes for old favorites.
Or, if you’d rather not pay for anything, the Freecycle table was constantly filled with games that attendees dropped off to rehome.
And More
DunDraCon didn’t stop there, as there was plenty more to see and do. Other attractions included:
- The Anime Room, where attendees could relax and watch a great combination of new and classic anime series.
- A Kids’ Room for children to play, have fun, and even learn a little.
- An unofficial Hawaiian Shirt Day, which is exactly what it sounds like. (Although it was included in the convention’s program book, the entire section was surrounded by the word “Unofficial” over and over.)
- A blood drive from the Stanford Bloodmobile, so attendees could give back and donate.
- Pin Trading, for those who like collecting and trading commemorative pins.
- Drawings and contests throughout the weekend for free prizes, ranging from game books to figurines to GenCon tickets.
President’s Day and Valentine’s Day may have fallen on the same weekend, but for DunDraCon attendees, those days meant little. The convention weekend was filled with games of all sorts, providing no shortage of fun for all. Whether you’re there for gaming, shopping, seminars, or hours of painting miniatures, DunDraCon remains a great way for tabletop gamers to meet, play, and enjoy a nice, long weekend of fun.
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]]>The post Clockwork Alchemy 2025 Celebrates Steampunk appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This year, Clockwork Alchemy’s theme was “Gaslight Fantasy,” blending more magical and fantasy elements with steam-powered science. So while attendees still showed up wearing gears, goggles, and gadgets, there was also a touch of magic about the con.
So without further ado, let’s dive into Clockwork Alchemy 2025 and see what it had to offer.
Crafts & Cosplay
One of the biggest draws of Clockwork Alchemy is the creativity of the guests and attendees, and nothing captures this more than the Artist’s Gallery. There, artists displayed their works in a variety of mediums, from sculptures to paintings to handmade outfits. The gallery even included a large replica of H.G. Wells’s time machine, which attendees could pose for pictures on.
Speaking of the attendees, many of them showed up in their best steampunk outfits. Many were dressed in dapper outfits adorned with gears and cogs, complete with the largest of hats. Others took existing series or characters and gave them a steampunk twist, including science fiction staples like Star Trek and Galaxy Express 999. Attendees could display their creativity with outfits overflowing with personality and personal touches, so no two outfits were alike.
Guests of Honor
Clockwork Alchemy tends to bring a good variety of guests, including artists, authors, and plenty of musical performers. Some are familiar to frequent attendees, while others were making their Clockwork Alchemy debut.
Musical guests included Dust Bowl Faeries, The Forgetmenauts, Hobo Goblins, and Unwoman, who brought their various styles to performances throughout the convention weekend. Artist Matt Gaser appeared as the Artist Guest of Honor, along with Author Guest of Honor TE MacArthur.
This year, the guest list also included Charles Bates, better known as Yahzick, who D&D fans may recognize from the “D&D Edition” videos with Mann Shorts. Yahzick performed double duty as a gaming and musical guest, performing game-themed raps at the Aural Alchemy Concert.
Shopping
Shopping at Clockwork Alchemy isn’t like other cons. While your typical convention has a Dealers’ Hall filled with vendors and businesses, and an Artist Alley for independent artists, Clockwork Alchemy featured an Artists’ Bazaar, where attendees could buy handcrafted goods.
The Artists’ Bazaar featured a variety of unique, homemade wares, including clothing, incense, metal sculptures, and even decorations made from naturally sourced animal bones. While prices varied from seller to seller, attendees were paying independent artists for their handmade goods, which is always worth a few extra bucks.
Additionally, attendees could purchase books from the Author’s Alley and Basilisk’s Book Shop within the Artists’ Bazaar. This featured works from guest authors, including science fiction, romance, fantasy, horror, and many combinations thereof.
And for those looking to grab some garb without spending much, they could try their luck at the Garb Giveaway to snag some gently-used jackets, hats, and other outfit pieces in need of a new home.
Panels, Workshops, and Weapons
Throughout the con, attendees could sit down and attend panels covering a wide array of topics, presented by knowledgeable experts and fans. The panels covered a wide array of topics, including “Steampunk Occultism,” the storytelling in “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” steampunk in tabletop RPGs, a history of San Francisco in the gaslight era, and more. Suffice it to say, the variety and subjects made for unique panels and discussions you can’t find anywhere else.
In addition to informational panels and discussions, Clockwork Alchemy also featured hands-on workshops, where attendees could learn and practice their own crafts. This included a butterfly pinning workshop, plush sewing, origami (including both all-ages and adult origami workshops), Victorian hat pins, and more. While many of these workshops did have a cost to cover the materials, they gave attendees a chance to make something new and take home their creations.
Speaking of hands-on experiences, Clockwork Alchemy’s War Room featured weapon demonstrations and training throughout the convention. Attendees had the chance to learn martial arts, self-defense techniques, and a variety of weapons, from knives to naginata. There were guidelines in place to make sure that attendees of all ages and physical abilities could safely learn and practice, under the careful instruction and guidance of trained staff.
Events and Activities
The schedule contained plenty of other activities throughout the convention weekend, including several unique to Clockwork Alchemy. Tea Dueling, for instance, is an always-popular competition, wherein competitors would compete in what’s essentially a game of “chicken” to cleanly eat biscuits dunked in hot tea.
Speaking of tea, there was the Teapot Racing contest, where competitors drove remote-controlled cars mounted with teapots through an obstacle course. Naturally, there was also the Alchemist Tea Parlor, where attendees could rest their feet and sit down for a nice hot cuppa and converse with other attendees.
The game room provided another opportunity for attendees to relax and meet new friends, with a nice selection of board games (many steampunk-themed, of course) and several TTRPGs scheduled throughout the weekend. This included Dungeons & Dragons, of course, but also systems like In Nomine, Deadlands Classic, and even a new game-in-progress by guest Yahzick called “The Florida Mann.”
Attendees hoping to enjoy some music had plenty of opportunities, with concerts and performances by the con’s musical guests throughout the weekend. For those who wanted a little more movement with their music, the Forgotten Mists Ball provided an opportunity to get on the floor and dance.
In short, there was no shortage of things to do at Clockwork Alchemy.
From Friday through Sunday, the hotel was packed full of attendees in their best steampunk garb and gears. The Grand Bay Hotel proved a fine location for the convention, complete with a scenic lakeside view and a good selection of food options (not to mention convenient parking, which is always a plus). For steampunk fans or anyone interested in the genre, Clockwork Alchemy is a con well worth checking out.
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