What should I expect at CGE 2K1??

[+johnnywc]

Hello -

 

I am seriously considering going to CGE 2K1 (all the way from CT!) and was wondering if anyone here has attended previous CGE's. I was hoping to get some insight of what to expect. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Alex]

I went in '99 and '00. I won't be able to go this year due to a conflicting obligation, or I would go again. If you're a big classic gaming nut, it's definitely worth it. Airfare and hotels are relatively inexpensive, so if you don't lose a lot gambling it can be a fairly cheap trip.

 

The show itself has a number of attractions. Lots of free-play arcade games (both classic and new), dealers with games for sale (lots of cheap commons, but the rare stuff is usually at collector prices), gaming contests, exclusive games for sale, interviews with classic programmers and industry vets, a trading session, and other stuff. Personally, I enjoyed meeting other hobbyists in person and also getting autographs from classic programmers (and just speaking to them in general, a lot of them are genuinely nice people). There's also an impressive gaming museum on site.

 

Check our CGE 2000 wrap-up for more info, including pictures.

 

The Plaza hotel where it's being held is certainly the most convenient location, but it's an older casino and it shows. Accomodations are servicable but nothing special, although it is cheap.

 

If you haven't been to Vegas, I really recommend staying on the strip just for the spectacle of it. You can get some really good deals in nice hotels there (I recommend the Luxor for a good price/quality deal). If you're renting a car it's no big deal to zip on over from the strip to the Plaza on Fremont street. Staying on Fremont is cheap and convenient, but the casinos are pretty old and the "Fremont Street Experience" certainly doesn't compare to the strip.

 

And when you want to get away, Red Rock canyon is only about 20-30 minutes out and is a nice drive with some decent hiking, but make sure you take lots of water.

 

And if you rent a car, do what you can to get immediate pickup or whatever - my girlfriend and I ended up waiting in line for about an hour and a half after we got off the plane to get our car. Major suckage.

 

If you plan on buying exclusive games, do so right away because they often sell out before the show is over.

 

Okay, that's probably way more than you wanted to know, but I figure this would be helpful to any first-timers at the show.

 

Oh yeah, and make sure you get a Casino Card wherever you stay! It's free and it can only help you.

[+bcombee]

I went last year for the first time. I was a very fun show, and I got to meet a lot of the people from the newsgroup.

 

In addition to Alex's comments:

 

1) Bring extra cash. I set aside $200 for me to spend at the show, and ended up returning home with a Lynx system with almost every game I'd wanted for it, all new-in-box stock. I also picked up a few PAL items that visitors from Europe had brought over in bulk.

 

2) Be sure to catch the panels. I saw most of the panels last year, and they were a blast. While I'm sure a lot of the panel content will be repeated this time around, the Q&A parts can be really fun.

 

3) There are shuttles from downtown to the Strip and back, so staying at the Plaza isn't so bad. Plus, its a quick elevator ride up to drop off your loot.

[+johnnywc]

Thanks for the tips. I just booked my flight and I'll be there in August. Should I bring any cartridges for trade? I mean - is that common at these sort of things?

 

Also - what "classic" games are represented? Is it mostly Atari, Coleco, Intellivision, etc. or are there arcade games too? Just wanted to know because I coaxed my brother into going and he's not a 2600 fanatic like myself (not yet anyway)...

 

Thanks

[Tempest]

This brings up a good question, are most people staying at the hotel where this thing is held or are they staying elsewhere? Personally I like to stay where the convention is because when I tired and beat after a long day of walkign around I can just walk up stairs and go to bed (and it's easier to dump off crap you've just bought).

 

Tempest

[Alex]

Yes, there will be a trading session. You won't want to lug around everything you have, so just bring your best stuff. You can also make deals on the spot and complete them later by mail with the stuff you left at home.

 

In the past they have had dozens of arcade games (mostly classic, some new) for fee play. There were also raffles for free arcade games that included shipping to your home!