About 2,000 people are expected to take part this weekend as the fifth annual GottaCon Game Convention serves up 50 non-stop hours of hobby-based games. The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday and continues around the clock until 7 p.m. Sunday.
“While there are a number of gaming conventions in the market, GottaCon stands out because it offers a broad spectrum of gaming under one roof,” says Evan Hatch, co-founder of the convention.
“Miniatures are one of the fastest-growing segments and we will have over 100 tables set up this weekend. It will make this event perhaps the single-largest gathering of miniature-based games in the country.”
• Board-game highlights include the Great Canadian Board Game Blitz qualifier, a four-round event featuring seven different games in each round — with a ticket for the Blitz finals at FanExpo in Toronto for the overall winner. There will be demonstrations, learn-to-play sessions and board game tournaments.
• Role-playing games kick off Friday night with choices such as Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons and Marvel Heroic. Some will host celebrity sessions with some of the creators.
• The Warhammer 40K and Fantasy championships, the Malifaux championship and Warmachine/Hordes Steamroller championship are major features of Miniatures games. Warhammer and Warmachine events include team events for pairs and trios.
• The largest trading-card games events on the Island will be at the convention, including the GottaCon Magic: The Gathering Open, and World of Warcraft GottaCon Championships. There will also be a Victoria vs. Vancouver grudge match in Magic: The Gathering.
• Video games include computer, Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 3 games and events. Xbox 360 will have free-for-all and pairs tournaments in Halo 4 and Call of Duty Black Ops 2. Wii will host Super Smash Brothers.
Major computer events include the Logitech G-Series League of Legends 5 vs. 5 tournament, a Kingston HyperX Starcraft 2 singles tournament and special events in new releases.
There will be contests as well as free play whenever seat availability permits. There will also be Lego tables and a kids section.
Admission at the door. Ticket prices vary, from $20 for a one-day pass for an individual, to $125 for a weekend pass for a family. It’s all at the Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Ave. For more information, go to gottacon.com.
